Chris concentrates his practice in the areas of labor and employment and construction law. He has experience representing businesses in a variety of employment issues including general employment counseling, hiring, discipline and termination, drafting employee handbooks, personnel policies and employment contracts (including non-competition agreements), handling EEOC and related claims, and instruction on wage and hour compliance. Chris also has experience representing businesses in labor issues concerning grievances, unfair labor practices, bannering and striking issues, alter ego/successor liability, and wage and hour disputes. On the construction side, Chris represents a variety of participants in the construction industry, including public and private owners, general and prime contractors and subcontractors. Chris assists his clients in all types of project delivery systems and performance, and payment disputes, including project delays and impacts, defaults, and mechanic’s liens, as well as contract drafting and negotiations.
Chris has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer Rising Star in the practice area of Construction Litigation, 2013-2017. He is also a frequent speaker at various seminars and has written numerous articles and publications on a broad range of employment and labor law and construction law topics.
Areas of Service
Construction Law and Litigation
Labor and Employment Law
Public Contract Law
Surety Law
Commercial and Business Litigation
Education
Indiana University, Robert H. McKinney School of Law, J.D.
Purdue University, B.A.
Admissions
Indiana Supreme and Appellate Courts
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
Associations
Indianapolis Bar Association
• Labor & Employment Section
• Litigation Section
Indiana State Bar Association
• Construction & Surety Law Section
• Employment & Labor Law Section, Executive Committee, 2011-2019; Past Chair
American Bar Association
• Forum on the Construction Industry
• Section of Labor and Employment Law
• Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
• Labor and Employment Law Committee
Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
• Construction Law Section, 2009-Present; Past Chair
Defense Research Institute
International Association of Defense Counsel
• Construction Law & Litigation Committee; Vice Chair of Programs, Chair-Elect
• Employment Law Committee
Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
• Past Board Member and Treasurer
Associated General Contractors (AGC)
• AGC Labor & Employment Law Council
• AGC of Indiana
Construction Safety Coalition (CCS)
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
Indiana Subcontractors Association (ISA)
Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI)
Co-Author and Lecturer, “Indiana Common Construction Wage Act and The Federal Davis-Bacon Act”, Lorman Education Services, February 2014
Co-Author, “Employment Law Update”, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation, Fall 2013
Lecturer, “Social Networking: What is It and What Are the Legal Implications?”, Central Indiana CPCU Society, October 2013
Co-Author and Lecturer, “NLRB Update and Hot Button Issues”, ABC Central Council Meeting, February 2013
Author, “Indiana’s No-Smoking Law and Potential Penalties to Employers for Failure to Adhere”, The Indiana Lawyer, October 12 – 25, 2012
Co-Author, “Common Misconceptions About Wage & Hour Compliance”, The Hoosier Contractor, November 2011
Co-Author and Lecturer, “Understanding and Navigating the Davis-Bacon Act”, ABC Central Council Meeting, June 2011
Co-Author and Lecturer, “Dealing with Union Bannering: Legal Insight and Practical Tips”, ABC Central Council Meeting, April 2011
Co-Author, “Final Rule Issued on Executive Order Governing PLAs for Federally-Funded Projects”, The Hoosier Contractor, May 2010
Co-Author & Lecturer, “Indiana Common Construction Wage Act and The Federal Davis-Bacon Act”, Lorman Education Services, May 2010
Co-Author & Lecturer, “Labor and Employment Legislation Impacting Construction Under the New Administration,” ABC Michiana & Lafayette Council Meetings, February & March, 2010
Co-Author, “Key Labor Clauses in Construction Contracts”, The Hoosier Contractor, 2010
Co-Author, “Judicial Review and Reformation of Noncompete Agreements”, The Construction Lawyer, Journal of the ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, Volume 29, Number 3, Summer 2009
Co-Author, “Beyond EFCA: Another ‘Labor-Friendly” Legislation Seeks RESPECT of Employers”, The Hoosier Contractor, August 2009
Co-Author, “Preparing for the Impact of EFCA and the Respect Act”, Section of Public Contract Law, Construction Division Meeting, June 2009
Co-Author & Lecturer, “Dealing With Common Construction Labor and Workforce Management Issues”, The ABC-DSV Construction Law Seminar Series, April 2009
Co-Author, “Key Labor Clauses in Construction Contracts” , ABA Forum on the Construction Industry, Division 6 Meeting, April 2009
Co-Author & Lecturer, “The Top 10 Ways To Protect Yourself Against Unavoidable Employee Layoffs”, The ABC Safety & Education Summit, March 2009
Co-Author, “The Enforceability of Restrictive Covenant Provisions in Employment Agreements,” ABA Forum on the Construction Industry – Joint Divisions Meeting, 2008
Co-Author, “Employers Benefit from Recent NLRB Decisions,”
The Workplace Lawyer, Fall 2008
Construction Law and Litigation
Co-Author, “Getting Paid in Indiana – The Latest on Contingent Payment Clauses”, Merit Contractor Connection, May 2013
Author, “Construction Claim Remedies: Who Are the Classes of Covered Claimants?”, Indiana Civil Litigation Review, Volume IX, Fall 2012
Lecturer, “The Legal Implications of Detailed Specifications: A Mock Trial”, Indianapolis Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute, March 2012
Lecturer, “Construction Documents 101”, Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana Annual Meeting, November 2011
Co-Author, “Mechanic’s Liens – When Do You Measure the Last Date of Work?”, The Hoosier Contractor, August 2011
Co-Author, “Liquidated Damages Clauses and Contractor-Caused Delays”, The Hoosier Contractor, February 2011
Co-Author, “Delay Claim Preclusion For Failure to Meet Contractual Notice Provisions – An Ominous Trend for Contractors”, The Hoosier Contractor, November 2010
Co-Author, “Concurrent Delays – What Are They and How Are They Addressed?”, The Hoosier Contractor, 2010
Co-Author, “Delay Claim Damages – How Do You Prove Them?”, The Hoosier Contractor, May 2009
Co-Author, “Delay Claim Preclusion For Failure To Meet Contractual Notice Provisions – An Ominous Trend For Contractors”, The Construction Executive, March 2009
Co-Author, “Who Is Really At Fault – The Prevention Doctrine In Action”, The Hoosier Contractor, May 2008
Co-Author, “The Catalyst Theory: What Is It and Does It Apply?”,
Indiana Lawyer, Vol. 18 No. 23, January 23 – February 5, 2008
Author, “The Availability and Enforceability of Liquidated Damages
in Construction Litigation”, Indiana Civil Litigation Review, Fall-Winter 2006