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Personal
Narrative
Since retiring from his career as a judge advocate on
active duty in the Coast Guard in 2005, Chris has
developed his litigation practice in the areas of
maritime law, commercial defense, subrogation, and
complex litigation. As the opportunities arise, Chris
particularly enjoys working with experts in preparation
for trial and developing the evidence and expertise
needed to successfully confront opposing experts. Over
the years, Chris has successfully worked with (and
opposed) experts in varied fields, including accident
reconstruction, pollution response, oil identification,
polygraph administration and validity (psychology),
examination validation (psychology), computer data
recovery, orthopedic medicine, emergency medicine,
internal medicine, vessel navigation, Rules of the Road,
forensic economics, vocational rehabilitation, diesel
engine repair, recreational diving, biomechanics, vessel
surveying, and real property surveying. While he was a
military judge in the Coast Guard, Chris attended an
advanced course on the use of scientific experts at
trial at the National Judicial College. He is a quick
study on developing the knowledge base needed to direct
the activities of the experts, understanding the
limitations on what each expert can provide the client,
and ensuring that each expert’s efforts are efficiently
directed toward advancing the client’s case.
Chris is admitted to practice in Washington, as well as
the Western District of Washington. He is a member of
the Washington State Bar Association and the Maritime
Law Association. He is authorized to practice before the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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Representative
Matters |
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Represented the
U.S. Coast Guard Academy in defending three
environmental whistleblower claims before the Office
of Administrative Law Judges, Department of Labor |
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Represented the
United States in prosecuting multiple claims in
Federal District Courts for recovery of pollution
removal costs under the provisions of the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 |
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Represented the United States in defending
against a claim of negligence during the
rescue of a diver with decompression
sickness |
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Represented the
United States in defending a claim for oil spill
removal costs under the Oil Pollution Act “Act of
God” exception |
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Represented the
State of Alaska and Alaska Marine Highway System in
defending multiple personal injury claims arising
from the grounding of a ferry vessel |
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Represented an
insurer in a subrogation action against a marina for
providing inadequate moorage |
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Represented a
yacht builder defending a claim for negligent
installation of an engine exhaust system |
Education
U.S. Coast Guard Academy, B.S. in Civil Engineering,
with High Honors, 1985
University of Washington School of Law, J.D., with
Honors, 1995
Professional Experience
Trial Counsel, U.S. Navy Trial Service Office, 1996 –
1997
Staff Attorney, U.S. Coast Guard, 1995, 1997 – 1999
Senior Appellate Government Counsel, U.S. Coast Guard,
1999 – 2001
Staff Attorney, Department of Justice, 2001 – 2003
Staff Judge Advocate, 17th Coast Guard District, U.S.
Coast Guard, 2003 – 2005
Special Courts-Martial Judge, U.S. Coast Guard,
2003-2005
Nicoll Black & Feig, 2005 – present
Associations
Washington State Bar Association
Maritime Law Association
Bar Memberships
Washington
Alaska
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. Supreme Court |
