Insurance Claims Consultant | Bad Faith & Claims Handling Expert Witness
40+ Years of Insurance Claims Expertise — Bad Faith, Coverage & Claims Handling Standards
About Chris A. Johnson, J.D.
Chris A. Johnson, J.D., is a highly credentialed insurance claims professional and expert witness with over 44 years of experience in the insurance industry. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Johnson brings deep, hands-on expertise spanning claims handling, claims management, trial and litigation support, bad faith claims review, and portfolio management across a broad spectrum of insurance lines — including property, casualty, homeowner, auto, UM/UIM, umbrella, excess, and reinsurance. Mr. Johnson holds a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School and has maintained an active Ohio law license since 1988. His career has taken him through pivotal leadership roles at some of the nation's most recognized insurance carriers, including Cincinnati Insurance Company, Nationwide Insurance Company, State Auto Insurance Companies, and XL Insurance Company — where he served as Senior Vice President of Bermuda and North America Claims Operations, overseeing complex, high-exposure claims portfolios across global markets. Since founding Highbanks Insurance Professionals (HIP) in 2014, Mr. Johnson has provided insurance claims consulting and expert witness services to insurers, reinsurers, policyholders, attorneys, TPAs, brokers, and agents. His work encompasses coverage analysis, liability determinations, damages assessment, bad faith claims handling evaluation, extra-contractual exposure analysis, reserve adequacy review, and claims department operational audits. A sought-after speaker and presenter at legal and insurance industry events, Mr. Johnson has addressed topics including bad faith exposures, insurer claims operations, and best practices in settlement negotiations before organizations such as the Ohio State Bar Association, Central Ohio Association for Justice, and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. His combination of executive-level industry experience and active legal credentials makes him a uniquely authoritative voice for attorneys seeking expert guidance in insurance-related litigation.
Areas of Expertise
Insurance Bad Faith Claims Handling
Coverage Analysis
Claims Handling Standards and Practices
Extra-Contractual Exposure Analysis
Reserve Adequacy
Reinsurance Claims
UM/UIM Claims
Catastrophe Claims Handling
Claims Auditing
Litigation Management
TPA Oversight and Auditing
Claims Department Operations and Procedures
Representative Matters & Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Mr. Johnson covers a wide range of matters including insurance bad faith, coverage disputes, claims handling standards, UM/UIM claims, reinsurance disputes, catastrophe claims, toxic tort, construction defect, and extra-contractual exposure analysis. He is qualified to serve as an expert on behalf of both insurers and policyholders.
Yes, Mr. Johnson is a testifying expert witness with experience in deposition proceedings, including service as a designated corporate 30(b)(6) deponent in Federal litigation. He is available for both deposition and trial testimony.
Mr. Johnson has over 44 years of direct insurance industry experience, including executive roles overseeing claims operations at major national and international carriers, and has held an active Ohio law license since 1988. He has personally evaluated, managed, and litigated the very types of claims on which he provides expert opinions.
Yes, Mr. Johnson offers consulting expert services in addition to testifying expert services, including claims audits, coverage and liability analysis, reserve adequacy review, and litigation strategy support. Consulting engagements are available to both plaintiff and defense counsel.
Mr. Johnson served as Director of Reinsurance Claims & Legal at Nationwide Insurance Company for a decade, managing a multi-million-dollar reinsurance claims portfolio and overseeing TPA auditing operations. He brings direct executive-level experience to reinsurance and TPA oversight matters.
Mr. Johnson is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is available to provide expert witness and consulting services in matters across the United States. He holds an active Ohio law license and has experience in both state and Federal proceedings.
Schedule a Consultation with Chris A. Johnson, J.D.
With over four decades of insurance claims expertise and an active Ohio law license, Mr. Johnson is ready to provide authoritative, credible expert witness and consulting services for your case.