Practice

Chris represents and advises clients in business and commercial litigation matters involving contracts, real property, and condemnation/eminent domain.  Chris also assists clients with cases involving natural resources such as oil and gas, water, and wind. In addition to extensive experience, Chris relies upon innovative and efficient approaches to meet client goals.

Practice Areas

• Commercial Litigation
• Condemnation/Eminent Domain
• Oil & Gas
• Power & Utilities
• Water
• Appellate

Activities / Awards

• Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters (2014 – present)
• Amarillo College Foundation Board of Trustees (Director 2018 – present)
• Litigation Counsel of America (Senior Fellow, 2009 – present)
• Grievance Committee Panel Chair, State Bar of Texas, District 13 Panel 2 (2020)
• Hidden Falls Ranch Board of Directors (President, 2020; Director, 2017 – present)
• Director of EnergyNet.com, Inc. (2007-2018)
• Texas Young Lawyers Association (Director 2006-2008; National Trial Competition Committee, Co-Chair, 2006 – 2007; Member, 1998 – 2012)
• St. Andrews Episcopal School, Director (2005 – 2014)
• President’s Award of Merit, Texas Young Lawyers Association (2003 – 2009)
• Texas Super Lawyers’ Rising Star, Thomson Reuters (2007 – 2010)

Presentations/Publications

• Our Water Is Not For Sale But Mine Is: Groundwater Ownership in Texas (Amarillo Area Bar Association, 2011)
• Challenging DFC’s: Options And Issues From The Owner’s Perspective (Texas A&M Graduate Water Program, 2010)
• Judgment: What Next? (AAYLA CLE in Las Vegas, 2004)

Admissions

• Texas State Courts, 1996
• United States Supreme Court, 2003
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2000
• United States District Court for Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court for Western District of Texas
• United States District Court for Southern District of Texas
• United States District Court for Western District of Oklahoma
• United States District Court for Northern District of Oklahoma

Education

• Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 1996
• Southern Methodist University, 1993

Memberships

• Amarillo Area Bar Association (Director 2011-2012 and 2013-2017, President 2016)
• Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow, 2005 – present)
• Trial Law Institute
• Diversity Law Institute
• Barrister, Order of Veritas
• Advocate, Order of Certus
• State Bar of Texas (Appellate and Litigation Sections)
• Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association
• National Order of Barristers
• Amarillo West Rotary (President, 2014 – 2015; Member 1997 – 2016)