At a Glance
Chris’ practice emphasis is business litigation. He represents companies and financial institutions in diverse commercial disputes, including breach of contract, various business torts, lender liability cases and litigation arising under federal and state securities laws. He also represents companies in class action litigation and in suits arising under various state consumer protection statutes. His legal experience includes commercial mediation and arbitration.
Practices/Industries
Litigation
Banking & Commercial Litigation
Broker-Dealer & Securities
Class Actions
Complex Business
Governance Disputes & D&O Litigation
Trust Litigation

Government Regulation
Environmental

Real Estate
Environmental

Financial Services
Banking & Commercial Litigation
Broker-Dealer Litigation
Securities Litigation
Trust Litigation

Areas of Concentration
  • Business Litigation
Education
College of William & Mary (B.S., 1982)

Northeastern University (M.B.A., 1991)

University of Texas (J.D., 1997)
Representative Experience
  • Has represented companies in class actions arising under various state consumer protection statutes.
  • Has represented businesses in various commercial disputes, including breach of contract and various business torts.
  • Has represented companies in commercial mediation and arbitration.
  • Experienced in handling domestic relations matters.
  • Has represented banks in disputes with both commercial and individual borrowers.

Significant Representations

  • Fazio v. Lehman Bros., Inc., 340 F.3d 386 (6th Cir., 2003)
    Sixth Circuit case establishing the enforceability of arbitration clauses in contracts.
  • Questrom v. Federated Dep't Stores, Inc., 2001 U.S. App. LEXIS 5809 (2nd Cir. 2001)
    Second Circuit case establishing that third-party valuations are binding absent fraud, mistake, or collusion.
  • Oak Rubber Co. v. Bank One, N.A., 214 F. Supp. 2d 820 (N.D. Ohio 2002)
    Obtained summary judgment in favor of Bank One on claims under the Bank Holding Company Act.
  • Stephens v. WebAccess, Inc., D. Colo. Case No. 03-CV-1521-PSF-PAC
    Obtained denial of class certification in national securities class action.
Publications & Presentations
Publications
"Lender Liability Suits - Can You Avoid Them," Financial Law Resource (Fall 2007)

Presentations
"Lender Liability, Alive and Kicking," Hot Liability Topics for Financial Service Providers (March 2005)

"Lawyers' Expectations from an Expert Witness on Financial Matters," Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (October 2003)
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Certified Grievance Committee
Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
State of Ohio
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado