Chris Wright’s practice focuses on solving construction law and commercial disputes for clients throughout the United States. He recognizes that litigation is a burden and it is certainly not what companies envision when they start projects or enter into contracts. When not properly managed, litigation can distract clients from running their business and enjoying their time away from work. Chris’s top priority is to ease the burden of litigation by making his clients’ problems his own. For more than 20 years, he has obtained winning results for clients in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Alaska, Florida, Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia and overseas. When a client has a problem it is Chris’s goal to help solve it – no matter where their business or project is.
Chris is a litigator who understands that the best results for his clients often occur outside the courthouse or hearing room. Whether that involves solving a problem before litigation is necessary, obtaining a successful result through mediation, or making a trial as smooth as possible, Chris’s goal is the same: free his clients to focus on their business instead of worrying about litigation issues.
Throughout his career, Chris has helped resolve problems for clients involving a wide range of disputes on federal, state and private projects involving all types of construction projects. He prioritizes the tasks involved with litigation, works with his clients to find the most cost-effective solution and develop a plan that delivers the best possible result. Not only has this method allowed Chris to hone his litigation skills, but it has proven to him that results are measured in many different ways – all from the perspective of the client.
In addition to his active practice, Chris is a frequent lecturer on construction-related topics including: construction lien law, scheduling, payment, AIA and Consensus DOCS, and a variety of other construction law issues in both the United States and abroad. He served as the editor for the Associated General Contractors of Washington’s Lien and Bond Claims Handbook and authored the chapter on public works liens and public works bonds. authored the chapter on public works liens and public works bonds. Chris also served as the Vice Chairman of the International Construction Projects Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association for two years. Since 2019, Chris has been a member of the Construction Panel of the American Arbitration Association.
Honors and Recognitions
- Washington Super Lawyers: 2011 – 2021
- Best Lawyers in America: 2020- 2022
- Washington Law & Politics Magazine, Rising Star: 2003 – 2009
Education
- University of Washington Law School, J.D., 1996
- Order of the Barristers
- University of California, Riverside, B.A., Political Science, 1993, cum laude
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Washington
- State of Oregon
- State of Idaho
- State of Alaska
- Washington State Courts
- U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Oregon State Courts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- Idaho State Courts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
- Alaska State Courts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Court Admissions
Washington State Courts
- U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
- United State Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Oregon State Courts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Idaho State Courts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
Alaska State Courts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Professional Associations
- Washington State Bar Association
- Oregon State Bar Association
- Idaho State Bar Association
- Alaska State Bar Association
- American Arbitration Association
- International Pacific Bar Association
- Construction Lawyers Society of America – Fellow
- Associated Building Contractors
- Associated General Contractors
Publications and Presentations
- Speaker: “What a General Contractor Should Do When Hit With a Massive Claim Alleging Defective Construction,” Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2018.
- Speaker: “Expectations of In-House Counsel for Outside Counsel on Litigation Matters: What Do They Really Want and Why.” Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2017
- Speaker: “How to Maximize the Benefits of Arbitration and Achieve Positive Results from the Process.” Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2016.
- Speaker: “Time Related Claims and Concurrent Delay,” International Pacific Bar, Kuala Lumpur, May 2016.
- Speaker: “New Trends in International Contracting for Global Contracts: Design-Build and Design-Build-Operate,” SEFI and GcilA, Paris, France, April 2015.
- Speaker: “The USA Experience: Prompt Payment Legislation,” Canadian Construction Association, British Columbia, May 2015; Toronto, September 2015.
- Speaker: “The Role of Insurance from Project Commencement to Completion on Complex Commercial and Public Projects,” Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2014.
- Speaker: “Concentrated Course in Construction Contracts,” Thomson Reuters/West, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2014.
- Author: “Top Ten (Actually 13) Things Foreign Contractors Need To Know Before Operating In The U.S.,” Inter-Pacific Bar Association Journal.
- Author: “Seven Shades of Grey: Necessary Due Diligence for an International Company Purchasing a US Construction Company,” Inter-Pacific Bar Association Journal, December 2013.
- Panelist: “Lessons Learned from the Largest Engineering Malpractice Case Ever Tried to a Jury: C.W. “Bill” Young Regional Reservoir,” Construction SuperConference, San Francisco, California, December 2013.
- Speaker: “Changes and Claims Clauses,” Lorman, June 2013.
- Speaker: “Federal Contracting – Small Business Programs,” Oregon Society of CPAs, May 2013.
- Panelist: “Strategic Alliances for Success,” Construction SuperConference, San Francisco, California, December 2011.
- Speaker: “Construction Lien Law,” Lorman, March 2010; July 2014
- Speaker: “You Say My Contractor’s Insurance Covers What?” Construction SuperConference, 2009.
- Speaker: “Termination Do’s & Don’ts,” Construction Law Forum, 2009.
- Speaker: “Handling Changes to Job Site Conditions,” “Tackling Contract Performance Delays,” and “Understanding Your Payment Settlement Options,” Washington Construction Law: What Do You Do When, 2007.
- Speaker: “Understanding General Conditions and Contract Provisions,” Washington Construction Law, 2003 and 2005.
- Speaker: “In the Wake of Mike M. Johnson: Notice and Dispute Resolution,” Advanced Construction Law in Washington, 2004.
- Author: “Is a GC/CM responsible for design defects?” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2005.
- Author: “3 Ways to Make Sure You Get Paid,” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2003.
- Author: “Ruling on Construction Claims Case Will Trigger a ‘Blizzard of Paperwork’,” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2003.
- Editor and Chapter Author: “Public Works Liens and Public Works Bonds,” Liens and Bonds Claims Handbook, Associated General Contractors of Washington, 2001.
- Author: “Unions Can’t Come After Generals for Subs’ Failure to Pay into Benefit Plan,” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2001.
