Christopher Richard Pieper

Christopher R. (“Chris”) Pieper is a member of the law firm Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, LC. Pieper recently returned to private practice following his service at the highest levels of state government, including directing the Missouri Department of Economic Development and most recently as Chief of Staff to the Governor. Pieper's practice focuses primarily on government, economic development, real estate, administrative law, environmental law, litigation and regulatory compliance. Pieper began his legal career in private practice at a large St. Louis law firm before being recruited to join the incoming administration of Governor Jay Nixon in 2009. Pieper's initial appointment in state government was as the Legislative Director for the Missouri Department of Revenue, serving as a registered lobbyist developing, monitoring and promoting passage of legislation related to sales tax, corporate and personal income tax, property tax, driver licensing, and vehicle registration. Pieper was also appointed as Special Assistant Attorney General, representing the State of Missouri in matters involving state taxation and licensing in state court and before the Administrative Hearing Commission. Pieper was subsequently appointed Deputy General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and as Trustee for the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (PSTIF), one of the largest insurers of storage tank liability in the country. Pieper was appointed as General Counsel and ultimately to direct the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED), a cabinet-level agency with a staff of more than 900 and overall budget and programs totaling more than $1 billion. As director, Pieper oversaw programs related to job creation and capital investment, real estate development, workforce development, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship and innovation, community development, and tourism. As director, Pieper served as a member the Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB), the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), the Missouri Workforce Investment Board, the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission, the Missouri Partnership Board, and the Hawthorn Foundation Board of Directors. As General Counsel of DED, Pieper served as the agency's chief legal officer, managing all legal affairs and providing strategic and legal counsel on a wide array of issues related to economic development and governmental operations. Pieper supervised all agency legal staff, directed outside litigation counsel, and represented the department in matters before the Administrative Hearing Commission and Personnel Advisory Board. Pieper developed and drafted policies, rules and legislation, including the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act, which helped to revitalize Missouri's automotive industry, and Missouri Works, comprehensive legislation to streamline Missouri's business incentives and workforce training programs. Pieper also provided legal and strategic counsel to the Missouri Technology Corporation, a public-private partnership fostering new and emerging high-tech companies in Missouri. During his time with DED, Pieper gained unique expertise with state and federal economic development programs, including Historic Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Brownfield Tax Credits, Missouri Works, New Markets Tax Credits, BUILD, Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB) Tax Credits, State Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Private Activity Bonds, Chapter 100, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), along with various local economic development tools, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), Transportation Development Districts (TDDs), Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NIDs), among others.Following his time as DED director, Pieper was appointed Senior Policy Advisor, Counsel, and ultimately Chief of Staff to former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, engaging in all aspects of State government—including a budget of more than $27 billion and 44,000 state employees. As Senior Policy Advisor and Legal Counsel to the Governor, Pieper directed the agency-wide review and analysis of all pending legislation, advised the Governor and communication staff regarding press, speeches, and strategic communication, and identified and vetted candidates for gubernatorial appointments to boards, commissions, the judiciary, and other public office. As Chief of Staff, Pieper served as the Governor's chief advisor and directed operations of the Governor's office, including legislative and legal affairs, budget, appointments to public office, policy development and implementation, scheduling, and media relations and communications.A native of O'Fallon, Missouri, Pieper resides in Columbia, Missouri. He graduated with dual degrees, magna cum laude, from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and was a news reporter and editor for Pulitzer Publishing before attending law school. He graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Law and was a member of the Order of the Coif and Lead Articles Editor for the Missouri Law Review. During law school, Pieper served as a law clerk for the Hon. Ronnie L. White, Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, now U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. Following law school, Pieper served as a law clerk to the Hon. John R. Gibson, Senior Circuit Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Pieper has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the “Up and Coming Lawyer” Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly in 2012, the Guy Thompson S. Award for Best Casenote, James S. Rollins Award, West Publishing Award for Excellence in Legal Scholarship, the Sidney Faber Award, Joe E. Covington Award, and John D. Lawson Award. Pieper was also appointed to the board of the Missouri State Council on the Arts, also known at the Missouri Arts Council (MAC).