Overview

Chris is a litigator that understands how to get the results carriers desire in complex bad faith cases. Since starting his career by handling hundreds of catastrophe suits, he has tried bad faith cases across the country and developed the knowledge that only time in the trenches can provide.

Chris focuses his practice on defending commercial carriers in first-party bad faith disputes. He knows the issues, players, and venues at a deep level, particularly in Texas. Chris began practicing law shortly after Hurricane Ike, where he immediately started handling his own docket of first-party property disputes, as well as coverage analyses. During that time, he has worked with carriers to analyze complicated claims to avoid suit, or if litigation is necessary, to put the carrier in the best position to defend itself in hostile venues. Once litigation begins, Chris understands the value of creating options for his clients so they can achieve their desired results.

Chris is also a scholar and author that uses his experience to help carriers outside the courtroom through in-house training and speaking engagements. He serves as an Assistant Editor of the Texas Journal of Insurance Law, and on the Council of the State Bar Insurance Section, which helps him provide cutting edge updates to clients about developments with insurance law in the State of Texas.

Honors & Awards

Officer – State Bar of Texas Insurance Law Section

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

Rising Stars (2023)

Cases

Representative Matters

  • Won jury trial in Texas federal court on residential claim arising from Winter Storm Uri and seeking over $1 million
  • Won jury trial in Texas state court for carrier on commercial property and business income claims
  • Won summary judgment in Texas federal court on all claims involving alleged hail damages to commercial property located near San Antonio
  • Won summary judgment in dispute over duty to defend involving products-liability action in Texas state court
  • Struck Plaintiff’s expert in commercial property dispute arising from Hurricane Harvey
  • Won summary judgment in dispute over duty to defend involving personal injury case in Texas state court
  • Won summary judgment in Texas federal court on all claims involving multi-million dollar commercial property dispute
  • Won summary judgment in South Carolina failure-to-settle case involving over $50 million in alleged damages

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

Speaking Engagements

  • 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 Sectio
    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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