Mr. Cockerham offers extensive experience in
civil trial litigation and appellate advocacy. He has tried more than
135 civil cases and has prosecuted or defended over 70 appeals in the
Missouri and Illinois State and Federal Appellate Courts, many of which
have been multi-million dollar suits and precedent-setting cases, and is
listed in the "Top 20 Defense Verdicts in Missouri".
Mr. Cockerham has expertise in the full range of arson/fraud and
subrogation litigation, including serious fire destruction, large water
losses, major building collapses, and theft and staged accidents. He is
well-versed in handling fraud losses of all kinds and litigating,
through trial, cases involving misrepresentation in the application,
fraud in the claim, and numerous other legal, equitable, and subrogation
matters. He has also set a precedence for Reverse Bad Faith cases
against insureds. In addition to obtaining Reverse Bad Faith judgments
exceeding $1,000,000, he has secured judicial opinions upholding such
judgments. He is also highly skilled in handling of a wide range of
tort and product liability cases, as well as first party and third party
insurance coverage.
Especially well-known for his appellate expertise, Mr. Cockerham
received the David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy Award from the Missouri
Bar Foundation in recognition for his outstanding achievement in
appellate practice. Prior to joining Brown & James, he was Staff
Attorney for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Mr.
Cockerham frequently lectures on various legal topics, including
insurance litigation, subrogation techniques, as well as trial and
appellate issues. He has authored numerous publications,
articles and a treatise on Insurance Law. He has also lectured and served as
a contributing author for the Property Loss Research Bureau Claims
Conferences, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, the
National Society of Insurance Investigators, the International
Association of Arson Investigators, the National Business Institute,
Inc., and the Annual Symposium on Property Insurance Law and Claims
Adjustment.
Honors:
David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy Award from the Missouri Bar Foundation in recognition of his outstanding achievement in appellate practice
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators' President's Award in 2000
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators' Outstanding Achievement Award in 2002
Super Lawyer, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine - 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
Bar Admissions:
Missouri
Illinois
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
United States Claims Court
Professional Affiliations:
Illinois State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators
Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
International Association of Arson Investigators
National Association of Subrogation Professionals
Speaking Engagements:
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, Investigating, Adjusting and Defending Catastrophic Fire Injury or Death Claims, Sept. 23, 2010, Kansas City, Mo.
Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB) 2010 Claims Conference and Insurance Services Expo, Learning Objective Coverage and Adjustment Issues for the Ponzi Schemes, Investment Fraud & Financial Mismanagement Issues in Coverage and Adjustment, March 21-24, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Legal Panel, November 10-11, 2008 in Louisville, Kentuck
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, Case Law Update, Ethics and Spoliation, September 18, 2008 in Chesterfield, Missouri
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, South Central Region, Making the Most Out of Wearing the Insured's Shoes, May 15, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri
Property Loss Research Bureau, Examinations Under Oath, April 13-17, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, National Seminar, Missouri, Illinois and Kansas Case Law Update, November 12-13, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, South Central Region, Using the Latest Law, Legal Developments and Appropriate Experts to Boost Your Subrogation Recoveries, September 27, 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, Case Law Update, September 7, 2007 in Wellston, Missouri
Property Loss Research Bureau, Examinations Under Oath, March 18-21, 2007 in Orlando, Florida
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, National Seminar, Caveat Vendor (Management), November 14, 2006 in Orlando, Florida
