Chris has over 25 years of legal and business experience, having enjoyed a long and distinguished career at one of Southern California’s most prestigious intellectual property law firms, before becoming instrumental in launching a tech company,  and and Orange County based automobile products liability law firm.   Over the years he has represented clients ranging from consumers to entrepreneurs against some of the largest companies in the nation.    He uses his substantial legal and project management experience to oversee the firm’s robust civil litigation and business development matters, ensuring that every case detail is perfectly aligned with the firm’s strategy,  and that the firm's clients receive the  highest quality service possible.

Chris honed his business acumen at UCLA, where he graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  He later obtained a Certification in Internet Technologies from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, and in 2009 earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the Pacific Coast University School of Law.   Believing that giving back is one of the most fulfilling activities in life, he is a volunteer director with the J Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides STEM opportunities through sports to underprivileged children in Los Angeles and Orange County.

CERTIFICATIONS

·       California State Bar, License No. 338849

·       Y Combinator - Start Up School (Credential ID 10739802), Issued June 2017

·       Graduate Plaintiff's Trial Academy, CAALA Class of 2022 (PTA 2022)

ADMISSIONS

Supreme Court of California (and all California Superior Courts)
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California 

MEMBERSHIPS

CAALA
AAJ
OCTLA
LACBA
AIEG

PUBLICATIONS

·       Ebony Magazine, "Thinking Inside the Box", Oct./Nov. 2018 ed. 

·       Maisel, Orton and Henderson, "Breadboard and Electronics Experimentation System", U.S. Patent No. 10,528,694, Issued January 7, 2020. 

·       Maisel, Orton and Henderson, "Breadboard and Electronics Experimentation System", U.S. Patent No. 10,915,687, Issued February 9, 2021. 

·       Daily Journal, "The Car Guys", August 22, 2022 ed. 

RECENT REPRESENTATIVE CASES

-Shelton v. Hyundai Motor America, Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Case No. 19STCV45621, CA 2nd Appellate Dist., Case No. B319440; products liability suit over alleged power window manufacturing defect for failure to stop and reverse when encountered with an object, causing a painful, gruesome and disfiguring injury to Plaintiff’s hand. Successfully obtained reversal of Hyundai’s MSJ in favor of Plaintiff Shelton on his manufacturing defect claim, trial court judgment reversed and remanded in July 2023.

-Ouzounian v. FCA US, LLC, USDC, E.D. Cal., Case No. 2:20-cv-00179-JAM-KJN; products liability suit over allegations of airbag and seatbelt system defects, resulting in moderate TBI for client. Reached confidential settlement in May 2022.

-Rahim M. Hassanally v. General Motors, LLC, AAA Case No. 01-20-0014-3601. Dealer sued for breach of fiduciary duty leading to his ouster from dealership; confidential settlement reached, May 2022.  

-Alan Brudno v. BMW N.A., LLC, et al., Superior Court for Placer County, Case No. Case No. SCV0043.   Driver sued BMW alleging product defects stemming from alleged airbag and steering wheel failures; confidential settlement reached in September 2022.  

-Ann Gill v.  Kia Motors America,  Superior Court for Orange County, Case No.: 30-2021-01178188-CU-PL-CJC.   Owner alleged product defects stemming from failure of car window's stop and reverse feature, causing severe injuries to hand; confidential settlement reached in September 2022.