Lawyer Chris Fowlkes Joins Carlton Fields in Minneapolis

Fowlkes departs Nelson Mullins to take shareholder role in mass tort and product liability practice

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Chris Fowlkes has joined Carlton Fields as a shareholder in the firm's mass tort and product liability practice in Minneapolis. Fowlkes, who previously worked at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, focuses his practice on product liability and commercial litigation, defending major corporations in industries like medical devices, pharmaceuticals, automotive, chemicals, and consumer products.

Why it matters

This move represents a high-profile lateral hire for Carlton Fields, as Fowlkes brings significant experience in complex product liability and class action litigation. His arrival strengthens Carlton Fields' presence in the Minneapolis market and its capabilities in defending major corporations in high-stakes litigation.

The details

Fowlkes will be taking on a shareholder role at Carlton Fields, where he will be part of the firm's mass tort and product liability practice group. In this position, he will continue to represent Global 500 companies in a variety of industries, drawing on his background in defending clients in product liability lawsuits and other commercial litigation matters nationwide.

  • Fowlkes joined Carlton Fields on February 9, 2026.

The players

Chris Fowlkes

An experienced product liability and commercial litigation attorney who has joined Carlton Fields as a shareholder in its mass tort and product liability practice group in Minneapolis.

Carlton Fields

A national law firm that has hired Chris Fowlkes as a shareholder in its mass tort and product liability practice group in Minneapolis.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

The law firm that Chris Fowlkes previously worked at before joining Carlton Fields.

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The takeaway

This lateral move highlights Carlton Fields' efforts to strengthen its litigation capabilities in the Minneapolis market by bringing on an experienced product liability and commercial litigation attorney like Chris Fowlkes, who has a track record of defending major corporations in high-profile cases.