Overview

Christopher H. Avery is a trial lawyer who represents insurers in high-exposure coverage, bad faith, and catastrophic property litigation. Board Certified in Insurance Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a member of the American College of Coverage Counsel, his practice is distinguished by the combination of sophisticated coverage analysis and extensive courtroom experience, allowing him to advise clients not only on what the law provides, but how those issues are likely to unfold before judges and juries.

Beginning his career in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Chris developed extensive experience handling property claims, catastrophe-related litigation, and coverage disputes. That foundation continues to inform his practice today, particularly in matters involving large-scale losses, appraisal, and claim-resolution strategy. He frequently coordinates defense strategy among domestic and international insurers in matters involving layered coverage, excess programs, and substantial financial exposure. Clients value his ability to translate complex legal and factual issues into clear assessments of risk, strategy, and potential outcomes.

Chris currently serves as Chair of the Insurance Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, where he leads statewide initiatives involving continuing legal education, publications, and the advancement of insurance law practice. He is a frequent speaker and author on insurance coverage, bad faith, appraisal, and trial strategy.

Honors & Awards

Officer – State Bar of Texas Insurance Law Section

Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” (2022-2023)

Rising Stars (2023)

Cases

Representative Matters

  • Represented five second-level excess insurers in an approximately $800 million property insurance dispute arising from alleged hail damage to virtually every building owned by the Lubbock Independent School District.
  • Successfully represented AmGuard Insurance Company in the first insurance coverage case arising from Winter Storm Uri to proceed to trial in Texas federal court.
  • Represented an insurer in commercial property litigation arising from alleged freeze damage to dozens of roof-mounted HVAC units at an Amarillo, Texas hotel.
  • Represented a commercial property insurer in a jury trial arising from disputed property damage and business interruption losses at a Sugar Land, Texas business.
  • Served as senior attorney on the defense team representing Crum & Forster in complex coverage and failure-to-settle litigation arising from a $55 million judgment entered against its insured following trial in South Carolina.
  • Represented an insurer in parallel coverage litigation arising from a single-vehicle rollover accident in New Mexico involving a Texas-based insured and Texas claimants.

Clients

  • AmTrust Insurance Company
  • Automobile Club of Southern California
  • Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance
  • GEICO
  • Gemini Insurance Company
  • Seneca Insurance Company
  • Travelers

Professional Affiliations

Professional

State Bar of Texas – Insurance Section Council Member (2018 – present)

Assistant Editor – Journal of Texas Insurance Law

Assistant Editor – Right Off the Press

Defense Research Institute

Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

News & Insights

News

Speaking Engagements

  • Building Bridges: Creative Resolution Strategies for Settlements in Design and Construction Claims with Limited Insurance Coverage 
    Speaking Engagement, CLM Construction Conference,
  • Responding to Demand Letters - State Bar of Texas 21st Annual Advanced Insurance Law Seminar
    Seminar,
  • State Bar of Texas 20th Annual Advanced Insurance Law Seminar - Course Director
    Seminar,
  • State Bar of Texas 19th Annual Advanced Insurance Law Seminar - Course Director
    Seminar,
  • State Bar of Texas Insurance Law Section Essentials of Texas Insurance Law - Course Director
    Seminar,
  • The Life of an Insurance Claim - The Claims Xchange
    Speaking Engagement,
  • Appraisals in Texas  - State Bar of Texas Insurance Section
    Speaking Engagement,
  • Discovery and Mediation - How to Try a Bad Faith Case Seminar
    Speaking Engagement,
  • The Wave of the Future - Three Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on the Insurance Industry
    Speaking Engagement,
  • They Did What? Applying CGL Policies to Strange and Bizarre Scenarios
    Speaking Engagement,

Publications

Ortiz, Barbara Technologies, and What the Future Holds for Appraisals in Texas
Journal of Texas Insurance Law · May 1, 2020

An Examination of Insurance Coverage for Hydraulic Fracking Operations
International Journal of Business and Public Administration · Oct 1, 2018

“Texas Hail Bill is Already Affecting Insurance Litigation”
Law360 · Jul 12, 2018Law360 · Jul 12, 2018

A Hunting We Will Go: Coverage Questions Involving One of Texas's Favorite Pastimes
Journal of Texas Insurance Law · Nov 1, 2015

Credentials

Education

  • South Texas College of Law (2009)
    • Order of the Barristers
  • Texas A&M University (2006)
    • Corps of Cadets
    • Certificate in Leadership Study & Development

Admissions

  • Texas
  • All Texas Federal Districts
  • 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • 11th Circuit Court of Appeals

Employment

  • Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, LLP (Associate 2009-2013) (Partner 2022 - Present)
  • Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP (Associate 2013-2018) (Partner 2018-2022)
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Christopher in the News

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