Christopher D. Livingston
Dallas
214-880-2670
Chris Livingston has spoken on legal issues before the National Association of Attorneys General, the Dallas Police Association, the Texas Municipal Police Association, and continuing education groups on whistleblowers, discrimination, employment law, police use of force (including excessive force), and ERISA preemption. Chris has been counsel of record for amicus briefs before the United States Supreme Court in civil rights and ERISA preemption matters. He has also been cited as an authority on ERISA preemption in the Boston University Law Review (See 81 B.U. L. REV. 867.)
Additionally, Chris has represented more than 200 law enforcement officers in shootings, deaths in custody, and other critical incidents. Prior to joining Thompson Coe, he clerked for U.S. District Judge William M. Acker, Jr., (N.D. Ala.), and served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas in the Financial Litigation Division.
Representative Experience
Obtained dismissal of the city from a former councilmember’s alleged retaliatory arrest claim under the First Amendment.
Thompson v. McGehee, et al., 761 F.Supp.3d 937 (N.D. Tex. 2025).
Won dismissal of both the county and a convicted sheriff in a civil rights lawsuit asserting claims under the Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
Kennedy v. City of Arlington, et al., No. 4:24-cv-208-P, 2024 WL 5176870 (Oct. 16, 2017)
Obtained summary judgment in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a fired police chief against his former employer.
Successful dismissal of multiple police officers from constitutional claims stemming from a police cadet’s training death at the Arlington Police Academy.
Kennedy v. City of Arlington, et al., No. 4:24-cv-208-P, 2024 WL 5176870 (Oct. 16, 2017).
Won dismissal based on qualified immunity of school district superintendent in case involving the district’s employee sexually assaulting two minor children
Prevailed at trial in multiple labor arbitrations under the Fire Fighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Act.
Professional Recognition
Federal Clerkship
Listed for Civil Rights
Texas Rising Stars
Related Services
Publications & Speaking Engagements
Education, Admissions & Activities
Education
University of Texas at Austin School of Law
J.D.
Board of Advocates
Robert F. Wagner National Labor and Employment Moot Court New York Competition Team
University of Kansas
B.A., with honors
Omicron Delta Kappa
Pi Sigma Alpha
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Assembly
Bar Admissions
Texas
1998
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
United States District Court of Texas
Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts
Professional and Community Activities
Dallas Bar Association
Texas City Attorneys Association
Scottish Rite
Texas Lodge of Research
Dallas Services (formerly the Low Vision Clinic and Dallas Day School)
Former Board Member