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Christopher V. Cotton

Christopher V. Cotton

Partner


Kansas City, MO
T 816.748.9148
chris.cotton@nelsonmullins.com
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With more than 25 years of experience, Chris focuses on complex products liability litigation and the defense of corporate clients in high-stakes litigation involving alleged personal injuries and other claims. He has represented pharmaceutical manufacturers, consumer products companies, and other corporate defendants in litigation involving a broad range of products and alleged injuries.

Chris’s experience includes...

With more than 25 years of experience, Chris focuses on complex products liability litigation and the defense of corporate clients in high-stakes litigation involving alleged personal injuries and other claims. He has represented pharmaceutical manufacturers, consumer products companies, and other corporate defendants in litigation involving a broad range of products and alleged injuries.

Chris’s experience includes nationwide products liability litigation involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer products, asbestos, and other claims. His work includes litigation strategy and coordination of defense activities, management of litigation portfolios, case development, expert witness preparation and depositions, and representation of clients on multiple trial teams. Chris additionally advises companies in complex discovery matters, including the development and defense of reasonable processes and conducting strategic affirmative discovery.

Christopher V. Cotton

nationwide products liability litigation involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer products, asbestos, and other claims. His work includes litigation strategy and coordination of defense activities, management of litigation portfolios, case development, expert witness preparation and depositions, and representation of clients on multiple trial teams. Chris additionally advises companies in complex discovery matters, including the development and defense of reasonable processes and conducting strategic affirmative discovery.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP (1999-2026)

Representative Matters

  • Represented a consumer products manufacturer in products liability litigation involving hair care products.
  • Represented a technology company in litigation involving alleged personal injuries.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in products liability litigation involving HIV medications.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in nationwide products liability litigation involving an H2 blocker.
  • Represented a major cigarette manufacturer in nationwide smoking and health litigation.
  • Represented a consumer products manufacturer in nationwide asbestos litigation.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in products liability litigation involving an implanted, non-hormonal contraceptive device.
  • Represented an alcohol beverage manufacturer in a variety of litigation and other legal matters.
  • Represented a pet food manufacturer in products liability litigation.
  • Represented companies in complex discovery matters.
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP (1999-2026)

Representative Matters

  • Represented a consumer products manufacturer in products liability litigation involving hair care products.
  • Represented a technology company in litigation involving alleged personal injuries.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in products liability litigation involving HIV medications.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in nationwide products liability litigation involving an H2 blocker.
  • Represented a major cigarette manufacturer in nationwide smoking and health litigation.
  • Represented a consumer products manufacturer in nationwide asbestos litigation.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in products liability litigation involving an implanted, non-hormonal contraceptive device.
  • Represented an alcohol beverage manufacturer in a variety of litigation and other legal matters.
  • Represented a pet food manufacturer in products liability litigation.
  • Represented companies in complex discovery matters.

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • The Best Lawyers in America Product Liability Litigation – Defendants 
  • Up and Coming Lawyer, Missouri Lawyers Media (2010)

Professional Activities

  • The Sedona Conference, Working Group 1: Electronic Document Retention & Production
  • The Sedona Conference, Working Group 6: International Electronic Information Management, Discovery & Disclosure 
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers

Leadership

  • Defense Research Institute, E-Discovery Committee, Chair (2008-2010); Vice-Chair (2007-2008)
  • American Bar Association, Law & Technology Committee, Vice Chair (2007-2008)

With more than 25 years of experience, Chris focuses on complex products liability litigation and the defense of corporate clients in high-stakes litigation involving alleged personal injuries and other claims. He has represented pharmaceutical manufacturers, consumer products companies, and other corporate defendants in litigation involving a broad range of products and alleged injuries.

Chris’s experience includes... nationwide products liability litigation involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer products, asbestos, and other claims. His work includes litigation strategy and coordination of defense activities, management of litigation portfolios, case development, expert witness preparation and depositions, and representation of clients on multiple trial teams. Chris additionally advises companies in complex discovery matters, including the development and defense of reasonable processes and conducting strategic affirmative discovery.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP (1999-2026)

Representative Matters

  • Represented a consumer products manufacturer in products liability litigation involving hair care products.
  • Represented a technology company in litigation involving alleged personal injuries.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in products liability litigation involving HIV medications.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in nationwide products liability litigation involving an H2 blocker.
  • Represented a major cigarette manufacturer in nationwide smoking and health litigation.
  • Represented a consumer products manufacturer in nationwide asbestos litigation.
  • Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in products liability litigation involving an implanted, non-hormonal contraceptive device.
  • Represented an alcohol beverage manufacturer in a variety of litigation and other legal matters.
  • Represented a pet food manufacturer in products liability litigation.
  • Represented companies in complex discovery matters.

Education

  • University of Iowa College of Law, JD, highest distinction (1999)
    • Journal of Corporation Law, Senior Note and Comment Editor
  • Mount Saint Clare College, BA, summa cum laude (1996)

Admissions

  • Iowa,
  • Missouri,
  • Wisconsin,
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • The Best Lawyers in America Product Liability Litigation – Defendants 
  • Up and Coming Lawyer, Missouri Lawyers Media (2010)
  • The Sedona Conference, Working Group 1: Electronic Document Retention & Production
  • The Sedona Conference, Working Group 6: International Electronic Information Management, Discovery & Disclosure 
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
  • Defense Research Institute, E-Discovery Committee, Chair (2008-2010); Vice-Chair (2007-2008)
  • American Bar Association, Law & Technology Committee, Vice Chair (2007-2008)