Jacksonville Construction Law Attorney

Chris is Board Certified by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education in construction law, a distinction that is unique to less than 400 attorneys in the state. During his career, he has worked with owners, general contractors, sureties, subcontractors and specialty trade contractors, product manufacturers, architects, and engineers in matters ranging from defective construction or design, delays, contract disputes, lien and payment disputes, and construction-site personal injury.

Chris also dedicates a portion of his practice to the representation of insurance carriers involved in coverage disputes and defending individuals and businesses in litigation involving property damage or bodily injury. Additionally, he has litigated and tried professional malpractice, casualty, and personal injury cases in his career.

Annually since 2016, Chris has been recognized for his outstanding work in the field of construction litigation by the Florida Super Lawyers publication.  In 2018, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry appointed him to the Construction Trades Qualifying Board. Chris was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (2020-2023), as well as being named to Florida Trend’s 2022 Legal Elite.  He was also invited and accepted Fellowship to the Construction Lawyers Society of America.  He frequently lectures on a variety of construction topics for clients and industry groups.

Outside of the office, Chris is an avid Florida State Seminoles fan. On fall weekends, you can find Chris with his wife and three children at Doak Campbell Stadium adorned in garnet and gold tailgating with his family and friends. As for staying busy during the other seasons, he enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his kids’ sports teams, golfing, traveling, and working on improving his home (one project at a time). Chris also donates his time to various local charities and organizations, including Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV), which he became involved with as a youth and continues to support today.

Education
  • Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, 2005, J.D.
    • Order of Barristers, Member
    • Moot Court, Participant and Student Coach
    • Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, Member
  • Florida State University, 2001, B.A.
    • Graduated cum laude
    • Major: International Affairs
Honors & Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV-Rated*
  • Selected to Florida Super Lawyers list for Construction Law, Super Lawyers, 2016 – 2022 (Rising Stars list 2010 – 2015)
  • Selected to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite (2021-2022)
  • Construction Lawyers Society of America (Fellow), 2018
  • Jacksonville’s Top Lawyers, 904 Magazine
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers of America (2020 – 2023 Editions)
*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Speaking Engagements
  • Construction Insurance, Florida Bar Construction Board Certification Review course (2018 through 2021)
  • Tips & Tricks for Efficient Handling of CD Claims, ALFA International Construction Practice Group Seminar, July 26, 2018
  • The Building Code and Beyond: Government’s Role in Construction and Construction Litigation, ALFA International Construction Practice Group Seminar, July 29, 2016
  • Heron’s (Crash) Landing: What We Can Learn from a $9.6 Million Verdict, 2016 (various dates)
  • Construction Defect Law: The Basics, Northeast Florida Builders Association Remodelers Council, November 19, 2015
  • Avoiding the Unavoidable: Protecting Your Company Against Construction Claims, Taylor Day & JP Perry Insurance Client Seminar, November 4, 2015
  • If You Build It, They Will Come: Defect Claims – Emerging Trends and Strategies for Success, ALFA International Construction Practice Group Seminar, July 31, 2014
  • Expert Retention: The Law and Practice, client seminar, February 10, 2014
  • Additional Insured Claim Evaluation, client seminar, July 9, 2013
  • Construction Contracts for Claims Representatives, client seminar, February 16, 2011
  • Construction Contracts for Claims Representatives, client seminar, January 12, 2011
  • Concepts in Indemnity, Joint & Several Liability & Contribution, client seminar, October 2, 2007
Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
  • Florida Bar Association (Construction Law Committee)
  • Jacksonville Bar Association (Construction Law Committee)
  • Chester Bedell Inn of Court (Barrister)
  • ALFA International Construction Practice Group (Steering Committee, 2022 Program Co-Chair)
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
  • Associated Builders & Contractors, Florida First Coast Chapter
  • Northeast Florida Builders Association
  • AIA Jacksonville
  • Jacksonville Construction Trades Qualifying Board (2018 – Present)
Publications
  • Construction Insurance, 2018-2021 Revisions, Florida Bar Construction Board Certification Review, The Florida Bar CLE
  • The Playbook for Overcoming Legal Challenges to Expanding Your Brand Internationally, with Amanda Ingersoll, Esq. and Daniel Rosenberg, Esq., ALFA International, International Client Seminar, 2019
  • The Building Code and Beyond: Government’s Role in Construction and Construction Litigation, with Denis J. Wachholz, Esq., ALFA International Construction Practice Group Seminar, 2016
  • Defect Claims: Emerging Trends and Strategies for Success, with Denise J. Wacholz, Esq., ALFA International Construction Practice Group Seminar, 2014
Representative Experience
  • Represented a window installation subcontractor against defective construction claims brought by a large, national homebuilder in Jacksonville. By the end of the litigation, the defense covered nearly 100 lawsuits and was successfully resolved in a global settlement for an amount that was less than half of the actual repair cost expended by the homebuilder.
  • Represented the general contractor of an office building in Jacksonville in a six week trial involving claims of delay, deficient/incomplete work, and defective construction with damages claimed in excess of $20 million.
  • Served as lead counsel to the general contractor of a large, mixed-use project in Orlando alleged to require over $40 million in repairs due to defective construction. The case was ultimately successfully settled through negotiation with the plaintiff/owner, the project surety, the original developer, over 30 subcontractors and suppliers, and the parties’ general liability and excess insurance carriers that resulted in the vast majority of the settlement amount being paid by the subcontractors and material suppliers alleged to have provided the defective construction and materials.
  • Successfully represented at trial a local electrical contractor on a lien claim that resulted in full payment of the lien amount to the client plus attorneys’ fees and costs, despite the homeowner’s counterclaim that much of the work was defective.
Community Involvement
  • Jacksonville Seminole Club (Board of Directors, 2008 – 2013, 2016 – 2018)
  • Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV) (Board of Directors, 2008 – 2009; Scholarship Chair, 2014 – 2015)
  • Seminole Boosters, Inc. Inner Council
  • Phi Sigma Kappa Beta Septaton Alumni Association (Board of Directors, 2013 – 2015)
  • Youth sports coach
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