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Chris Marks
Partner
Suite 2200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Chris is an accomplished trial lawyer who dedicates his practice to successfully defending clients in product liability and high-exposure mass tort litigation. His vast and wide-ranging experience allows him to serve as trial counsel for a variety of matters throughout the United States with a verifiable track record of achieving favorable verdicts in jury and...
Chris is an accomplished trial lawyer who dedicates his practice to successfully defending clients in product liability and high-exposure mass tort litigation. His vast and wide-ranging experience allows him to serve as trial counsel for a variety of matters throughout the United States with a verifiable track record of achieving favorable verdicts in jury and bench trials.
Chris represents individuals and companies in all three West Coast states where he is licensed and serves as national trial counsel in complex matters throughout the US. He has tried cases to verdict in California, Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon, and Washington.
With a deep background in product liability, Chris handles matters varying in complexity and exposure, ranging from the strategic management and defense mass tort litigation to the boots-on-the-ground defense of single-plaintiff cases often alleging catastrophic injuries or death. He approaches each case with a commitment to being thoroughly prepared to defend a client up to and through trial and appeal, when necessary, but also brings an ability to assess the pros and cons of other resolution methods.
In mass tort litigation, he brings specific experience to substantive product liability claims related to asbestos and talc, automotive consumer products, and transportation. He has developed a deserved reputation for being expeditious and efficient in coordinating and executing on document discovery, expert testimony development, depositions and motions beneficial to clients regardless of the eventual course of the litigation, managing multiparty litigation in a manner that ensures the company not only survives the challenge but also maintains a positive image with the consumers and the public during the fallout.
Through his work in product liability and multiparty litigation, Chris is well-versed and informed in defending automotive, heavy equipment, and truck manufacturers. He has worked with and against most of the leading experts in this industry, accumulating a wealth of knowledge beneficial to his clients.
Additionally, Chris also has extensive experience preparing and defending corporate witnesses and designees for depositions and trial, as well as consulting with company engineers and experts to develop and conduct research and litigation test programs for a wide variety of products.
bench trials.
Chris represents individuals and companies in all three West Coast states where he is licensed and serves as national trial counsel in complex matters throughout the US. He has tried cases to verdict in California, Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon, and Washington.
With a deep background in product liability, Chris handles matters varying in complexity and exposure, ranging from the strategic management and defense mass tort litigation to the boots-on-the-ground defense of single-plaintiff cases often alleging catastrophic injuries or death. He approaches each case with a commitment to being thoroughly prepared to defend a client up to and through trial and appeal, when necessary, but also brings an ability to assess the pros and cons of other resolution methods.
In mass tort litigation, he brings specific experience to substantive product liability claims related to asbestos and talc, automotive consumer products, and transportation. He has developed a deserved reputation for being expeditious and efficient in coordinating and executing on document discovery, expert testimony development, depositions and motions beneficial to clients regardless of the eventual course of the litigation, managing multiparty litigation in a manner that ensures the company not only survives the challenge but also maintains a positive image with the consumers and the public during the fallout.
Through his work in product liability and multiparty litigation, Chris is well-versed and informed in defending automotive, heavy equipment, and truck manufacturers. He has worked with and against most of the leading experts in this industry, accumulating a wealth of knowledge beneficial to his clients.
Additionally, Chris also has extensive experience preparing and defending corporate witnesses and designees for depositions and trial, as well as consulting with company engineers and experts to develop and conduct research and litigation test programs for a wide variety of products.
Experience
Previous Professional Experience
- Partner, bi-coastal trial boutique (2018-2024)
- Partner, international litigation firm (2011-2017)
- Associate and Partner, Pacific Northwest litigation firm (2002-2011)
- Associate, Seattle-based trial boutique (1998-2001)
Representative Matters
- Led a team of attorneys that earned a unanimous defense verdict from an Indianapolis jury in a wrongful death case, which involved plaintiff’s counsel asking for $5 million at the end of a nine-day trial.
- The firm’s client, which owns more than 700 gyms in the United States and Canada, filed suit in Washington state court, alleging multiple carriers should pay $500 million for pandemic-related losses after more than 1,200 employees tested positive for COVID-19. The lawsuit contends that the insurance carriers involved wrongfully denied coverage and failed to acknowledge that the COVID-19 virus physically damaged its properties, stating that the virus was “deposited” on the surface of exercise equipment, transiting through the air and ventilation system.
- Successfully obtained dismissal after order for summary judgment in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington based on case precedent related to maritime law while defending a company specializing in the engineering and manufacturing of air and liquid filtration and separation systems.
