Chris has defended a wide variety of mass torts and products ranging from pharmaceuticals and medical devices, to consumer, commercial and industrial products and manufacturing systems. He has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South Super Lawyers.
Overview
Chris has defended a wide variety of mass torts and products ranging from pharmaceuticals and medical devices, to consumer, commercial and industrial products and manufacturing systems. He has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South Super Lawyers.
About
Chris Berdy is a member of the firm’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Healthcare Litigation Group and Products, Catastrophic & Industrial Litigation Group. For 30 years, Chris has been defending product manufacturers in high-exposure product liability and mass tort litigation—matters that require a comprehensive understanding of the product, the industry, and the regulatory environment in which the product is marketed.
Chris partners with his clients to manage litigation risk and protect the product story by aligning legal strategy with commercial goals. His pragmatic approach relies on early case assessment with, budget discipline, thoughtful expert strategy, dispositive motions, and trial, all with the goal of putting his clients in the strongest possible position to achieve their desired, business-minded outcomes.
Chris has defended products in a wide array of industries: life sciences (pharmaceuticals and medical devices); consumer products and electronics (small appliances, TVs, electronics); mining, agricultural, and construction equipment (man-trips, tractors, hoists, cranes, wire rope; scissor-lifts); automotive and mobility (cars, ATVs; forklifts); energy and industrial power equipment and manufacturing systems.
Chris has been recognized nationally, and locally, for his expertise. In addition to achieving an AV® – Preeminent™ Peer Review rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, Chris has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA (Alabama Litigation: General Commercial) and Thomson Reuters Mid-South Super Lawyers (Personal Injury Defense: Products). In 2021, the Birmingham Business Journal selected him as one of its 2021 Best of the Bar and B-Metro Birmingham Business Magazine selected him as one of “Birmingham’s Top Attorneys.” Chris was a member of Leadership Birmingham’s Class of 2015.
For over 20 years, Chris been an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). In addition to chairing numerous committees, speaking at conferences, and writing, in 2018, he was invited to join the faculty of the IADC’s Trial Academy. From 2020 to 2023, Chris served on the IADC's Board of Directors.
Currently, Chris is President of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Holocaust Education Center, and he is a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church. Chris is a former member of the Washington & Lee National Alumni Board, former Birmingham Area Chair of the Alumni Admission Program of Washington & Lee University, and past President of the Washington & Lee University Birmingham Alumni Chapter. Chris is a dual citizen of the United State and Austria.
He obtained his J.D. from Cumberland School of Law (1996) and B.A. in Geology and Environmental Studies from Washington and Lee University (1991). He is admitted to practice in Alabama.
Experience
MDL and Mass Tort Management
- Representation of chemical manufacturer in thousands of environmental and products liability PFAS claims in state and federal courts nationwide brought by individuals, municipalities, and states alleging groundwater contamination and personal injury as individual claims, consolidated proceedings, and class actions.
- Representation of chemical manufacturer in numerous personal injury products liability suits pending nationwide in multiple state and federal courts.
- National wave discovery coordinating counsel for a multinational manufacturing company in the largest mass tort MDL in history concerning sale of allegedly defective earplugs to the military.
- Representation of manufacturers of pharmaceutical products and medical devices, including developing, coordinating and implementing defense strategy in concurrent federal and state court consolidated proceedings, deposing healthcare providers and expert witnesses, and retention, development of and challenges to expert witnesses.
- In re: Ethicon, Inc. Physiomesh Prods. Liability Lit., MDL No. 2782 (N.D. GA.)
- In re: Ethicon, Inc. Pelvic Repair Sys. Prods. Liability Lit., MDL No. 2327 (S.D.W.V.)
- In re: Pradaxa (Dabigatran Etexilate) Prods. Liability Lit., MDL No. 2385 (S.D.IL)
- In re: Accutane Lit., Superior Court of N.J., Case Code No. 271
- In Re: Yamaha Motor Corp. Rhino ATV Prods. Liability Lit., MDL No. 2016 (W.D. KY)
Products Liability Litigation
- Broad experience in defending a wide variety of consumer, commercial and industrial products and manufacturing systems. Experience includes:
- Successfully defended television manufacturer in wrongful death case arising out of catastrophic residential fire alleged to have originated from television.
- Defended international designer/manufacturer of industrial steel manufacturing system for multi-million dollar property damage claims arising out of massive molten steel spill. Secured summary judgment on product-defect claims.
- Successfully defended manufacturer of induction furnace in personal injury/wrongful death claim arising out of furnace explosion.
- Successful defense of electronic controls manufacturer in multiple wrongful death claims arising from catastrophic underground mining accidents.
- Numerous other consumer and industrial product lines defended, including all-terrain vehicles, automobiles, bar sealers, blow mold machines, concrete anchor lifting systems, extruders, hydraulic transfer cars, commercial HVAC systems, industrial coatings, kerosene heaters, mobile cranes, PVC pipe, power tools, soot blowers, stainless steel wire rope, and toasters, and underground mining equipment.
