Christa C. Cottrell, P.C.

Christa regularly serves as lead trial and strategic litigation counsel in the nation’s most significant antitrust, class action, MDL and commercial disputes. Representative matters include:

• In re 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation: Represented 3M Company and its subsidiary Aearo Technologies in products liability litigation concerning 3M’s allegedly defective dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs™ version 2 (CAEv2). The trial team obtained a complete defense verdict after plaintiffs sought approximately $1 billion in damages and was highlighted in The American Lawyer’s “Litigator of the Week” for the win.
• Jelinek v. Abbott Laboratories: Took over representation for Abbott Laboratories in an employment discrimination lawsuit after the initial trial resulted in a large verdict for the plaintiff. The case was re-tried, in a three week jury trial, after which the jury found for Abbott on all counts. The win was selected by The American Lawyer for “Litigator of the Week.”
• Carlson Inc. v. IBM: Represented IBM in breach of contract/fraud action relating to outsourcing agreement pending in the District Court of Minnesota. After a three week bench trial, the Court found for IBM on all claims, including its counterclaim against Carlson.
• CF Industries v. Orica, et al.: Successfully represented CF Industries in major antitrust litigation and secured a favorable settlement following extensive litigation.
• In re Exactech Polyethylene Orthopedic Products Liability Litigation: Successfully represented TGP in the Exactech MDL, winning a motion to dismiss across the board — Christa and the team received a shout-out from The American Lawyer for the win.
• Thomson Reuters Enterprise Centre GmbH, et al. v. ROSS Intelligence Inc.: Antitrust counsel for Thomson Reuters and West Publishing defending allegations that Thomson Reuters and West Publishing violated the antitrust laws. Secured complete summary judgment in favor of Thomson Reuters and West Publishing, defeating all antitrust allegations, earning The American Lawyer’s “Litigator of the Week” distinction.
• In re Concrete and Cement Additives Antitrust Litigation: Recently won a motion to dismiss on behalf of MBS/Cinven in a price-fixing case involving admixtures. The win was selected as a runner-up for “Litigator of the Week” by The American Lawyer.
• Leo Dorrell, et al. v. Constellation Energy Corporation, et al.: Recently won a motion to dismiss on behalf of Constellation in a wage-fixing case. See “US nuclear power plants defeat employees’ wage suppression lawsuit,” Reuters, August 5, 2026.
• Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co. v. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP: Counsel for PwC in litigation involving claims of professional negligence and negligent misrepresentation. After a three-week trial, the jury returned a verdict for PwC on all counts, including on PwC’s counterclaim against plaintiffs to recover its costs and expenses.
• In re Broiler Chicken Antitrust Litigation: Represented Sanderson Farms, the third-largest chicken producer, in three class actions, over 100 individual actions and government investigations.
• In re Blue Cross & Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation: Represented BCBSA in what is believed to be the largest class action ever filed, and won dispositive motions on its behalf. See “Antitrust Lawsuits Target Blue Cross and Blue Shield,” The Wall Street Journal, May 27, 2015.
• Confidential Arbitration: Successfully represented a poultry processor and distributor in a confidential arbitration involving allegations of price fixing.
• In re Pork Antitrust Litigation: Currently representing Clemens Food Group in high-profile antitrust litigation, with trials being scheduled in five courts across the country.
• In re Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) Fertilizer Antitrust Litigation: Representing CF Industries in multidistrict antitrust litigation alleging price fixing in connection with sale of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium fertilizers.
• In re Shell Eggs Antitrust Litigation: Serving as lead counsel for Cal-Maine Foods in antitrust litigation.

Christa has also won or successfully resolved high-stakes class action matters for General Motors, Baxter Pharmaceuticals and others, won dispositive motions on behalf of IBM and AbbVie, and obtained a settlement in excess of $100 million on behalf of a Fortune 500 company.