Partner & Acting General Counsel
Richmond, VA
Chris has spent 25 years focusing on corporate and securities law 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 business owners 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.
Chris also represents executives in employment agreements and equity compensation arrangements. Chris has held several executive leadership positions at an AmLaw 200 firm, 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.
“These pretzels are making me thirsty.”
“Paul’s Boutique” by Beastie Boys
Raging Bull
Cape Charles, VA
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 25 years focusing on corporate and securities law 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 business owners 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.
Chris also represents executives in employment agreements and equity compensation arrangements. Chris has held several executive leadership positions at an AmLaw 200 firm, 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.
Early is 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, he spent the last 20 years of his career as a Partner and Executive Leader of LeClairRyan in Richmond, VA. There he served as a Corporate and Securities practicioner 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.
Corporate and Securities, Mergers and Acquisitions, Outside General Counsel, Financings, Acquisitions, Dispositions, Joint Ventures, Contract Negotiations, and Governance Issues
Represented multiple managing general agencies (insurance brokerage/distribution) in sales to industry operators and private equity firms.
Represented teams of executives in connection with their personal employment agreements, roll-over equity and equity incentive awards, particularly in regards to sales or reorganizations of their employers.
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.
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