Distinctions
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Litigation: General Commercial – Alabama, 2024-2025
- Martindale-Hubbell®
- AV®- Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
- BL Rankings, The Best Lawyers in America®
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2014-2026
- Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®
- Mid-South Super Lawyers, Personal Injury Defense: Products, 2016-2025
- Alabama Super Lawyers, Personal Injury Defense: Products, 2013-2015
- 2024 Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, The Burton Awards
- Birmingham Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2021
- B-Metro Birmingham Bus. Mag., "Birmingham's Top Attorneys", 2016-Present
- Leadership Birmingham, Class of 2015
Bar Admissions
- Alabama, 1996
- U.S. District Courts
- Alabama: Northern, Middle, Southern
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- 11th Circuit
Education
- Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 1996
- Dean’s List
- Articles Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy
- Cordell Hull Legal Research and Writing Teaching Fellow
- Washington and Lee University, B.A., Geology and Environmental Studies, 1991
- Member, Men’s Varsity Tennis, 1988 NCAA Div. III National Champions
- Inductee, Athletic Hall of Fame, 1998
Associations
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- Member, Board of Directors, 2020-2023
- Faculty, 46th Annual IADC Trial Academy, Stanford Law School, 2018
- Chair, CLE Committee, 2016-2017, 2019-2020
- Chair, Alabama State Membership Committee, 2011-2023
- Chair, In-House & Law Firm Management Committee, 2013-2015
- Chair, 2014 Annual Meeting CLE Steering Committee
- Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, 2010-2012
- Co-Chair, IADC & FDCC Joint Law Firm Management Conference, 2013
- Appointed Member, Nominating Committee, 2011
- Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Food and Drug Law Institute
- American Bar Association
Papers, Presentations & Publications
- Author, "The Nuremberg Trials: A Story for Trial Lawyers," Pro Te: Solutio, Vol. 16, No. 1, March 2023.
- Author, “Solving the Problem of Daubert’s “Shaky but Admissible Evidence”: An Amendment to Federal Rule of Evidence 702 May Be Forthcoming,” Pro Te: Solutio, Vol. 14, No. 1, February 2021.
- Speaker, “IADC Talks: Humanity United,” International Association of Defense Counsel’s 2019 Annual Meeting, Asheville, N.C., July 8, 2019.
- Speaker, "Back to Basics: Direct and Cross-Examination of Expert Witnesses at Trial," International Association of Defense Counsel's 2019 Midyear Meeting, Santa Barbara, Calif., February 26, 2019.
- Co-Author, "For Design Defect Cases, Alabama's Alternative Design Requirement Just Got Tougher," IADC Drug Device and Biotechnology Committee Newsletter, December 2016.
- Chapter Co-Author, “Liens and Medicare Secondary Payer Act,” IADC Defense Counsel Training Manual (3d Ed. 2016).
- Co-Author, “Alabama No Longer an Outlier State: Legislature Says ‘No’ To Innovator Liability,” Pro Te: Solutio, Vol. 8 No. 3, December 2015.
- Author, "Thinking Bigger: Broadening Regulatory Strategy For New Medical Devices By Planning For Both Regulatory and Reimbursement Approval," Pro Te: Solutio, Vol. 8 No. 2, October 2015.
- Speaker, "Strategic Planning for Law Firms: Key Considerations," IADC 2015 Annual Meeting, July 8, 2015.
- Author, "Collaboration: Part of the Pharmaceutical Industry's New Normal," Pro Te: Solutio, Vol. 7 No. 2, 25-31, June 2014.
- Co-Author, "What Do California, Vermont and Alabama Have in Common?" Pro Te: Solutio, Vol. 6 No. 3, September 2013.
- Speaker, "Alternative Fee Arrangements & Value Billing," IADC 2013 Annual Meeting, July 8, 2013.
- Speaker, "The Future of the Legal Services Industry," IADC & FDCC Joint Law Firm Management Conference, May 10, 2013.
- Co-Author, "What Do California, Vermont … and Alabama Have In Common?: Innovator-Liability for Brand-Name Prescription Drug Manufacturers," IADC Committee Newsletter, February 2013.
- Co-Author, "The Mississippi Supreme Court Issues A Get-Out-of-Jail Card to Unlicensed Engineers Offering Expert Testimony," IADC Committee Newsletter, December 2012.
- Moderator, "The Decision to Seek Arbitration – Be Careful What You Wish For …," IADC Annual Meeting, July 2012.
- Moderator, "Why Clients Are Demanding Value and What Law Firms Are Doing (or Not) to Meet The Challenge," IADC Midyear Meeting, February 2012.
- Author, "Alabama Now Recognizes A Civil Cause of Action for the Wrongful Death of A Non-viable Fetus," IADC Medical Defense & Health Law Committee Newsletter, October 2011.
- Author, "Finally…Alabama Makes the Change from Frye to Daubert," IADC Trial Techniques & Tactics Newsletter, July 2011.
- Panelist, "Meeting Your Client’s Expectations in Mediation," IADC Midyear Meeting, February 2011.
- Co-Author, "Overcoming the Vanishing Trail: A Lawyer’s Skills Are More Vital Than Ever to Success at Mediation," IADC ADR Committee Newsletter, January 2011.
- Co-Author, "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, December 2010.
- Moderator, "Uses of Social Media in Discovery and Trial," IADC Webinar, June 2010.
- Co-Author, "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, October 2009.
- Author, "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, January 2007.
- Author, "What Every Product Manufacturer Needs to Know When Defending a Lawsuit in Alabama," IADC Product Liability Committee Newsletter, January 2006.
- Co-Author, "The Basics of Applying Daubert and Frye in State Court," Alabama Defense Lawyers Association Journal, 21, April 2003.
Civic Involvement
- Alabama Holocaust Education Center
- President, Board of Trustees (2025-present)
- Member, Speakers’ Bureau
- Rotary Club of Birmingham, Member
- St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, Member
- Washington & Lee University
- Member, National Alumni Board, 2015-2019
- Birmingham Area Chair, Alumni Admissions Program, 2001-2019
- President, Birmingham Alumni Chapter, 2000-2002