Christopher S. Kilgore
Helms & Kilgore PLLC 2201 Main Street Suite 212 Dallas, TX 75201 Practice Area(s): Aviation Law, Products Liability call (972) 532-6484 fax (972) 532-6494 email ckilgore@helmskilgore.com
Admission Dates & Jurisdictions
Texas: 1986
Texas, all Federal Districts: 1987-1988
Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: 1987
Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: 1992
Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: 2006
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals: 2010
Court of Federal Claims: 1990
United States Supreme Court: September 1993
Education
JD: University of Houston, 1986
BA: Univ. of the State of New York, 1983
Professional Experience
FAA: ATP Helicopter, Commercial ASMEL, CFI Helicopter, GI: Advanced and Instrument. 6,000+ hours
Adjunct Faculty, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fort Worth Center, since 1996
Military Aviator, Active and Reserve, Army and Coast Guard: 1967-1982
Professional Civil Pilot: 1973-1978
Construction Safety Officer/Project Engineer: 1973-1978
Honors & Awards
Martindale Hubble AV Rating – Preeminent, since 1998
Texas Super Lawyer
Ohio Contractor’s Association: Best Construction Safety Program, 1976
National Utility Contractor’s Association Safety Award, 1977
Military: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal w/V, Coast Guard Air Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal
Professional Associations
Texas Bar Association
Dallas Bar Association
Aviation Insurance Association
Representative Cases
Lubbock Co. Hosp. Dist. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., 143 F.3d 239 (5th Cir. 1998) (re interpretation of pollution exclusion in aviation insurance policy).
Landgraff v. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co., 993 F.2d 558 (6th Cir. 1993), cert. denied 510 U.S. 993 (re government contractor’s defense, establishing a waiver defense).
Speaking Engagements
SMU Air Law Symposium: 2010, 2013
Lecturer, Lorman Trucking Litigation seminars since 2009
Ohio Contractor Association Safety Seminar, 1976, 1977
Ohio Safety Congress, 1977
Publications
Be Nice or I’ll Sue, A New Perigee in FAA Customer Relations, SMU Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Spring 2005 (discussing Cox v. Five State Helicopters, 146 S.W.3d 254 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied) a case I tried.
Editorial Advisory Board, Texas Torts: Law & Practice, James Publishing (1998)
Aviation Law Supplement, Texas Torts: Law & Practice, James Publishing (1999)
Management member of committee for the rewrite of Ohio safety regulations for construction, subsequently published as a chapter of the Ohio Administrative Code.
Service Activities
Past Chairman, Aviation Section, State Bar of Texas
City Council / Mayor Pro Tem, City of Rowlett, TX 2008-2014
Planning and Zoning Commission, City of Rowlett, TX 2006-2008, 2014-Present
Aviation Insurance Association: designated Mediator/Arbitrator