Christopher H. Grigorian is a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP. His practice focuses on federal motor vehicle safety law, antitrust, trade regulation and related litigation.
Mr. Grigorian represents motor vehicle manufacturers and major parts suppliers on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issues, including recalls, defect investigations and related enforcement proceedings, compliance with Federal motor vehicle safety standards, rulemaking proceedings, FOIA and confidentiality matters, and other compliance issues under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, TREAD Act and implementing regulations. He represents a wide range of industry-related companies, including manufacturers of passenger cars and light trucks, heavy-duty trucks, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, lighting, restraint systems, tires, child restraints, electronics, driveline components, brake components, bearings, filtration products, hoses, wheels, emissions and exhaust components, and ride control products. Mr. Grigorian also advises industry associations on motor vehicle safety issues, including representation in rulemaking proceedings and advising association members on compliance issues. In addition, he advises clients on Federal and California emissions certification and compliance. Mr. Grigorian also counsels clients in connection with supplier terms and conditions and other supply chain issues.
Mr. Grigorian also maintains an active antitrust and trade regulation practice. He counsels corporate and trade association clients on issues involving distribution and pricing, relationships with customers, suppliers and competitors, and antitrust issues related to intellectual property licensing. Mr. Grigorian represents clients on the antitrust aspects of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, including advice concerning Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) premerger notification filing and related DOJ/FTC investigations. He also handles disputes involving allegations of price fixing, price discrimination, monopolization, improper dealer terminations, and false advertising, as well as other commercial and business disputes involving a wide array of industries, such as health care and pharmaceuticals, automotive, sports, retail, and publishing.
Prior to joining Foley, Mr. Grigorian was a partner at Arent Fox. He also spent five years as a trial attorney and senior trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, litigating tax cases in federal courts throughout the United States. He received the Tax Division's Outstanding Attorney Award in 1994.
Mr. Grigorian earned his J.D. from the Washington College of Law, American University in 1989. He received his B.B.A. in 1986 from George Washington University.
Mr. Grigorian is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and before the U.S. District Court of Colorado, District of Columbia, District of Maryland, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Fourth and Seventh Circuits.
Publications
· "The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 - A Comparison of House and Senate Auto Safety Bills," (June 24, 2010)
· "Recent Developments in Food and Product Safety Policy Affecting Importers and Foreign Suppliers," (October 14, 2009)
· "Plastech-Chrysler Dispute Illustrates Challenges for Suppliers to Recover Tooling," (March 24, 2008)
· "Foreign Tire Sales, Inc.'s Recall of Imported Tires: Lessons for Parts Importers Regarding NHTSA and Product Liability Responsibility," (July 7, 2007)
· "Recent Michigan Cases Question Enforceability of Supply Contracts," (July 14, 2005)
· "Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act," (September 23, 2003)
· "Federal Trade Commission Issues Guidelines for Merger Investigations," (December 26, 2002)
· "Recent Settlement for Violations of HSR Waiting Period Illustrates Importance of Maintaining Independence Until Mergers are Approved," (May 23, 2002)
· Co-author, "How Exempt Organizations Can Avoid Unrelated Debt-Financed Income on Realty," 6 J. Tax'n Investments 286 (1989)