Overview
With over fifteen (15) years of litigation and trial experience in Mississippi and Louisiana, Chris Corkern is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney in the Gulfport office of Strauss Massey Dinneen LLC. He represents clients in a broad range of matters including commercial litigation, insurance coverage and defense, professional liability, construction litigation and eminent domain.
Chris has successfully litigated and tried numerous cases in both state and federal courts, as well as appeals before the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Mississippi Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Chris is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received a Bachelors in Business Administration (B.B.A.) from Millsaps College where he was also a member of the Millsaps baseball team. Chris obtained his J.D. with honors from Mississippi College School of Law where he served as a member of the Moot Court Board. During his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his two sons, Beau and Rhett.
Representative Cases
- American Compensation Ins. Co. v. Hector Ruiz, et al., 2022 WL 4468619, No. 1:18-CV-213-DMB-DAS (N.D. Miss. 2022) (complete summary judgment in favor of client with over $6 million in potential exposure).
- Cory Harris v. Deep South Title, LLC, et al., Lamar County Circuit Court, No. CO18-0865A (May 18, 2022) (complete summary judgment in favor of client).
- Ernest T. Jones v. Miss. Inst. of Higher Learning, et al., Claiborne County Circuit Court, No. 2009-29-A (2016) (judgment notwithstanding the verdict in favor of client).
- Borries Constr. v. Grand Casino of Miss., Inc., 187 So.3d 1042 (Miss. 2016) (reversal of summary judgment against construction company client; million dollar settlement for client).
- Transp. Comm’n v. Murtagh, et al., Holmes County Special Court of Eminent Domain, No. 2012-0237 (Sept. 26, 2013) (jury verdict for client).
- Jones v. Alcorn State Univ., 120 So.3d 448 (Miss.Ct.App. 2013) (affirming judgment in favor of client defendants).
- Eagle Capital Corp. v. Munlake Contractors, Inc., et al., Mississippi Supreme Court, No. 2012-M-01735-SCT (2012) (affirming dismissal of corporate clients).
- Gulf Coast Property, Inc. v. Miss. Transp. Comm’n, Hinds County Circuit Court, No. 251-5-903 (Aug. 10, 2012) (dismissal in favor of client).
- Ernest T. Jones v. Alcorn State Univ., 2012-0237 (S.D.Miss. 2012) (dismissal of state entity and individual client defendants).
- Knight Props. v. Sanders, 77 So.3d 522 (Miss. 2011).
- Rudy Chestang v. Alcorn State Univ., et al., No. 5:10-CV-67-DCB-JMR, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 133378 (S.D.Miss. 2011) (dismissal of corporate and individual client defendants).
- Transp. Comm’n v. Mae Cotton, et al., Madison County Special Court of Eminent Domain, No. CO 2008-1270-01 (2010) (jury verdict in favor of client).
- Transp. Comm’n v. Bumond B. Noble, et al., Madison County Special Court of Eminent Domain, No. CO 2008-1272-01 (2009) (jury verdict in favor of client).
Education
- Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2008; Moot Court Board
- Millsaps College, B.A., 2005
Recognition and Honors
- American Jurisprudence Award, Alternative Dispute Resolution
- American Jurisprudence Award, Trial Practice
Professional and Community Affiliations
- Harrison County Bar Association
- Congressional Ambassador, Alzheimer’s Association
- MS Volunteer Lawyers Project
- First United Methodist Church of Long Beach
Bar and Court Admissions
- Mississippi – all State and Federal Courts
- Louisiana – all State and Federal Courts
Publications
- The Virtual Courtroom: COVID-19’s Effect on Jury and Bench Trials. (April 26, 2021)
- Anti’ Up: Is It Time For Mississippi Practitioners To Put Their Bargaining Chips On The Collaborative Law Table? Alternative Dispute Resolution – MC School of Law (2008)
