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Overview
CHRIS REPRESENTS U.S. AND FOREIGN COMPANIES IN COMPLEX COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LEGAL MATTERS.
Much of his work involves domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments, business formation, overseas expansion, commercial contracts and corporate governance.
Chris also acts as primary outside counsel to companies without a legal department. Drawing on the expertise of legal professionals in Dorsey offices across the United States and abroad, Chris helps clients manage legal issues in virtually all areas of law relevant to their businesses. Chris also works with a network of trusted foreign counsel in jurisdictions where Dorsey & Whitney does not have an office.
Chris is a partner in Dorsey’s Corporate Group and head of the firm’s Corporate Group in Minneapolis. He has spent most of his career practicing law in the United States, but also lived and worked abroad, including in a law firm in Mexico City, Mexico, and in Dorsey offices in Brussels, Belgium and Tokyo, Japan.
Experience
Client Achievements
Representative Transactions
- Counsel to Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers in its acquisition of Rouse Services, a provider of data intelligence and performance benchmarking solutions for the industrial equipment industry
- Counsel to sellers of mainframe software company to a strategic buyer
- Counsel to Rapala VMC Oyj (Finland) in its acquisition of a minority interest in DQC International, owner of the 13 Fishing rod and reel brand, and exclusive distribution rights outside the United States
- Counsel to sellers of dental supply business to a financial buyer
- Counsel to the owners of a global leader in lithium battery technology and systems for heavy-duty commercial and industrial markets, in their sale of a majority stake of the company to strategic buyer
- Counsel to Loram Maintenance of Way in its acquisition of Georgetown Rail Equipment Company by merger
- Counsel to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Minneapolis in its consolidation with The St. James Parish of the City of Minneapolis
- Counsel to Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers in its acquisition of Leake Auction Company
- Counsel to provider of pharmacy, medical equipment and home infusion services in its sale to a strategic buyer
- Counsel to global consumer packaged food company in the formation of a joint venture with a Mexican food producer to sell products in the United States and Mexico
- Counsel to Chinese company in its investment in a U.S.-based intellectual property services company
- Counsel to privately held food processing company in its purchase of free range poultry raising and processing operations
- Counsel to Coolibar Inc. in its sale to Olivarius Hospitality California
- Counsel to Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers in its acquisition of Petrowsky Auctioneers
- Counsel to Danish software company in its acquisition of U.S. computer systems integrator
- Counsel to a U.S. based commodity trading and logistics company in its acquisition of partial ownership of a Mexican fishing and fish processing business
- Counsel to a medical device company in the acquisition of a distressed orthopedic business
- Counsel to Miller Milling Company in its acquisition of flour milling operations in California, Minnesota and Texas from Cargill, Horizon Milling and ConAgra in connection with the formation of Ardent Mills
- Counsel to SportsData LLC in its sale to Sportradar AG
- Counsel to Liberty Global in the acquisition of San Juan Cable, LLC, dba OneLink Communications, and its merger with Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico LLC to form the largest cable operator in Puerto Rico
- Counsel to Tegrant Corporation in a series of M&A transactions, including its acquisitions of Dot Packaging Group, Inc., Createc Corporation and the thermal packaging business of GreenBox LLC
- Counsel to Datakey Electronics Inc. in its sale to ATEK Products
- Counsel to Telco Food Products Inc. in its sale to Best Brands Corp.
News & Resources
Articles
July 14, 2020
December 3, 2018
News & Press Mentions
August 17, 2023
July 30, 2018
Events & Speaking Engagements
September 18, 2019
September 19, 2017
International Roundtable Series - Opportunities in a Vibrant Region: Doing Business in Latin America
May 23, 2017
October 11, 2016
June 3, 2015
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Select Presentations
- "Embracing the Dragon: Secrets to Success in the New Era of U.S.-China Business," Corporate Counsel Symposium, October 31, 2017
- “What in the World? Striking Developments in International Trade and Business Law,” Dorsey & Whitney Corporate Counsel Symposium, 2016
- "Two Decades of NAFTA: What Has Been the Impact on Minnesota?," October 10, 2016
- "Andean Outlook: Opportunities in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru," co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG and the Minnesota International Center, 2015
- "Cross-Border Cultural Considerations in International Business," Minnesota State Bar Association Corporate Counsel Institute, 2015
- "Is the Crisis in Ukraine a Game Changer for Doing Business in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia?" Dorsey & Whitney Corporate Counsel Symposium, 2014
- "New Opportunities in Mexico," co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG and the Minnesota International Center, 2014
- "Worlds Apart: Managing and Partnering with Businesses in China," Dorsey & Whitney Corporate Counsel Symposium, 2013
- "Discovering New Opportunities, While Addressing Old Challenges in India," co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG and the Minnesota International Center, 2013
- "Introducing Minnesota's #1 Trade Partner ... Canada!" co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG and the Minnesota International Center, 2013
- "Stranger in a Strange Land: Managing Legal Risks in Global Operations," Dorsey & Whitney Corporate Counsel Symposium, 2012
- "Business and Investment Opportunities in Turkey," co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG and the Minnesota International Center, 2012
- "Managing a Global Workforce," co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG and the Minnesota International Center, 2011
- "Global Bribery Risks: Complying with the FCPA and Other Anti-Bribery Laws," Dorsey & Whitney LLP Corporate Counsel Symposium, 2010
- "Beyond China: Business Opportunities in Southeast Asia," co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG and the Minnesota International Center, 2010
- "Doing Business with Brazil," co-sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, KPMG, Caux Roundtable and the Minnesota International Center, 2009
- "Successful Partnering between Inside and Outside Counsel," Dorsey & Whitney LLP client program, 2008
- "Buyer Beware! The Erosion of M&A Buyer Protections and What You Can Do about It," Dorsey & Whitney LLP Corporate Counsel Symposium, 2006
Industries & Practices
Latin America and the Caribbean
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceHealthcare & Life Sciences
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceFood, Beverage & Agribusiness
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceCorporate Governance & Compliance
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceEnergy & Natural Resources
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Closely Held Businesses
- Cooperative Law
- Corporate Governance & Compliance
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Europe
- Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- India
- International Trade
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Mining
- Technology
- Technology Commerce
Professional & Civic
Professional Achievements
- Member, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and former Board Chair, of The Advocates for Human Rights
- Honorary Board Member, Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota, 2014 to present
- Member, Board of Directors, Minnesota International Center, 2006-2008
- Adjunct Instructor of International Business Law and lecturer at the University of St. Thomas, College of Business, 2004
- Member, Minnesota State Bar Association, International and Business Law Sections
- Member, Board of Directors of the Minnesota Justice Foundation, 1994-1999
Accolades
- Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2021-2022
- Contributed more than 100 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020
- MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2014-2020
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions, 2024
- Dorsey & Whitney Scales of Justice award for pro bono service, 2015
- Minnesota Justice Foundation Distinguished Service Award, 2010
