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Biography

Chris has been a member of the firm’s litigation department for over 30 years. Chris has been retained to defend matters for clients in over 15 jurisdictions because he often identifies unique strategies that have not been tried before to resolve cases. This practice of providing fresh perspectives and aggressive representation has made a difference for our clients for over 30 years. 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, Connecticut, 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 insurance and tort practice group, handling insurance coverage, fraud and bad faith matters. 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. Chris has defended class action lawsuits involving construction and other products liability matters, insurance claim settlement software, legal negligence, and tax issues with allegations of bad faith.

Christopher's Relevant Experience

Insurance Coverage & Fraud

Obtained a modest settlement in a consumer bad faith class action matter involving computer software and over $100 million in claimed damages.

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.

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.

Advised and assisted 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-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.

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.

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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