I broke some pretty serious news to my wife right near our 1st wedding anniversary. She was pregnant with our first child. She was finally feeling well enough to go out. At that dinner, I told her I was quitting my job and didn’t know if I would have another job. I had talked with my dad about coming on with him but he told me there were no guarantees. He told me I would always have a space to work but “you eat what you kill”. It was either stay where I was and find a way to be content or see what I could make of it with my dad and brother.
I knew I wasn’t happy at my current job though it was a great opportunity—I was representing insurance companies but trying to tell myself I was helping individuals. I was only helping myself. The job almost doubled my previous salary and gave me benefits I only dreamed about (a secretary and an expense account). It took a lot of pressure off of my monthly student loan payment. I quit. I went to the basement of my dad’s office—no windows, not even fluorescent lighting. My dad hooked me up with a computer and said “I can pay you for a little while but I don’t know for how long.” That was all the assurance I needed.
At that point, I didn’t care if I never got paid. I figured there was a way to make it. So I jumped in. I put up my own site (it failed miserably). I tried hustling tickets. I tried criminal defense cases and worker’s compensation. I took more small claims cases to trial than anyone I knew (I also found out there is a limit on how many small claims cases you can file).
My first settlement was a $20,000 case from a client way down in Doniphan, Missouri. My next one was a $1.25 million dollar case that jump-started it all for me. A truck driver was way over hours, omitted log times, and was on his phone at the time he rammed my client from behind in a construction zone. My client ended up dying several months after the settlement—his end-stage renal disease got him. He was a super nice guy who died happily. When I got to the funeral, I saw his wife. She had brand new teeth. She flashed me a huge smile.
There have been plenty of $500 cases littered throughout where we lost money. I have lost trials for clients that people told me I should not have taken and I have won eight-figure judgments for clients. It has been up and down but authentic the entire time. And I have been given access to plenty of mentors who have provided lots of encouragement, including my dad and brother.
Since opening my own trial practice, my team and I have helped all kinds of people. Immigrants from Africa, Mexico, Bosnia, etc…. We have helped wealthy people and poor people. We have helped people whose loved ones’ hearts will never beat again to people with sore backs. All of them have needed assistance and we are lucky enough to be able to provide it. Our staff has grown and includes the most capable, efficient and friendly people we could have. We are proud of what we do for the individuals and families that come to us.
Without a doubt, I know we can help you—by pointing you in the right direction or even by sending you to another lawyer. Our mission is to make sure you get Justice. Whatever that means in your case, our goal is to help you find it.
Our office was opened with one primary purpose--try jury trials for those who need it against insurance companies. We have cases where we are up against 10 or more lawyers on the other side. But we only take cases we believe in and help clients we believe in. We have no regrets about the people we help. We are committed to real results through verdicts--and our results show that.
If you are interested to see if we can help you, please let us know. We are grateful for every opportunity to help someone in need.
Admitted to Practice in:
Missouri
Federal Court for Eastern District of Missouri
Federal Court for Southern District of Illinois
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MO | Good Standing, Active | 2010 | 08/08/2016 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
2015 V&S Award - Largest Judgements in 2015 | Missouri Lawyers Media | 2016 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2016 |
Nation's Top One Percent | NADC | 2015 |
Multi-Million Dollar Member | Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2015 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2015 |
The Theodore McMillian Inns of Court Member | St. Louis University School of Law | 2015 |
---|---|---|
Up & Coming Lawyer | Missouri Lawyers Weekly | 2015 |
Rising Star | SuperLawyers | 2014 |
AVVO Client's Choice Award | AVVO | 2014 |
Best Attorneys of America | Rue Ratings | 2014 |
Million Dollar Member | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2013 |
David J. Hensler Award in Trial Advocacy | St. Louis University School of Law | 2010 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Personal Injury Trial Lawyer | Finney Injury Law | 2018 - Present |
Trial Lawyer | Mutrux Finney, P.C. | 2017 - 2018 |
SLU Law Adjunct Professor (Trial Team) | SLU | 2016 - 2018 |
Litigation Associate | Danna McKitrick, PC | 2012 - 2012 |
Trial Attorney | Finney Law Office | 2012 - 2017 |
Felony Trial Attorney | St. Louis City Circuit Attorney's Office | 2010 - 2012 |
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Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Bar Association | N/A | 2012 - Present |
Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, The Missouri Trial Attorney Committee | N/A | 2012 - Present |
Lawyers Association of St. Louis | N/A | 2011 - Present |
Missouri State Bar Association | N/A | 2010 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Missouri Lawyers Weekly | Judge approves settlement for wreck that killed man, injured children | 2015 |
Missouri Lawyers Weekly | Family settles after mother’s fatal wreck with cow | 2015 |
Missouri Lawyers Weekly | 2015 V&S Award Winners Announced | 2015 |
Missouri Lawyers Weekly | Worker struck by steel beam wins $35 million bench judgment | 2015 |
