Chris Kilgore

Chris Kilgore has been litigating complex tort and product liability cases throughout the United States for more than twenty years. During that time, he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, giving him a valuable perspective that has enabled him to not only achieve excellent results, but to do so in an economical and efficient manner.

Mr. Kilgore's background as a military officer, professional pilot, construction project manager, draftsman, safety professional and educator all come together in his work as a trial lawyer. With this technical background, he has represented clients in product liability matters involving metallurgy, mechanics, electronics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, design, and pharmacology, among other issues.

A professional pilot for sixteen years, with nearly 6,000 hours of flight experience, Mr. Kilgore holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot license and is rated in both helicopters and airplanes.

Mr. Kilgore began his military career as an Army helicopter pilot, later serving with the Coast Guard as a search and rescue pilot. After 29 total years of service, including 12 years on active duty, Mr. Kilgore retired with the rank of Commander, USCG. His military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal with "V" (Valor), 36 other Air Medals, Coast Guard Air Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal and Commandant's Letter of Commendation.

Mr. Kilgore has served on the editorial advisory board of Texas Torts: Law & Practice, James Publishing (1998), and was author of the 1999 aviation law supplement to Texas Torts. He was the lead author on Be Nice - Or I'll Sue, A New Perigee in FAA Customer Relations, SMU Journal of Air Law & Commerce, Spring 2005, discussing Cox v. Five State Helicopters, 146 S.W.3d 254 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied), a case he tried.

Also successful as an appellate attorney, Mr. Kilgore's published cases include Lubbock Co. Hosp. Dist. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., 143 F.3d 239 (5th Cir. 1998) (interpretation of an aviation liability insurance policy); and Landgraf v. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co., 993 F.2d 558 (6th Cir. 1993), cert. denied, 114 S. Ct. 553 (establishing a waiver defense as part of the government contractor's defense.)

Mr. Kilgore also has a long history as a lecturer on a variety of legal and insurance topics. He has been an adjunct faculty member at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Fort Worth campus since 1997, where he teaches Aviation Law and Insurance. Active in his community, Mr. Kilgore serves as an elected City Councilman for the City of Rowlett, TX.

Mr. Kilgore received his law degree from the University of Houston in 1986. He is an AV rated attorney and is admitted to the United States Supreme Court; the U.S. Court of Claims; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth and Ninth Circuits; all Federal District Courts in Texas and all Texas state courts. Mr. Kilgore is a past chairman of the Aviation Section of the State Bar of Texas.