Christopher Odell, head of the firm's Houston office, is a first-chair trial lawyer whose practice focuses on complex litigation in the energy and transportation industries. He has represented leading clients in many of the most significant transportation-related mass tort cases of the past decade. He also has extensive experience representing life sciences companies (including one of the nation's leading diagnostic laboratories) in federal and state courts and in arbitrations. Chris has tried numerous cases to verdict and has extensive experience coordinating global defensive strategies in international disputes including Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, Switzerland, and Brazil. Chris also specializes in prosecuting and defending high-stakes trade secret claims, including in TRO and preliminary injunction hearings.
Chris maintains an active pro bono practice focused on protecting the rights of the most vulnerable members of society, including immigrants, asylum seekers and criminal defendants. He serves on the board of Texas Appleseed, a public interest justice center that leverages volunteer lawyers to solve system legal problems, and the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.
Before attending law school, he served as deputy press secretary for the New York City Campaign Finance Board.
Experience
- Major international cruise line and subsidiary brands as co-lead counsel in defense of multiple class actions and 200+ individual wrongful-death and personal injury claims arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Obtained dismissal with prejudice or favorable resolution of all actions and established ground-breaking precedents in COVID claims.
- European airframe manufacturer as lead counsel in defense of nationwide litigation alleging neurological injuries arising from alleged toxic cabin fume events. Won dismissal of claims in state and federal courts in Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and elsewhere.
- European airframe manufacturer in multiple lawsuits and arbitration proceedings in the US and abroad arising from the worst aviation disaster in Brazilian history. All US claims against our client were dismissed on forum non conveniens grounds; dismissal affirmed on appeal. Tazoe v. Airbus S.A.S. et al., 631 F.3d 1321 (11th Cir. 2011).
- Aviation component manufacturer in product liability suit in Texas federal court. Obtained summary judgment on claims of personal injury allegedly caused by exposure to "bleed air" contaminated with toxic chemicals. Davidson v. Fairchild Controls Corp., 882 F.3d 180 (5th Cir. 2018).
- Major international cruise line in litigation arising from well-publicized Italian cruise ship accident.
- European airframe manufacturer in multidistrict litigation arising out of an accident over the mid-Atlantic Ocean. All claims against our client were dismissed on forum non conveniens grounds. In re Air Crash Over the Mid-Atlantic on June 1, 2009, 760 F. Supp. 2d 832 (N.D. Cal. 2010).
- European airframe manufacturer in litigation arising from mid-air incident over the Indian Ocean. Obtained groundbreaking state-court summary judgment against plaintiffs' personal injury claims based on application of New Zealand law. Tuna v. Airbus S.A.S., 2017 IL App (1st) 153645.
- Helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company in trade secret and trademark infringement suit. Case settled on favorable terms following the district court's decision denying plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction against our client. Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. et al. v. Vector Aerospace USA Inc. (N.D. Tex. 2013).
Perspectives
Recognition
General Commercial Disputes (2023)
Appellate (2019)
Transport Aviation and Air Travel: Litigation (2019)
Transport: Aviation and Air Travel (2017)
Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Aerospace/Aviation (2011, 2013-2015)
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Tulane University Law School, 2002, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Order of Barristers
- M.A., New York University, 1996
- B.A., Rice University, 1993
Admissions
- Texas
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Activities
- Member, American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section and Aviation & Space Law Committee
- Member, Federal Bar Association
- Instructor, Tulane Law School Civil Pretrial Litigation Boot Camp (2014-2020)
- Board Member, Texas Appleseed
- Board Member, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center (2012-2018)
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Member, Texas Bar Foundation