Chris’s practice includes representing property owners in real estate development and permitting, civil litigation, and appellate matters. Chris has experience navigating difficult land use and litigation issues, guiding clients through the often-challenging processes involved in both permitting and litigation. He also provides legal guidance to local Port districts.

Prior to entering private practice, Chris clerked for Judge Bradley Maxa with the Washington State Court of Appeals in Tacoma and as a judicial extern with Judge Robert Lasnik with the U.S. District Court in Seattle. He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law where he served as chief managing editor of the Washington Law Review. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Sociology from the University of Puget Sound.

When he is away from the office, Chris enjoys all types of outdoor physical activity, including biking, sailing, hiking, and running. He remains a fan of his hometown basketball team, the Portland Trail Blazers.

Practice Areas

• Business
• Land Use
• Litigation
• Appellate

Education

• University of Washington School of Law, 2016, J.D.
• University of Puget Sound, 2011, B.A.

Admitted To Practice In

• Washington State
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

In The Community

• NAIOP South Sound Committee
• Building Industry Association of Washington Legal Committee
• Master Builders Association of Pierce County
• Tacoma Pierce County Chamber
• Thurston County Chamber

In The Profession

• Thurston County Bar Association
• Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
• Environmental and Land Use Section Blog editor

Publications and Presentations

• August 2024 Presentation – “SB 5290 and the Streamlining of Local Project Review”
• Author and Editor, Washington Real Property Deskbook, (2024), Vols. 5 and 6
• Author, Washington Lawyers Practice Manual (2022),  ch. 23, part 2
• State Equity Crowdfunding and Investor Protection, 91 Wash. L. Rev. 847 (2016)

 

Contact

Phone:

• 206-621-1110 – Seattle
• 253-572-1000 – Tacoma
• 360-742-3500 – Olympia