Christen E. Luikart

Principal

Christen E. Luikart of Florida is a litigation attorney who has extensive experience in a variety of state and federal-level jurisdictions nationally. She has handled over 60 jury trials, including two recent full defense verdicts as lead counsel. Admitted to practice in all Florida courts, she primarily focuses on litigation involving commercial disputes, complex product liability, medical malpractice, and personal injury.

A Top-Rated Legal Professional

She has an “AV Preeminent” rating in the renowned Martindale-Hubbell legal directory, which is reserved for attorneys with extensive experience in the legal practice as a recognition of their high level of professional excellence. In 2019, she received the Unsung Shero and Hero Award from the Women’s Center of Jacksonville for “quietly making a positive difference in the lives of women” in the local community.

Educational Background

Christen E. Luikart obtained her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University of Florida on a full academic scholarship. During her undergraduate studies, she studied psychology and philosophy, authored a double thesis, and earned a high pass on each publication.

She attended law school at the University of Florida College of Law, where she served as a member of the Attorney General Staff for the University of Florida Student Honor Court and as an ambassador to the Law School and the Legal Profession. Her dedication, community involvement, and performance in law school earned her the Presidential Award for Outstanding Contributions to the University of Florida.

Brief Career History

Before joining Murphy & Anderson, Christen E. Luikart served as a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville, FL. This opportunity helped her gain experience as a lead attorney on a variety of cases.

Personal Life

Originally from New Port Richey, FL, she moved to Gainesville, FL to study for her bachelor’s degrees at the University of Florida. Outside of work, Christen E. Luikart enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her husband and children.

Areas of Practice

Business Litigation
Commercial Law
Contract Law
Employment Law
Fiduciary and Trust
FINRA/SEC/State Regulatory
Insurance and Bad Faith Claims
Intellectual Property Law
Medical Malpractice Defense
Personal Injury Law
Product Liability Law
Professional Liability Law
Real Estate and Developer
Securities and Banking
White Collar Criminal Matters
Wrongful Death

Admissions

The Florida Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Professional Recognitions

Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite”
Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite Up and Comer”
Florida Super Lawyers (2017–Present)
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star (2016)

Education

J.D., University of Florida College of Law
- Phi Delta Phi Honors Fraternity
B.A., University of Florida (Magna Cum Laude)
B.S., University of Florida (Magna Cum Laude)

Past Employment Positions

Assistant State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Law Clerk, Coker, Myers, Schickel, Sorenson & Green P.A.

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant in Legal Research and Writing, University of Florida
Teaching Assistant in Appellate Advocacy, University of Florida

Professional Associations and Memberships

Member, Chester Bedell American Inn of Court
- Bencher (2025–Present)
- Barrister (2012–2015)
Member, Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Member, Federal Bar Association
Member, Florida Bar Association
- Fourth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee Member (2025–Present)
- Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee Member, Fourth Circuit (2020–Present)
- Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee Member (2012–2015)
Member, Jacksonville Bar Association
Member, Jacksonville Women’s Lawyers Association
Member, Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC)
- Heavy Equipment Group Committee Member

Publications

“Best Practices for In-House Legal Teams: Partnering with Outside Counsel to Successfully Defend Your Company”, DRI (2019)
“More Women Than Men Leaving Law”, The Bar Bulletin, The Jacksonville Daily Record (2019)
“Diversity Remains a Challenge in Legal Profession”, The Bar Bulletin, The Jacksonville Daily Record (2019)

Speaking Engagements

“Strategic Testimony: Avoiding Pitfalls, Shaping Outcomes” (2025)
“Corporate Representative v. Expert Testimony” (2025)
“Witness Traps” (2023)
“Voir Dire”, 17th Annual Raymond J. Ehlrich, Jr., Trial Advocacy Seminar (2020)
“Best Practices for In-House Legal Teams: Partnering with Outside Counsel to Successfully Defend Your Company”, DRI Product Liability Conference (2019)
“Understanding the Issues: An Exploration of How to Create and Maintain Long-Term Careers for Women in the Law”, Jacksonville Bar Association Professionalism Conference (2019)
“Parental Leave: The Proposed Continuance Rule and Practical Strategies to Make It Work”, Florida Association of Women Lawyers Summit (2018)

