Overview
Chris has extensive experience with commercial litigation, health care law, business disputes, cybersecurity law, real estate disputes, railroad and transportation law, securities law, class actions, education law, administrative law, tax appeals, and regulatory proceedings and investigations.
Chris is licensed and has litigated in state and federal courts in Washington, Oregon and California. Chris has additional experience prosecuting claims as a Special Assistant Attorney General.
Chris regularly works with hospitals and health care providers on a wide range of matters, including disputes and issues involving contracts, billing and reimbursement, medical staffing, facility construction, quality assurance, pharmacy issues, risk management, information management, patient records and data security. He also regularly represents hospitals and other health care providers at all levels of the Certificate of Need process and in the judicial review phase of planning decisions.
Chris has significant trial, arbitration and mediation experience. For example, he served on the trial team in McCleary v. State of Washington, the largest public education funding lawsuit in Washington state. He was one of the plaintiffs' attorneys representing a coalition of education organizations and individuals in a constitutional challenge to Washington State's underfunding of K-12 education. After a two-month trial, the trial court entered judgment to enforce the State Constitution’s public education clause, which has been affirmed by the Washington State Supreme Court, 173 Wn.2d 477, 269 P.3d 227 (2012).
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Health Law Section
- Litigation Section
- American Health Lawyers Association
- Healthcare Litigation and Risk Management Section
- Payment and Reimbursement Section
- Healthcare Fraud and Compliance Section
- eHealth, Privacy & Security Section
- California Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington, Communications and Website Committee, Co-Chair, 2009-2018
- King County Bar Association
- Oregon State Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington State Society of Healthcare Attorneys
Community Activities
- Dartmouth Club of Western Washington, Past President
- Issaquah Schools Foundation, Board Member, 2016-2020
Experience
Experience
Multiple representations of national and local clients in real estate and transportation related disputes
Defended global real estate services company in multi-million dollar dispute. Obtained dismissal of all claims on summary judgment, and dismissal was affirmed on appeal
One of the plaintiffs' attorneys representing a coalition of education organizations and individuals in McCleary v. State, a constitutional challenge to Washington State's chronic underfunding of K-12 education; after a two-month trial, the trial court entered judgment to enforce the State Constitution’s public education clause, which has been affirmed by the Washington State Supreme Court, 173 Wn.2d 477, 269 P.3d 227 (2012); see www.waschoolexcellence.org
Representation of public hospital district in administrative and superior court proceedings regarding approval by the Department of Health's Certificate of Need program of the construction of a new facility critical to providing quality health care to the community
Representation of major medical center in prosecution of claims regarding payment and reimbursement for significant outpatient services and procedures
Representation of kidney dialysis provider in administrative and superior court proceedings regarding allocation of new facilities under Department of Health's Certificate of Need program
Representation of hospital and medical staff personnel in disputes with pathology group regarding clinical and anatomic pathology services
Representation of directors and officers of tire recycling company in actions alleging Washington State Securities Act claims, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and minority shareholder oppression
Representation of tequila manufacturer in prosecution of a federal trademark action for transfer of domain name under the federal Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act
Representation of the chairman and controlling shareholder of a national cable company in consolidated securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits and other parallel proceedings
Representation of directors and officers of a financial services company in multi-jurisdictional securities class actions and related proceedings
Defense of computer equipment manufacturer in a putative nationwide class action alleging Consumer Protection Act and contract claims; all claims against the company dismissed with prejudice without discovery
Defense of nationwide salmon labeling consumer class action brought against grocer in King County Superior Court; motion to dismiss granted and case dismissed with prejudice
Representation of chief operating officer in a shareholder derivative action; case dismissed with prejudice
Representation of e-business infrastructure services and software company in stock option disputes with former executives from previously acquired companies
Representation of company providing custodial services for self-directed IRAs in securities actions; all cases against client dismissed in pre-arbitration proceedings
Representation of a manufacturer of an aerosolized antibiotic for cystic fibrosis patients and its officers/directors in defense of federal class action claims; consolidated class actions dismissed with prejudice; dismissal affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 284 F. 3d 1027 (9th Cir. 2002)
Defense of multiple class actions arising out of an initial public offering; all cases dismissed without discovery, including the first Post-Reform Act dismissal with prejudice; affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 143 F.3d 1293 (1998)
Representation of wholesale membership club in putative nationwide consumer class action arising from alleged failure to disclose expiration dates of manufacturers’ rebates; case resolved without discovery
Representation of former director in stock dispute and breach of contract action against software technology company
Representation of state agency responsible for investment of state funds in a multiple forum real estate action against an insurance company
Representation of financial institution in UCC action
Representation of airlines in a multiple forum trademark infringement dispute
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Past Appearances
Publications
Services
- Litigation
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Antitrust & Consumer Protection
- Business & Corporate Finance
- Class Action Litigation
- Environmental Litigation
- Financial Services
- Health Care
- Health Care Litigation
- Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Protection
- Public Finance & Municipal Government
- Public Records & Open Government
- School Districts
- Securities Litigation & Enforcement
- Transportation & Logistics
- Yachts, Ships & Submersibles
Admissions
- Washington
- California
- District of Columbia
- Oregon
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Education
- J.D., University of Michigan Law School (cum laude)
- A.B., Dartmouth College (high honors)