Chad represents Fortune 500 companies as trial counsel in a wide range of matters in state and federal courts across the country, including product design, roadway design, engineering and construction liability, and intellectual property and technology. His experience includes:
- pre-manufacture litigation risk assessment and product development;
- managing complex discovery and related motion practice;
- expert witness development;
- pre-trial motion practice, ranging from discovery issues to dispositive motions;
- successfully mediating high-profile matters throughout the country;
- jury trial experience in state and federal courts; and
- post-judgment appellate briefing and argument.
Chad serves pro bono for the Kansas Adoption Placement Program and the Community Board for the YMCA. Chad enjoys spending time with his four children and coaching youth sports teams.
Representative Matters
Represented vehicle manufacturer in a crashworthiness case arising from a rollover in which plaintiff was rendered a quadriplegic. Plaintiff alleged the SUV was defective for lack of electronic stability control, inadequate roof strength, and inadequate restraints. The case resulted in a unanimous defense verdict following a three-week jury trial. Boren v. Kia Motors America, Inc. (Oklahoma County, OK 2009).
Represented vehicle manufacturer in a five day evidentiary hearing resulting in the exclusion of any evidence by plaintiff’s expert relating to the Jordan Rollover System rollover test fixture. Boren v. Kia Motors America, Inc. (Oklahoma County, OK 2009).
Secured voluntary dismissal following expert discovery for vehicle manufacturer in a wrongful death case arising from a rollover accident resulting in the death of a teenage student. Ezell v. Kia Motors America, Inc. (Franklin County, MO 2012).
Successfully excluded plaintiffs’ liability expert and secured summary judgment in a multi-death action claiming defective handling and restraint systems. Ingraham v. Kia Motors America, Inc. (W.D. Okla. 2007).
Served as second-chair in the defense of a three-day jury trial involving automotive negligence and wrongful death. Guyer v. Hussman Corp. (Clay County, MO 2007).
Served as second chair in two-week criminal jury trial involving the largest ecstasy conspiracy in the Midwest and handled post-trial appellate issues. United States v. Donnell (2008).
Secured dismissal of medical malpractice claim brought by an injured worker and argued the appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District (2010).
Represented school bus manufacturer in seven-year litigation arising from a school bus crash that killed two adults and catastrophically injured two young children. The case resulted in a defense verdict following an eight-week jury trial. (Clay County, MO 2013).
Represented engineering company in a professional liability case alleging the negligent design and construction of a state highway rendered plaintiff a quadriplegic. Shook secured a nominal settlement following expert discovery (Leavenworth County, KS 2014).
Defended product manufacturer in commercial liability case alleging a product defect contaminated wholesale food products resulting in millions of dollars in damages as a result of an FDA mandated recall. We secured a nominal settlement for the product manufacturer after plaintiff’s expert’s deposition. (D. Kan. 2015).
Presentations
Communicating with Millennial Jurors, Los Angeles, CA (October 2015).
Moderator, Autonomous Vehicles: The Promise and Implications, American Bar Association (April 2015).
Keys to a Successful Mentor/Mentee Relationship, Shook In-house Presentation (September 2013).
Best Practices: Document Creation and E-discovery, Management Summit, Township, New Jersey (December 2011).
Stand Out as Second Chair, Shook In-house CLE, (March 2009).