Chris Thagard

Chris Thagard is an Associate in the Philadelphia office, specializing in insurance litigation. With over nine years of courtroom experience, Chris began his legal career in indigent criminal defense. For more than seven years, he worked at the Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office in Birmingham, Alabama, before relocating to Philadelphia.

As a public defender in Alabama, Chris handled a wide range of cases, from misdemeanor offenses to homicides, trying cases before judges and juries. During this time, he developed a practice approach grounded in thorough trial preparation and a deep commitment to mastering the law. His dedication led to favorable outcomes for his clients, including a defense verdict in a complex felony trial after less than a day of jury deliberations.

Chris continued to build on his legal expertise as a trial attorney with the Defenders Association of Philadelphia for over two years, representing clients in a broad array of felony cases at trials and motion hearings. An avid reader and writer, Chris brings his passion for legal analysis to his work as an associate at Margolis Edelstein.