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, National Seminar, Legal Panel I, November 13, 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, South Central Region, 1) Recognize, Investigate and Litigate the 10 Most Common Subrogation Cases; 2) Recent Developments in Subrogation Law, July 13, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, Hiring and Retaining the Right Expert - "What Are You Paying For?" May 16, 2006 in Springfield, Missouri
Property Loss Research Bureau, Examinations Under Oath, April 2-5, 2006 in Nashville, Tennessee
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, National Seminar, Spoliation of Evidence; Fact and Fiction, March 17, 2006 in San Diego, California
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, National Seminar, Caveat Vendor, November 15, 2005 in Austin, Texas
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, National Seminar, Missouri Tort Reform Missouri and Illinois Case Law Update, November 14, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, 1) Case Law Update; 2) If It's Not Arson, Then What About Subrogation?, June 21, 2005 in Wellston, Missouri
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, Kansas/Missouri Chapter, 1) Spoliation of Evidence: Fact and Fiction; 2) Assignments, Subrogation and Loan Receipts: Protecting the Subrogation File From Inception so the Insurer Controls the Right to Bring Suit, May 26, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri
Shelter Insurance, Assignments and Subrogation Receipts, March 10, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri
National Association of Subrogation Professionals, Missouri Chapter Meeting, Assignments & Subrogation Receipts: Protecting the Subrogation File From Inception So the Insurer Controls the Right to Bring Suit, January 24, 2005 in Kansas City, Missouri
AAA Insurance, In-House Seminar, Subrogation and Spoliation of Evidence, January 20, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri
International Association of Arson Investigators, Spoliation, January 13, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri
Property Loss Research Bureau, Large Loss Conference, Explosions: Homeowners With a Bang!, November 30 and December 1, 2004 in Scottsdale, Arizona
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, National Seminar, Legal Panel: A Multi-State View of SIU Legal Issues, November 8 and 9, 2004 in Louisville, Kentucky
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, 1)Case Law Update; 2) Ethics-Ethics-Ethics, May 17 and 18, 2004 in Lake Ozark, Missouri
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, Missouri Fraud and Consequential Case Law Update, February 25, 2004 in Kansas City, Missouri
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, National Seminar, Legal Panel Discussion, A Roundtable of Attorneys Address Critical Fraud Issues, November 12 and 13, 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis Claim Managers' Meeting, Missouri Case Law Update, September 3, 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri
National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Missouri Chapter, Missouri Fraud and Consequential Case Law Update, February 27, 2003 in Kansas City, Missouri
Representative Appellate and Reported Cases:
Lyerla v. AMCO Ins. Co., 536 F.3d 684, 2008 WL 2955573, C.A.7 (Ill.) Aug. 4, 2008 (No. 07-3104)
Specialty Medical Sales, Inc. v. Scott Lee Heating Co., 262 S.W.3d 675, 2008 WL 4133836, Mo.App. E.D., Sep. 9, 2008 (No. ED 90195)
Travelers Indem. Co. of America v. Shelton Landscape Maintenance, Inc., 250 S.W.3d 375, 2008 WL 170500, Mo.App. E.D. Jan. 22, 2008 (No. ED 89628)
Goralnik v. United Fire and Cas. Co., 240 S.W.3d 203, 2007 WL 4301227, Mo.App. E.D. Dec. 11, 2007 (No. ED 88138)
State Auto Property and Cas. Ins. Co. v. Rockbranch Ironworks, Inc., 2007 WL 4287565, S.D.Ill., Dec. 5, 2007 (No. 06-846-DRH)
Lyerla v. AMCO Ins. Co., 2007 WL 2229867, S.D.Ill., Aug. 2, 2007 (Civil No. 06-679-GPM)
Ferguson v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 203 S.W.3d 769, 2006 WL 294719, Mo.App. E.D. Oct. 17, 2006 (No. ED 87438)
Lyerla v. AMCO Ins. Co., 462 F.Supp.2d 931, 2006 WL 3366446, S.D.Ill., Oct. 12, 2006 (No. 06-679-GPM)
Lyerla v. AMCO Ins. Co., 461 F.Supp.2d 834, 2006 WL 3360505, S.D.Ill., Sep. 27, 2006 (Civ. No. 06-679-GPM)
Cashon v. Allstate Ins. Co., 190 S.W.3d 573, 2006 WL 1142570, Mo.App. E.D. May 2, 2006 (No. ED 86611)
Biondo v. Union Ins. Co. of Providence, 179 S.W.3d 396, 2005 WL 3291235 (Mo. App. E.D., Dec. 06, 2005)(No. ED 86301)
Travelers Indem. Co. of Mo. v. Adame and Associates of K.C., L.L.P., Slip Copy, 2005 WL 3107700 (W.D. Mo., Nov. 18, 2005 (No. 04-225-CV-W-GAF)
Ohio Cas. Ins. Co. v. Albers Medical, Inc, Slip Copy, 2005 WL 2319820 (W.D. Mo., Sep. 22, 2005) (No. 03-1037, CV-W-ODS).
