Our Team

Chris focuses his practice on civil litigation, including construction litigation, retailer litigation, premises liability, products liability, automobile liability, trucking and transportation liability, toxic torts liability, and general insurance practice liability.

Throughout his legal career, Chris has represented a wide range of small and large companies including construction contractors, product manufacturers and suppliers, and retailers.  Chris has represented contractors in construction defect and construction accident claims, as well as disputes relating to payment issues and mechanic’s liens.  He has represented retailers in all areas of liability, including premises liability and product liability claims.  His product liability claims cover a wide range of products including industrial equipment, household appliances, HVAC systems, benzene, pesticides, and food borne liability.  He has represented trucking companies in numerous catastrophic injury and fatality lawsuits.

Chris also has extensive experience in asbestos litigation and currently represents manufacturing and contractor defendants in hundreds asbestos claims throughout Pennsylvania.

Chris received the coveted Golden Gavel Award from Westfield Insurance Company for providing outstanding advice on a large fatality claim.

Chris was nominated to and is a member of the prestigious Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), a by-invitation-only national organization created to meet the needs of professionals in the claims and litigation management industries.  He is also a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and The Defense Research Institute.

In addition to practicing law, Chris is very involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  He is currently on the Leadership Team for the Western Pennsylvania Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, which works with high school students to raise money for cancer research.  He is also an avid hiker and enjoys traveling with his family.

Education

• Undergraduate:

  Dickinson College, B.A. English, 1990

• Law School:

  University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1995

Admissions

• Pennsylvania
• United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Venue Experience

• Pennsylvania State and Federal courts.

Significant Matters

1. Represented a general contractor sued for alleged defective construction of a large commercial building. The building owner claimed that a faulty HVAC system caused severe damage to the building of over $700,000.00, as well as business interruption losses. Obtained a completed dismissal of all claims against the general contractor by arguing that a waiver of subrogation clause in the construction contract between the owner and the general contractor acted as a complete bar to the claims.
2. Represented a retail business which was sued by a customer claiming that she suffered significant injuries when she fell down steps at the business.  The claim was that the steps were uneven, improperly marked, and inadequately lit.  A defense award was entered at trial.
3. Represented a government homebuyer’s program in multiple claims by homeowners who asserted that faulty construction caused water infiltration and mold in their homes with resulting property damages and personal injuries. Obtained a complete dismissal of all claims against the homebuyer’s program by arguing that claims against the client were barred by governmental immunity, and also that the claimants released all potential claims against the client pursuant to the contract between the parties.
4. Represented a restaurant owner which was sued by a patron claiming that he suffered severe injuries after being assaulted in the restaurant. After a multiple day jury trial, the trial judge found no liability against the restaurant as a matter of law and granted Compulsory Non-Suit in favor of the restaurant.
5. Represented a manufacturer of refractories products sued for allegedly causing injuries to numerous workers at a manufacturing facility by exposing them to asbestos and silica. Avoided protracted and costly litigation by obtaining early dismissal of all claims based upon claimants’ failure to prove exposure to the manufacturer’s products.