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Practice Focus
Chris has successfully handled cases involving trade secrets related to: software and software applications; the alleged misuse of company proprietary information and predatory employee hiring; trademark and trade dress infringement in connection with the look and feel of graphical user interfaces and consumer product packaging; and numerous other business, employee and employment related disputes.
In addition, he frequently writes and speaks on the protection of intellectual property and the enforcement of employee non-competition and confidentiality agreements. He also is active in shareholder and partnership disputes and commercial disputes and legislation.
He has represented clients in litigation in New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Illinois, California, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts. From 1988 to 1989, Chris was law clerk to Judge Richard J. Cardamone of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and, thereafter, was an associate at the firm of White & Case in New York City. He has practiced with Sheehan Phinney since 1991.
- Cole and Sheehan associate Karyl Martin obtained summary judgment in the Massachusetts Federal District Court in favor of their client, in an action in which the client's former General Counsel sued alleging that the company had failed to pay over $1,500,000 in severance benefits. Bukuras v. Mueller Group, LLC, 2008 WL 3978210 (D. Ma. 2008). The judgment was affirmed after briefing and argument, the judgment was affirmed on appeal by the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Bukuras v. Mueller Group, LLC, __ F.3d __ (1st Cir. 2010), 2010 WL 175085, C.A.1 (Mass.), January 20, 2010.
- The NH Supreme Court affirmed a judgment in favor of two mortgage companies and their principals, who were accused of trade secret misappropriation and misuse of supposed confidential information by a former employer. The court also reversed a very substantial post-trial award of monetary sanctions against Sheehan’s clients.
- Cole and Sheehan associate Karyl Martin obtained summary judgment in the Massachusetts Federal District Court in favor of their client, in an action in which the client's former General Counsel sued alleging that the company had failed to pay over $1,500,000 in severance benefits. Bukuras v. Mueller Group, LLC, 2008 WL 3978210 (D. Ma. 2008). The judgment was affirmed after briefing and argument, the judgment was affirmed on appeal by the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Bukuras v. Mueller Group, LLC, __ F.3d __ (1st Cir. 2010), 2010 WL 175085, C.A.1 (Mass.), January 20, 2010.
- The NH Supreme Court affirmed a judgment in favor of two mortgage companies and their principals, who were accused of trade secret misappropriation and misuse of supposed confidential information by a former employer. The court also reversed a very substantial post-trial award of monetary sanctions against Sheehan’s clients.
- In a recent case alleging, among many other claims, the misappropriation of trade secrets, Chris and partner Bob Lucic first convinced the Court to dismiss six other common law and statutory claims against our clients. After a six-day jury trial, Chris and Bob received a defendants’ verdict from the jury, which found that the our opponent had not proved the existence of a trade secret under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
- Successfully defended founders, key employees and a publicly-traded software company in the defense of $1 billion trade secret, breach of fiduciary duty and contract claims in Chicago.
- Represented a condominium developer in connection with an allegation by an adjoining landowner that certain easements crucial to development of the property were invalid. He obtained summary judgment on behalf of our client, a result confirmed by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in Cricklewood on the Bellamy Condominium Association v. Bellamy River Village LLC, 147 N.H. 733 (2002).
- With Sheehan partner Bob Lucic, obtained summary judgment in favor of our client in a case alleging improper interference with a multi-million dollar contract relating to the transfer and sale of natural gas and the misappropriation of trade secrets.
- Obtained summary judgment on numerous counts on behalf of a major credit card processing company in a case in which two former employees had alleged breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation. The case was favorably resolved prior to trial.
- Successfully represented a major petroleum distributor in an action alleging violations of the federal Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA), defeating the complaining dealer’s petition for a preliminary injunction, obtaining the dismissal of the PMPA allegations and obtaining a favorable resolution prior to any formal discovery in the case.
- As appellate counsel, obtained an order reversing a local planning authority’s attempt to limit a landowner’s commercial use of property as a summer camp due to the complaints of neighbors about the camp’s increased enrollment.
- With Sheehan partner Peter Cowan, secured an order from the federal district court which held that a multi-million dollar agreement between a developer and a municipality was invalid, a result confirmed by both the New Hampshire Supreme Court, City of Portsmouth v. Schlesinger, 140 N.H. 733 (1996), and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, City of Portsmouth v. Schlesinger, 57 F.3d 12 (1st Cir. 1995). Chris argued the case on appeal before both the New Hampshire Supreme Court and the First Circuit Court.
- With Sheehan partner David McGrath, obtained a jury verdict on behalf of a municipality accused of breaching a promise of employment to the plaintiff, who had alleged that her supervisor had promised her a full-time position. The jury determined that the supervisor did not have the authority to promise the plaintiff such a position.
Education
B.A., summa cum laude, (Phi Beta Kappa), University of New Hampshire
J.D., summa cum laude, Syracuse University College of Law
Honors
Chris was recognized by his peers in a poll conducted by the New Hampshire Bar Association and published in New Hampshire Magazine (2003) in the “Smartest Lawyer I Know” category. He was also named a New England Super Lawyer in the area of business litigation and is listed in Chambers USA in the area of commercial litigation. Chris was named a “Best Lawyer in America” by Woodward/White in the area of commercial litigation.
Memberships and Admissions
Chris is admitted to practice in New Hampshire and New York. He is a member of the New York, New Hampshire and American Bar Associations, as well as of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, The U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; and the U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire.
Community Involvement
Chris is a a 2007 graduate of Leadership New Hampshire, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Kids Voting New Hampshire, an organization dedicated to the development of political awareness and appreciation of voting rights among children in grades K through 12. Chris is a member of the Hearings Committee for the New Hampshire Bar Professional Conduct Committee, and is on the Board of Trustees for the South Church of Portsmouth.
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Practice Areas
Business Litigation
Intellectual Property and Technology
Zoning, Planning and Land Use
Entertainment, Media and Publishing
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