Schatz Family v. Franklin County, MO, 422 F.3d 655 (8th Cir. (Mo,), Sep. 01, 2005 (No. 04-2103)
United Fire & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Garvey, 419 F.3d 743 (8th Cir. (Mo.), Aug. 18, 2005)(No. 04-1967)
Miller v. O'Brien, 168 S.W.3d 109 (Mo. App. W.D., Aug. 02, 2005 (No. WD 64230)
American Equity Ins. Co. v. Recycling Resources, Slip Copy, 2005 WL 1798061 (E.D. Mo., Jul. 27, 2005)(No. 4:03CV00711 ERW)
Firemans Fund Ins. Co. v. Canon U.S.A., Inc., 394 F.3d 1054, 66 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 258, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 17, 274 (8th Cir. (Minn.), Jan. 12, 2005)(No. 03-3836)
Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. v. Travelers Ins. Co., 391 F.3d 936 (8th Cir. (Mo.), Dec. 13, 2004)(No. 03-3914)
Essex Ins. Co. v. McManus, 110 Fed. Appx. 741 2004 WL2320070 (8th Cir. (Mo.), Oct. 15, 2004)(No. 03-3398)
American States Ins. Co. v. Boycom Cable Vision, Inc., 336 F.Supp.2d 950 (E.D. Mo., Sep 03, 2004)(No. 1:02CV00151 LMB)
Tivoli Bldg., L.L.C. v. Metropolitan Design & Bldg. Co., Inc., 139 S.W.3d 592 (Mo.App. E.D., May 04, 2004)(No. ED82712)
Schatz Family v. Gierer, 399 F.Supp.2d 973, 2004 WL 3576602 (E.D.Mo., Mar. 24, 2004)(No. 4:00CV00489 ERW)
United Capitol Ins. Co. v. Hoodco, Inc., 125 S.W.3d 859 (Mo.App. E.D., Nov. 04, 2003)(No. ED82718)
Bailey v. Cameron Mut. Ins. Co., 122 S.W.3d 599 (Mo.App. E.D., Oct. 07, 2003)(No. ED82427)
Essex Ins. Co. v. McManus, 299 F.Supp.2d 939, 92 A.F.T.R.2d 2003-6078 (E.D. Mo., Aug. 19, 2003)(No. 4:01-CV-1777 CAS)
Warren Davis Properties V, L.L.C. v. United Fire & Casualty Co., 111 S.W.3d 515 (Mo. App. S.D., Jun. 27, 2003)(No. 24898)
United Fire & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Garvey, 328 F.3d 411 (8th Cir. (Mo.), May 06, 2003)(No. 02-2285)
Union Ins. of Providence v. Williams, 261 F.Supp.2d 1150 (E.D.Mo., Apr. 29, 2003)(No. 4:01-CV-935 CEJ)
Whole Truth Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church v. Church Mut. Ins. Co., 100 S.W.3d 834 (Mo.App. E.D., Feb. 11, 2003)(No. ED80603)
Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. v. Travelers Ins. Co., 292 F.3d 567 (8th Cir. (Mo.), Jun. 03, 2002) (No. 01-2527)
Wiles v. Capitol Indem. Corp., 204 F.Supp.2d 1207 (E.D. Mo., May 10, 2002) (No. 4:99CV1280JCH)
Wiles v. Capitol Indem. Corp., 280 F.3d 868 (8th Cir. (Mo.), Feb. 14, 2002) (No. 01-2107)
Strong v. American States Preferred Ins. Co., 66 S.W.3d 104 (Mo.App. E.D., Nov. 20, 2001) (No. ED 79360)
Tomlin v. Guempel, 54 S.W.3d 658 (Mo.App. E.D., Jul. 17, 2001) (No. ED 78430)
Leonard Missionary Baptist Church v. Sears, Roebuck and Co., 42 S.W.3d 833, Prod. Liab. Rep. (CCH) P 16,092 (Mo.App. E.D., Mar. 06, 2001) (No. ED 77874, ED 77955)
Wiles v. Capitol Indem. Corp., 215 F.Supp.2d 1029 (E.D. Mo., Jan. 11, 2001) (No. 4:99CV1280 JCH)
Allstate Ins. Co. v. Estes, 118 F.Supp.2d 968 (E.D. Mo., Aug. 17, 2000) (No. 4:98CV2099TIA)
Lange v. Woodworth, 22 S.W.3d 758 (Mo.App. E.D., Jul. 25, 2000) (No. ED 76428)
Wiles v. Capitol Indem. Corp., 75 F.Supp.2d 1003 (E.D. Mo., Oct. 21, 1999) (No. 4:99CV1280 JCH)
Warren Davis Properties V, L.C.C. v. United Fire and Cas. Co., 4 S.W.3d 167 (Mo.App. S.D., Sep. 30, 1999) (No. 22458)
State Automobile Mutual Insurance Co. v. Paul and Geraldine Mitchell, 179 F.3d 590 (8th Cir. (Mo.) May 28, 1999) (No. 98-3222)
United Capitol Insurance Company v. Hoodco, Inc., 974 S.W. 2d 572 (Mo. App. E.D. Jun. 16, 1998) (No. 73025)
