Christopher B. McMahon

Christopher B. McMahon: Attorney with Sullivan, Ward, Patton, Gleeson & Felty, P.C.
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Christopher B. McMahon is a Partner, Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He is a trial attorney with 25 years of experience handling complex design, construction, process and management claims in the construction, utility, power, energy, oil and gas industries. His practice is diverse as he also devotes his practice to defending resorts and companies involved in the outdoor recreation and ski industry, as well as personal injury claims and insurance agent error and omission and legal and accounting malpractice disputes.

Christopher’s practice involves all facets of litigation and commercial transactional matters. He represents professionals in construction liability matters, including architects, engineers, contractors and owners. He prepares and actively negotiates front-end project contracts and handles claims concerning defective workmanship, professional malpractice, lien foreclosure, schedule/delay, product liability and personal injury. He litigates matters involving the full spectrum of infrastructure, including structural, civil, mechanical and electrical design and construction issues involving public and private commercial structures, casinos, resorts, hospitals, airports, power plants, utilities, oil and gas pipelines and facilities, bridges, religious institutions, stadiums, residential homes and condominiums.

Among Christopher’s clients are Fortune 500 companies, nationally recognized engineering and architectural firms, owners, contractors, utility companies, and transportation companies. He speaks frequently at legal and industry conferences and has written numerous articles for legal, trade and industry publications. Christopher is a member of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys; the State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Law Section - Construction Committee; the American Bar Association, Construction Industry Forum, and the Michigan Defense Trial Lawyers Association.

Frequently recognized for legal excellence, Christopher has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.) from 2012 through 2023 in the fields of Construction Law, Litigation and Construction and Personal Injury Litigation, Defendants. He also has been awarded the ranking of Michigan “Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters each year from 2007 through 2023. He has also earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given by attorneys to attorneys, recognizing that Christopher has achieved preeminent status demonstrating the highest levels of skill and integrity.

Christopher is admitted, licensed and practices law in the states of Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and Washington D.C.

News & Insights

• CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SEVENTEEN SULLIVAN, WARD, PATTON, GLEESON & FELTY ATTORNEYS THAT ARE LISTED IN THE LEADING LAWYERS MAGAZINE, MICHIGAN EDITION
July 2024

•SULLIVAN WARD ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Partners Christopher McMahon, Todd McConaghy Elected
December 1, 2023

•Six (6) Sullivan, Ward, Patton, Gleeson & Felty, P.C. Lawyers Named to 2022 Best Lawyers List
November 5, 2021

•EIGHT SULLIVAN, WARD, ASHER & PATTON, P.C. LAWYERS RECOGNIZED IN THE 2019 EDITION OF THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA
Southfield MI
August 15, 2018

•EIGHT SULLIVAN, WARD, ASHER & PATTON, P.C. LAWYERS RECOGNIZED IN THE 2018 EDITION OF THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA
Southfield, Ml, USA -November, 2017

•9 SULLIVAN, WARD, ASHER & PATTON, P.C. ATTORNEYS LISTED IN LEADING LAWYERS

• Certifying Application for Payment: A Potential Risk to Design Professionals
AE Risk Review, August 2008

• Truck Companies and Driver Training: Quality Sometimes Trumps Quantity

• Changing the Statute of Limitations

CAM Magazine, Vol. 27, No. 6, 2006

• Indemnification within the Construction Setting

NBI, 2003

• MI Construction Defect & Mold Litigation

NBI, 2003

See more ›

Areas of Practice (3)

  • Automobile, Trucking, PIP Liability, Slip & Fall, Etc
  • Product Liability Defense
  • Professional Liability Defense

Education & Credentials

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 222, Southfield, MI 48034
University Attended:
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, B.B.A, 1993; Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, with honors, 1993; Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids, MI, M.B.A., 1994 Post Baccalaureate Studies
Law School Attended:
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Detroit, MI, J.D., with honors, 1997
Year of First Admission:
1997
Admission:
1997, Michigan; 2005, Maryland; 2006, District of Columbia; 2008, Illinois; 1998, U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan; 1999, U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan; 2008, U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois; 2010, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
Memberships:

Professional & Community Affiliations

•Michigan Bar Association
•Oakland County Bar Association
•Maryland Bar Association
•Illinois Bar Association
•District of Columbia Bar Association
•American Bar Association
•Construction Industry Forum
•Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
•Defense Research Institute
•Construction Association of Michigan

Reported Cases:
Representative Matters: Successfully represented the owner of a large coal burning steam turbine energy plant in a recent multimillion dollar contractual dispute that arose from extensive damage that occurred as a result of work performed during a major outage on a turbine overhaul project in Michigan. The litigation involved claims which dealt with highly technical aspects of steam generation, design, construction, start-up, and repairs of components at the various stages within the turbine unit.; Defended an engineering firm involved in the design of a large addition to an existing natural gas-fired, combined-cycle, cogeneration facility. This dispute involved myriad claims which allegedly caused extensive cost overruns and scheduling delays on a fast track project. The matter involved disputes over critical path activities, the impact of project scope creep, and the interrelationship between the design and construction of the project.; Successfully defended a client in a matter in which the damages claimed were in excess of $20,000,000 attributable to a rupture or leak of a storage container housing liquid asphalt based products. The loss of the liquid asphalt was followed by a massive explosion and fire that occurred during efforts to recover the petroleum based product. This complex litigation matter involved more than one piece of litigation and numerous parties. Our involvement includes the representation of an insurance agent who provided insurance coverage to the owner of the facility, and involves allegations and claims concerning the type, level, and quantity of insurance coverage available under various policies, the interpretation and analysis of various contractual agreements and insurance policies.; Gained a dismissal for a highway construction contractor involved in a significant personal injury litigation matter arising from a motorcycle accident in a construction zone. Christopher gained dismissal of his client from this matter that was tried with a verdict in the millions of dollars.
ISLN:
912592778

Peer Reviews

4.8/5.0 (12 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.8/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.8/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.8/5.0

  • Communication

    4.8/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.8/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Principal on 12/22/16 in Professional Liability Defense

    I have had the pleasure to work with Chris on multiple matters, some of which involved clients in common. He is knowledgeable, experienced, and honorable. Chris is a straight shooter upon whom you can depend and is a credit to our profession.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/22/16 in Professional Liability Defense

    Chris McMahon is one of the best attorneys that I know. He is also one of the most ethical and decent lawyers out there. He is highly recommended to all.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a General Counsel on 12/30/16 in Professional Liability Defense

    A very capable lawyer who knows his craft.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 12/30/16 in Professional Liability Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/29/16 in Construction Law

    In my experience with Chris, he has demonstrated to be a very knowledgeable construction lawyer who offers both technical and practical understanding and application to his advice.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Associate on 12/22/16 in Professional Liability Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/22/16 in Professional Liability Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/22/16 in Professional Liability Defense

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/22/16 in Professional Liability Defense

    A true gentleman and a credit to the profession,

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  • 4.6/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 12/27/16 in Personal Injury Defense

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Christopher B. McMahon

Contact Information:

248-746-2760  Fax

www.swappc.com

www.sullivanwardlaw.com

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