Overview

Chris concentrates his practice in commercial litigation and labor and employment, representing a broad array of clients including corporate, financial services, healthcare providers, business executives, and non-profits. Chris also represents clients in various property tax appeal matters. His work encompasses all aspects of litigation, from commencement through discovery and ultimately to trial. Chris also frequently assists with and participates in settlement opportunities where litigation is not in-line with a client’s particular objectives.

Chris’ labor and employment experience includes the defense of employment discrimination cases, cases involving the misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information, employment contract matters, wrongful termination cases, wage claims, unemployment compensation matters, and acceptable social media use in the workplace. He also drafts and reviews personnel policies, employee handbooks, separation agreements, and employment contracts and further works with Human Resource Professionals to ensure they are in compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws including but not limited to, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and various military leave and additional relevant employment laws. Recently, Chris counsels employers and employees alike on the intricacies of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to help ensure clients suffer as few business disruptions as possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chris is a graduate of Temple University, Beasley School of Law, where he served as an active member of both the Temple Black Law Student’s Association and the International Law Society. While in law school, he was selected and served as a Philadelphia Diversity Law Group Fellow. Prior to attending law school, Chris received his undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College, where he was a member of and captained the Men’s Varsity Basketball Team.

Fluent in French, Chris seeks every opportunity to make use of his language skills with clients and business partners. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance, a non-profit organization committed to providing integral services, education, and opportunities to Philadelphia’s multicultural population. Chris is also a Board Member of the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP), a Philadelphia-based non-profit focused on providing legal services to indigent and vulnerable populations and the Historical Philadelphia Inc., an organization committed to the preservation and education surrounding some of Philadelphia’s most historic landmarks.

Representative Experience

  • Represented financial institution in action against member for breach of contract and fraud related to member’s failure to adhere to terms and conditions of vehicle loan agreement and ultimately obtained favorable verdict for client following trial.
  • Calesa Associates, LP, et. al. v. American Capital, Ltd., 2018 WL 4026976 (Del. Ch. 2018) and Calesa Associates, LP, et. al. v. American Capital, Ltd., 2016 WL 770251 (Del. Ch. 2016). Assisted shareholders of medical device company in breach of fiduciary duty claim against majority shareholder and controlled directors resulting from merger allegedly entered without fair price or process.
  • Defended financial institution in action brought by member for various violations of Fair Credit Reporting Act relating to member’s delinquent accounts and ultimately obtained full defense verdict for client at trial.
  • Represented software developer in federal court against application development company for breach of contract and unjust enrichment relating to company’s failure to remit certain payments and obtained favorable settlement for client.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice on a Motion for Summary Judgment, and ultimately a favorable settlement, as to several claims filed against two former sales employees by a former employer alleging the employees violated the New Jersey Law Against Misappropriation of Trade Secrets, the New Jersey Computer Related Offenses Act, the Duty of Loyalty and subsequently breached their contract.
  • Assisted in the defense of four separate actions brought against a medical facility specializing in the care of individuals suffering from psychological, psychiatric, and/or addiction-related medical issues involving claims of retaliation in violation of the Delaware Whistleblower’s Protection Act, Negligent Hiring and Retention, and Defamation.
  • Assisted in representation of former corporate executive against former employer for unpaid wages in violation of Delaware Wage Payment and Collection Law (DEWPL) and ultimately obtained favorable settlement for client.
  • Assisted in representation of corporate executive and food services provider involving claims of unpaid tax liabilities and ultimately obtained favorable settlement for client.
  • Obtained dismissal of a real estate tax appeal on a Motion to Quash whereby petitioner improperly cherry-picked a number of properties to appeal in direct conflict with the Uniformity Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
  • Represented taxpayers and corporate entity in real estate tax appeals of numerous residential and commercial properties and ultimately obtained favorable settlement for clients.
  • Assisted in representation of municipalities in economic restructuring efforts following designation as financially distressed municipality under Pennsylvania’s Financially Distressed Municipalities Act (Act 47).

Professional & Community Activities

  • Board Member; Executive Committee, Urban League of Philadelphia
  • Board Member, Homeless Advocacy Project
  • Board Member, Historic Philadelphia Inc.
  • Board Member, Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance
  • Board Member, Philadelphia Diversity Law Group
  • Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Member, Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia
  • Fellow, Philadelphia Diversity Law Group

Speeches & Presentations

  • February 2025: “In Pursuit of Freedom and Equality: From William T. Coleman, Jr. to the Revocation of Executive Order 11246”
  • December 2020: “Factors Driving and Approaches to Settling a Homeowner or Condominium Association Dispute” Client CLE Presentation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • April 2020; 2021; 2023; 2024: “The Law Firm Point of View” PDLG Writing Seminar Presentation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • February 2020: “Women Navigating Highest Levels of Legal Profession Still Face Uphill Battle” Legal Intelligencer Article, PDLG Column, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Professional Recognition

  • Selected to The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch®, 2023- Present
  • Selected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2019–Present

Further information on methodologies is available via these links.

Representative Experience

  • Represented financial institution in action against member for breach of contract and fraud related to member’s failure to adhere to terms and conditions of vehicle loan agreement and ultimately obtained favorable verdict for client following trial.
  • Calesa Associates, LP, et. al. v. American Capital, Ltd., 2018 WL 4026976 (Del. Ch. 2018) and Calesa Associates, LP, et. al. v. American Capital, Ltd., 2016 WL 770251 (Del. Ch. 2016). Assisted shareholders of medical device company in breach of fiduciary duty claim against majority shareholder and controlled directors resulting from merger allegedly entered without fair price or process.
  • Defended financial institution in action brought by member for various violations of Fair Credit Reporting Act relating to member’s delinquent accounts and ultimately obtained full defense verdict for client at trial.
  • Represented software developer in federal court against application development company for breach of contract and unjust enrichment relating to company’s failure to remit certain payments and obtained favorable settlement for client.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice on a Motion for Summary Judgment, and ultimately a favorable settlement, as to several claims filed against two former sales employees by a former employer alleging the employees violated the New Jersey Law Against Misappropriation of Trade Secrets, the New Jersey Computer Related Offenses Act, the Duty of Loyalty and subsequently breached their contract.
  • Assisted in the defense of four separate actions brought against a medical facility specializing in the care of individuals suffering from psychological, psychiatric, and/or addiction-related medical issues involving claims of retaliation in violation of the Delaware Whistleblower’s Protection Act, Negligent Hiring and Retention, and Defamation.
  • Assisted in representation of former corporate executive against former employer for unpaid wages in violation of Delaware Wage Payment and Collection Law (DEWPL) and ultimately obtained favorable settlement for client.
  • Assisted in representation of corporate executive and food services provider involving claims of unpaid tax liabilities and ultimately obtained favorable settlement for client.
  • Obtained dismissal of a real estate tax appeal on a Motion to Quash whereby petitioner improperly cherry-picked a number of properties to appeal in direct conflict with the Uniformity Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
  • Represented taxpayers and corporate entity in real estate tax appeals of numerous residential and commercial properties and ultimately obtained favorable settlement for clients.
  • Assisted in representation of municipalities in economic restructuring efforts following designation as financially distressed municipality under Pennsylvania’s Financially Distressed Municipalities Act (Act 47).

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