Education
- Seattle University School of Law, JD, cum laude (1998)
- L’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, C.E.P. (1993)
- London School of Economics and Political Science, MSc (1994)
- University of Washington, BA (1992)
Admissions
- Washington
- Oregon
- California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Practice Areas
Previous Professional Experience
- Partner, bi-coastal trial boutique (2018-2024)
- Partner, international litigation firm (2011-2017)
- Associate and Partner, Pacific Northwest litigation firm (2002-2011)
- Associate, Seattle-based trial boutique (1998-2001)
Representative Matters
- Led a team of attorneys that earned a unanimous defense verdict from an Indianapolis jury in a wrongful death case, which involved plaintiff’s counsel asking for $5 million at the end of a nine-day trial.
- The firm’s client, which owns more than 700 gyms in the United States and Canada, filed suit in Washington state court, alleging multiple carriers should pay $500 million for pandemic-related losses after more than 1,200 employees tested positive for COVID-19. The lawsuit contends that the insurance carriers involved wrongfully denied coverage and failed to acknowledge that the COVID-19 virus physically damaged its properties, stating that the virus was “deposited” on the surface of exercise equipment, transiting through the air and ventilation system.
- Successfully obtained dismissal after order for summary judgment in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington based on case precedent related to maritime law while defending a company specializing in the engineering and manufacturing of air and liquid filtration and separation systems.
Media
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2021-2025)
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Lawyer of the Year (2023)
- Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2024-2025)
- Best Lawyers in America, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2024-2025)
- Washington Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters (2010-2025)
- Washington Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters (2002; 2004-2008)
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
- TIPS Automobile Litigation Committee, former chair
- TIPS Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee, former chair
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- King County Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Multnomah Bar Association
Chris is an accomplished trial lawyer who dedicates his practice to successfully defending clients in product liability and high-exposure mass tort litigation. His vast and wide-ranging experience allows him to serve as trial counsel for a variety of matters throughout the United States with a verifiable track record of achieving favorable verdicts in jury and... bench trials.
Chris represents individuals and companies in all three West Coast states where he is licensed and serves as national trial counsel in complex matters throughout the US. He has tried cases to verdict in California, Indiana, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oregon, and Washington.
With a deep background in product liability, Chris handles matters varying in complexity and exposure, ranging from the strategic management and defense mass tort litigation to the boots-on-the-ground defense of single-plaintiff cases often alleging catastrophic injuries or death. He approaches each case with a commitment to being thoroughly prepared to defend a client up to and through trial and appeal, when necessary, but also brings an ability to assess the pros and cons of other resolution methods.
In mass tort litigation, he brings specific experience to substantive product liability claims related to asbestos and talc, automotive consumer products, and transportation. He has developed a deserved reputation for being expeditious and efficient in coordinating and executing on document discovery, expert testimony development, depositions and motions beneficial to clients regardless of the eventual course of the litigation, managing multiparty litigation in a manner that ensures the company not only survives the challenge but also maintains a positive image with the consumers and the public during the fallout.
Through his work in product liability and multiparty litigation, Chris is well-versed and informed in defending automotive, heavy equipment, and truck manufacturers. He has worked with and against most of the leading experts in this industry, accumulating a wealth of knowledge beneficial to his clients.
Additionally, Chris also has extensive experience preparing and defending corporate witnesses and designees for depositions and trial, as well as consulting with company engineers and experts to develop and conduct research and litigation test programs for a wide variety of products.
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, bi-coastal trial boutique (2018-2024)
- Partner, international litigation firm (2011-2017)
- Associate and Partner, Pacific Northwest litigation firm (2002-2011)
- Associate, Seattle-based trial boutique (1998-2001)
Representative Matters
- Led a team of attorneys that earned a unanimous defense verdict from an Indianapolis jury in a wrongful death case, which involved plaintiff’s counsel asking for $5 million at the end of a nine-day trial.
- The firm’s client, which owns more than 700 gyms in the United States and Canada, filed suit in Washington state court, alleging multiple carriers should pay $500 million for pandemic-related losses after more than 1,200 employees tested positive for COVID-19. The lawsuit contends that the insurance carriers involved wrongfully denied coverage and failed to acknowledge that the COVID-19 virus physically damaged its properties, stating that the virus was “deposited” on the surface of exercise equipment, transiting through the air and ventilation system.
- Successfully obtained dismissal after order for summary judgment in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington based on case precedent related to maritime law while defending a company specializing in the engineering and manufacturing of air and liquid filtration and separation systems.
Education
- Seattle University School of Law, JD, cum laude (1998)
- L’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, C.E.P. (1993)
- London School of Economics and Political Science, MSc (1994)
- University of Washington, BA (1992)
Admissions
- Washington
- Oregon
- California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Practice Areas
- Products Liability
- Products Liability - Automotive
- Products Liability - Consumer & Mechanical
- Toxic Torts/Asbestos
Industries
- Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2021-2025)
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Lawyer of the Year (2023)
- Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2024-2025)
- Best Lawyers in America, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2024-2025)
- Washington Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters (2010-2025)
- Washington Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters (2002; 2004-2008)
- American Bar Association
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
- TIPS Automobile Litigation Committee, former chair
- TIPS Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee, former chair
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- King County Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Multnomah Bar Association
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
