Chris serves as a deputy general counsel for McGuireWoods. In this role, Chris provides a wide range of legal advice and counsel to the firm involving administrative, regulatory and compliance issues.
Before joining the firm’s Office of General Counsel, Chris helped U.S. and international clients manage risk and solve their most challenging litigation issues. Chris previously represented automotive, retail, consumer and healthcare industry clients in a range of high-exposure matters including product defects and recalls, consumer fraud and misrepresentation claims, commercial and regulatory claims, administrative appeals, and mass torts and class actions. He also represented clients in regulatory and administrative matters with a focus on environmental compliance, administrative appeals and environmental justice claims.
Chris litigated cases in federal and state courts across the country, including federal and state multi-district and coordinated litigation, as well as in arbitrations and administrative hearings nationwide.
Chris is an advocate for pro bono services, primarily representing survivors of domestic violence who seek protective orders against their abusers. He is the current president of the Board of Directors of Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, and formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Justice Center. Chris is a past co-chair of McGuireWoods’ Richmond office Pro Bono Committee, and a former chair of the Richmond Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee.
Chris earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he received the Robert K. Bellamy Scholarship and served on the board of the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition.
- Defense of international automobile companies in thousands of claims in coordinated litigation alleging consumer fraud, and in federal class action litigation.
- Defense of retailer in federal multidistrict litigation alleging consumer fraud and mislabeling claims and in related state attorneys general investigations.
- Defense of component manufacturer in scalding case involving severe injuries to minor child. Won summary judgment.
- Defense of component manufacturer in gas explosion involving multiple fatalities at a chemical manufacturing company. Obtained voluntary dismissal of all claims.
- Defense of healthcare provider in medical malpractice wrongful-death case. Won jury verdict on all counts.
Insights
- Co-author, Virginia Chapter, Product Liability Defenses: A State-by-State Compendium, 2017 edition
- Co-author, Discovery Under the 2015 Amendments to the Federal Rules: A Practical Guide, Product Liability Defenses: A State-by-State Compendium, Defense Research Institute, 2017 edition
- Co-author, "Virginia Chapter," Product Liability Defenses: A State-by-State Compendium, 2013 edition
- Co-author, "The New Federal Rules for Electronic Discovery: A Primer for Products Liability Counsel and Clients," Product Liability Defenses: A State-by-State Compendium, Defense Research Institute, 2007 edition
- Co-author, "Virginia Chapter," Product Liability Defenses: A State-by-State Compendium, 2007 edition
Named to “Pro Bono Service Honor Roll,” Virginia Access to Justice Commission, 2022-2025