Chris Shapley joined the Brunini firm in 1976. He has concentrated his practice in litigation since that time.  He has handled all types of civil litigation but has concentrated his practice in the last several years on business litigation, mass torts, environmental litigation, insurance coverage and products liability. He is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, the United States Court of Claims, and the United States Supreme Court. He is past chairman of the firm's litigation section and now serves on the firm's Board of Directors. He was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1995, into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2000 and into the International Association of Defense Counsel in 2001.  He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in Business Litigation and Personal Injury, and is one of only five lawyers in the State of Mississippi listed in the “Bet the Company” litigation category.  Chambers USA lists him among its top tier of Leading Lawyers in Business Litigation in Mississippi.

Representative Matters

• Recently obtained a judgment on the pleadings in a suit filed against a major lending institution along with Trey Jones and Brian Kimball.  In this case, which is styled Duhon v. Trustmark National Bank, et al, the Plaintiff alleged that his property had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and that he had suffered damages as a result of an erroneous flood zone determination and the failure to obtain flood insurance in connection with the mortgage closing.  In a case of first impression for Mississippi state courts, the Brunini attorneys successfully obtained a ruling that lenders are immune from such suits, and all claims were dismissed.
• Represented a large national pharmaceutical company and obtained dismissal of several hundred cases at no settlement to the client.  At their peak, there were 79 cases involving over 1100 plaintiffs.  Over 100 claims were dismissed by the Court or voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff.
• Successful defense of national creosote companies in environmental wrongful death trial in federal court.
• Presently involved in the representation of a national real estate corporation in consumer fraud cases filed in federal court.
• Presently involved in the representation of several national pharmaceutical companies in an Average Wholesale Pricing litigation filed by the State of Mississippi.

Speeches & Publications

• "ABA Antitrust Law Sections, State Antitrust Practice and Statutes (1990)", Chapter 26 - Mississippi, p. 26-1.

Community & Professional Activities

• American College of Trial Lawyers, State Committee Member
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• International Association of Defense Counsel