www.finneylawoffice.com | The Insurance Industry’s Attack on Rescue Dogs: Breed Specific Exclusions and the Like | 2014 |
Missouri Lawyers Weekly | Settlement over suspected DWI grows | 2014 |
---|---|---|
www.finneylawoffice.com | 5 Things You Must Do After Your First Car Accident | 2014 |
Missouri Lawyers Weekly | Rear-end Collision Suit Settles for $1.25 million | 2013 |
Riverfront Times | Angela Fletcher, Text Message Maniac, a No-Show in Court | 2011 |
Riverfront Times | Framed: Angela Fletcher's victim tells her story | 2011 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Saint Louis University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2010 |
Washington University in St. Louis | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2006 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Lantern Lecture Series | Legal Profession and Prospects | 2017 |
SLU Law Externship Program | Protocols Panel | 2016 |
Wash U Law Career Center | What to Expect Your First 5 Years of Practice | 2016 |
Law Practice Managment | Law Firm Management | 2016 |
SIUE Pre-Law Assoc. Meeting | The Business of Law | 2015 |
SLU Law Practice Management Class | Becoming and Being a Lawyer | 2015 |
---|
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Botz v. Liberty Mutual Insurance 4:17-CV-2169 | $250,000.00 |
Brown v. John 17SL-AC26803 | $2,500,00.00 |
Collier v. Steinbach 1722-AC07367 | $1,500,000.00 |
Moore v. Van Rozelen | $1,250,000.00 |
Lucero v. Special Delivery Xpress, Inc. | $795,199.41 |
Olivastro v. Jack McQueery | $250,000.00 |
---|---|
Thomas v. United Fruit & Produce Co. 1722-CC00373 | $705,000.00 |
Harris v. Tharp 17SL-CC03946 | $25,000.00 |
Adams v. Confidential | $725,000.00 |
McWorthey v. OMEGA Demolition Corp. 1422-CC00253 | $35,000,000.00 |
Brown, Tammy, 14AA-CC00010 | $601,000.00 |
Avalos v. Britt 1511-CC00240 | $2,450,000.00 |
Hussein v. Blue 1422-AC12756 | Won |
Aden v. Minnick 1322-CC08979 | $350,000.00 |
Confidential et al v. Confidential et al | $1,250,000 Settlement |
John Doe v. Axis Insurance | Settlement for $111,434.00 |
Abernathy vs. Loos-Cowan, 10CG-CC00119 | Favorable |
State v. Kenneth Richie, ED 96753 | Affirmed in part. |
Sutton v. Legan, 09SF-CC00615 | Won |
Lewis v. Schaeg, 10SL-CC03413 | Won |
State v. David Watford, 1122-CR00099 | Won |
State v. Angela Fletcher, 1022-CR05810 | Won |
State vs. Kenneth Richie, 1022-CR04876 | Won |
Campbell v. Schoonover 13SL-CC01869 | $300,000 (policy limits) |
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Stephen Slough, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 14, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Antoinette Schlapprizzi, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 29, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Patrick Kennedy, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 24, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Simply one of the best attorneys I know. Chris is extremely knowledgeable and he is the first person I call with any injury question. I have referred members of my family to Chris and I trust him completely.
Christian Bahn, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 21, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Patrick Hinrichs, Personal injury Attorney on Jul 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Christopher is exceptionally knowledgeable in the area of personal injury law. His clients are his top priority and he makes every effort to ensure as positive an outcome as possible for them.
Thomas SanFilippo, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Bryan Sanger, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 2, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on May 30, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Ryan Bruning, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 15, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Stephen Bardol, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Chris is a tremendous trial attorney. I trust sending clients to him and know that he will always do an excellent job with their case.
Kevin Wilkins, Car accident Attorney on Jan 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Chris is a top-notch attorney. He works hard for his clients and gets them the compensation they deserve.
I endorse this lawyer.
Peter Sullivan, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 31, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have referred several cases to Chris and the Finney Law Office, and every experience is what you expect from a referral partner. His breadth of knowledge and experience is evident from the phone calls that I have received from clients I have referred to him. They all speak to his honesty, integrity, and compassion. Chris and his team have a practical approach to Injury Cases and truly advocate for their Clients. I endorse this lawyer and his firm for any Injury-related cases.
I endorse this lawyer. Chris is very dedicated to achieving the best possible results for his clients.
I endorse this lawyer.
Ross Mutrux, Car accident Attorney on Apr 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Chris is a great up and coming trial attorney that I highly recommend.
C. Coulter, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 21, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. He is knowledgeable and works hard for his clients.
Charles Rittgers, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 9, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Chris Finney and his law firm genuinely care about their clients. I endorse Chris for anyone needing a strong and compassionate injury lawyer without any hesitation. His dedication is evidenced by his record of success in injury cases.
I endorse this lawyer.
Daniel Finney, Car accident Attorney on Nov 13, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
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