Christopher Bernard
Christopher Bernard is widely known in Connecticut for his courtroom litigation skills and respected for his ethical standards. His practice is primarily devoted to representing clients devastated by medical negligence. His experience includes assisting those injured as a result of birth injuries, surgical errors, hospital negligence and physician medical malpractice. He has been involved in dozens of multi-million dollar malpractice settlements and has won several jury verdicts in excess of $1 million on behalf of seriously injured clients.
Chris represented a Farmington Valley family in a case against Hartford Hospital, winning $36.5 million, the largest jury verdict at the time in a medical malpractice case in Connecticut history.
Chris's patient and sensitive manner, along with his meticulous attention to detail and careful preparation for litigation are the secret of his rapport with his clients and successes. Chris is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, he’s a member of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice, and is certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a fellow of both the Connecticut Bar Foundation and the Roscoe Pound Foundation (an organization promoting public justice) and is a fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. He is also an associate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Chris has served as parliamentarian, treasurer and vice president of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and is a past president. He is also a member of the Board of Governors, the Legal Education Committee and the Medical Malpractice Committee of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.
Other
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America
- Appointed by the State Court to serve as an Arbitrator and Fact-finder
- Frequent speaker at continuing lefal education programs in Connecticut and throughout the United States
- Listed in Connecticut Magazine as one of the Best Lawyers in Connecticut
- Prominently featured in the book "Damages" by Barry Werth, a book that details the preparation of a medical malpractice case on behalf of a severly handicapped child.
Areas of Practice
- Medical Malpractice
Certified Legal Specialties
- "Civil Trial Advocacy" , National Board of Trial Advocacy
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut, 1979
- U.S. District Court District of Connecticut, 1980
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1992
Education
- University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida
- J.D.
- Law Review: University of Florida Law Review, 1978 - 1979
- Miami, University of Coral Gables
- B.B.A.
Honors and Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Fellow, Connecticut Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Roscoe Pound Foundation
- Fellow, Prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate
- Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2001 - 2002
- Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy, Consulting Editor
- Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Governors
- Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Legal Education Committee
- Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Medical Malpractice Committee
- Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Parliamentarian, Treasurer and Vice President
