People

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