There Is No Second Place In A Courtroom

Chris Ayres

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Practice Areas

  • Commercial Trials & Appeals
  • Personal Injury Trial & Appeals
  • Representation of Professionals
  • Crisis Management

Bar Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Texas
  • Supreme Court of the United States of America
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas

Biography

No matter what legal issue is presented, from the moment Chris first speaks to a client until the case is resolved, he maintains a strict focus on not only meeting, but exceeding the goals and expectations of his clients. Without such an approach, Chris believes some level of failure is unavoidable. Chris partners with his clients in a way that most law firms, which are risk-averse and bogged down by bureaucracy, simply cannot or will not do. He invests his time and resources with a level of commitment and passion that has earned him respect from jurist and peers alike. 

An unwavering commitment to this philosophy has resulted in an established track record of success. He is one of 50 lawyers in the entire State of Texas to hold those certifications and certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in the area of civil trial advocacy.

Certified Legal & Medical Specialties

  • Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Civil Trial Law (2010 to Present)
  • Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Personal Injury Trial Law (2010 to Present)
  • National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, Civil Trial Advocacy (2011 to Present)
  • National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, Civil Pretrial Advocacy (2012 to Present)
  • National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, Emergency Medical Technical – Basic (2009 to Present)
  • Texas Department of State Health Services, Emergency Medical Technical – Basic (2009 to Present)

Honors

  • "AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Texas Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine (2013 to Present)
  • Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star, Texas Monthly Magazine (2008 to 2013)
  • National Trial Lawyers, “Top 100 Texas Attorneys” (2019 to Present)
  • National Trial Lawyers, “Top 40 Texas Attorneys under 40” (2012 to 2018)
  • America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators (2020 to Present)
  • “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine (2022)
  • “Top 40 under 40,” Dallas Business Journal (2014)
  • Appointed Member of Advisory Commission on Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2012 to 2018)
  • Appointed Member of Exam Commission on Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2018 to Present)

Education

  • Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas
    • J.D.
    • Honors: General Civil Litigation Concentration
    • Honors: Executive President, Student Bar Association
    • Honors: Baylor Mock Trial Team
    • Honors: Phi Delta Phi, Legal Honor Society
    • Honors: Order of Barristers
  • Southern Methodist University, Texas
    • B.A.
    • Honors: magna cum laude
    • Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
    • Honors: Departmental Distinction, Political Science Department
    • Honors: Golden Key Honor Society
  • University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professionals
    • EMT-B

Professional Associations

  • American Board of Trial Advocates , Member (2022 to Present)
  • Litigation Counsel of America , Fellow (2011 to Present)
  • Texas Bar Foundation , Life Fellow (2016 to Present)
  • American Bar Foundation , Fellow (2018 to Present)
  • Committee for a Qualified Judiciary, Dallas, Texas , Member (2015 to Present)
  • Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas , Member (2009 to Present)
  • Dallas Bar Association , Member (2002 to Present)
  • American Bar Association , Member (2002 to Present)
  • Bar Association for the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit , Member (2003 to Present)
  • Baylor Law School Alumni Association , Life Member (2002 to Present)

Published Works

  • Ayres, C., Rescue Me: A Chief’s Guide on Legal Standards for Fire and EMS Administration, Dallas County Fire Chiefs’ Association (2016)
  • Ayres, C., Focusing on Optics: Use and Presentation of Persuasive Visual Evidence, Litigation Counsel of America, 2016 Spring Conference & Celebration of Fellows (2016)
  • Ayres, C. and Ayres, R. Jack, A Medical Control Physician’s Guide to EMS Legal Issues in the Field, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty Lecture (2014).
  • Ayres, C., Thoughts on Effective Docket Management in Federal Court, The Advocate – Litigation in Federal Court, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section (2014)
  • Ayres, C. and Allen, L., Enforcing Foreign Judgments in Texas, The Advocate – International Civil Litigation in U.S. Court, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section (2013)
  • Ayres, C. and Cherry, C., Staying Focused on Victory: Killing as Opposed to Challenging Your Opponent’s Expert Witness, Litigation Counsel of America Renaissance Symposium VII (2013)
  • Ayres, C. and Cherry, C., Are You Going to Believe Technology or Your Lying Eyes, Litigation Counsel of America, Litigation Counsel of America Renaissance Symposium VII (2013)
  • Ayres, R., Ayres, C. and Blakeley, S., Rescue Me: A Texas Fire Officer’s Guide to Legal Issues in Fire and EMS Operations and Administration, North Central Texas Fire Chiefs’ Association (2011)
  • Ayres, R. and Ayres, C., Legal Considerations for Texas Emergency Medical Service Providers, University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professionals (2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005)
  • Ayres, C., Excluding the Opposing Expert Witness on Qualifications and Reliability Grounds, Coffee and Donuts Series in the 134th Judicial District Court (2010).
  • Ayres, C. and Beeson, J., EMS and the DEA – Experience Can Help Prevent Exposure, State of the Science, Journal of Emergency Medical Services (2010).
  • Ayres, C., Issues of Legal Liability for Athletic Trainers¸ North Texas Association of Athletic Trainers Annual Seminar (2007).
  • Ayres, C., Considering Settlement? Current Issues Relating to the Stowers Doctrine, The Advocate – Insurance & Litigation, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section (2006).
  • Ayres, C., An Update on the Status of Negligent Entrustment Law in Texas, Texas Trial Lawyers Association 2006 Car Wreck Seminar (2005).
  • Ayres, R. and Ayres, C., Experts in Products Liability Litigation, Fourth Annual Advanced Expert Witness Course, State Bar of Texas (2004).

Legal & Medical Faculty Teaching

  • Baylor School of Law, Mock Trial Team Instructor and Coach
  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
  • University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professionals, Paramedic Lecturer
  • Assistant Director, Emergency Legal Assistance Program, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Texas
  • Legal Advisor, UT Southwestern Biotel EMS System, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Texas
  • Dallas County Community College, El Centro Campus, Paramedic

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Member, Board of Trustees, Vice-President and Treasurer of Episcopal Foundation of Dallas (2014 to Present)
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Vice-President and Treasurer of Gaston Episcopal Hospital Foundation (2014 to Present)
  • Member, Board of Directors, HeROs Alliance, Genesis Women’s Shelter (2013 to Present)
  • Member, Board of Trustees, St. Philip’s School and Community Center (2016 to Present)
  • Member, Board of Directors, Friends of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department (2006 to Present)
  • Member, Episcopal School of Dallas Alumni Association’s Executive Committee (2008 to 2016)
  • Member, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Assistant Chancellor (2015 to Present)
  • Member, Episcopal Diocese of Dallas Assistant Chancellor (2015 to Present)
  • Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Nominations & Elections Committee (2013 to 2014)
  • Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Bishop Search Committee (2014 to 2015)
  • Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Strategic Planning Committee (2016)
  • Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Executive Council (2016)
  • Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Senior Warden (2014)
  • Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Junior Warden (2013)
  • Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Vestry (2012 to 2014)
  • Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Rector Search Committee Member (2013 to 2014)

Current Employment Positions

  • President/Shareholder