Chris brings nearly 18 years of legal experience and eight years of organizational leadership to his energy practice, with particular depth in nuclear energy and infrastructure governance. His nuclear energy practice encompasses regulatory compliance, policy, licensing, and workplace investigations. He has provided strategic counsel on nuclear, power origination, and renewable energy programs, and has significant experience in administrative litigation related to the licensing and operation of nuclear plants. Chris also has extensive experience addressing other matters governed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including regulatory investigations and assessments, enforcement actions, nuclear safety culture and safety-conscious work environment, and retaliation and other misconduct allegations arising under the Energy Reorganization Act.
Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Chris served for over 15 years as in-house counsel at a large utility company, where he advised senior executives and other internal stakeholders on compliance, regulatory, and policy issues, particularly in the areas of nuclear energy, transmission, and power supply. In this role, he advised his internal nuclear clients on nearly every aspect of new and operating nuclear programs. He successfully challenged regulatory enforcement actions, resulting in the withdrawal of fifteen proposed violations and more than $1.2 million in civil penalties. Additionally, he worked on major licensing actions under 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 50 and 52, including license renewal, license transfer, extended power uprates, and new reactor licensing matters.
Chris started his legal career as an attorney at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. During law school, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Administrative Law Review. Before attending law school, he served on active duty as a nuclear-trained officer in the U.S. Navy.