Chris is a skilled attorney and partner in the Litigation Department at Johnson Pope. He represents companies and individuals in a wide range of business disputes, including breach of contract, fraud, and complex commercial litigation. With extensive experience in real estate litigation, Chris specializes in landlord/tenant disputes, escrow deposit issues, commercial foreclosures, land use and zoning disputes, and quiet title actions.
Beyond litigation, Chris serves as trusted outside general counsel to businesses across Florida, including construction firms, real estate developers, and property management companies. Whether resolving day-to-day legal matters or preparing for trial, Chris prioritizes his clients’ objectives, delivering results in an effective and efficient manner.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, golfing, and following Florida Gator Football.
Experience
Chris has a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes in high-stakes litigation, including:
- Partnership Dispute: Successfully defended against $1.4 million in breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims, achieving a complete defense verdict and recovering prevailing party attorney’s fees after a full arbitration trial.
- Real Estate Development Dispute: Secured a complete defense verdict for a real estate developer in a $1.1 million dispute via summary judgment in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, prevailing on all counts and recovering attorney’s fees.
- Lease Dispute and Fraud: Won a $2.2 million judgment in a complex lease dispute and fraud case, including a civil theft claim, against multiple defendants in Miami-Dade Circuit Court.
- Lis Pendens Removal: Cleared title and secured a $9.7 million property sale by successfully removing a wrongfully recorded Notice of Lis Pendens after multiple evidentiary hearings in Hillsborough County Circuit Court.
- Investor Fraud Defense: Achieved summary judgment and a complete defense verdict against $1.7 million in investor fraud and unjust enrichment claims in Hillsborough County Circuit Court.
- Arbitration Trial (Real Estate): Defended against $1.5 million in claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract, securing a defense verdict and recovering attorney’s fees after a two-week arbitration trial.
Areas of Expertise
- Landlord/Tenant Disputes
- Commercial Evictions and Foreclosures
- Real Estate Escrow Deposit Disputes
- Quiet Title Actions
- Declaratory Judgments
- Property Boundary and Easement Litigation
- Land Use and Zoning Disputes
- Fraud and Deceptive Trade Claims
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Shareholder Litigation
- Construction Law
Education
- University of Florida Levin College of Law – J.D., cum laude
- Wesleyan University – B.A.