Chris represents businesses and individual directors and officers in bet-the-company litigation involving corporations, individuals, the SEC, the Department of Justice, FINRA and state securities law enforcement agencies across the country.
In addition to these matters, Chris represents and advises businesses in all manner of commercial disputes, including matters involving enforcement of contracts, fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and the many types of disputes that are unique to the particular industries in which his clients operate. Chris also litigates disputes over large trust and estate matters, including disputes involving fiduciaries, will contests, trust litigation and conservatorship actions. Finally, Chris is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). As a CFE, Chris helps businesses assess and manage their fraud risks. He also performs fraud examinations and internal investigations for companies.
Securities Litigation: Chris represents public and private companies and their officers and directors in securities class actions, SEC and Department of Justice investigations, derivative suits, mergers and acquisitions litigation, and internal investigations. Chris also represents registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, hedge funds, private equity funds, public and private issuers, and their directors and officers in investigations and enforcement actions brought by FINRA and state securities agencies.
Business Litigation: Chris's practice also includes advising businesses in all manners of business disputes, including matters involving enforcement of contracts, breach of representations and warranties, fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and the many types of disputes that are unique to the particular lines of business in which each client operates. For example, Chris represented America's largest homebuilder and its financing arm in complex commercial disputes arising out of nine figure mortgage-backed securities transactions. He also represents individual and corporate clients in matters involving alleged privacy laws violations brought by both private litigants as well as federal and state regulators. Chris has tried business disputes in state and federal courts and has arbitrated an array of business disputes in both the AAA and JAMS, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations.
Trust and Estate Litigation: Chris litigates disputes over large trust and estate matters, including disputes involving fiduciaries, will contests, trust litigation, probate matters and conservatorship actions. His trust and estate litigation matters vary widely from representing large, institutional trustees in administration disputes to representing individuals in probate and trust disputes between fiduciaries, beneficiaries, creditors, debtors and third parties. Often the individuals in this latter group have no particular experience serving as trustee or estate administrator prior to serving in this capacity at the request of a loved one who has recently passed. Assisting these individuals through the legal process during a difficult time in their lives is particularly rewarding, both personally and professionally.
Certified Fraud Examiner: As a CFE, Chris is an active member of the ACFE and assists businesses with all aspects of fraud prevention and investigation. On the prevention side, he works with management to perform fraud risk assessments and implementation of processes designed to prevent or deter the occurrence of occupational fraud. Chris also works with businesses to assist in fraud detection and internal investigation. Finally, if there are any regulatory or self-reporting requirements with government agencies, Chris helps guide businesses through that process as well.
Chris has also served as interim in-house counsel for one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the world, where he managed litigation throughout the United States. Through that experience, Chris gained valuable insight on litigation project management as well the internal challenges faced by businesses in their litigation matters.