Chris practices in the areas of medical and hospital malpractice defense.  She has defended hospitals, physicians and other licensed health care professionals and long term care facilities against professional negligence claims.

Over the years, Chris has represented most of the primary insurers and self-insured health care entities in the State of Colorado in defending claims against health care providers.  She has been instrumental in establishing case law favorable to the defense of these cases in both state and federal courts.

In addition to handling malpractice cases, Chris has a successful record in mediating and arbitrating cases for her clients and in representing physicians and other health care professionals before their respective licensing agencies.  She frequently advises her physician and hospital clients on risk management and quality assurance matters and has expertise in drafting bylaws, policies and rules and regulations for hospitals and other health facilities.

Education

• J.D., University of Colorado Law School
• B.A., English Colorado State University

Areas of Practice

• Health Care Litigation and Regulation
• Litigation
• Medical Negligence Defense
• Product Liability
• Professional Liability

 Other Experience

• Health Care Malpractice Defense
• HIPAA Compliance
• Hospital and Long Term Care Defense
• Professional Licensing
• Regulatory Law, Professional Licensing and Discipline
• Risk Management

Representative Cases

• Nguyen v. Swedish Medical Center, 890 P.2d 255 (Colo. App. 1995)
• Shelton v. Penrose, 984 P.2d 623 (Colo. 1999)
• Plummer v. Little, 987 P.2d 871 (Colo. App. 1999)
• Pfenninger v. Exempla, 12 P.3d 830 (Colo. App. 2000), 17 P.3d 841 (Colo. App. 2001)

 Awards and Honors

• Best Lawyers in America®, Medical Malpractice-Defendants, 2010-2022
• Top Lawyers in Colorado, Medical Malpractice Defense, 5280 Magazine, 2015-2021
• Colorado Super Lawyers®, 2016; 2010-2021
• Colorado Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Women, 2013
• Recipient, Attorney of the Year for Professionalism and Ethics, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, 2013
• AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated (the highest rating available), by Martindale-Hubbell

Articles and Presentations

Other Articles and Presentations

• Chris is often asked to speak to physicians, hospital and long-term care facility groups and insurers, and other lawyers on a variety of medical/legal topics. She has presented “Mock Trials” and “Mock Depositions” across the state.

Professional and Community Activities

• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Colorado State Bar Association
• Member, Denver Bar Association
• Member, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, American Health Lawyers Association
• Member, American Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Member, Colorado HealthCare Associated Risk Managers
• Member, Defense Research Institute (Tort and Insurance Section, Litigation Section, Ethics Committee)

Admissions

• Colorado
• U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit