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Biography

Chris is a trial lawyer in Frost Brown Todd’s litigation department with jury experience in multiple forums. Chris has served as lead counsel at trial for a variety of clients, ranging from major agricultural equipment manufacturers to franchise operations on a nationwide basis. While he represents product manufacturers in fire and explosion matters, Chris also represents clients in a variety of commercial disputes including franchise agreement interpretation and intellectual property enforcement. He has experience at both the trial and appellate levels and has numerous reported opinions.

Chris's Relevant Experience

Defense Cases

Chrisโ€™ experience includes the following:

  • Pipeline Rupture, Fleming County, Kentucky, May 2020 โ€“ defend midstream natural gas transmission company against numerous claims emanating from rupture.
  • Pipeline Rupture, Lincoln County, Kentucky, August 1, 2019 โ€“ defend midstream natural gas transmission company against 200+ claims, including wrongful death, alleged respiratory injuries, purported emotional damages, and catastrophic property damage claims.
  • Grede Holdings, LLC v. Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, LLC,ย Mercer Circuit Court, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky (June 2016)ย โ€“ Served as lead trial counsel and obtained judgment in favor of Grede Holdings forย $1.2 million in automotive commercial dispute while also successfully defending Hitachiโ€™s counterclaim seeking approximately $2.7 million in damages.
  • Estate of Matthew Lane, et al. v. W.A. Kendall & Co., et al.,ย Owsley Circuit Court, Booneville, Kentucky (October 2015) โ€“ Served as trial counsel and obtained a complete defense verdict in favor of a commercial motor carrier in a wrongful death (husband) and catastrophic amputation (wife) lawsuit seeking $70 millionย in damages.
  • Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan v. CNH Industrial America LLC, Western District of Michigan, Kalamazoo, Michigan (October 2015)ย โ€“ Served as lead trial counsel and obtained a defense verdict for agricultural equipment manufacturer, CNH Industrial America LLC, in a one-week jury trial addressing product defect claims.
  • Mountain View Recreation, Inc. dba Mountain View Casino v. Imperial Commercial Cooking Equipment, et al., Nye District Court, Pahrump, Nevada โ€“ Defended product manufacturer in a $35 millionย property damage subrogation lawsuit arising out of a catastrophic casino fire.
  • Ryan v. CNH Industrial America LLC, Caldwell Parish District Court, Columbia, Louisiana (May and June 2015)ย โ€“ Served as lead trial counsel in two-week jury trial addressing product defect claims against CNH.ย Obtained favorable outcomes at trial court and on appeal with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana.ย 2016 WL 7407418 (La. App. 12/22/16).
  • Martin v. Louisville Gas and Electric Company, et al., Jefferson Circuit Court, Louisville, Kentucky (March 2015) โ€“ Served asย trial counsel and obtained a defense verdict in favor of an electrical utility company in a two-weekย motorcycle lawsuit seeking $4.5 millionย in personal injury damages.
  • Smith v. PPG Industries, Inc., 2015 WLย 3466266 (W.D. Ky. June 1, 2015), Western District of Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky โ€“ Obtained summary judgment under Kentuckyโ€™s Up-the-Ladder Immunity Doctrine for paint and caulk manufacturer on claim seeking over $2.5 million in personal injury damages.
  • Brasher v. Speedway, LLC, Jefferson Circuit Court, Louisville, Kentucky (April 2014) โ€“ Served as lead trial counsel and obtained defense verdict on plaintiffโ€™s personal injury claims.
  • Wallace Wales v. Louisville Gas and Electric Company, et al., Jefferson Circuit Court, Louisville, Kentucky โ€“ Gained summary judgment in favor of a gas and electric utility company on personal injury claims in motorcycle case seeking more than $4ย million in compensatory and punitive damages.
  • Colyer v. Speedway,ย 2013 WL 5966121 (E.D. Ky. Nov. 8, 2013), Eastern District of Kentucky, London, Kentucky โ€“ Obtained summary judgment in favor of convenience foodย store on personal injury claims where plaintiff soughtย significantย damages.
  • John Rhodes Revocable Trust v. John L. Smith, Jefferson Circuit Court, Louisville, Kentuckyย โ€“ Obtained summary judgment in favor of plaintiff in state court with respect to a promissory note executed by Defendant.
  • Manrriquez-Hernandez v. Texas Roadhouse, Jefferson Circuit Court, Louisville, Kentucky (August 2011) โ€“ย Gained summary judgment in favor of a national restaurant chain in a wrongful death dram shop lawsuit arising out of a drunk driver incident
  • Fisher v. Elmo Greer and Sons LLC, 2009 WL 3161400 (E.D. Ky. Sept. 24, 2009), Eastern District of Kentucky, London โ€“ Gained summary judgment in favor of road contractor in matter involving catastrophic personalย injuries to plaintiffs.

Product Manufacturers & Premises Owners Defense

Chrisย has defended product manufacturers or premises owners inย multiple matters involving natural gas, propane, and other products:

Adair County Explosion, Adair County, Kentucky, January 26, 2016 โ€“ four deaths

Knox Home Explosion, Powell County, Kentucky, September 22, 2011 โ€“ two deaths

Rhode Island Station Nightclub Fire, West Warwick, Rhode Island, February 20, 2003 โ€“ 100 deaths, 100 + injured

Woodland Home Fire, Louisville, Kentucky, February 1, 2009 โ€“ two deaths

Mizpah Hotel Fire, Reno, Nevada, October 31, 2006 โ€“ 12 deaths, 30 + injured

Ivel Pipeline Explosion, Ivel, Kentucky, November 8, 2004 โ€“ six serious injuries, five houses destroyed

Factory Explosion,ย Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 6, 2006 โ€“ four deaths, heavy property damage

Apartment Fire, Washington, D.C., March 12, 2008 โ€“ approximately $5 million in property damage

Mountain View Resort and Casino, Pahrump, Nevada, April 29, 2003 โ€“ approximately $25 million in claimed property and lost income damages

Other Info About Chris

Education

Law School

University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 2006, Order of the Coif

Undergraduate School

University of Kentucky, B.S., Mathematics,ย 2003,ย summa cum laude,ย 4.0 GPA

Bar Memberships

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

Kentucky

Courts

Chris is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Eastern District of Kentucky

Western District of Kentucky

Southern District of Indiana

Western District of Michigan

Eastern District of Michigan

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Trial Jurisdictions:

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Stateย of Louisiana

Western District of Kentucky

Western District of Michigan

Middle District of Florida

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

The Best Lawyers in Americaยฎ, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2021-2024

Kentucky Rising Starsยฎย 2013-2016, 2020

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Kentucky Bar Association, 2006

Louisville Bar Association, 2006

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Home of the Innocents, Home Run Committee, 2009-2014

YMCA Spirit Campaign, Division Leader, 2009-2014

Blackacre Nature Preserve, Board of Directors, 2015-present

Firm Committees

Chris serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Partner Personnel Committee, Member

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