Christopher handles complex commercial litigation, government investigations, and business disputes of all sizes and varieties.

Chris has litigated and tried matters involving real estate, environmental contamination, complex breach of contract, employment issues, regulatory and administrative processes (with a specialty in M.G.L.c. 40A Zoning Appeals), insurance coverage disputes, and significant internal and external investigations. His core client base includes information technology (IT) providers, energy companies, real estate developers, higher education institutions, and health care companies. 

Whether representing the plaintiff or defendant, Chris deploys quickly to risk-assess, budget, control, strategize, and position each matter for a desirable outcome. As a result, he has been particularly effective in resolving matters pre-trial under Civil Rules 12(b)(Motion to Dismiss) and 56 (Summary Judgment). He is available 24/7 to meet a client’s needs and staffs each case based on the subject matter involved, the amount in dispute, the scope and complexity of the issues, and the e-discovery demands for efficient and effective results. Chris takes the leading role in every case he handles, and is involved in all critical events from the initial intake meeting to the final disposition. He has practiced with the same core personnel for his entire career.

Chris previously served as a law clerk in Massachusetts state trial court.

Chris also served on the planning board for the Town of Marshfield (1999-2005; recalled in 2015-2016). He is active in numerous regional political campaigns and participates as a board member for several 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, including the Cape Cod Bay Challenge for Christopher’s Haven, Supporters of Marshfield’s Uncle Bud Skatepark, and the Levitate Foundation.

Relevant Experience

  • Represented a major paving contractor seeking to obtain permits to construct and operate an asphalt plant on a 100 acre property located outside of Boston. Chris was co-lead counsel in various administrative appeals and abutter lawsuits, all of which were resolved in favor of his client through trial and dispositive motions, allowing the project to go forward.
  • Lead counsel in several mission critical internal investigations and high exposure regulatory and white collar proceedings. Chris’s fast-acting approach led to his delivery of objective, decisive, and reliable results to his clients in a timely manner.
  • Lead counsel for IT services companies in high-value contract disputes involving the delivery, implementation, and ongoing provisioning of various delivery platforms. Chris keeps abreast of the relevant technology, issues, and challenges within the industry so that he can immediately step in and litigate a complex dispute with low or no learning curve.
  • Lead counsel for the managing partner of a New Hampshire Limited Liability Company in a dispute with his partner over ownership and control of three real estate projects valued at more than $150 million. Chris won various pre-trial rulings that resulted in removal of the other partner and secured 100% ownership of the real estate for his client.
  • Co-lead counsel for a prominent businessman involved in litigation concerning his purchase of a 100+ acre shipyard from a government agency at foreclosure. Prevailed on summary judgment before the federal trial court, and on appeal in the First Circuit.
  • Lead counsel for an international corporation prosecuting and defending numerous trademark infringement claims. In one of these cases, Chris litigated a novel issue involving internet-based jurisdiction over an infringing defendant in federal court and prevailed. He then prevailed on a summary judgment, obtained a verdict in the amount of $426,486, and secured a permanent injunction prohibiting the infringing company from any further use of his client’s trademarks. Chris also prevailed on appeal in the First Circuit.
  • Represented a global company that acquired 30 chemical manufacturing facilities throughout the world in a multibillion-dollar transaction. Chris represented the purchaser who filed suit in federal court against the seller for breach of the purchase agreement and violation of various warranties. He was lead counsel for 40 claims related to health, safety, and environmental breaches and violations that resulted in damages in excess of $100M. The case involved complex e-discovery, including the collection, review, and production of over 400GB of documents and data and 1.1TB of technical data.
  • Represented a national workers compensation provider. Chris handled all employment matters (i.e., discrimination, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment) for the company.
  • Represented an international, multi-platinum recording artist in a copyright infringement case.
  • Represented a large, publicly held high-tech computer company in various disputes regarding complex data storage contracts.
  • Represented a major manufacturer of fluid sealing devices. Chris handled hundreds of products liability cases throughout New England and in Puerto Rico for the company.
  • Chris and Harry Manion were retained as lead trial counsel in a federal criminal case in Boston involving allegations of an “under-the-table” payroll scheme resulting in corporate tax evasion, ERISA fraud, and workers compensation fraud. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the defendant faced up to 46-57 months imprisonment on 17 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, and ERISA false statements. Harry and Chris successfully obtained a substantial downward departure resulting in a sentence of 12 months imprisonment, on the grounds of the impact of incarceration upon the defendant’s innocent employees under the First Circuit case U.S. v. Olbres and the defendant’s extraordinary family circumstances.
  • Chris and Thomas F. Reilly were retained as lead counsel in a federal investigation of a public company regarding pricing. Tom and Chris are currently handling this matter.

Memberships

  • Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Member, Boston Bar Association
  • Member, Texas State Bar Association
  • Member, Board of Directors for Cape Cod Bay Challenge
  • Member, Board of Directors for the Levitate Foundation
  • Member, Board of Directors for Uncle Bud’s Skatepark
  • Member, Planning Board for the Town of Marshfield (1999-2005, 2015-2016)
  • Member, Planning Board for the Town of Marshfield, Chairman (2002-2003)

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