Overview

Representing companies that range between 30 and 3,000 employees, Chris seeks outside the box solutions to contentious disputes between his employer clients and their current and former employees. Whether it is resolving an employment dispute, or a contract claim with a vendor, he provides aggressive but sensible advocacy. Chris also defends and prosecutes trademark infringement claims in Ohio and Michigan Federal Courts.

In the quickly evolving world of life sciences, Chris counsels corporate and individual clients, serving as general counsel to both public and private health entities. He is currently general counsel for a research and development company pioneering revolutionary cancer drug treatment. 

Representative Cases

• Green Thumb Industries Arkansas LLC v. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration et al., 60CV-20-3981, in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas (successfully secured TRO for GTI Arkansas against competing cannabis company's application for a medical marijuana dispensary license). "Green Thumb Wins TRO in Arkansas Dispensary License Fight," Law360 (July 24, 2020)
• Through court intervention, Chris prevailed in the successful resolution of a 500 million dollar international business divorce (Feb. 2020)
• Yogen Saunthararajah v. Santhosh Vadivelu, et al., Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CV-18-898044 (represented the plaintiff-physician in a complex lawsuit involving claims of fraud, breach of contract, patent infringement and injunctive relief over plaintiff’s ownership of the company in dispute and his control of incredibly valuable intellectual property rights in the biotechnology field, resulting in favorable settlement for client)  

• James F. O’Donnell vs. Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc., Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas CV-17-881337 (successfully obtained a 7 figure jury award in a Plaintiff Age Discrimination case)

• W. 6 Restaurant Group Ltd., et al., v. Bengtson et al. (Lead Counsel in Plaintiff’s defamation and slander case filed in Federal Court resulting in a substantial award to the Plaintiff)

• Successfully obtained a dismissal of an Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit filed against Tanger Factory Outlet Center, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the West District of Michigan. Saar v. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., W.D. Mich. No. 1:17-cv-41, 2018 WL 387962 (Jan. 12, 2018)
• Mannion v. Lake Hospital System, Inc., et al., Lake County Court of Common Pleas No. 14CV001952 (Feb. 6, 2018) (after a five-day jury trial, obtained directed verdict on Plaintiff's claim for age discrimination as well as dismissal of plaintiff's amended complaint with prejudice  as an inherent-authority sanction for plaintiff's counsel's conduct during trial)
• Lead counsel on $40M antitrust involving large insurer and numerous hospital systems
• Immormino, et al. v. Lake Hospital System, Inc., N.D. Ohio Case No. 1:13-cv-1818-CAB (successfully defended two Plaintiff Age Discrimination (State and Federal claims) in federal court. All state and federal age claims, including disparate treatment claims, dismissed with prejudice by federal court judge.) (August 2015)
• McClusky v. Lake Hospital System, Inc., No. 1:14-cv-00519-KSM, U.S. District Court, N.D. Ohio (successfully defended Lake Health System in a retaliation/gender discrimination claim. The three day jury trial was heard in the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division)(Attys’ Fees Sanctions Denied in Hospital Retaliation Row)
• Porter v. Lake Hospital System, Inc., Case No. 2013 CV 00067 (successfully defended Lake Hospital System to a jury concerning numerous allegations by a former clinician. HIPPA issues interacting with issues involving the former employee’s termination were the center of this jury trial)
• Ron Satija v. Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio, et al., Case No.  1:13-cv-00082 (N.D. Ohio 2014) (retained as special counsel to bankruptcy trustee in copyright infringement lawsuit involving “the General” cartoon character resulting in a positive result for the client)
• Permanent General Assurance Corporation of Ohio v. David Mowder, Case No. 3:12-cv-5018 (N.D. Tex. 2013) (successful defense of client in declaratory judgment suit regarding parties’ intellectual property rights)
• Plastic Process Equipment, Inc. v. IMS Company, et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-338 (N.D. Ohio 2014) (resolved trademark infringement, unfair competition, and related claims resulting in favorable settlement for client). Attention to patent infringement related issues
• IMS Company v. Plastic Process Equipment, Inc., Cancellation No. 92/056,625 (TTAB 2014) (successfully obtained dismissal of cancellation proceeding challenging client’s federal trademark)
• OIG/DOJ investigation and defense of physicians involving Robinson Memorial Health System fraud and abuse complaint

Courts & Bar Associations

• Ohio State Bar Association
• Akron Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Akron Law Library Association
• Trial Attorneys of America Association

Professional Honors & Awards

• Pathway to Independence (PTI), Stow, Ohio, Board Member
• Akron Young Professionals Association
• Ohio University Alumni Association
• Cleveland Judicial Forum Invitee
• Akron Bar Association Mentor Program, Member
• Italian American Professional Business Club Member
• Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Mentor Program (Health Law)
• OSBA Corporate Counsel Participant

Presentations & Publications

• "Unions in the Healthcare Industry: How to Legally Address Unionization in the Healthcare Industry, and What Are an Employer's Rights and Recourses" (February 2021)
• Sexual Harassment Training presentation for multiple healthcare providers, including local FQHC's and regional health systems (November 2017 - February 2018)
• “FMLA Rule Change Takes Effect March 27th,” Akron Legal News March 2015 issue (A 031015 Complete)
• Presentation to PAHCOM Health members regarding important employment concerns for employers in health facilities (July 2010)
• Presentation to the Ohio Nursing Association on protecting your IP and reputation (2012)