Chris' areas of focus include:

§        Tax exempt finance, acting as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel and borrower's counsel

§        Affordable housing, including mixed finance developments

§        Securities law, including advising clients with respect to public offerings, private placements and compliance with federal and state securities laws and regulations

Bar Admissions

• Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania in 1988

Education

• J.D. (cum laude, Order of the Coif, Member, Law Review) University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1988
• B.A. (Departmental Honors in English Language and Literature) University of Chicago, 1985

Representative Matters

• Represented Housing Authorities in HOPE VI/Mixed Finance revitalization projects
• Represented the buyer in acquisition of assets of a division of a public held company. Drafted and negotiated purchase agreement and related documents and advised client regarding various issues relating to deed structure and security arrangements for deferred payments.
• Represented emerging information technology company in its initial public offering. Drafted registration statement and investor disclosure documents, drafted and negotiated corporate resolutions, benefit plans and agreements and other contracts. Provided advice regarding securities law issues relating to the offering.
• Acted as bond counsel to county housing authority in a $20 million tax-exempt financing. Drafted financing documents and assisted in providing related tax and securities advice to issuer. Drafted and negotiated mortgage loan servicing and origination agreement and related documents.
• Acted as bond counsel to state agency in a $50 million tax-exempt variable rate financing. Drafted documents relating to issuance of the tax-exempt bonds and negotiated provisions with credit enhancement provider and rating agencies. Advised issuer regarding changes to trust indenture governing outstanding tax-exempt bonds.

Memberships

• Member, Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers, 1994 to present
• Member, National Association of Housing & Redevelopment organizations
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1980 to present
• Member, Allegheny County Bar Association, 1988 to present

Publications

• Author, SEC Regulations Invade the World of Municipal Bonds, Pittsburgh Business Times (December 4, 1995)
• Author, SEC Rules Disclosures Needed on Municipal Bond Issuers, Pennsylvanian (August 1995), American City and County (June 1995)