Christopher L. Shaeffer

Chris Shaeffer is a shareholder in the firm and practices in the Birmingham, Alabama office. A focused and determined advocate, Chris has been involved in the successful litigation of complex legal matters on behalf of his clients. From complicated appellate issues to large chemical exposure cases, he has addressed a wide-range of legal issues. Chris has represented clients in varied legal matters including mass tort defense, nursing home and long-term care defense, construction defect, product liability, medical malpractice, appellate practice, insurance defense, insurance coverage, and as outside general counsel. Specifically, Chris has been involved in the resolution of complex mass tort and construction defect cases sometimes involving hundreds or thousands of plaintiffs. His appellate practice, often dealing with medical malpractice issues, has resulted in several successful appeals before the Alabama Supreme Court and other appellate courts across the southern United States. Chris has also evaluated complicated insurance coverage issues resulting in thorough coverage opinions and successful declaratory judgment actions. He acts as outside general counsel for both medical providers and technology companies throughout the United States.   

Chris is a member of the prestigious Claims & Litigation Management Alliance and holds the AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability. He was born and raised in Enterprise, Alabama. He and his wife Rhona enjoy hiking and cooking.  He is actively involved at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. Chris is also involved a current member of the Board of Directors of the Marion Foundation- a nonprofit organization devoted to assisting children in desperate circumstances.

 Education

  • J.D., The University of Alabama School of Law, 2005
  • B.A., History, Samford University, Birmingham, cum laude, 2001

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Alabama State Courts
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
  • Tennessee State and Federal Courts
  • Georgia State Courts

Honors and Awards

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale-Hubbell®

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Alabama State Bar
  • American Bar Association
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Board of Directors – The Mario Foundation
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance, Member
  • Georgia State Bar Association
  • Professional Liability Defense Federation
  • Tennessee State Bar Association

Trial and Courtroom Experience

  • Circuit Court of Shelby County, Tennessee- medical malpractice
  • Circuit Court of Tipton County, Tennessee- medical malpractice
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee- medical malpractice
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama- business litigation
  • Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama- medical malpractice
  • Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama- medical malpractice
  • Circuit Court of Dallas County, Alabama- medical malpractice
  • Arbitration in Houston County, Alabama- medical malpractice
  • Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama- personal injury
  • Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama- construction defect
  • Circuit Court of Walker County, Alabama- employment law
  • Circuit Court of Jefferson County- construction defect
  • District Court of Mobile County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Baldwin County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Escambia County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Choctaw County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Marengo County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Wilcox County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Autauga County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Bibb County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Walker County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of St. Clair County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Etowah County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Montgomery County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Marshall County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Perry County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Franklin County, Alabama- business litigation
  • District Court of Marengo County, Alabama- business litigation
  • General Sessions Court of Henry County, Tennessee- business litigation
  • General Sessions Court of Franklin County, Tennessee- business litigation
  • General Sessions Court of Knox County, Tennessee- business litigation

Opinions

  • Affirmed Motion to Compel Arbitration- Burkhart v; Ridgewood Health Care Center, Inc., case no. 1210297 (Ala. Nov. 2022)
  • Granted Motion for Summary Judgment- Arbitration in Etowah County, Alabama
  • Forced Dismissal- Arbitration in Walker County, Alabama
  • Granted Motion for Summary Judgment- Arbitration in Duplin County, North Carolina
  • Granted Motion for Summary Judgment- United States District for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • Granted Motion for Summary Judgment- Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama
  • Granted Motion for Summary Judgment- Circuit Court of Winston County, Alabama
  • Granted Motion for Summary Judgment- Multidistrict Litigation Panel re: Chinese Dry Wall
  • Riggings v. SSC Yanceyville Operating Company, LLC, 2020 WL 237989 (4th Cir. January 15, 2020)
  • King v. Westside Terrace, LLC, 181 So.3d 446 (Ala. 2014)
  • Ex parte International Refining & Mfg. Co., 153 So.3d 774 (Ala. 2014)
  • SSC Montgomery Cedar Crest Operating Co., LLC v. Bolding, 130 So.3d 1194 (Ala. 2013)
  • SSC Selma Operating Co., LLC v. Gordon, 112 So.3d 36 (Ala. 2012)
  • Ex parte Southeast Alabama Timber Harvesting, LLC, 94 So.3d 371 (Ala. 2012)
  • McDaniel v. Harleysville Mutual Ins. Co., 84 So.3d 106 (Ala. Civ. App. 2011)
  • Harleysville Mutual Ins. Co. v. Dapper, LLC, 2010 WL 2925779 (M.D. Ala. 2010)
  • SSC Selma Operating Company, LLC v. Gordon, 56 So.3d 598 (Ala. 2010)
  • Carr v. International Refining & Mfg. Co., 13 So.3d 947 (Ala. 2009)
  • Prattville Memorial Chapel v. Parker, 10 So.3d 546 (Ala. 2008)
  • Ex parte International Refining & Mfg. Co., 972 So.2d 784 (Ala. 2007)
  • Ex parte International Refining & Mfg. Co., 959 So.2d 1084 (Ala. 2006)