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Direct: (206) 838-7553 
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Personal Narrative

Since retiring from his career as a judge advocate on active duty in the Coast Guard in 2005, Chris has developed a broad litigation practice in the areas of maritime law, commercial defense, subrogation, and complex litigation. He is experienced in working with experts in many disciplines. He is frequently called upon to conduct post-injury or post-casualty analysis and begins advising clients long before litigation is initiated. He has practiced in both Federal and State courts in Washington, Oregon and Alaska and State courts in Idaho.

Representative Matters

• Represented vessel and facility owners defending against claims arising from serious personal injuries (including TBI, head, back, knee, and shoulder injuries) and deaths;

• Represented the State of Alaska and Alaska Marine Highway System in multiple cases involving claims of personal injury and property damage;

• Represented a vessel shipyard seeking advice regarding the application of federal regulations;
• Represented a municipality involved in a vessel construction dispute;

• Represented multiple insurers in a subrogation action against a marine engine manufacturer and repair facility;

• Represented an insurer and yacht owner in a subrogation action against a rigging company arising from a demasting at sea;

• Represented a yacht builder defending a claim for negligent installation of an engine exhaust system;

• Represented a business owner in defending against a claim of personal injury arising from alleged water damage and mold contamination in a commercial building;

• Represented a vessel owner involved in a high speed collision against injury and property damage claims;

• In previous position, represented a federal agency in administrative actions before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Merit Systems Protection Board;

• In previous position, represented U.S. Coast Guard Academy in defending three environmental whistleblower claims before the Office of Administrative Law Judges, Department of Labor;

• In previous position, represented the United States in prosecuting multiple claims in Federal District Courts for recovery of pollution removal costs under the provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990;

• In previous position, represented the United States in defending against a claim of negligence during the rescue of a diver with decompression sickness.

Education

U.S. Coast Guard Academy, B.S. in Civil Engineering, with High Honors, 1985
University of Washington School of Law, J.D., with Honors, 1995

Professional Experience

Trial Counsel, U.S. Navy Trial Service Office, 1996 – 1997
Staff Attorney, U.S. Coast Guard, 1995, 1997 – 1999
Senior Appellate Government Counsel, U.S. Coast Guard, 1999 – 2001
Staff Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice (Aviation & Admiralty), 2001 – 2003
Staff Judge Advocate, 17th Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast Guard, 2003 – 2005
Special Courts-Martial Judge, U.S. Coast Guard, 2003-2005
Nicoll Black & Feig, 2005 – present

Associations

Washington State Bar Association
Alaska Bar Association
Oregon Bar Association
Maritime Law Association (Proctor)
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
Marine Insurance Association of Seattle

Bar Memberships

Washington
Alaska
Oregon
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (among others)
U.S. Court of Appeal for Ninth Circuit (among others)
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. Supreme Court