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Christopher Parker Photo

Christopher R. Parker

Senior Counsel
crparker@michaelbest.com
Chicago
T.312.222.4954

Overview

Chris is known for steering clients through complex litigation – from trials to appeals, arbitration, or mediation – and providing effective, efficient results in federal and state jurisdictions throughout United States.

Clients rely on him for a variety of matters, including:

  • Breach of contract
  • Employment discrimination
  • Wrongful termination and retaliation
  • Commercial lending
  • Consumer fraud
  • Products liability
  • Product recalls
  • Commercial real estate
  • Insurance coverage
 

Chris’ trial experience includes jury and bench trials in both federal and state courts, as well as international and state arbitrations.

Chris has also served as a member for the firm’s Ethics Committee.

Prior to joining Michael Best, he worked on the legislative staff for former U.S. Senator Paul Simon in the United States Senate.

Experience

Employment Discrimination

Chris won a complete verdict for a municipal government client in a federal jury trial for an employment discrimination suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Banking and Consumer Fraud

Chris obtained a dismissal of a nearly $3,000,000 consumer fraud case for a banking client, and then successfully defended the judgment on appeal with the First District Appellate Court of Illinois. Chris and his team were able to win the appeal by claiming that the plaintiff’s complaint – alleging the consumer fraud and breach of fiduciary duty by a commercial loan borrower – violated the Illinois Credit Agreement Act. He also secured a $5,000,000 judgment in a federal lawsuit involving a fraudulent investor scheme for an investor client.

Manufacturing Warranties, Product Liability and Recalls

Chris obtained a favorable judgment for a concrete manufacturing client in a breach of warranty/defective product trial in state court. Additionally, on the eve of trial, Chris obtained full dismissal of a potential $5,000,000 product liability suit for a manufacturer. 

Chris also successfully managed a national product recall for a manufacturing client through the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission recall program. Further, he attained judgment for damages, including attorneys’ fees following a week-long international commercial arbitration for a breach of a supply and manufacturing agreement for an importer/exporter client.

Commercial Real Estate and Lease Disputes

Chris has successfully represented management clients though several commercial tenant disputes. In the case of a telecommunications client, Chris secured a temporary restraining order and a permanent order on behalf of the client in a breach of commercial lease suit. Finally, Chris’s team successfully negotiated an approximately $1 million settlement for a commercial real estate developer and construction management client in a breach of real estate management suit.

Mass Torts Liability

Working as national counsel, Chris has represented manufacturing clients in multiple party toxic tort cases throughout the country.

Professional Activities

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Chicago Bar Association
  • Member, Illinois Manufacturers Association

Related News

Education

  • University of Illinois College of Law, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1999; High Honors - Legal Writing, Deans List
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 1992; History

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court, Western District of Michigan

Community Involvement

  • Member, Board of Directors, Child's Play Touring Theatre, 2008-present
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