Christopher W. Fowlkes
Shareholder
Overview
Chris Fowlkes focuses his practice on product liability and commercial litigation, defending Global 500 companies in the medical device, pharmaceutical, automotive, chemical, and consumer products industries. He defends his clients in high-profile cases involving product liability litigation and multiparty commercial litigation matters across the country and is well versed in pattern and class action litigation.
Chris has served as first chair in several sophisticated trials and advises clients on defense strategies aimed at achieving the most favorable outcome in every case. His medical device experience includes litigation involving heart pumps, artificial urinary sphincters, inferior vena cava filters, hernia mesh, and a wide variety of consumer products, typically defending product manufacturers in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death actions. He has also represented numerous manufacturers and commercial service providers in significant property damage litigation arising out of the alleged negligence, defective design or manufacture, maintenance, or installation of various products and services.
The same passion Chris brings to the courtroom is also embodied in his advocacy for diversity in the legal profession. He is the recipient of a Minnesota Lawyers Diversity and Inclusion Award and active with the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, National Bar Association, Leadership Counsel for Legal Diversity, and Twin Cities Diversity in Practice. Chris is also active with the DRI and the Minnesota and Hennepin County Bar Associations.
Chris is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, where he played on the Golden Gophers football team, bringing the same teamwork and discipline to his legal practice.
Chris has served as first chair in several sophisticated trials and advises clients on defense strategies aimed at achieving the most favorable outcome in every case. His medical device experience includes litigation involving heart pumps, artificial urinary sphincters, inferior vena cava filters, hernia mesh, and a wide variety of consumer products, typically defending product manufacturers in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death actions. He has also represented numerous manufacturers and commercial service providers in significant property damage litigation arising out of the alleged negligence, defective design or manufacture, maintenance, or installation of various products and services.
The same passion Chris brings to the courtroom is also embodied in his advocacy for diversity in the legal profession. He is the recipient of a Minnesota Lawyers Diversity and Inclusion Award and active with the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, National Bar Association, Leadership Counsel for Legal Diversity, and Twin Cities Diversity in Practice. Chris is also active with the DRI and the Minnesota and Hennepin County Bar Associations.
Chris is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, where he played on the Golden Gophers football team, bringing the same teamwork and discipline to his legal practice.
Areas of Focus
Practices
Industries
News
Recognition
- Diverse Lawyers Making a Difference Award, Profiles in Diversity Journal (2022)
- Diversity and Inclusion Award, Minnesota Lawyer (2019)
- 40 Under 40, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (2007)
- Up & Coming Attorneys, Minnesota Lawyer (2004)
- Minnesota Rising Stars, Super Lawyers (2006–2011, 2013)
Professional and Community Involvement
- DRI
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Fellow (2013)
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- Twin Cities Diversity in Practice
Credentials
Education
- University of Minnesota School of Law (J.D., 1998)
- University of Minnesota (B.A., 1995)
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
The information on this website is presented as a service for our clients and Internet users and is not intended to be legal advice, nor should you consider it as such. Although we welcome your inquiries, please keep in mind that merely contacting us will not establish an attorney-client relationship between us. Consequently, you should not convey any confidential information to us until a formal attorney-client relationship has been established. Please remember that electronic correspondence on the internet is not secure and that you should not include sensitive or confidential information in messages. With that in mind, we look forward to hearing from you.