Chris’ practice focuses on complex litigation matters.  He has extensive experience in this area having worked on behalf of Bechtel BWXT in contract related litigation, and R.J. Reynolds and Microsoft Corporation in antitrust-related lawsuits, and many other notable cases.  Chris has also worked on behalf of general and specialty contractors in construction defect related claims, delay and impact claims, changed conditions and differing site conditions claims, and successfully defended contractors in several cases involving general contractor liability under Stute v. P.B.M.C.  Chris also reviews and advises clients on construction contracts and negotiations.  He has been a presenter to construction industry and business groups on federal contracting and construction related topics, and has participated as a guest lecturer at Seattle University School of Law on Federal Government Contracting.

Presentations

• “How to Get into Federal Contracts,” OMRB Construction and Public Contract Law Seminar (2006)
• “Back to Basics: Five Things Every Contractor Should Know,” OMRB Construction and Public Contract Law Seminar (2005)
• “Constructive Change Orders,” various (2005-2008)

Publications

• Contributing Author: “Construction Change Order Claims,” Aspen Publishing (2005)
• Contributing Author: “Wiley Construction Law Update,” Aspen Publishing (2005-2007)

Professional and Civic Involvement

King County Bar Association Washington State Bar Association, Construction Law and Litigation Sections Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association

Courts

Washington State Courts U.S. District Court, Western District, Washington

Education

J.D., Seattle University, cum laude, 1997 B.A., St. John’s University, 1991

Representative Projects

• LMITCO v. LMAES, et al., 2004 WL 2632926.  Represented a U.S. Department of Energy Management and Operations (M&O) Contractor in a contract dispute with its subcontractor/sister corporation.  After a three-month bench trial, won a $54 million verdict on behalf of LMITCO, defeating all of subcontractor’s counterclaims.
• Chenega Corp. v. Alaska Railroad Corporation, District Court Anchorage.   Represented a native owned business in a claim dispute over differing site conditions and associated impact.  Achieved a favorable negotiated result for the client in a confidential settlement on the eve of trial.