Chris Tillery is a trial lawyer and business litigator. He represents business and commercial clients in jury trials, bench trials, class actions, arbitrations, administrative hearings, and mediations, primarily in the areas of business and commercial litigation, employment litigation, construction litigation, products’ liability, and premises liability.

An experienced and effective litigator who strives for exceptional results.

For over a decade, Chris has successfully tried or arbitrated cases throughout Kansas, Missouri and the United States for a wide-array of clients, including small, mid-size and large businesses, publicly-traded companies, and private and public organizations and individuals. His broad and extensive litigation background encompasses a wide-range of both simple and complex cases, including commercial contract disputes, construction defect and design errors, discrimination and retaliation claims, fraud, tortious interference and other business tort actions, personal injury defense, wrongful death, medical malpractice, mechanics liens, commercial property disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, landowner liability claims, commercial lending disputes, regulatory and administrative actions and investigations, intellectual property disputes, tax disputes, and actions between public officials.

Chris fully understands and appreciates the challenges, risks, and expense litigation poses for his clients. He prioritizes being attentive, responsive, and thorough in his communications with clients while his skill, preparation, and dedication allow them to focus on their business and family, knowing that their case is well in hand. Above all, he is a problem solver who prides himself on finding innovative legal solutions that yield effective results and limit his client’s costs and exposure as much as possible.

Representative Litigation

• Representation of Sheriff of Clay County in mandamus action brought against County Commission for failure to fund county jail. Obtaining nearly $1 million judgment at trial, affirmed on appeal with additional $200,000 in attorney’s fees awarded to Sheriff.
• Representation of equipment dealer in sex, disability, and retaliation claims brought by former employee in Jackson County Circuit Court. Obtaining summary judgment in favor of client on all claims, affirmed on appeal.
• Representation of Canadian equipment supplier in breach of contract action by Kansas customer in Kansas federal court. Obtaining early dismissal in favor of client on all claims for lack of personal jurisdiction.
• Representation of large Wyandotte County shopping center in Kansas federal court. Obtaining pre-trial dismissal of RICO and Lanham Act claims totaling over $1 million, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
• Representation of local engineering firm in $600,000 lien claim for engineering and survey work performed on large tract of undeveloped Wyandotte County property. Defeating summary judgment, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
• Representation of national intermodal company in $200,000 personal injury case involving heavy equipment at local railroad yard. Obtaining pre-trial dismissal of key claims, resulting in favorable settlement for client.
• Representation of bath tub manufacturer in product’s liability case in Kansas federal court where plaintiff alleged injuries totaling over $2.1 million in damages. Obtaining pre-trial dismissal of key claims resulting in favorable settlement for client.
• Representation of large, local energy company in state and federal employment discrimination, retaliation and hostile work environment cases throughout the United States.
• Representation of large, privately-owned grocery retailer in premises liability cases throughout Kansas City metro area.
• Representation of product manufacturers and insurers in fire losses and product liability cases involving claims of defect in design, manufacture and warnings of various industrial and consumer products such as Christmas trees, lawnmowers, bathtubs, and spray-booths.
• Representation of physicians and health care facilities and providers in professional malpractice claims throughout Missouri and Kansas.
• Representation of national and publicly-traded engineering firm in arbitration seeking $20 million in damages arising from alleged errors in HVAC system design.
• Representation of concrete labor and supply company in numerous mechanics lien cases throughout Kansas City metro area resulting in favorable judgments and collections for client.

Published Case Opinions

• State ex rel. Vescovo v. Clay County, 2019 WL 6533937 (Mo. Ct. App. Dec. 5, 2019)
• Manko Window Sys., Inc. v. Prestik, 2017 WL 4355580 (D. Kan. Sept. 29, 2017)
• Weber v. Ferrellgas, Inc., 2016-Ohio-4738, 68 N.E.3d 207
• Hyde v. Ferrellgas, Inc., 2015 WL 12762025 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 12, 2015)
• Manuel v. Wichita Hotel Partners, 2010 WL 4025607 (D. Kan. Oct. 13, 2010)

Community focused and an advocate for special needs.

Chris moved to the Midwest as a teenager from New Orleans, Louisiana. He resides in Overland Park, Kansas with his wife, Amy, three children, and one dog. Both he and his wife are active members of the Kansas City special needs community, having had a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a young age themselves. In addition to advocating and providing pro bono legal representation for special needs families, Chris volunteers for a variety of local special needs organizations such as Camp Encourage, and is a Board Member for the Joshua Center for Neurological Disorders. Additionally, Chris is a member of several legal and business development associations, including a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an invitation-only recognition.