Christopher J. Kaufman

Chris' practice focuses primarily on complex civil litigation, including federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) and consolidated state court actions, with an emphasis on product liability issues involving pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.

Chris has experience in all aspects of litigation, including motion practice, depositions, written discovery, corporate and expert witness development, trial preparation and trial. In this capacity he has experience:

• Resolving claims prior to litigation
• Developing initial case assessments and strategies
• Crafting pre-discovery and pretrial dispositive motions
• Preparing and producing corporate witnesses and expert witnesses for deposition and trial
• Deposing plaintiffs, experts, and other key fact witnesses
• Daubert motion practice
• Strategic management and development of pretrial and trial activities, including motions in limine, deposition designations, exhibit lists, witness lists, opening statements, witness examinations and closing arguments
• Negotiating favorable settlements

Chris has obtained favorable results for clients in state and federal court, particularly through pre-discovery dispositive motion practice based on federal preemption and other affirmative defenses. He was also involved in the negotiation, development and coordination of a national medical device class action settlement in Canada.

He is chair of the firm's Search Committee. He is also an active participant in the firm's pro bono program, where he represents parents and children involved in legal proceedings in Missouri state court. Chris enjoys mentoring junior associates, summer associates, Shook Scholars and first-year law students at the University of Kansas.

Chris is actively involved with the Drug and Medical Device Committee of DRI, having recently completed his term as Young Lawyer Co-Liaison to the committee.