Deputy Managing Partner & Acting General Counsel
Richmond, VA
Chris has spent his entire legal career focusing on corporate and securities law matters helping clients execute on strategic opportunities while managing their legal risk. Clients often view Chris as their outside general counsel; there to provide critical advice that helps them achieve their business goals over the short and long-term. Chris partners with founders, investors and executives to consult on everything from bet-the-company transactions (financings, acquisitions or dispositions, joint ventures, etc.) to more ordinary contract negotiations. He helps clients navigate governance issues at the board level as well as working through competing interests among owners, creditors and other stakeholders. Given Chris’ in-depth experience on sell-side transactions, Chris also frequently represents executives with respect to their employment agreements and equity compensation arrangements presented by buyers.
Chris has held several executive leadership positions at an AmLaw 200 firm as well as at Practus, focusing on strategy, legal technology innovation, acquisitions and financings, practice management and the general operations of the firm. This personal hands-on business experience enables Chris to better assist clients with their own business issues.
As Deputy Managing Partner, Chris helps drive strategic growth opportunities for the firm, strengthen compliance frameworks, and execute firm-wide organizational initiatives. He also serves as a bridge between our attorneys and firm leadership.
“These pretzels are making me thirsty.”
“Paul’s Boutique” by Beastie Boys
Raging Bull
Bruges, Belgium
Linguine alle Vongole (Linguine with Clams)
If I weren’t a lawyer, I would be doing something in economics or related to markets.
Chris has spent his entire legal career focusing on corporate and securities law matters helping clients execute on strategic opportunities while managing their legal risk. Clients often view Chris as their outside general counsel; there to provide critical advice that helps them achieve their business goals over the short and long-term. Chris partners with founders, investors and executives to consult on everything from bet-the-company transactions (financings, acquisitions or dispositions, joint ventures, etc.) to more ordinary contract negotiations. He helps clients navigate governance issues at the board level as well as working through competing interests among owners, creditors and other stakeholders. Given Chris’ in-depth experience on sell-side transactions, Chris also frequently represents executives with respect to their employment agreements and equity compensation arrangements presented by buyers.
Chris has held several executive leadership positions at an AmLaw 200 firm as well as at Practus, focusing on strategy, legal technology innovation, acquisitions and financings, practice management and the general operations of the firm. This personal hands-on business experience enables Chris to better assist clients with their own business issues.
As Deputy Managing Partner, Chris helps drive strategic growth opportunities for the firm, strengthen compliance frameworks, and execute firm-wide organizational initiatives. He also serves as a bridge between our attorneys and firm leadership.
Early in Chris’ career he served as a Corporate and Securities Associate in New York, responsible for drafting and negotiating numerous transactional documents as well as analyzing and researching diverse regulatory, corporate, M&A and litigation issues and advised publicly traded holding companies commencing various acquisitions and spin-offs.
Prior to joining Practus in 2020, he spent the last 20 years of his career as a practicing attorney, Partner and Executive Leader of LeClairRyan in Richmond, VA. There he served as a Corporate practitioner helping clients grow their businesses and execute on strategic opportunities. He also led teams delivering on the firm’s strategic initiatives and served as the Business Department Leader.
Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate and Securities Law, Outside General Counsel, Financings, Acquisitions, Dispositions, Joint Ventures, Contract Negotiations, and Governance Issues. Chris has also served as the General Counsel of Practus, and has experience with ethical matters and other legal issues law firms face.
Represented a regional concierge medical practice in its sale to a private equity backed buyer.
Represented an investment and retirement plan consulting firm in its sale to a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services company.
Represented multiple regional registered investment advisory firms in connection with their sale to larger, national advisors.
Represented an industry leading online platform for connecting emerging screenwriters with entertainment industry reps in its sale to the leading freelancer marketplace and application suite for creators.
Represented multiple managing general agencies (insurance brokerage/distribution) in sales to industry operators and private equity firms.
Represented multiple teams of executives in connection with their personal employment agreements, roll-over equity and equity incentive awards, particularly in connection with the sale of their employers.
Represent private companies in connection with obtaining additional capital, whether through the issuance of preferred stock, convertible promissory notes, warrants or other forms of equity.
Represented a sponsor on forming a strategic joint venture insurance services company initially capitalized with over $200 million in equity commitments from multiple global insurers.
At Practus, we handle complex and challenging legal matters. I look forward to talking to you about how we can best meet your goals.
CONTACT ME