Civic Organizations and Volunteer Work

Jewish Family & Community Services
- Board of Directors Member
- Past President
Leadership Jacksonville, Class of 2023
Mock Trial Judge (2020), Fourth Circuit of Florida
High School Essay Contest Grader, Middle District of Florida
Member, Women’s Giving Alliance
Volunteer, City Rescue Mission
Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House Charity
Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
Former Board of Directors Member, Family Foundations

Contact Information

Christen E. Luikart
Direct Line: (904) 380-8089
Email: cluikart@murphyandersonlaw.com
Download V-Card

Assistant: Allison Cook
Phone: (904) 380-8084
Email: acook@murphyandersonlaw.com

Christen E. Luikart

Principal

Christen E. Luikart is an experienced litigation attorney who has handled more than 60 jury trials, as well as numerous arbitrations and bench trials, including two recent full defense jury verdicts as lead counsel. She routinely represents manufacturers and heavy equipment dealers in matters involving product liability allegations, warranty claims, and class action litigation. She also represents hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers in complex litigation, including medical malpractice and healthcare liability claims.

Prior to joining Murphy & Anderson, Mrs. Luikart served as a prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office in Jacksonville, where she handled a broad range of cases as lead trial counsel. Her extensive courtroom experience provides clients with strategic, trial-ready advocacy in high-exposure disputes.

Mrs. Luikart represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters, with a primary focus on product liability, class action litigation, medical malpractice, insurance coverage disputes, life and disability claims, personal injury, and commercial litigation. Her practice is concentrated on defending companies and healthcare providers facing complex and high-value claims, with an emphasis on efficient resolution, risk mitigation, and effective courtroom advocacy.

She is admitted to practice before all courts of Florida and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. In addition to her Florida practice, Mrs. Luikart maintains a nationwide litigation practice and has represented her clients pro hac vice in courts throughout the United States in connection with complex disputes.

Mrs. Luikart attended law school at the University of Florida, where her strong advocacy and writing skills earned her honors and a position as a teaching assistant for legal research and writing and for appellate advocacy. Additionally, Mrs. Luikart served as a member of the Attorney General Staff for the University of Florida Student Honor Court and as an Ambassador to Law School and the Legal Profession. While in law school, Mrs. Luikart volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House as well as Habitat for Humanity. Her performance in law school, along with her dedication and community involvement, earned her the Presidential Award for Outstanding Contributions to the University of Florida.

Mrs. Luikart has been selected by her peers as a “Florida Trend’s Legal Elite” and previously as an Up and Comer. Mrs. Luikart was also selected by her peers as a Florida Super Lawyer (2017-present) and Florida Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016). She has an “AV Preeminent” rating in the renowned Martindale-Hubbell legal directory, which is reserved for attorneys who have “usually practiced for many years, and [are] recognized for the highest levels of professional excellence.” In 2019, Mrs. Luikart received the Unsung Shero and Hero Award from the Women’s Center of Jacksonville for “quietly making a positive difference in the lives of women” in the local community.

Mrs. Luikart is originally from New Port Richey, Florida. She moved to Gainesville and obtained her Bachelor of Science (magna cum laude) and Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) degrees at the University of Florida on a full academic scholarship. While at the University of Florida, Mrs. Luikart studied Psychology and Philosophy, authored a double thesis, and earned a high pass on each publication. When she is not working, Mrs. Luikart enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her husband and children.

Professional Associations & Memberships

Chester Bedell American Inn of Court
- Bencher (2025-present)
- Barrister (2012-2015)
Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
Florida Bar Association, Member
- 4th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee (2025-present)
- Constitutional Judiciary Committee (2025-present)
- Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee, Fourth Circuit (2020-present)
- Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee (2012-2015)
Jacksonville Bar Association, Member
Jacksonville Women’s Lawyers Association, Member
Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), Member
- Heavy Equipment Group Committee