Complex and Class Action Defense

Insurance Related Matters

Trial Practice

• Kentucky, 1989

• University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, J.D., 1989
• Marshall University, B.A., 1985

Chris has been with the Firm over 20 years and is a member of the litigation department in Louisville, Kentucky. His practice of providing fresh perspectives and aggressive representation has resulted in client demand for his work in over 15 states. This distinction has evolved from his genuine client interest from early in his career, treating client matters as his own and advocating on their behalf.

Chris has successfully handled complex class actions, insurance coverage, bad faith, and fire cases in federal and state courts in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, DC.

He began his practice with the Firm in the tort and insurance practice group, handling insurance coverage, fraud and bad faith matters.  Chris also has chaired the Firm's e-discovery litigation review group and was instrumental in starting the Firm's information management and electronic discovery group. Chris has defended class action lawsuits involving construction products, insurance claim settlement software, and tax issues.

Experience

Class Action & Complex Trial Practice

Twice obtained dismissal of 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.

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

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

Obtained a $5 million default judgment in Federal Court matter as a result of opposing party's electronic discovery abuse.

Effectively managed cases involving more than 2 million electronic images.

Obtained a modest settlement in a class action matter involving over $100 million in claimed damages.

Successfully removed complex cases to federal court under the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA").

Defeated two motions to certify class action involving a construction product with exposure of more than $2 billion. 

Insurance Coverage & Fraud

Successful in obtaining summary judgment in over 20 arson and fraud matters, all involving claims for 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.

Advised clients in start up of Special Investigative Units.

Successfully referred and presented suspected insurance fraud matters to 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-insurance 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.

• Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

• American Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Louisville Bar Association
• Kentucky Supreme Court; Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation Committee, Member
• Kentucky Bench & Bar Publications Committee, Member
• Defense Research Institute, Member
• International Association of Special Investigators, Member
• National Association of Professional Insurance Investigators, Member
• Kentucky Bench & Bar Publications Committee, Member
• Kentucky Defense Counsel, Member
• Kentucky Association of Special Investigators, Member

• Metro United Way, Employee Coordinator of the Year, 2008
• Metro United Way Tocqueville Society, Chair
• Reclaim Our Culture Kentuckiana ("ROCK"), Board Member and Vice Chair
• A Woman's Choice Resourse Center and Necole's Place, Board Member
• Leadership Louisville, Class of 2006
• Leadership Louisville Advisory Committee, Member

"How SIU Can Fight Fraud and Avoid Extracontractual Damages"
New York Department of Insurance, New York, NY November 9, 2000

"How to Safely Catch a Thief"
Defense Research Institute Practice Seminar Insurance Fraud (All Kinds), New York, NY December 7, 2000