- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
INDUSTRIES
PRACTICES
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Education
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University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law,
J.D., cum laude, 1995
Missouri Law Review
Order of the Coif
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Tufts University,
B.A., Economics & Political Science, magna cum laude, 1992
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Admissions
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Illinois
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Missouri
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Affiliations
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The Illinois Bar
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The Missouri Bar
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Representative Clients
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Citibank
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Discover Financial Services, Inc.
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car
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Fifth Third Bank
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Monsanto
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Peabody Energy Corporation
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Riceland Foods, Inc.
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Scottrade
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US Bank, N.A.
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Webster Bank
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Recognitions
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Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (by BL Rankings), 2023
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Listed in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, (by Thomson Reuters) 2009-2021
Class Action/Mass Torts
Top 100 in Missouri & Kansas, 2012
Top 50 in St. Louis, 2011-2012
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Listed in Chambers USA, (by Chambers & Partners) 2013-2016
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Employment
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Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 2004-Present
Associate, 1995-2003
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Community
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Saint Louis Art Museum
Board Member, Corporate Partners Committee, 2014-Present
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St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish
Lector, 2003-Present
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Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Volunteer, St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers Program, 1997-Present
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St. Louis Hills Neighborhood Association
Board Member, 2005-2012
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Chris leads complex litigation and class action defense for a host of major corporations in the financial services and agriculture industries.
He is a partner in Thompson Coburn's Class Action and Business Litigation groups, serves as the co-chair of the Financial Services Litigation practice area, and is a member of the firm's Management Committee.
Chris got his start in complex financial services litigation, where for 20 years he has regularly represented some of the nation's largest financial institutions and brokerages. In cases involving multiple plaintiffs, class actions, or multidistrict litigation, Chris excels at developing a highly focused litigation strategy. He regularly serves as lead and coordinating counsel for several financial institution clients in consumer-related credit card and mortgage cases. Chris represents clients in trial, in arbitrations and mediations, and on appeal.
As the co-chair of the firm's Agriculture industry group, Chris has taken a lead role in nearly every major litigation over the last decade related to alleged crop contamination by genetically modified strains of rice, soybeans, and corn. For agribusiness giants like Riceland and Monsanto, Chris has successfully litigated claims related to the introduction of GM crops and the disruption of the supply chain and export markets. Chris helps lead a GM task force within the firm that has developed an extensive database of experience, litigation capabilities, and successful trial and appellate strategies. He draws on that experience to defend clients facing individual or class action claims, and counsel them on risk management for new biotechnology or GM varieties.
Riceland Food Jury Trial
Along with a team of attorneys, Chris tried a four-week jury trial in Arkansas state court on behalf of firm client, Riceland Foods, Inc. The trial was the culmination of years of work by the legal team that defended Riceland foods on multiple litigation fronts, including defense of multiple class action lawsuits in Arkansas, classes of farmers consolidated in an MDL in the Eastern District of Missouri, and several European Union customers suing in federal court. The Riceland legal team's strategy reversed Riceland's defensive position by asserting a cross-claim against a codefendant resulting in $136.9 million jury verdict for Riceland.
Hargis v. Webster Bank
Chris represented Webster Bank and won summary judgment of a nationwide class action alleging the unauthorized practice of law related to fees charged on mortgage accounts. On appeal, Chris argued the case before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed the judgment.
TCLEs
Lender Policies and Procedures for Subpoenas, Summons and Third-Party Demand Requests
Thompson Coburn Publications
Retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers: Be aware of price gouging laws during COVID-19
Publications
“Can You Really Sue for Fraud? Evaluating Potential Fraud Claims in Commercial Transactions”;
The St. Louis Bar Journal, Summer 2007
Co-Author, “Recent Trends and Defense Strategies for Pharmaceutical Class Actions”;
The St. Louis Bar Journal, Spring 2005
Co-Author, “The Attorneys’ Fee Award in Class Action Litigation – Is the Carrot Too Big?”;
St. Louis Lawyer, November 1999
Presentations
"Lender Policies and Procedures for Subpoenas, Summons and Third-Party Demand Requests"
Lorman Educational Services August 2017
"Mandatory Arbitration Provisions";
Association of Corporate Counsel Program, July 2011
Lecturer, "Class Action Basics";
February 2004
Lecturer, "Class Action Practice and Procedure";
Federal CLE Program, May 2000
Faculty/Panelist, "Mentoring to Build a Better Place";
American Bar Association Teleconference-- Webcast Program, November 2007
News
Thompson Coburn recognized as one of the most philanthropic companies in St. Louis
Thompson Coburn attorneys win 8th Circuit victory for Scottrade in securities class action
Scottrade wins dismissal of data breach class action in the 8th Circuit
Litigators to lead Lorman webinar on lender policies for subpoenas, summons, demand requests
Missouri Court of Appeals rules for Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council
Agribusiness professionals enjoy hands-on farm simulation at Thompson Coburn
Thompson Coburn leads Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council to $600,000 jury verdict
23 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2016 Chambers USA
25 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2015 Chambers USA
27 Thompson Coburn attorneys recognized in 2014 Chambers USA