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Biography

A member of the firm’s litigation department for over 30 years, Chris has been retained to defend clients in over 15 jurisdictions across the U.S., garnering major wins as both national and regional counsel in high-profile cases involving insurance coverage and class action matters. Chris is not only able to provide experienced guidance drawn from his years serving as a front-line litigator, but he is equally adept at identifying unique strategies that have not been tried before to resolve cases in favor of his clients. This practice of providing fresh perspectives and aggressive representation, combined with Chris’ ability to master the facts and complex technical details underlying a case, has made a significant difference for his clients over the course of his 30-year career.

In his insurance and tort litigation practice, Chris has litigated hundreds of coverage and extra contractual matters, including several class action suits. He has successfully handled complex class actions, insurance coverage, bad faith, and fire cases in federal and state courts in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, DC. Chris has also chaired the firm’s e-discovery litigation review group and was instrumental in starting the firm’s information management and electronic discovery group. His trial and litigation experience includes defending class action lawsuits involving construction and other product liability matters, insurance claim settlement software, as well as tax issues with allegations of fraud and bad faith.

In addition to his trial work, Chris assists with fraud investigations and provides training to clients on implementing policies and practices to protect against future lawsuits or increase the likelihood of success should litigation be in the company’s best interest.

Christopher's Relevant Experience

Insurance Coverage & Fraud

Obtained summary judgment in numerous insurance coverage and extra contractual cases in multiple jurisdictions. Several of these summary judgements led to appellate decisions which have become the leading decision for carriers in bad faith cases.

Obtained a $5 million default judgment in bad faith matter because of opposing party’s electronic discovery abuse.

Defeated multiple motions to dismiss carrier declaratory actions in response to insured’s claim that Federal Court should not exercise its discretionary jurisdiction.

Obtained a jury verdict in an insurance fraud and bad faith insurance matter in Los Angeles, California resulting in a $2 million judgment against the policyholder.

After obtaining summary judgment, obtained a nearly $500,000 recovery for vexatious litigation in a coverage and extra contractual damage matter.

Successfully obtained summary judgment in over 20 arson and fraud matters, all involving claims for bad faith and punitive damages.

Obtained first ever and highest fine ever imposed against a fraudulent medical clinic under Certificate of Need laws and regulations on behalf of insurance company.

Obtained a modest settlement (well below cost of defense) in a consumer bad faith class action matter involving computer software and over $100 million in claimed damages.

Advised and assisted clients in start-up of Special Investigative Units.

Successfully referred and presented suspected insurance fraud matters to the Department of Insurance for prosecution.

Successfully lead investigation of over 50 suspected arson and fraudulent insurance and worker’s compensation claims.

Trained insurance and law enforcement officers on how to fight fraud and avoid extra contractual damages.

Trained numerous insurance professionals and provided advice about resolving water intrusion and mold claims in the wake of the Melinda Ballard verdict.

Helped several self-insured companies obtain their first ever decision upholding denial of fraudulent workers’ compensation claims.

Obtained numerous summary judgment decisions regarding property insurance and commercial general liability coverage issues.

Class Action & Complex Trial Practice

Twice obtained dismissal of consumer class action suits involving sprinkler retro fit for manufactured homes, with exposure of over $400 million before Plaintiff was allowed to proceed with class discovery.

Over seven years of litigation in California federal court, defeated four separate motions to certify a class action involving a construction product and consumer class action claims under California’s UCL with alleged exposure of more than $2 billion. During the case, FBT successfully excluded Plaintiff’s mold expert during the certification phase, won a sua sponte motion under CAFA to remand the matter under the local controversy exception, and eventually obtained a judgment on the pleadings in favor of defendants.

Effectively managed cases involving more than 2 million electronic images.

Has successfully removed complex cases to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA”).

After winning a complex motion to remand under a CAFA removal and filing a strong motion to dismiss, obtained settlement in putative consumer / legal negligence class action for an amount substantially below cost of defense.

After strong motion to dismiss, and before class certification discovery, obtained settlement in Connecticut putative consumer class action involving service warranties for an amount substantially below the cost of defense.

Obtained a dismissal of an alleged consumer fraud / Lanham Act matter in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Obtained directed verdict in a $75 million mold case, and successfully argued the matter on appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Other Info About Christopher

Education

Law School

University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, J.D., 1989

Undergraduate School

Marshall University, B.A., 1985

Bar Memberships

Christopher is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky, 1989

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

Kentucky Supreme Court; Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation Committee, Past Member

Kentucky Bench & Bar Publications Committee, Past Member

Defense Research Institute, Member

International Association of Special Investigators, Past Member

National Association of Professional Insurance Investigators, Past Member

Kentucky Defense Counsel, Past Member

Kentucky Association of Special Investigators, Past Member

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Safe Passage, Past Board Member

ROCK Cares Foundation, Volunteer President and Board Chair

Reclaim Our Culture Kentuckiana (“ROCK”), Volunteer President and Board Chair

Metro United Way, Past Board Member

Metro United Way Tocqueville Society, Past Chair

Metro United Way, Employee Coordinator of the Year, 2008

Bingham Fellows, Class of 2015

A Woman’s Choice Resource Center and Necole’s Place, Past Board Member

Leadership Louisville, Class of 2006

Leadership Louisville Advisory Committee, Past Member

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