About Chris

As a former litigation partner in both large and small law firms, a United States Navy Judge Advocate, and now an entrepreneur with his own thriving law practice, Chris understands the business as well as the practice of law.  His practice emphasizes general civil and business litigation in both state and federal courts, employment litigation, and acting as outside "General Counsel" to businesses and individuals to help them achieve their goals and either avoid litigation or be already positioned to win if it occurs.  A true trial lawyer, Chris is also sought out by other attorneys and clients to take the reins at trial for cases that cannot settle, or provide crucial strategic and tactical advice and preparation behind the scenes to help attorneys and clients position themselves to "win" cases in almost any area of law.  

From a business standpoint, Chris understands the challenges and opportunities that business and individuals face in the modern marketplace.  He believes in creatively forming and delivering constructive relationships and services to enable clients and other attorneys to more effectively and efficiently utilize the legal counsel or advocacy they need. 

Chris has successfully represented and counseled businesses and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of matters including federal and state civil and criminal trials, contract disputes, employment disputes, trade secret misappropriation, fraud, and military courts-martial, as well as general corporate governance litigation risk avoidance.  Having tried more than 70 cases to jury verdict, Chris is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Chris is also listed as one of San Diego Magazine’s Top Lawyers for complex trial practice.

Education

• Bucknell University, B.A.
• Double major in Business Administration and Japanese Studies
• Graduated cum laude
• Phi Beta Kappa member
• University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D.

Employment History

Prior to establishing his own law firm in order to provide better and more personalized service to his clients, Chris was a litigation partner at the San Diego law firm of Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek, and then at Kaplan Ludmer LLP. Before settling in San Diego, Chris was a Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps where he was litigation team leader in the General Litigation Division in Washington, D.C.  He was selected from more than 400 peer attorneys to serve as the principal assistant at the Pentagon to the Navy’s senior uniformed lawyer and legal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy.  Chris also served as supervising prosecutor and senior trial counsel for the U.S. Navy Trial Service Office Southeast.  In addition to his work for the JAG Corps, Chris was a special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.  Additional experience includes clerking for the Hon. Gustave Diamond, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and working as an associate in the Japanese Business Group of Coopers & Lybrand.