Chris focuses his practice on helping individuals and closely-held companies achieve their goals and protect their business interests. Chris advises clients on transactional, regulatory and litigation matters related to mergers, acquisitions, technology, finance, commercial real estate sales, zoning, leases, and commercial law.

Chris advises employers on risk management, workplace compliance, and a wide range of employment-related matters to help minimize legal exposure and support business objectives.

Prior to joining private practice, Chris served as General Counsel at ScanlanKemperBard Companies, a commercial real estate development firm with projects throughout the Western United States. He also served as Senior Counsel at Umpqua Bank and at Seterus Inc., an IBM subsidiary, where he handled mortgage and commercial compliance, employment investigations, cybercrime investigations and defense, government and regulatory matters, and commercial litigation.

Chris has handled breach of contract, adverse possession, fraud, FCRA, TCPA, FDCPA, TILA, and RESPA claims, among others, and has appeared in Oregon state and appellate courts, and federal district and bankruptcy courts.

Chris has practiced law in the Portland area for more than 20 years. Born and raised in Texas and Tennessee, he now lives with his family in Lake Oswego.

With more than twenty years of experience in Oregon real estate and real estate finance law, I focus on helping clients reach their goals with practical, effective solutions. While I’ve tried more than twenty cases to final judgment, my goal is always to help clients avoid litigation when possible. That courtroom experience gives me valuable insight — making me a stronger negotiator, drafter, and advisor.

Whether you’re looking for a strategic advocate or a skilled deal closer, I’m committed to helping you move forward with confidence. Because I’ve served as In-House and General Counsel for over 10 years, I am skilled and experienced at approaching legal issues from a business perspective, which helps my clients who are focused on the bottom line.

 

  • “Risk Management: How Not to Get Sued and How to Win if You Do,” Harcourt International Real Estate (June 2026)
  • “Law and Rule Required Course” Presentation to Building Owners and Managers Association members (May 2026)
  • “Between a Prompt and a Hard Place: Ethics and AI,” Moderator, Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (April 2026)
  • “Navigating The CRE: Due Diligence Process From Letter of Intent to Closing,” Chicago Title Commercial (January 2026)
  • “Seller Disclosures,” Keller Williams (September 2025)
  • “Seller Carried Financing,” Windermere (September 2025)
  • “Negotiations,” Weichert, Realtors (August 2025)
  • “Easements,” Engel & Volkers (June 2025)
  • “Seller/Buyer/Dual Agency and Risks,” Keller Williams (June 2025)
  • “Easements: Traps, Pitfalls, and Perfection,” Neighbors Realty (June 2025)
  • “Risk Management,” Windermere Realty Trust (May 2025)
  • “Trust and Vesting Issues Related to Real Estate,” Berkshire Hathaway (2025)
  • “When Home Becomes Hostage: Restraining Order vs. Eviction in Elderly Parent-Adult Child Disputes,” Oregon State Bar Elder Law Section CLE (April 2025)
  • “Upcoming Changes to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) and What Real Estate Brokers Need to Know,” Harcourts Real Estate Network Group (March 2025)
  • “Probates and Trusts,” Windermere Cronin & Caplan Realty Group (February 2025)
  • “NAR Class Action Settlement Update – What Do Real Estate Brokers Need to Know,” Berkshire Hathaway (January 2025)

  • Oregon Federal Bar Association, President-Elect
  • NAIOP, Oregon Chapter

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Outside of the office, Chris spends time with his family, and enjoys fishing, hunting, and hiking.

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