Christopher W. Stevens

A versatile litigator, Chris brings broad-based and extensive litigation experience to high-stakes commercial disputes, and personal injury and wrongful death claims. Despite his diverse client base and caseload, Chris delivers a consistent service experience marked by integrity, candor, and resilience.

Chris maintains a niche focus on professional liability claims. He routinely represents professionals - lawyers, doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, insurance agents, among others - before their respective licensing boards.

Chris was recently selected among Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s “Go-To Lawyers” for Commercial Litigation. He is consistently recognized among the Best Lawyers in America for insurance law and Virginia Business magazine’s "Legal Elite" for civil litigation. Chris is an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel.

Select Commercial Disputes and Litigation

• Successfully defended a coal mine operator in an arbitration proceeding where the property owner asserted a multi-million-dollar lost coal claim.
• Successfully defended a commercial tenant in a claim brought by the leasing agent seeking payment of the leasing commissions.
• Successfully defended a multi-million-dollar claim brought by a property owner against an engineering firm on the grounds that the claim was barred by the economic loss and source of duty rule.
• Represented a developer in bringing a business conspiracy, tortious interference and related claims in relation to a significant development project at Smith Mountain Lake.
• Assisted property owners in a mineral tax dispute against a local government.

Personal Injury Defense

• Defended a resort owner in personal injury claims brought by guests.
• Defended a locality in a lawsuit related to an electrician who cut the power to a temporary meter base and was injured.
• Defended a higher education client in personal injury claim brought by student.

Insurance Coverage

• Successfully defended an insurer in its denial of coverage based upon the public livery exclusion contained in the policy.
• Successfully defended an insurer against a claim brought by another insurer seeking reimbursement of a settlement payment paid by the plaintiff insurer under an equitable subrogation theory.

Recognition

Education

University of Richmond School of Law, J.D.

Hampden-Sydney College, B.A.

Admissions

Virginia

U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Virginia

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit

• Virginia State Bar, Bar Council Member (2007-2010), Representative, 23^rd Judicial Circuit
• American Bar Association
• The Ted Dalton America Inns of Court, Associate (2003-2006)
• Defense Research Institute
• Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
• International Association of Defense Counsel

"Claims by Organizational Plaintiffs Against Design Professionals," VADA Journal of Civil Litigation, Vol. XXVI, No. 3, Fall 2014.