|
Personal
Narrative
Since retiring from his career as a judge
advocate on active duty in the Coast Guard in 2005,
Chris has developed a broad litigation practice in
the areas of maritime law, commercial defense,
subrogation, and complex litigation. He is
experienced in working with experts in many
disciplines. He is frequently called upon to conduct
post-injury or post-casualty analysis on behalf of
vessel owners. He has practiced in both Federal and
State courts in Washington and State courts in
Alaska and Idaho.
|
Representative
Matters |
|
● |
Represented a
business owner in defending against a claim
of personal injury arising from alleged
water damage and mold contamination in a
commercial building |
|
● |
Represented
vessel owners defending against merchant
mariner personal injury claims |
|
● |
Represented
the State of Alaska and Alaska Marine
Highway System in defending multiple
personal injury claims arising from the
grounding of a ferry vessel |
|
● |
Represented a
yacht builder defending a claim for
negligent installation of an engine exhaust
system |
|
● |
Represented
the State of Alaska, Alaska Marine Highway
System, as well as the Master and Chief Mate
in defending multiple personal injury
claims, two of which went to trial, arising
from the grounding of a ferry vessel |
|
● |
Represented a
vessel owner involved in a high speed
collision against claims of personal injury
and property damage |
|
● |
Represented
an insurer in a subrogation action against a
marina for providing inadequate moorage |
|
● |
Represented a
federal agency in administrative actions
before the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission and Merit Systems Protection
Board |
|
● |
Represented
an institution of higher learning in
defending three environmental whistleblower
claims before the Office of Administrative
Law Judges, Department of Labor |
|
● |
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 |
|
● |
Represented
the United States in defending against a
claim of negligence during the rescue of a
diver with decompression sickness |
|
● |
Represented
the United States in defending a claim for
oil spill removal costs under the Oil
Pollution Act “Act of God” exception. |
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
Alaska Bar Association
Maritime Law Association
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
King County Bar Association
Bar Memberships
Washington
Alaska
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. Supreme Court |
