Christopher K. Tankersley
Mr. Tankersley is a founding member of Burglass Tankersley Gaudin Phayer. Mr. Tankersley has focused on state and local governmental defense, class action defense, construction law and business law. He regularly represents and counsels governmental entities both in litigation and transactional matters. Mr. Tankersley has extensive experience in class action litigation in state and federal courts.
Mr. Tankersley has also focused on admiralty and maritime law during his years of practice. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Tankersley served in the Office of General Counsel for the U.S. Maritime Administration and was Deputy General Counsel for an international shipping company.
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia
Juris Doctor – 1975
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
Bachelor of Arts – 1972
Honors: Cum Laude
Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana, 1988
- Virginia, 1975
- District of Columbia, 1979
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana
Honors & Certifications
- AV® Peer review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
- Louisiana State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Maritime Law Association of the United States
Notable Representations
Unfounded Contractor Claims Thwarted
Successfully defended a Louisiana parish government in a complex Public Works Act claim asserted by a Fortune 500 Company, and others, related to emergency cleaning and restoration services performed at many of the parish defendant’s buildings damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The plaintiff alleged that the parish and other contractors were indebted to it for a total of $5.9 million. Another contractor also asserted a claim against the parish seeking to recover $ 12 million. After filing a claim against the parish’s property insurer, the insurer paid the parish an additional amount which effectively funded the parish’s payments to settle the litigation. Further, we assisted the parish with its claims and appeals against FEMA for the work done to its many buildings and the parish’s insurance claim against its property insurer, both of which had denied the majority of the parish’s claim.
Katrina-Disaster Preparation Plans Win
Co-lead Counsel for all Katrina related flooding lawsuits and class actions against local Parish. Successfully obtained dismissal of all of the Federal Court Cases, with no money being paid by our clients.
Victory for Discretionary Immunity
Successfully defended a Louisiana parish government in a case arising out of Tropical Storm Isidore, which dumped a tremendous amount of rain on South Louisiana, especially in the parish. More than fifty residents and/or property owners on three streets in the parish sued the parish, claiming that the parish’s actions caused the streets and plaintiffs’ houses to flood. We filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on behalf of the parish arguing that it was immune from liability for damages pursuant to, among other reasons, the discretionary function doctrine, La. R.S. 9:2798.1. The trial judge granted the parish’s motion, finding that the parish’s decisions were within the realm of discretionary functions and thus entitled to discretionary immunity. The trial court’s judgment was affirmed by the appellate court.