Chris Cotter

Shareholder, Practice Group Manager, Product Liability & Transportation

Akron
222 South Main Street
Suite 400
Akron, OH 44308
P 330.819.1127
F 330.376.4577
P 330.819.1127 | F 330.376.4577

Cleveland
Lexington
Columbus
Cincinnati

Overview

Chris helps his clients navigate and solve legal problems. He primarily defends injury and business claims and advises on regulatory and compliance issues.

Chris has the capability to address a wide array of claims and legal issues, including complex commercial motor vehicle accidents, products liability claims, professional liability claims, issues involving unmanned aircraft systems (drones), autonomous vehicles, transportation contract drafting and review, insurance coverage disputes, employer intentional tort claims, regulatory compliance under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, specialty insurance defense, premises liability, passenger claims against airlines, products liability, legal malpractice, claims against real estate agents, claims against insurance agents, Carmack Amendment claims, appeals, Federal Aviation Act compliance, maritime law, construction defects, oil and gas disputes, and real property tax valuation.

His clients are primarily in the following industries: transportation, retail, aviation, oil & gas, energy, manufacturing and distribution, real estate, and emerging technologies.

In addition, Chris serves on Roetzel's Emergency Response Team to immediately address issues that may arise as a result of catastrophic injury events, industrial accidents, fires, and other catastrophes.

Experience

Trial

Obtained a jury verdict in favor of the motor carrier and insurance company for the full amount they were seeking in a case arising out of a head-on collision between a sedan and a commercial truck
Obtained defense verdict at trial for manufacturing client in an employer intentional tort case
Obtained a defense verdict at trial on behalf of a roof shingle manufacturer in defense of product liability claims

Arbitration

Obtained a decision in favor of my client on a breach of warranty claim arising out of the sale of a commercial motor vehicle
Obtained a decision in favor of my client, the seller of a commercial vehicle, in defense of breach of warranty and related claims

Dismissal

Obtained dismissal of transportation client based on FAAAA preemption and insufficient allegations in the Complaint
Obtained dismissal of dating website in a case with CDA Section 230 defense
Obtained dismissal of a state entity client based on immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Summary Judgment

Obtained summary judgment for a shipper in a case in which its independent motor carrier caused a catastrophic motor vehicle accident
Obtained summary judgment for retail client in a case involving a third-party assault on the premises and succeeded on appeal
Relying on the Montreal Convention, obtained partial summary judgment for a commercial airline in baggage damage claim
Obtained summary judgment for premises owners in many cases over the years using defenses including the open and obvious defense, the no-duty winter rule, self-defense, no actual or constructive notice, and other defenses

Rapid Response and Motion Practice

Succeeded in protecting a motor carrier's accident investigation materials from disclosure during the discovery phase of a lawsuit by implementing rapid response protocols immediately after the accident

Damages

Successfully prevented plaintiffs from obtaining damages for "preimpact fear" in multiple lawsuits

Declaratory Judgment

Obtained a declaratory judgment from the court limiting a $250,000 claim to $31,250 based on the correct application of the appropriate insurance policy

Services

Industries

Education

University of Dayton School of Law, J.D.
- University of Dayton Law Review
Miami University, B.S.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Kentucky
Ohio

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
U.S. Supreme Court

Clerkships

Externship with Judge Thomas M. Rose, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Recognitions

Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Transportation Law (2020-2024) and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (2021-2024)
Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2024)
Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyers - Rising Star" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2014-2020)

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

USLAW Network
- Vice Chair of the USLAW Transportation and Logistics Practice Group (current)
- Co-Chair of the USLAW Transportation Law Exchange, Presenter (2017)
- Co-Chair of Transportation and Logistics Educational Track - Spring Client Conference (2018)
- Co-Founder of the USLAW Future Leaders Courtroom Academy (2019)
ABA TIPS Aviation and Space Law Committee, Member
Transportation Lawyers Association, Member of Executive Committee (current)
DRI (Trucking Law Committee and Aviation Law Committee)
- Publications Vice-Chair of DRI Trucking Committee (current)
SMU Air Law Symposium
Ohio Trucking Association, Safety Council
Ohio State Bar Association, Aviation Law Committee
Akron Bar Association

Community Affiliations

The University of Dayton School of Law Alumni Association

Insights

Services

Industries

Chris helps his clients navigate and solve legal problems. He primarily defends injury and business claims and advises on regulatory and compliance issues.

