Christopher C. McCracken
Retired Partner
After 45 years with Ulmer, Chris retired in 2022. Joining the firm straight out of law school, Chris represented domestic and foreign businesses in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, financings and commercial transactions. He served as general counsel, secretary, and advisor to public and privately owned companies. He served as Group Leader of the International Practice Group at Ulmer & Berne. Chris achieved the highest rating, AV Preeminent®, from Martindale-Hubbell® and was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© in Corporate Law and Mergers & Acquisitions Law. Chris served for six years as the Chairman of Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), an association of independent law firms located in major commercial centers throughout the world. He also served as a member and as Chairman of the Recruiting Committee of LAW.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Bowling Green State University
(B.A.)
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law
(J.D.)
Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Publications & Presentations
Presentations
- Frequent speaker on corporate governance and international business law issues
Involvement
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- International Bar Association (Member, 2009-present)
- American Bar Association (Section of Business Law; Section of International Law)
- Ohio State Bar Association (Corporation Law Committee; Chair, Nonprofit Corporation Law Subcommittee)
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Securities Law Section, Past Chair; Corporation, Banking and Business Law Section)
- National Association of Bond Lawyers (Member, 1992-present)
- The National Registry of Who’s Who (Life Member)
- Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW) (Past Chairman and Recruiting Committee, 2008-present; Chairman, 2002-2008; Executive Committee, Member, 1999-2010)
- Greater Cleveland International Lawyers Group (Board Member; Trustee, 2009-present)
- Intellectual Property Owners Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Cleveland Championships 2009 (2009 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships) (Trustee, Assistant Secretary and Legal Counsel for the local organizing committee)
- Cleveland Championships 2000 (2000 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships) (Trustee, Assistant Secretary and Legal Counsel for the local organizing committee)
- Cleveland Children’s Museum (President, 1992-1994; Vice President, 1990-1991; Board of Trustees, 1988-1994; Founding Member, 1985)
- Spaces (Trustee Emeritus, 1980-present; Board of Trustees, 1977-1987; Incorporator and Founding Member, 1977)
- Cleveland Entrepreneurship Preparatory School (Charter School) (Secretary and Member, Board of Directors, 2005)
- E-City (teaching entrepreneurship skills to low income young people) (Secretary and Member, Board of Directors, 2005)
- Committee on Legal Opinions
Honors
HONORS
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated – Martindale-Hubbell
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2013-2023)
- Society of Benchers, Case Western Reserve University School of Law (Member)