Chris A. Bottcher
Alternate image for Chris A. Bottcher

I work hard to position my clients as the good guys in litigation, so a win for them represents an act of justice. Sometimes that requires a bit of legal Aikido, like making small concessions in the beginning to gain larger tactical advantages down the road. I aim to be the voice of reason in the courtroom to develop credibility and a comfortable rapport with juries and judges.

With a practice spanning all 50 states, Christopher “Chris” A. Bottcher represents financial institutions, health care providers, hospital equipment manufacturers and refurbishers, and other businesses in a broad range of financial services and commercial litigation. He regularly advises clients in matters involving trade secrets, non-competition agreements, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. Chris’s work with lenders includes real estate litigation and the defense of toxic tort claims. He also represents clients in product liability actions, business disputes, and fraud claims, and he counsels partners and shareholders in litigation and dissolution proceedings. Having cultivated trust-centered relationships with his clients, Chris advises them on day-to-day business operations in a variety of industries.

Chris takes a pragmatic approach to litigation, carefully assessing the dynamics and proceeding strategically. Rather than fighting every small dispute that arises, he prefers to pick his battles and encourages his clients to pick theirs. Chris emphasizes civility, and rarely leaves a case having made enemies. He will, however, advocate aggressively when he thinks it serves the client’s interests, and says: “You play the role that is most likely to achieve the client’s goals.”

Chris finds it particularly gratifying to help smaller companies, because successful outcomes often make a great difference to the personal lives of the owners. A good resolution might mean their child can attend college, for example, or that they can retire at their chosen time. Chris understands that his clients want predictability and a sense of security, and he strives to avoid surprises, whether in results or legal bills.

Over the years Chris has been a committed member of the Defense Research Institute, a leading organization of civil defense attorneys and in-house counsel with 26,000 participants worldwide. A former chair of the DRI’s Trial Tactics Committee, Chris has benefitted greatly from the group’s educational exchange of information and tactics among his peers.

Industries

Services

Insights

Representative Experience

  • Represented an industrial plant in a suit filed by regulatory authorities to enjoin all operations at a multi-million dollar facility. After a week-long trial, the court entered a verdict denying the regulatory authority’s request for an injunction and only awarded it $5,000 in damages.  
  • Following a four-day trial, received a favorable settlement on behalf of majority shareholders in a case involving claims of shareholder oppression.  
  • Served as lead counsel representing a lender in a series of toxic tort cases. Achieved a settlement significantly under the client’s agreed settlement value.  
  • Following a three-day hearing on the merits, obtained a TRO and preliminary injunction prohibiting a former employee from taking information and customers from a national health care client to a competitor.  
  • Represented mortgage servicer in reformation action to correct a legal description so it would include a residence located on a large tract of land.  
  • Represented numerous mortgage servicers in contested foreclosures challenging standing, failure to offer modifications, and compliance with TILA and RESPA.  
  • Represented bank in litigation involving allegations of fraud and slander of title arising from the purchase and refinancing of several parcels of land.  
  • Represented bank interests in litigation between trust beneficiaries seeking a sale for division.  
  • Represented lender in a lien priority dispute filed by a subordinate mortgagee. 
  • Represented Co-Trustee in litigation and arbitration over Trust assets.

Education

  • Cumberland School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1996)
    Curia Honoris, Cordell Hull Teaching Fellow, Phi Delta Phi
  • University of Alabama (B.S., Commerce and Business Administration, 1991)

Honors

  • Martindale-Hubbell™ AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated  
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (Litigation - Banking and Finance), 2019–2020  
  • Birmingham Business Journal, "Top 40 Under 40 Business Professionals," 2009  
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society Tiffany Leadership Award, 2006  

Affiliations

Professional

  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Alabama State Bar
  • American Bar Association
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Defense Research Institute (Trial Tactics Committee, Chair, October 2014–October 2016; Trial Tactics Committee, Vice Chair, 2012–2014; Trial Tactics Committee, Damages Seminar, Program Chair, 2009; Trial Tactics Committee, Membership Chair, 2007–2008)

Community

  • Triumph Services, Inc., Board of Directors
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2006–2010
  • Strategic Business Development Committee, Co-Chair, 2004–2009
  • Historic Five Points South Neighborhood Association, Vice President, 2003–2006
  • Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Project Corporate Leadership, 2003
  • Mountain Brook YMCA Board of Directors, 2019-present

Outside the Office

Chris stays active by getting outdoors and playing sports with his sons. He also serves on the board of directors of an organization that provides vocational training, counseling, and life coaching for disabled adults who are living with conditions such as autism and Down Syndrome.