Christina L. Vessels

Partner

Lexington, KY
D 859.410.7859
christina.vessels@fmglaw.com

Education

University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D., 2001

Western Kentucky University, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 2001

Overview

Christina “Chrissy” L. Vessels is a Partner in Freeman Mathis & Gary’s Lexington, Kentucky office.  Her practice focuses on claims involving insurance coverage, bad faith and extracontractual liability, professional liability and errors and omissions, and appellate advocacy.  

Ms. Vessels counsels insurers on their coverage obligations in complex property and casualty disputes, involving both litigated and non-litigated matters.  She represents insurers in both the prosecution of declaratory judgment actions and in the defense of claims arising out of coverage, bad faith, and extracontractual litigation.  Ms. Vessels’ insurance coverage experience extends to claims involving bodily injury, property damage (both first- and third-party), personal and advertising injury, professional liability, public officials liability, automobile liability, and many other types of coverage.   Drawing from her experience as an in-house attorney at a national excess and surplus lines carrier, Ms. Vessels also has an in-depth understanding of the complexities involved with manuscript policies, and she is adept at aiding insurers in the development of specially tailored policy language to address their unique underwriting needs and goals.  From her in-house management of litigation involving the company and her experience in advising company professionals – from front-line claim handlers up the chain of command to company leadership – Ms. Vessels understands and appreciates what her insurer clients need to do their jobs, and she strives to provide her clients with the timely and well-reasoned advice they require.

In addition to her insurance coverage background, Ms. Vessels is experienced in defending professional liability claims and errors and omissions claims brought against attorneys, insurance professionals, teachers and administrators, and other professionals.  She is also a skilled writer, with a successful appellate record, and she is well attuned to the importance of establishing a solid record throughout a case in order to support later appellate proceedings.

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Bar Admissions

Kentucky

Ohio

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio

U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio

Publications & Engagements

“Kentucky Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act” – DRI Insurance Law Committee Compendium (2017)

“Practice of a Civil Case: A to Z” – Kentucky Bar Association, New Lawyers Program (2017)

“Bad Faith” – Kentucky Insurance Law Seminar, National Business Law Institute (2012)

Affiliations

Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC)

Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Kentucky Bar Association

Awards and Recognition

AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Recognized by “Super Lawyers” as a Kentucky Rising Star Attorney (2013 – 2018)

Classes/Seminars Taught

Participated in a series of in-house training presentations for claims professionals regarding identifying and communicating with insureds on coverage issues – AmeriTrust Group, Inc. (2021)

“Better Tools, Better Lawyers: How Evolving Technologies Impact Rules, Roles, and Ethics” – FDCC Annual Meeting (2019)

“Service Animals” & “Facilities and Invitee Accessibility” – MRR Kentucky School Law Section 504 Seminar (2018)

“How to Interpret a Court Decision”, “Addressing State Complaints”, “Duty to Report Crimes”, & “Service Animals” – MRR Kentucky School Law Director of Special Education Training Seminar (2018)

“Good Faith Claim Handling” – Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Litigation Management College (2018)

“Personal Marketing Plans” – Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Winter Meeting Art of Marketing (2018)

“Irreplaceable You? Succession Planning for In-House and Panel Counsel” – Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Webinar (2018)

“Succession Planning: Protecting Your Firm and Your Clients’ Legal Interests in Times of Transition” – Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Winter Meeting Law Practice Management Section Meeting (2017)

“Practice of a Civil Case: A to Z” – Kentucky Bar Association, New Lawyers Program (2017)

“FERPA and Open Records Training” – MRR Kentucky School Law Seminar (2016)

“Supervisors of Classified Personnel Training” – MRR Kentucky School Law Seminar (2016)

“ADA/FMLA School Personnel Training” – MRR Kentucky School Law Seminar (2016)

“Kentucky Bad Faith Law” – Global Indemnity Group (2016)

“Insuralex Talks: Disruptors and Their Risks” – Insuralex Mid-Year Meeting (2015)

“Bad Faith and Adjuster Liability” – Bluegrass Claims Association (2015)

“Qualified Immunity Law Update” – Kentucky League of Cities/Kentucky School Boards Insurance Trust (2013)

“Bad Faith” – Kentucky Insurance Law Seminar, National Business Law Institute (2012)