Employers Mut. Cas. Co. v. Tavernaro, 21 F.Supp.2d 1039 (E.D. Mo., May 29, 1998) (No. 2:95CV00110 ERW)
Employers Mut. Cas. Co. v. Tavernaro, 4 F.Supp.2d 868 (E.D. Mo., Mar. 26, 1998) (No. 2:95CV00110 ERW)
Colonial Ins. Co. of California v. Spirco Environmental, Inc., 137 F.3d 560 (8th Cir. (Mo.) Feb. 24, 1998) (No. 97-1970, 97-1823, 97-1971)
United Capitol Insurance Company v. Essex Waste Management Services, Inc., No. 96-1163-CV-W-2, U.S.D.C. W.D. Missouri (Jan. 12, 1998)
Vatterott v. Hammerts Iron Works, Inc., 1997 WL 523894 (Mo.App. E.D., Aug. 26, 1997) (No. 71973)
Alpers Jobbing Co., Inc. v. Northland Cas. Co., 173 F.R.D. 517 (E.D. Mo., Jul. 14, 1997) (No. 4:97CV0892 TCM)
United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. v. Commercial Union Insurance Co., 943 S.W.2d 640 (Mo. Apr. 29, 1997) (No. 79004)
Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company v. Kenneth J. Haas, 954 S.W.2d 374 (Mo.App. E.D. 1997)
Patterson v. State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, 105 F.3d 1251 (8th Cir. (Mo.) Feb. 03, 1997) (No. 95-4101)
General Casualty Insurance Companies v. Holst Radiator Co., 88 F.3d 670 (8th Cir. (Mo.) Jul. 10, 1996) (No. 95-2547)
Goodson v. Simpelo, 918 S.W.2d 324 (Mo.App. E.D., Mar. 19, 1996) (No. 68289)
G.C. Services Ltd. Partnership v. Labor & Industrial Relations Com'n., 913 S.W.2d 411 (Mo.App. E.D., Jan. 16, 1996) (No. 67932)
Northland Insurance Companies v. Fantasy Bus Service, Inc., 1996 WL 115515 (E.D. Mo., Jan. 09, 1996) (No. 4:95CV0078 (MLM))
State ex rel. Chase Resorts, Inc. v. The Honorable Robert Lee Campbell, 913 S.W.2d 832 (Mo.App. E.D., Nov. 14, 1995) (No. 68608)
Belle-Midwest, Inc. v. Missouri Property & Casualty Insurance Guarantee Association, 56 F.3d 977, 31 Fed.R.Serv.3d 1271 (8th Cir. (Mo.) Jun. 14, 1995) (No. 94-3721)
State Auto Insurance Companies v. Goli, 897 S.W.2d 134 (Mo.App. E.D., Mar. 28, 1995) (No. 65998)
Smith v. Mann, Poger & Wittner, P.C., 882 S.W.2d 164 (Mo.App. E.D., Jun. 07, 1994) (No. 64204)
Chase Resorts, Inc. v. Safety Mut. Cas. Corp., 869 S.W.2d 145 (Mo.App. E.D. 1993)
S & P Oyster Co., Inc. v. U.S. Fidelity and Guar. Co., 865 S.W.2d 379 (Mo.App. E.D., Nov. 02, 1993) (No. 63067, 63047)
Gabler v. McColl, 863 S.W.2d 340 (Mo.App. E.D. 1993)
Wilson v. U.S., 989 F.2d 953 (8th Cir. (Mo.), Mar. 29, 1993) (No. 92-1438, 92-3363)
M.L. v. Civil Air Patrol, 806 F.Supp. 845 (E.D. Mo., Nov. 20, 1992) (No. 91-2524-C (5)
Wilson v. St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 845 S.W.2d 568 (Mo.App. E.D., Nov. 10, 1992) (No. 61322)
DuBose v. Flight Safety International, Inc., 824 S.W.2d 486 (Mo.App. E.D. 1992)
Wilson v. Boy Scouts of America, 784 F.Supp. 1422 (E.D. Mo., Dec. 26, 1991) (No. 89-1696C(7), 90-1854C(7))
Waterwiese v. KBA Construction Managers, Inc., 820 S.W.2d 579 (Mo.App. E.D., Oct. 29, 1991) (No. 59550)
Forrest v. Schnucks Markets, Inc., 791 S.W.2d 447 (Mo.App. 1990)
Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Fleming, 750 F. Supp. 996 (E.D. Mo. 1990)
St. Louis Trade Diverters, Inc. v. Constitution State Ins. Co., 738 F.Supp. 1269 (E.D. Mo. 1990)
Hanover Ins. Co. v. Cameron Country Mut. Ins. Co., 730 F.Supp. 998 (E.D. Mo. 1990)
Husch by Husch v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 772 S.W.2d 692 (Mo. App. E.D., Apr. 18, 1989) (No. 55052)
Elsie v. Firemaster Apparatus, 759 S.W.2d 305 (Mo.App. E.D., Sep. 06, 1988) (No. 54235)
U.S. Fire Ins. Co. v. Coleman, 754 S.W.2d 941 (Mo.App. E.D., Aug. 16, 1988) (No. 53529)
Bilzing v. Wentzel, 726 S.W.2d 787 (Mo.App. 1987)
