--- title: "Christopher D. Hilton" description: "Christopher D. Hilton, a founding partner at Stone Hilton, guides clients through complex civil litigation and government disputes with strategic clarity." source_url: "https://www.stonehilton.com/team/chris-hilton" canonical_path: "/team/chris-hilton" content_type: "team-member" --- # Christopher D. Hilton Role: Managing Partner Chris guides his clients through through high-stakes litigation and legacy-defining risks. With the experience of hundreds of court appearances and dozens of trials and emergency proceedings in federal and state courts across the country, Chris knows that the toughest disputes require battle-tested courtroom counsel. But for the complex and high-profile cases, that's not enough. That's why clients also choose Chris for his political acumen and media experience: because your problems don't stop at the courthouse door, and you need strategic, experienced counsel to partner with you for your toughest legal challenges. ## Trial Experience for Winning Verdicts With an extensive background that includes a federal district court clerkship, experience at a premier international law firm, and leading a division of nearly 70 attorneys and staff at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Chris has honed an exceptional skill set in civil litigation, government relations, and crisis management. His adeptness at navigating legal complexities, combined with a hands-on approach to the cases he handles, has secured significant legal triumphs and resulted hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients and Texas taxpayers. Chris's legal journey has been one of not only representing high-profile clients but also of fighting for the State against federal overreach, showcasing his dedication to justice and ordered liberty. His clients trust him with matters that pose existential threats, and he believes every case is a battle and every client deserves an advocate who will fight relentlessly on its behalf. As a summa cum laude graduate of Tulane University Law School, Chris brings the same pursuit of excellence to Stone Hilton, ensuring that each client benefits from his sharp analytical abilities and his uncompromising commitment to their cause. At Stone Hilton, Chris Hilton continues to embody the firm's ethos of strength, integrity, and zealous advocacy. At Stone Hilton, Chris leads the firm's civil litigation practice with an aggressive approach that puts his client's needs above all else. ## Representative Matters ### Texas v. American Tobacco E.D. Tex. No. 5:96-cv-00091-JRG Negotiated a $195 million resolution in an action to enforce the Big Tobacco settlement on behalf of the State of Texas. ### Texas v. Google Texas state court No. 22-01-00731 & S.D. Tex. No. 4:22-CV-636 Achieved an $8 million settlement for the State of Texas in a consumer protection and deceptive trade practices matter. ### In re Texas Opioid Litigation Texas state court MDL No. 18-0358 Contributed to litigation upholding and enforcing payment of a $1.167 billion settlement with pharmaceutical distributors. ### LULAC v. Abbott W.D. Tex. Nos. 3:21-CV-259-DCG-JES-JVB & 1:21-CV-1038-RP-JES-JVB Litigated and consulted key policymakers in consolidated redistricting litigation, including advising the Texas Senate and litigating a preliminary injunction hearing before a three judge panel. ### Steward v. Abbott W.D. Tex. No. 5:10-cv-1025-OLG Defended against the DOJ and a class action in institutional reform litigation related to nursing facility regulation, culminating in a five-week bench trial. ### ITG Brands, LLC v. Texas E.D. Tex. No. 5:19-cv-00048-JRG Successfully defeated claims brought by a tobacco company to enjoin collection of Big Tobacco settlement proceeds. ### Abbott v. Biden E.D. Tex. No. 6:22-cv-00003 Lead trial counsel in the successful effort to defeat a Department of Defense vaccine mandate imposed on non-federalized state guardsmen. ### Trevino v. Iden 5th Cir. No. 21-51105 Successfully defended a judgment on appeal related to qualified immunity for law enforcement in a civil rights case ## Outside the Office Chris often tells his clients he is available anytime day or night because whenever he's not working, he's up and awake playing with his excited and indefatigable young boys. In the free time he has, Chris enjoys golfing—poorly—and spending time with his wife of 18 years. ## Experience ### Chief, General Litigation Division Office of the Attorney General of Texas ### Associate Vault 50 law firm in Houston ### Law Clerk to Judge Lance M. Africk U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana ## Education ### J.D., summa cum laude, Order of the Coif Tulane University Law School ### Tulane Law Review Senior Managing Editor ## Admissions - All courts of the State of Texas - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit - U.S. District Courts for all districts of Texas ## Memberships - The Federalist Society