Chris specializes in the trial and litigation of complex commercial cases. He has represented clients in a wide variety of civil and white-collar litigation in state and federal courts throughout the United States. His cases have involved matters such as antitrust, aviation, international trade, legal malpractice, banking regulation, environmental remediation, accounting fraud, and tax controversies.
Chris began his practice of law at the United States Department of Justice where he represented the United States as lead counsel in federal cases throughout the country. Following his years at the Department of Justice, Chris practiced at a large D.C. law firm. Chris's diverse legal background brings a unique perspective to solving his clients' problems and the ability to individually fashion a litigation and trial strategy to suit the relative risks and rewards of each case.
Professional History:
Practice Areas: Complex litigation in areas of antitrust environmental law, tax controversies, business disputes, and financial institutions.
Representative Cases:
- Defended a fish processing company in multimillion dollar antitrust class action law suit; case resolved with plaintiffs' dropping all damages claims.
- Representation of a chemical manufacturer in multimillion dollar contract action related to dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) groundwater contamination and related environmental remediation costs; won partial summary judgment resulting in $3.1 million recovery.
- Representation of Venezuelan deposit insurance company in a $25 million malicious prosecution action; case dismissed.
- Defended large law firm in a $13 million legal malpractice suit; case settled.
- Represented international pharmaceutical company in grand jury investigation; investigation concluded without an indictment.
- Represented bank executive in criminal proceeding which concluded with plea agreement.
- Represented corporations in internal investigations involving accounting fraud, environmental crimes, and regulatory compliance issues.
Professional Memberships: Oregon State Bar; Washington State Bar; Multnomah County Bar; American Bar Association; Executive Committee, Owen M. Panner American Inn of Court; Board Member, Multnomah Bar Association CLE Committee; Committee Member, Oregon State Bar Business Litigation Section.
Admitted to practice: 1998 Oregon; 2003 Washington, D.C.; 2004 D.C. Court of Appeals; 2008 Washington.
Prior Experience: Senior associate, Baker Botts LLP, Washington, D.C. (2002-06); Honors Program civil trial attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division (1998-2002); summer associate, Haglund & Kirtley, Portland, Oregon (1997); externship with Judge Robert E. Jones, U.S. District Court, Portland (1996).
Education: Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, J.D., cum laude, 1998; Santa Clara University, B.S., 1994.
Articles: Author, “Conservation Easements: The Blues of Before and After Valuation,” Valuation Strategies (Sept. 1998).
Awards: United States Department of Justice, Tax Division, Outstanding Attorney Award, 2000.
Community Activities: Board Member, Wilshire Little League; Youth Baseball Coach; Chess Coach, Alameda Elementary Chess Team; Founder of Portland Village School Chess Club.
