Smith Haughey attorney Cheryl Chandler has been named the 2019 recipient of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel’s (MDTC) Excellence in Defense Award. This award is designed to honor civil defense counsel who have “through their professionalism, intelligence, creativity, judgment, personality, sensitivity, civility, advocacy skills, community involvement and efforts to educate younger attorneys, promoted the practice of the defense bar and the representation of their clients both in and outside of the courtroom. It also recognizes contributions beyond their normal roles as an advocate.”
MDTC was established in 1979 to enhance and promote the civil defense bar. MDTC exists to facilitate greater exchange of views and advance the interests of civil defense attorneys. As the state’s premier organization of civil defense litigators, the impact of MDTC members is felt through its amicus briefs, often filed by express invitation of the courts, through its far-reaching and well-respected quarterly publication, and through its timely and well-received seminars.
Chandler is an exceptional and decorated trial lawyer, with over 35 years of experience representing hospitals and physicians in medical malpractice cases. In an age where trials are few, Chandler regularly tries cases and helps develop much needed trial skills in younger attorneys. She embodies the attributes recognized by this award in every way.
Chandler has served on Smith Haughey’s board of directors since 2014 and is the managing shareholder of Smith Haughey’s Ann Arbor office. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Michigan Society of Hospital Risk Managers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. She is a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, and is active in numerous professional and civic organizations, including serving on the boards of Dawn Farms and the Metro Health Foundation. Chandler has received many awards over the years, including the American Physicians’ 2010 Outstanding Defense Attorney Award. She was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law class of 2013, was named a Best Lawyer by Women in the Law in 2016, was named one of Hour Detroit’s Top Women Attorneys in Michigan in 2017 and was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly Women in the Law class of 2018. Chandler has been listed as a Best Lawyer in medical malpractice law since 2013.
Chandler is the fourth Smith Haughey attorney to receive the MDTC Excellence in Defense Award, carrying on the firm’s long tradition of litigation excellence. Past Smith Haughey recipients of the award are L. Roland “Bud” Roegge, William Jack and Patrick Geary.