Chris is Co-Partner-in-Charge of our Providence, Rhode Island office and serves as co-chair to the Firm's Business Law Department. Chris advises business clients of all types, although he invests much of his time on matters involving private equity. He counsels start-up enterprises and assists in their capital formation, represents emerging companies and private equity investors in different rounds of equity financing, and negotiates acquisitions, dispositions and management buyouts for corporate buyers and sellers, private equity funds and management teams. He frequently represents borrowers in financing transactions, including highly-leveraged financings that are integral parts of private equity buyouts. His clients include four private equity funds, a Fortune 500 company, an international conglomerate with US operations, several manufacturing companies and numerous university-based start-ups. Chris's work in private equity provides him with a unique understanding of the concerns of each party involved in a typical transaction and a considerable network of personal contacts so that he is well-suited to assist clients in planning and implementing strategies, as well as anticipating issues and crafting creative and cost-effective solutions. In addition, Chris enjoys an active general corporate practice with background in secured lending, municipal finance and precious metal financings. He is general counsel to many closely-held businesses, as well as to businesses acquired by his private equity clients, handling issues ranging from employment matters to commercial contract disputes. He also serves as counsel to several non-profits. Chris has been listed in the Corporate, Financial Institutions Law and Banking Law sections of The Best Lawyers in America for more than 10 years and in the Rhode Island Corporate/M&A Section of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Chris has also been included in the Rhode Island Super Lawyers listing since 2007 by Thomson Reuters. Notable Experience · Chris helped an international specialty materials conglomerate acquire and dispose of several business units with domestic and overseas operations. · Private equity funds have turned to Chris in numerous management buyouts, dispositions, recaps and debt financings of cable and broadcast television operations and manufacturing and service businesses throughout the United States. · Chris represented the specialty pharmacy subsidiary of a large retail drug store chain in over 25 acquisitions of retail and mail order pharmacy operations. · He has represented a Fortune 500 company in strategic venture investments. · Venture-backed clients have sought Chris's counsel and judgment in acquisitions, equity and debt financings and general corporate and commercial law matters. · Chris is representing several entrepreneurs in the formation, development and implementation of their business plans and the formation of their companies' capital. · He is currently advising family-owned manufacturing and service businesses in debt refinancings, employment-related matters, shareholder issues and commercial disputes. · Chris represented an equipment leasing company in the negotiation of its multimillion-dollar contract to supply temporary heating units to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications · Moderator, Clean and Sustainable Energy: Emerging Technologies and Opportunities Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, February 8, 2007. · As the Firm's representative in the Brown Enterprise Forum, Chris is a frequent moderator and host of its monthly session. · Chris was one of the co-founders of Rhode Island's annual Venture Capital Investment Forum and has assisted in the planning of yearly forums. · Chris has also acted as a judge for the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition. News & Publications January 30, 2012, Edwards Wildman Inks 11-Year Extension to Lease at One Financial Plaza
Established in 1894, growing law firm continues core commitment to Providence business community June 21, 2011, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Recognized by Chambers USA in 17 Categories May 11, 2011, Team Led by Chris Graham Authors New Guide to Business Formation in Rhode Island October 7, 2010, EAPD Attorneys Selected For Inclusion in Super Lawyers 2010 August 10, 2010, Sixty EAPD Attorneys Recognized by the Best Lawyers in America June 23, 2010, Chambers and Partners Recognizes EAPD in Nineteen Areas November 6, 2009, EAPD Attorneys Selected For Inclusion in Super Lawyers 2009 September 1, 2009, 62 EAPD Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers in America 2010 June 12, 2009, Chambers and Partners Recognizes Firm in Nineteen Areas February 4, 2009, 57 EAPD Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers in America 2009 October 30, 2008, EAPD Attorneys Named Super Lawyers 2008 June 13, 2008, Chambers and Partners Recognizes Firm in Twenty Areas November 21, 2007, EAPD Honored by the Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals October 30, 2007, EAPD Attorneys Named Super Lawyers 2007 October 10, 2007, 57 EAPD Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers in America 2008 June 18, 2007, Chambers and Partners Recognizes Firm in Twenty Areas September 5, 2006, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Attorneys Recognized as "Best Lawyers in America" June 7, 2006, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Recognized By Chambers USA May 25, 2005, Edwards & Angell Lawyers Identified as Leading Lawyers in their Practice Areas June 1, 2004, Edwards & Angell, LLP Recognized As A Top Law Firm By Leading Legal Publisher Chambers & Partners
Chambers & Partners Besides Edwards Wildman Chris is an avid fisherman and boater, a fledgling golfer, a sometimes soccer coach and a late blooming, but enthusiastic, skier. He is active in the work of Newman Congregational Church, currently serving as Moderator and previously as a Trustee. He has served on the Board and Executive Committee of Junior Achievement of Rhode Island since 1984, including a term as Chairman. Chris is also an active advisor to Slater Technology Fund, a state-sponsored seed investor in Rhode Island technology companies. Events April 28, 2011 , Top 10 Entrepreneurial Mistakes
Rhode Island Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship January 24, 2008, Providence, RI, Top Ten Mistakes Made by Entrepreneurs February 8, 2007, Providence, RI, Clean and Sustainable Energy: Emerging Technologies and Opportunities Industries · Energy, Infrastructure & Cleantech · Tax-Exempt Organizations · Cable · Broadcasting · Telecommunications · Healthcare · Wireless & Satellite · Life Sciences Memberships · Rhode Island Bar Association (Co-Partner-in-Charge, Rhode Island Office) |