Christopher A. Thompson
Practice Areas
Experience
- Business Litigation
- Class Action
- Insurance
- Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith Litigation
- Insurance Policyholder Defense
Biography
Chris Thompson is an insurance lawyer. He has litigated and counseled clients facing insurance disputes from coverage matters to bad faith cases to class actions, as well as claims handling and coverage issues involving most common lines of insurance, such as commercial general and excess liability, director and officer liability, residential and commercial property, workers compensation, and auto liability. Chris’ practice has also involved less common types of coverage such as aviation, marine, credit/life/disability, and many more.
Speaking “insurance” is a skill Chris has developed over his 25-year legal practice, as well as his pre-law school career as an insurance adjuster. This experience helps his clients obtain favorable results in complex insurance matters ranging from single policyholder-insurer disputes, to industry-wide litigation, to class actions.
Chris is one of 52 Texas attorneys who became board certified in insurance law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 2024, the first year this specialty was offered.
Education
B.A., cum laude, Austin College
J.D., magna cum laude, University of Houston Law Center
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Ninth Circuit
United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
Professional Certifications
Board Certified in Insurance Law
- Siplast v. EMCC, 23 F. 4th 486 (5th Cir. 2022) – Successful appeal on duty to defend judgment in favor of client.
- Chevron v. EPC, 1:19-CV-00807-LJO-JLT (E.D. Cal. 2019), aff’d 20-16206 (9th Cir. 2022) – Secured default judgment for client against property owner and successfully resisted intervention by judgment debtor’s insurers.
- Liberty Mutual Company v. Servisair, L.L.C., 16-20472 (5th Cir. June 27, 2017) – Successful prosecution and appellate affirmance of $3.6 million judgment in premium litigation involving large nationwide employer.
- Wooten v. Safeco Insurance Company, 15 AC-CC225 (Cir. Ct. Missouri 2015) – Dismissal of putative class action involving labor depreciation.
- Colonial County Mut. Ins. Co. v. Marston, et al., Cause No. 219-01145-2013 (219th District Court, Collin County, Texas 2014) – Summary judgment based on “other insurance” clause in auto policy.
- Lowe v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, (W.D. Ark. 2014) – Dismissal of putative class action involving labor depreciation.
- AIG v. ACE INA Holdings, (N.D. Ill. 2011) – Dismissal of claims against insurer in major industry-wide litigation relating to national worker’s compensation risk pool.
- Responded to dozens of demand letters for credit/life/disability insurer and avoided litigation maintaining no-coverage positions on claims.
- Best Lawyers in Dallas, DÂ Magazine, 2018
Landing and Handling Insurance Defense Cases, Oklahoma County Bar Association 38th Annual Winter Seminar, February 2017
- YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
- Risk Management Committee Member, 2023-present
- Healing Hands Ministries
- Chair, 2018
- Chair-Elect, 2017
- Secretary, 2015-2016
- Board Member, 2013–2020
- Advisory Board Member, 2021-present
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow, 2008–present
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow, 2008–present
- Leadership Dallas, 2006–2007
- Dallas Arts District Alliance, Chair of the Board and Programs Chair, 2004–2009
- Leadership Arts – Class Project Steering Committee, Chair, 2003–2004
Ninth Circuit Upholds $18M Default Judgment for Energy Client
November 8, 2022
JW Recognized for Dallas Woodall Rodgers Park Ground-Making
September 21, 2009
January 19, 2024
Attorney News
Brad Brown and Katherine Staton Receive Board Certification in Aviation Law; Christopher Thompson in Insurance Law
Jackson Walker proudly congratulates Dallas attorneys Brad Brown, Katherine A. Staton, and Christopher A. Thompson for obtaining Board Certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS). Brad and Katherine are now Board Certified in Aviation Law, and Chris is Board Certified in Insurance Law. This marks the first year that attorneys can obtain certification in these areas.
December 4, 2023
Newsletters
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – December 2023
View Jackson Walker’s December 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.
February 24, 2021
Insights
Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Claims for Winter Storm Damage
As your business begins to think about next steps following the winter storm, Jackson Walker has put together a list of some FAQs that may assist you with potential property insurance claims.
February 24, 2021
Podcasts
What Businesses Should Know About Filing Insurance Claims After the Texas Winter Storm
As Texas businesses deal with property damages following the winter storm, Jackson Walker insurance litigation partner Chris Thompson discusses what business owners should consider when beginning the process of filing insurance claims to help cover the cost of repairs.
July 10, 2018
Attorney News
‘D Magazine’ Lists 33 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Best Lawyers in Dallas
Thirty-three Jackson Walker attorneys were recognized in the “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2018” list by D Magazine, one of the premier publications in the city of Dallas. To be recognized in the list, attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer unmatched counsel in one of 34 categories.
August 31, 2017
Insights
The Importance of Documenting Flood Damage
As the effects of Hurricane Harvey begin to dissipate, a number of you have asked another important, practical question:
Can I and should I start making temporary repairs and/or removing damaged items from my home?
August 29, 2017
Insights
Hurricane Harvey: Helpful Insurance Information and FAQs
Once the storm has passed, and as your business begins to think about next steps following Hurricane Harvey, we have put together a list of some FAQs that may assist you with potential property and automobile insurance claims.
- First party and liability claims
- Insurance coverage disputes
- Insurance claims practices litigation
- Class actions
- Premium collection matters
Practice Experience
- Siplast v. EMCC, 23 F. 4th 486 (5th Cir. 2022) – Successful appeal on duty to defend judgment in favor of client.
- Chevron v. EPC, 1:19-CV-00807-LJO-JLT (E.D. Cal. 2019), aff’d 20-16206 (9th Cir. 2022) – Secured default judgment for client against property owner and successfully resisted intervention by judgment debtor’s insurers.
- Liberty Mutual Company v. Servisair, L.L.C., 16-20472 (5th Cir. June 27, 2017) – Successful prosecution and appellate affirmance of $3.6 million judgment in premium litigation involving large nationwide employer.
- Wooten v. Safeco Insurance Company, 15 AC-CC225 (Cir. Ct. Missouri 2015) – Dismissal of putative class action involving labor depreciation.
- Colonial County Mut. Ins. Co. v. Marston, et al., Cause No. 219-01145-2013 (219th District Court, Collin County, Texas 2014) – Summary judgment based on “other insurance” clause in auto policy.
- Lowe v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, (W.D. Ark. 2014) – Dismissal of putative class action involving labor depreciation.
- AIG v. ACE INA Holdings, (N.D. Ill. 2011) – Dismissal of claims against insurer in major industry-wide litigation relating to national worker’s compensation risk pool.
- Responded to dozens of demand letters for credit/life/disability insurer and avoided litigation maintaining no-coverage positions on claims.
Recognition & Accolades
- Best Lawyers in Dallas, DÂ Magazine, 2018
Publications & Speeches
Landing and Handling Insurance Defense Cases, Oklahoma County Bar Association 38th Annual Winter Seminar, February 2017
Community Involvement
- YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
- Risk Management Committee Member, 2023-present
- Healing Hands Ministries
- Chair, 2018
- Chair-Elect, 2017
- Secretary, 2015-2016
- Board Member, 2013–2020
- Advisory Board Member, 2021-present
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow, 2008–present
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow, 2008–present
- Leadership Dallas, 2006–2007
- Dallas Arts District Alliance, Chair of the Board and Programs Chair, 2004–2009
- Leadership Arts – Class Project Steering Committee, Chair, 2003–2004
Areas of Focus
- First party and liability claims
- Insurance coverage disputes
- Insurance claims practices litigation
- Class actions
- Premium collection matters