Background

In 1987, following graduation from Vanderbilt Law School that same year, Chris joined Whitlow, Roberts, Houston and Russell (predecessor to WRHS) as an associate, and in January 1993 became a member of the firm. Chris served as the firm’s Managing Member from April 2017 through August 2025.

Experience

Chris is trusted by employers throughout Kentucky and their carriers and claims administrators to provide direction and guidance in all matters that involve workers’ compensation.  He defends the interests of employers in litigated claims, and regularly appears before administrative law judges throughout the Commonwealth.  He also provides advice and counsel to employers with respect to best practices and pre-and post-litigation issues.  In addition to the defense of employers in administrative proceedings, Mr. Hutson regularly practices insurance defense cases in state and federal courts. Chris is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV Preeminent rated attorney.

Licenses and Associations

• Kentucky Bar, 1987
• United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
• Kentucky Bar Association
• McCracken Bar Association, President 2007-2008

Education

• Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D. 1987
   – Vanderbilt University Journal of Transnational Law, Associate Editor
• Murray State University, B.S. 1984, magna cum laude

Bar and Professional Leadership

•  Kentucky Bar Association – Chair-Elect, Workers’ Compensation Section (2025–2026); Chair (2026–2027)
• Kentucky Bar Foundation – Fellow
• Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame Committee – Member
• Kentucky Defense Counsel – Editor
• McCracken County Bar Association – President (2007–2008)

Recent Publications and Presentations

• Overview of the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation System,Pella Corporation, Murray, KY
• The Impact of State and Federal OSH Citations on Kentucky Employers, Liberty Mutual, Roseland, NJ
• Legal Issues Facing Adjusters: 1) Independent Contractors; 2) Going and Coming Rule; 3) Extraterritorial Coverage; 4) Entitlement to Credits; and 5) Special Defenses – Presentation at Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Education Association (KWCEA) Conference
• Loss of Physical Capacity; Equal or Greater Wages; and Fawbush, – Presented at University of Kentucky/CLE 20^th Biennial Workers’ Compensation Institute, October 2014 (Member, Planning Committee)
• A Day in the Life: Ethical Considerations from the Defense Perspective – Presented at University of Kentucky/CLE 22^nd Biennial Workers’ Compensation Institute, May 2019
• How to Prepare for and Conduct a Deposition to aid your client’s case: Defense Perspective – Presented at the University of Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Institute, April 2023.

Community Service

•  Baptist Health (one of Kentucky’s largest healthcare systems) – Chair, System Board of Directors; Member, Board’s Executive Committee, Governance Effectiveness Committee, and Audit Committee.
• Baptist Health Foundation Board (System Board and Paducah Board) (Past Chair)
• Baptist Health Paducah Board of Directors
• City of Paducah – Board of Ethics
• Columbia Art House, Inc. (Board’s Executive Committee)
• Immanuel Baptist Church – Trustee; Deacon; Facilitator/Teacher; Chair, Senior Minister Search Committee (2022-2023); Member, Bylaws Committee
• United Way of Paducah-McCracken County (Past President; Co-Chair of United Way Campaign, 1997)
• United Way of Western Kentucky PALS (Promoting Academics & Leadership in Schools) Program – Mentor