His clients are primarily in the following industries: transportation, retail, aviation, oil & gas, energy, manufacturing and distribution, real estate, and emerging technologies.

Experience

Trial

Obtained a jury verdict in favor of the motor carrier and insurance company for the full amount they were seeking in a case arising out of a head-on collision between a sedan and a commercial truck
Obtained defense verdict at trial for manufacturing client in an employer intentional tort case
Obtained a defense verdict at trial on behalf of a roof shingle manufacturer in defense of product liability claims

Arbitration

Obtained a decision in favor of my client on a breach of warranty claim arising out of the sale of a commercial motor vehicle
Obtained a decision in favor of my client, the seller of a commercial vehicle, in defense of breach of warranty and related claims

Dismissal

Obtained dismissal of transportation client based on FAAAA preemption and insufficient allegations in the Complaint
Obtained dismissal of dating website in a case with CDA Section 230 defense
Obtained dismissal of a state entity client based on immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Summary Judgment

Obtained summary judgment for a shipper in a case in which its independent motor carrier caused a catastrophic motor vehicle accident
Obtained summary judgment for retail client in a case involving a third-party assault on the premises and succeeded on appeal
Relying on the Montreal Convention, obtained partial summary judgment for a commercial airline in baggage damage claim
Obtained summary judgment for premises owners in many cases over the years using defenses including the open and obvious defense, the no-duty winter rule, self-defense, no actual or constructive notice, and other defenses

Rapid Response and Motion Practice

Succeeded in protecting a motor carrier's accident investigation materials from disclosure during the discovery phase of a lawsuit by implementing rapid response protocols immediately after the accident

Damages

Successfully prevented plaintiffs from obtaining damages for "preimpact fear" in multiple lawsuits

Declaratory Judgment

Obtained a declaratory judgment from the court limiting a $250,000 claim to $31,250 based on the correct application of the appropriate insurance policy

University of Dayton School of Law, J.D.
- University of Dayton Law Review
Miami University, B.S.

Bar Admissions

Kentucky
Ohio

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
U.S. Supreme Court

Clerkships

Externship with Judge Thomas M. Rose, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Transportation Law (2020-2024) and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (2021-2024)
Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2024)
Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyers - Rising Star" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2014-2020)

Professional Affiliations

USLAW Network
- Vice Chair of the USLAW Transportation and Logistics Practice Group (current)
- Co-Chair of the USLAW Transportation Law Exchange, Presenter (2017)
- Co-Chair of Transportation and Logistics Educational Track - Spring Client Conference (2018)
- Co-Founder of the USLAW Future Leaders Courtroom Academy (2019)
ABA TIPS Aviation and Space Law Committee, Member
Transportation Lawyers Association, Member of Executive Committee (current)
DRI (Trucking Law Committee and Aviation Law Committee)
- Publications Vice-Chair of DRI Trucking Committee (current)
SMU Air Law Symposium
Ohio Trucking Association, Safety Council
Ohio State Bar Association, Aviation Law Committee
Akron Bar Association

Community Affiliations

The University of Dayton School of Law Alumni Association

Chris Cotter

Shareholder, Practice Group Manager, Product Liability & Transportation

Overview

Experience

Services

Industries

Education

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Clerkships

Recognitions

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

Community Affiliations

Insights

Alerts

Articles

Presentations

Firm News

Services

Industries

Overview

Experience

Education

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Clerkships

Recognitions

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

Community Affiliations

Insights

Alerts

Articles

Presentations

Firm News