Chris is client-focused counselor and trusted advisor in the truest sense. With over 25 years’ experience, he has a substantial depth of knowledge of the industries in which he works. His consultative style includes solving problems and reaching practical solutions that make the most business sense for his clients. Chris is a savvy negotiator and a passionate advocate and litigator for his clients. His hands-on approach enables him to understand the nuances of his clients’ needs and meet them head on. Chris’ ability to anticipate potential issues at the start of a matter optimizes his efficient approach to client representation. Chris has a long track record of achieving successful results for his clients over a span of decades.
Chris is based in Boston but serves clients throughout New England and beyond. His practice deals primarily in the areas of construction law and litigation, private projects and public procurement, general litigation, government investigations including white collar defense, OSHA, Department of Labor and prevailing wage investigations. Chris represents general contractors, transportation clients, large distributors, service providers, vendors, owners and subcontractors alike in various capacities, from contract negotiation to bid protests, to claims to all forms of dispute resolution. Chris regularly advises clients on State and Federal procurement issues, small business and MBE/WBE/DBE compliance issues, and false claims avoidance, and routinely drafts and negotiates complex agreements regarding public and private construction as well as service contracts. Chris is a highly valued and versatile member of Hinckley Allen’s nationally ranked construction practice.
Credentials
Work Experience
- Hinckley Allen
- Partner (2001-Present)
- Associate (1996-2000)
- Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Trial Division
- Assistant Attorney General (1992-1996)
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America® (2020-2021) Recognized for Construction Law and Litigation-Construction
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association, Construction Law Committee Co-Chair (2006-2008)
Bar Memberships
- United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 1992
- United States District Court, Massachusetts, 1992
- Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, 1991
News & Insight
Bid Omissions and Bidder Responsibility
June 1, 2020First and foremost, we hope that you and your families remain safe and healthy during this uncertain time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bid Unit of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General (the "Bid Unit") has continued to investigate bid issu…
To Protest or Not to Protest: Failure to Acknowledge an Addendum
October 1, 2019More and more it seems that no Massachusetts public procurement is complete without some bid error or discrepancy. And because disappointed bidders are constantly looking for ways to invalidate a low bid, the chances are fairly high that they may spot an i…
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Addresses Prevailing Wage Act Issues
June 28, 2019The Massachusetts Supreme Court issued a 29-page opinion at the end of May that will be of interest to contractor-employers working public projects in Massachusetts. The article discusses two of the various issues addressed in the court's opinion: (1) the …
The Bid Unit v. The Superior Court
May 30, 2019When a bit issues arises, disappointed bidders usually have few options. Sometimes, raising an issue directly with the awarding authority can lead to resolution of the issue. More often than not, bidders will have to decide whether to pursue a bid protest …
The Problem of Bad Actors in Construction
March 1, 2019In any given week, you could run a few searches and find recent news articles about fraudulent or criminal contractor conduct in the world of construction. For example, in April of 2019, a branch manager for an insulation contractor pleaded guilty to bid-r…
The Bid Unit of MA Issues Its First Significant Bid Protest Decision of 2019
February 28, 2019Hear from our construction attorneys about what can be learned from the first decision of 2019 from the Bid Unit of Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, based on a case that they defended.Read more on page 21 of The Construction Outlook magazine.
Massachusetts High Court Bars Chapter 93A Claim as Untimely
September 5, 2018The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) closed out August with a decision concerning contractor exposure to Chapter 93A claims for unfair and deceptive trade practices. A divided court concluded that a Chapter 93A claim was subject to the 6-…
Minding Your Manners: Personality Issues and Bidder Responsibility
August 3, 2018In May’s issue, we discussed a bidder responsibility decision of the Bid Unit of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General (the “Bid Unit”). In that case, the awarding authority rejected the low bidder as allegedly “difficult to work with.
