Christopher K. Vakula
I chose to pursue liability defense because it offers exposure to a wide variety of cases and hands-on experience that is hard to come by as a new associate. Every matter presents a new challenge, and I value the opportunity to develop my skills while working alongside experienced mentors.
While attending South Texas College of Law Houston, I served as Managing Editor of the Corporate Counsel Review and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Writing. During law school, I gained practical experience as a Summer Associate at Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., and held judicial internships with the Honorable Beau A. Miller in the Harris County 190th Civil District Court and former Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel at the Arizona Supreme Court.
Originally from northern Arizona, I developed an early interest in the law working as a legal assistant at my father’s firm in Prescott. I earned my B.A. in Political Science and Government from the University of Arizona in 2019, where I was active in student government and political advocacy, and later completed a Master’s in Legal Studies at Arizona State University in 2021. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, golfing, cooking, reading history books, and spending time with my cat, Mojo. I value the experience that Thomas, Rubin & Kelley provides and the chance to contribute meaningfully to our clients’ legal matters every day.
ADMISSIONS
State of Arizona
United States District Court, District of Arizona
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Arizona Association of Defense Counsel (AADC), Member
EDUCATION
South Texas College of Law Houston, J.D., 2024
Arizona State University, Masters in Legal Studies, 2021
University of Arizona, B.A. in Political Science & Government, 2019
Spanish Minor
Publications
Contractual Limits on UIM Coverage: Arizona Supreme Court Affirms UIM Exclusions for Off-Road ATV Accidents, TRK Times, (May 2025)
Determining Duty in Premises Liability Actions: The Arizona Supreme Court Clarifies the Role of Unreasonably Dangerous Conditions, TRK Times (March 2025)
Foreign Presumptions: Clarifying the Presumption Against Extraterritoriality Under the Lanham Act, 42 Corp. Couns. Rev. 183 (2023)