Harper & Bates Welcomes New Litigation Partners Chris Kilgore and Dottie Sheffield

Harper & Bates is pleased to announce the addition of partners Chris Kilgore and Dottie Sheffield to the firm’s litigation group. Together, Kilgore and Sheffield bring more than 50 years of legal experience and further enhance the firm’s service offerings to include a newly formed aviation and insurance litigation and coverage practice, while increasing the depth of the firm’s commercial litigation bench.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Chris and Dottie to the firm,” H&B partner Scott Harper said. “Both are outstanding and highly respected attorneys who embody the H&B philosophy of delivering exceptional service to clients. With the addition of Chris and Dottie, we’re thrilled to expand our litigation service offerings and bolster the firm’s litigation team.”

Kilgore has a deep understanding of aviation and products liability law and relies on his experience as a pilot to provide a unique approach to his practice, while Sheffield leans on her prior experience as a senior claim representative and litigation specialist in representing insurer clients.

Prior to joining H&B, Kilgore and Sheffield were partners at Kilgore McCown.

“Dottie and I are ready to get started with this great group of attorneys and staff,” Kilgore said. “I had the pleasure of working with Scott many years ago and I’m humbled I have the opportunity to call him a colleague again.”

About the Attorneys

Chris Kilgore – Kilgore has more than 30 years of experience in complex litigation matters. He is well-known for representing clients in complex aviation, products liability, and related commercial agreements and regulatory compliance matters. Kilgore began flying in 1967 and served as a U.S. Army combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Air Medal with “V” (Valor), as well as the Army Commendation Medal for his work as an OH-6 instructor pilot.

Dottie Sheffield – Sheffield is an experienced commercial litigation and insurance coverage attorney. Her practice encompasses a broad range of matters, with emphasis on construction law, premises liability, aviation, products liability, and general insurance defense issues. Prior to becoming an attorney, Sheffield worked for more than fifteen years as a senior claim representative/litigation specialist for major insurance companies, handling high profile cases, which garnered national media attention, including the Dallas YMCA molestation case and the Long Island Railroad shooting case involving Colin Ferguson. Sheffield continues to maintain her multi-lines adjuster’s license.