Chris focuses his practice on strategic planning and tactical implementation of acquisitions; corporate governance and operations; financing and other business transactions for public and private clients whose businesses include banking, grocery wholesaling, real estate, coal mining, and oil and gas.
Chris represents buyers and sellers in connection with the purchase, sale, merger and other varieties of acquisition and disposition of operating businesses and business assets, including due diligence and financial analysis. He also assists with all forms of lending and borrowing transactions, including acquisitions, construction, letters of credit, lines of credit, bond issues, operating loans and workouts.
Chris advises developers and investors in connection with the acquisition, ownership, operation and disposition of real property on matters involving titles, surveys, environmental reports, zoning, condemnation, easements, restrictions and covenants for planned residential and commercial developments, adverse possessions, tax free exchanges, ground leases, insurance, and tax incentives such as Missouri Chapter 100 Bonds and tax increment financing.
In addition, Chris assists producers and investors in connection with shallow and deep well oil and gas transactions operations and disputes, including leasing, exploration, primary and secondary recovery operations, regulatory compliance, unitization, operating agreements, prospect agreements, transportation agreements and joint ventures. He represents producers and investors in connection with shallow coal strip mining transactions, operations and disputes, including leasing, exploration, regulatory compliance, operating agreements, transportation agreements and joint ventures.
Chris works with corporate clients in connection with choice of entity type, formation and venue issues, maintenance and compliance activities, employment and incentive agreements, agreements among principals and securities offerings (private and public).
Chris also assists those in the healthcare field, such as doctors, healthcare providers and healthcare consultants, in connection with the formation and structure of their primary and affiliated businesses, employment agreements, buy-out plans, hospital contracts and in connection with their dealings with third-party payor organizations, including the formation of master groups to increase bargaining strength.
Awards & Recognitions
· The Best Lawyers of America, Real Estate Law, 2011-2012
Professional Associations & Memberships
· Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
· Lawyers Association of Kansas City
· The Missouri Bar
Civic Involvement
· Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City, President, 2005
Experience
· Represented clients in multiple billions of dollars of acquisitions of assets and operating businesses, including a number of structured acquisitions from entities involved in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings
· Represented clients in the closing of more than a billion dollars of conventional and bond financing, including credit-enhanced and tax-incentivized bond issues
News & Publications
News
9.6.11, More Than 100 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012
Publications
4.29.09, Avoid Ambiguity and Uncertainty to Promote Deal Success, Reduce Risk and Avert Litigation