Chris Zulanas’ practice primarily involves litigation arising out of commercial trucking and transportation, commercial and residential construction, auto liability, insurance coverage, personal injury and products liability. He also works with clients to minimize the potential for litigation through risk management measures and client-specific business practices. In over 25 years of practice, Mr. Zulanas has litigated and tried to verdict matters in more than a dozen counties in Alabama, its Northern and Middle District federal courts and arbitration forums.
In addition to Alabama’s state courts, Mr. Zulanas is admitted to practice in Alabama’s three federal district courts and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Other areas of expertise include the negotiation and drafting of contracts, counsel regarding state and federal regulatory matters, coordination of rapid response teams following commercial vehicle accidents, the development of compliance programs and counsel on employment and other business issues. He has extensive experience with alternatives to litigation, including mediation and arbitration, and can offer a wide array of creative options to resolve matters efficiently and effectively.
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Professional Affiliations
- Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
- Alabama State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Birmingham Bar Association
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- Trucking Industry Defense Association
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News, Honors & Awards
- Martindale Hubbell AV Rated
- Elected to American Board of Trial Advocates
- Elected to Super Lawyers
- U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms
- B-Metro Magazine Top Flight Lawyers
- Published in the American Journal of Trial Advocacy
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Notable Cases and
Representative Clients- Tried over 50 cases in state and federal courts across Alabama.
- Defended companies and insureds in all three federal court districts and the vast majority of state courts throughout Alabama.
- Currently serves as Alabama panel counsel for Fortune 500 Companies, numerous general liability and automobile liability insurance carriers, and trucking companies.
- Reported cases include Max Oil Co., Inc. v. Shell Oil Co., 945 F.Supp. 241, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northern Division (1996); Pescia v. Auburn Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., 177 F.R.D. 509, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (1997); Skilstaf, Inc. v. Adminitron, Inc., 66 F.Supp 2d 1210, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (1999); Pescia v. Auburn Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., 68 F.Supp 2d 1269, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (1999); Trawinski v. United Technologies Carrier Corp., 201 F. Supp 2d 1168, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division (2002); Trawinski v. United Technologies Carrier Corp., 313 F.3d 1295, 11th Cir. Court of Appeals (2002); Betts v. Larsen Intermodal Services, Inc., 2006 WL 1748600, United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Northern Division (2006); State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance Company v. Stillwell Masonry Company, Inc., 2006 WL 3802312, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Eastern Division (2006); Western Surety Company v. Bradford Electric Co., Inc., 483 F.Supp 2d 1114, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northeastern Division (2007); Driver v. W. E. Pegues, Inc., 2012 WL 3042939, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Eastern Division (2012); Craft v. Triumph Logistics, Inc., 107 F. Supp. 3d 1218, United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama (2015); Stone v. State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, 2017 WL 633081 (N.D. Ala., Feb. 16, 2017); Pickens v. Guy’s Logging Co., 2018 WL 3732686 (N.D. Ala., Aug. 6, 2018); Ex Parte CityR Eagle Landing, LLC, 2019 WL 1180630 (Ala. Oct. 25, 2019).
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Personal Information
Chris is an active member in his community and he is the proud father of two great sons, Carter and Sam.
