The Kirsten Christophe Memorial Award for Excellence in Trial and Insurance Law is named in honor of Kirsten Christophe, a former TIPS Council member who perished September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center attack. Kirsten Christophe personified the exemplary attributes of balancing career, profession, and family in life and practice.
Members of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section qualify as recipients of this award. The award is given in recognition of a Section member or members who demonstrate expertise in an area of Trial Practice or Insurance Law, and who personify the exemplary attributes of Kirsten.
The Section's Administrative Committee identifies the nominee or nominees to the Section Council by the Midyear Meeting. The Council selects the recipient or recipients by majority vote. Current Council and Administrative Committee members are ineligible for the Award during their term of service. The award may be presented annually at the TIPS Spring Meeting.
Kirsten Christophe Memorial Award for Excellence in Trial and Insurance Law
Jennifer Kilpatrick practiced law in New Orleans, Louisiana and Chicago, Illinois for 22 years, focusing on toxic torts, mass torts, and product liability litigation. She performed national coordinating counsel work for defendants in toxic tort cases and served as local counsel in toxic tort suits. Her experience in the toxic tort field includes cases in the defense of asbestos, benzene, silica, mold, formaldehyde, and NORM (naturally occurring radioactive materials) cases. Jennifer also represented a Fortune 500 company in food contamination litigation. While practicing law, Jennifer discerned a call to ordained ministry and entered seminary. She graduated with a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, summa cum laude in May 2021 and currently serves as Senior Pastor of Northgate United Methodist Church in Irving, Texas.
Jennifer is also a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and Tulane Law School. She is a member of the American Bar Association, where she has served in multiple leadership roles including Chair of the Women Trial Lawyer’s Committee, Chair of the CLE Board, Chair of the Toxic Tort & Environmental Law Committee and she served on TIPS Council.
Recipients
2021-22: Jennifer Kilpatrick
2015-16: Maureen Mulligan
2014-15: Tracey L Haley
2013-14: Carole D. Smith
2012-13: Janet R. Davis
Note:
Award was not presented during 2008-13
2007-08: Darcee S. Siegel
2006-07: Juanita Luis
2005-06: Michelle Tilton
2004-05: Francine L. Semaya