The SJC Weighs in on Termination for Convenience
June 5, 2018Despite the prevalence of termination for convenience clauses in construction contracts, there has been little caselaw in Massachusetts addressing such provisions. That needle moved on May 2, 2018, when the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court discussed …
The Bid Unit of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Releases Decision on Bidder Responsibility
May 3, 2018The competitive bidding statute for public works projects (M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M) generally requires an awarding authority to award to the lowest eligible and “responsible” bidder on large projects. Because awarding authorities have discretion when …
The Bid Unit of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office Issues a Bid Protest Decision Concerning MassDOT’s Mobilization Cap
February 1, 2018In 2015, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (“MassDOT”) issued Supplemental Specifications to its Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges. One of the changes in the Supplemental Specifications was the addition of a percentage cap t…
Minimum Experience Requirements
January 3, 2018An awarding authority has discretion when it comes to waiver of non-statutory bidding requirements. However, as illustrated in a recent decision of the Bid Unit of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (the “AGO”), that discretion does not en…
Bid Protest Decision Invalidates Mandatory Minimum Unit Prices
August 16, 2017On August 1, 2017, the Bid Unit of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (the “AG”) issued a first-of-its-kind decision concerning MassDOT’s use of minimum unit price requirements. The AG’s well-reasoned opinion invalidates MassDOT’s mini…
False Claims Act Liability: Deviation from Project Specifications
March 8, 2017The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (“AGO”) closed out February 2017 by announcing substantial False Claims Act penalties against two contractors. In addition to damages and civil penalties, the AGO barred the contractors from bidding on …
Front-Loaded and Inflated Pay Apps
March 1, 2017On February 24, 2017, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (“AGO”) announced sweeping penalties against two contractors for violations of the Massachusetts False Claims Act. According to the AGO, a General Contractor (GC) and its subcontract…
59 Hinckley Allen Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2021
August 20, 2020Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers® has recognized 59 attorneys in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, including 12 “Lawyers of the Year.” Best Lawyers® has also recognized 10 Hinckley Allen attorneys in their inau…
56 Hinckley Allen Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2020
August 15, 2019Only one lawyer in each specialty in each region is honored as a “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers®. Since its first publication in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers compi…
Events
WEBINAR: Navigating Public Construction Minefields
May 13, 2021Hinckley Allen construction, environmental and government enforcement & white collar defense attorneys have teamed up to address important developments and legal issues relating to government investigations of public contractors. This webinar, sponso…
WEBINAR: The Massachusetts Prompt Payment Act and Retainage on Public Projects
February 26, 2021Hinckley Allen’s Construction and Public Contracts Group – together with CIM and UCANE – will be hosting a webinar to address important issues relating to the Massachusetts Prompt Payment Act as well as retainage on public projects. Hear from our att…
WEBINAR: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Best Practices for Contractors Working on MassDOT, MWRA, Massport, and MBTA Projects
April 17, 2020NOTE: You must pre-register to attend this webinar. Click here or visit the link below.Hinckley Allen, Construction Industries of Massachusetts, Inc. and the Utility Contractors' Association of New England, Inc.COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has impacted the way…
Understanding and Complying with Set Aside Goals - DBE - MBE - WBE
October 2, 2012The Program will present an overview of the current programs requiring the participation of MBE, WBE, and DBE entities in public construction projects within Massachusetts. Initial discussion will summarize the current “legal” challenges to these pro…
Training Program for Compliance Officer and Compliance Committee Members
March 21, 2012Charles E. Schaub moderated and Laura B. Angelini, Michael Connolly, Michael Koenig, Robin Main and Christopher Morog from the firm’s Construction and Litigation Practice Groups presented a well attended training program for Compliance Officers and Compl…
Training Program for Compliance Officer and Compliance Committee Members
March 13, 2012Charles E. Schaub moderated and Laura B. Angelini, Michael Connolly, Michael Koenig, Robin Main and Christopher Morog from the firm’s Construction and Litigation Practice Groups presented a well attended training program for Compliance Officers and Compl…
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