In 1998, Chris began his legal career defending insurance companies, hospitals, nursing homes, trucking companies and large corporations. For over sixteen years, Chris developed first-hand knowledge of how these entities operate. This left a mark on Chris.
In 2014, Chris made a life-changing career decision to no longer represent insurance companies and large corporations and to focus all his time, resources and energy on solely representing people and families who have been injured, harmed, or wronged. Chris made it his mission in life to provide people and their families with the same level of representation and resources that large corporations use to deny and defend claims. Chris made a choice to use his skills, time and resources to pursue righteous causes on behalf of his clients.
In 2018, Chris accepted an appointment and was sworn in as a Judge Pro Tempore (Temporary Judge) for the Probate Court of Mobile County. From 2018 to 2023, Chris managed dockets and presided over 500 cases as a part-time judge in Mobile County, Alabama, while also serving as the managing partner for the Estes Law Firm. Over the last 25 years, Chris has obtained invaluable insight from seeing the courtroom from every angle – that of a defense lawyer, a plaintiff lawyer and a judge.
Chris guides his practice on the belief that representing people and families who have been injured, damaged or wronged uplifts humanity and has dignity and importance. Chris was raised in a blue-collar neighborhood off Dauphin Island Parkway (DIP) in the southern part of Mobile County. Chris attended public schools and graduated from B. C. Rain High School. His working-class upbringing shapes who Chris is today. Chris graduated from Spring Hill College (cum laude) and received his law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law (cum laude). While in law school, Chris was an advocate on the National Trial Advocacy Competition Team and received the George P. Taylor Outstanding Advocacy Award. Chris is a Trial Academy Graduate of the IADC (International Association of Defense Counsel), conducted at Stanford University.
Chris is a lifelong resident of Mobile. Chris is licensed to practice law in state and federal courts throughout Alabama and Mississippi, and regularly handles cases throughout the United States.
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
- Best Lawyers in America®, Listed (2025)
- National Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Civil Plaintiff’s Lawyer
- Listed in Super Lawyers
- George P. Taylor Outstanding Advocacy Award
