REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

• Defended international manufacturer of steel fabricating system in federal court for multi-million dollar property damage claim arising out of massive molten steel spill and involving design defect claims. Obtained summary judgment in favor of system manufacturer.
• Defended domestic mobile, all-terrain crane manufacturer in wrongful death case in state court involving claims of design defect. Obtained summary judgment in favor of crane manufacturer.
• Product lines defended include all-terrain vehicles, automobiles, bar sealers, blow mold machines, concrete anchor lifting systems, extruders, gas valves, hydraulic transfer cars, commercial HVAC systems, kerosene heaters, medical devices, mobile cranes, commercial electrical controls systems, overhead cranes, pharmaceuticals, PVC pipe, power tools, industrial power regulators, soot blowers, stainless steel wire rope, toasters, televisions, tractors, and underground mining equipment.
• Defended state mental health department in numerous wrongful death and personal injury suits involving residents who sustained injuries from patient-patient or patient-staff incidents.
• Defended numerous hunting clubs in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury claims arising out of hunting accidents.
• Defended national outdoor advertising company in claims arising out of breach of former advertising executive’s employment agreement. Obtained summary judgment in favor of advertising company.
• Represented air ambulance transport services provider in cyber-squatting and trademark infringement case, resulting in assignment of disputed domain name to transport provider.
• Defended national dog products manufacturer in trademark infringement suit. Obtained summary judgment in favor of manufacturer.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) (2004-Present): Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2010-Present); Vice Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2007-2010); Member, 2011 Midyear Meeting CLE Planning Committee; Member, 2012 “Think IADC First” Task Force; ADR, Business Litigation, Insurance and Reinsurance, Medical Defense & Health Law, Products Liability, and Trial Tactics Committees; Nominating Committee (2011)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI): Member
• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (ADLA): Member
• Washington & Lee University Alumni Association: Chair, Alumni Admissions Program (Birmingham), (2002-present); Board of Directors (Birmingham Chapter), (1996-present); Past President, Birmingham Alumni Chapter (2003-’05); Inductee, Athletic Hall of Fame (Varsity Tennis – 1988 NCAA Division III National Champions)
• Member: Birmingham Crippled Children’s Foundation/Monday Morning Quarterback Club
• Cathedral Church of the Advent: Usher

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

• Finally…..Alabama Makes the Change from Frye to Daubert, IADC Trial Techniques and Tactics Newsletter (July 2011)
• Panelist at the IADC Midyear Meeting: Meeting Your Client’s Expectations in Mediation (Feb. 23, 2011).
• Christopher S. Berdy, Val H. Stieglitz, & J. Calhoun Watson, Overcoming the Vanishing Trial: A Lawyer’s Skills Are More Vital Than Ever to Success at Mediation, IADC ADR Committee Newsletter (Jan. 7, 2011).
• Abbott Marie Jones & Christopher S. Berdy, Kawasaki v. Regal-Beloit: The Supreme Court Resolves the Long-Standing Circuit Split Regarding the Law Applicable to Multimodal Shipping Contracts, IADC Environmental, Energy and Maritime Law Committee Newsletter (Dec. 10, 2010).
• Moderator for the IADC Webinar: Uses of Social Media in Discovery and Trial (June 24, 2010).
• Christopher S. Berdy & W. Steven Nichols, The Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007: A Practitioner’s Guide to Resolving Personal Injury Liability Claims by Medicare Beneficiaries, 76 Def. Couns. J. 393 (Oct. 2009).
• Alabama Has a Difference of Opinion: When Does Testimony by an Out-of-State Engineer Constitute the Practice of Engineering?, IADC Product Liability Committee Newsletter (Jan. 1, 2007).
• What Every Product Manufacturer Needs to Know When Defending a Lawsuit in Alabama, IADC Product Liability Committee Newsletter (Jan. 1, 2006).
• Christopher S. Berdy & Christopher A. Bottcher, The Basics of ApplyingDaubert and Frye in State Court, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association Journal, 21 (April 2003).