Chris is Head of the International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice at Smith, Gambrell & Russell. He is also a member of the firm's German, Korea, International Law, and Litigation / Trial Practices.

In the field of commercial arbitration and litigation, Chris successfully has resolved disputes for clients involved in various industries. Examples of these victories include:• Obtaining an award of approximately $100 million in a SIAC arbitration in which Chris represented a Korean electronics manufacturer involved in a dispute with another Asian electronics company arising out of a patent cross-license agreement;• Prior to a hearing, settling a dispute on terms very favorable… Show more In the field of commercial arbitration and litigation, Chris successfully has resolved disputes for clients involved in various industries. Examples of these victories include:• Obtaining an award of approximately $100 million in a SIAC arbitration in which Chris represented a Korean electronics manufacturer involved in a dispute with another Asian electronics company arising out of a patent cross-license agreement;• Prior to a hearing, settling a dispute on terms very favorable to Chris's client, a U.S. public utility involved in an ICDR arbitration with a supplier arising out of a uranium supply and conversion agreement;• Enforcing in Texas state courts three arbitral awards in a dispute related to a joint venture agreement; in the AAA/ICDR arbitration, the tribunal had awarded Chris's U.S.-based pharmaceutical client injunctive relief;• Advising a U.S.-based investment company involved in an ICDR arbitration with two insurance companies relating to a dispute arising out of a political risk insurance policy covering a mining investment in a CIS country; the client obtained an award of over US $100 million.In the investment treaty arena, Chris has represented European investors in the renewable energy sector in twenty-one investment treaty arbitrations arising out of several European States’ alterations to and abrogations of their renewable energy incentive regimes. To date, eight of those tribunals have issued final awards in favor of Chris's clients (numbers approx.):Against the Kingdom of Spain:• €50 million, plus €3.9 million and US $3 million in costs;• €42 million, plus over US $5.1 million and half a million € in costs;• €34 million, plus over €1.5 million and US $250,000 in costs;• €14.8 million, plus €1.5 million in costs;• €10.4 million, plus over €2.5 million in costs.Against the Italian Republic:• €16 million, plus €2.2 million in costs;• €12 million, plus €1.9 million in costs;• €9.6 million, plus €1 million in costs. Show less

As a foreign associate in Schellenberg Wittmer's international arbitration practice, Chris was involved in several international commercial and sports arbitration matters. He both represented clients in arbitral proceedings and served as tribunal secretary in institutional arbitrations at the ICC and CAS, where his responsibilities included drafting arbitral awards. In addition to handling a variety of procedural and jurisdictional issues, matters Chris worked on include intellectual property… Show more As a foreign associate in Schellenberg Wittmer's international arbitration practice, Chris was involved in several international commercial and sports arbitration matters. He both represented clients in arbitral proceedings and served as tribunal secretary in institutional arbitrations at the ICC and CAS, where his responsibilities included drafting arbitral awards. In addition to handling a variety of procedural and jurisdictional issues, matters Chris worked on include intellectual property, insolvency, contract, and sales law disputes involving a variety of jurisdictions across several continents, particularly Europe and North America. Show less

During his time as a research fellow, Chris reviewed and advised regarding draft portions of a book on consumer arbitration in the United States.

During his legal internship in Freshfields' international arbitration practice, Chris was involved in several commercial and investment arbitration matters. His tasks included drafting a notice of arbitration, a statement of defense, and a response to a motion to oppose emergency relief; formulating case strategy; meeting with clients to discuss case strategy and procedural matters; and assisting in the preparation of fact and expert witness filings. Chris also was responsible for drafting… Show more During his legal internship in Freshfields' international arbitration practice, Chris was involved in several commercial and investment arbitration matters. His tasks included drafting a notice of arbitration, a statement of defense, and a response to a motion to oppose emergency relief; formulating case strategy; meeting with clients to discuss case strategy and procedural matters; and assisting in the preparation of fact and expert witness filings. Chris also was responsible for drafting memoranda on several topics. During his time at Freshfields, Chris additionally assisted in several research projects on a variety of subjects, including the effect of the compulsory compliance requirement in investment arbitration proceedings, the res judicata effect in United States class action litigation and arbitral proceedings, and the arbitrability of corporate law disputes in Germany. Show less

As a research assistant, Chris researched, reviewed, and advised on a variety of issues in preparation for presentations and publications on topics including the use of international arbitration to settle transboundary intellectual property disputes and the relationship between arbitration and the U.S. Constitution.

During his time as a legal intern in Görg's international business practice, Chris was responsible for translating documents and revising contracts for international clients conducting business in Germany. Chris met with clients to discuss legal matters involving international transactions and trade issues, and brought to the firm a new business client seeking to expand its operations into Europe. Additionally, Chris completed a variety of other projects, including drafting memoranda on issues… Show more During his time as a legal intern in Görg's international business practice, Chris was responsible for translating documents and revising contracts for international clients conducting business in Germany. Chris met with clients to discuss legal matters involving international transactions and trade issues, and brought to the firm a new business client seeking to expand its operations into Europe. Additionally, Chris completed a variety of other projects, including drafting memoranda on issues of U.S. and German law, such as transnational transfer pricing tax issues and possible defenses to litigation claims across fora. Show less

As a project assistant in King & Spalding's international arbitration practice, Chris was responsible for preparing filings and organizing case materials for several international investment arbitrations in Latin America and Europe, as well as for conducting preliminary research. During this time, he also was responsible for tracking and organizing media for a client involved in a prolonged international investment dispute and coordinating the project with other law firms involved in the… Show more As a project assistant in King & Spalding's international arbitration practice, Chris was responsible for preparing filings and organizing case materials for several international investment arbitrations in Latin America and Europe, as well as for conducting preliminary research. During this time, he also was responsible for tracking and organizing media for a client involved in a prolonged international investment dispute and coordinating the project with other law firms involved in the litigation and arbitration proceedings. Show less