Chris is a trial lawyer whose practice focuses on construction, antitrust litigation, mass torts, and contract disputes. He has tried cases in multiple state and federal courts and has represented clients in commercial arbitrations throughout the world.
In the construction space, Chris defends global companies against claims stemming from high-value infrastructure projects, provides front-end risk mitigation advice for clients that are considering or have recently contracted to build or invest in infrastructure, and helps clients draft contracts and effectively manage those contracts once construction begins. Chris has handled disputes on large-scale public and commercial projects, including environmental cleanup and remediation efforts, flood protection repair, power plant builds, aerospace development, infrastructure, and military programs. Recently, he successfully represented two global aerospace companies in separate International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitrations, and he was counsel to a major utility in a dispute related to the licensing, design, and construction of the first nuclear power project authorized to be built in the United States in more than 30 years.
Chris also has defended companies against enterprise-threatening litigation resulting from natural and man-made disasters and allegedly defective products. Chris achieved a complete defense verdict for a global engineering firm in a lawsuit alleging billions of dollars in damages from flooding in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and he has successfully defended a multinational company in several high-stakes product liability cases.
In addition, Chris has nearly 20 years of antitrust litigation experience in a variety of industries, including banking, credit cards, transportation, healthcare, and higher education. He has defended merger challenges brought by the federal government and state authorities, litigated civil claims, and managed class-action lawsuits.
Experience
Construction/Infrastructure
- Represented power utility in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) dispute related to the placement of transmission facilities and associated request for rate recovery.*
- Advised engineering and construction company on a variety of construction-related issues, including potential liability arising from construction of natural gas liquefaction and export terminal, potential affirmative claims and liability arising from contamination of water during project construction, and construction work rules applicable to design and construction of semiconductor chip manufacturing and related power facilities.*
- Advised aerospace corporation regarding dispute with global energy company related to construction of aeroderivative gas turbines for use in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.*
Advised entertainment company regarding potential claims stemming from structural damage to casino parking garage.* - Represented aerospace corporation in state action for breach of contract in connection with construction of military aircraft, and for injunctive relief requesting return of property, work product, and other materials related to project. Court granted motion and ordered immediate return of property. Claims resolved in subsequent bankruptcy proceeding.*
- Lead counsel for aerospace corporation in International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) dispute. Defendant against claims resulting from multi-billion dollar aircraft development program. Achieved settlement that required client to pay less than 1% of total amount sought in damages.*
- Co-lead counsel for aerospace corporation in ICC dispute. Defended against claims by Middle Eastern subcontractor related to multi-billion dollar aircraft sale. Achieved settlement that required client to pay just 3% of total amount sought in damages.*
- Advised real estate investment trust regarding multi-million dollar claims and counterclaims arising from design and construction of skyscraper and technology center. Claims and counterclaims successfully resolved short of trial.*
- Advised real estate investment trust regarding claims resulting from structural failure of curtain wall for multi-million dollar mixed-used construction. Claims successfully resolved short of trial.*
- Defended electric utility against alleged multi-billion dollar cost overruns related to licensing, design, and construction of next generation nuclear plants. Claims successfully resolved short of trial.*
- Defended against multi-billion dollar claims alleging that construction company’s remediation work on behalf of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contributed to floodwall breaches in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Won judgment for client.*
Other Litigation
- Represented private equity firm in contract dispute stemming from multi-billion dollar asset sale. Architect of strategy resulting in dismissal of claims prior to trial. Currently on appeal.*
- Represented university in successful resolution of nationwide class action alleging that multiple universities conspired to fix financial aid available to students in violation of federal antitrust laws.*
- Co-lead counsel for client in JAMS arbitration asserting claims against former employee for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Claims granted following evidentiary hearing.*
- Represented managed health care company in its attempted acquisition of for-profit health insurance company. Acted as trial counsel in proceeding on motion by U.S. Department of Justice seeking injunction to block the merger.*
- Represented health system and medical center in their proposed merger. Acted as trial counsel in proceeding on motion by Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorney general seeking injunction to block the merger.*
- Represented transportation company in connection with railroad crossing accident that occurred in a mixed industrial residential area.*
- Represented airline in antitrust investigation and federal court challenge to $11 billion merger. Deal closed after U.S. Department of Justice and state attorneys agreed to settle lawsuit.*
- Represented automaker in historic bankruptcy, reorganization, and asset sale.*
- Defended manufacturing company in three separate trials over the course of six years against claims that client’s products caused various illnesses. Results included hung jury and partial verdicts.*
- Defended manufacturing company at trial against claims that client’s products caused various illnesses. Achieved complete defense verdict for client.*
- Represented coal and oil and gas exploration company in breach of contract suit against client’s former president. Won jury verdict for client.*
- Represented persecuted immigrants from various countries seeking asylum in the United States, including persons fleeing Afghanistan after Taliban takeover in 2021.*
- Represented client seeking parole under Virginia law that makes juvenile offenders eligible after serving 20 years.*
- Obtained settlement awards for persons alleging use of excessive force against District of Columbia and Maryland police departments under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act.*
*Experience handled prior to joining McGuireWoods.
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American University Washington College of LawJD
cum laude, Managing Editor, Administrative Law Review
2006 - University of MarylandBAJournalism1998
- American Bar Association
- D.C. Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- Selected for inclusion, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Construction, District of Columbia, Chambers USA, 2021-2024
- Selected for inclusion, The Best Lawyers in America, Construction, 2023-2024