Christian V. Cangiano
PEOPLE

Christian V. Cangiano

Partner
cangiano.christian@dorsey.com

Overview

Chris focuses his practice on complex corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration, and appellate matters.

Chris’ practice has an emphasis on corporate, partnership, and business disputes; contract disputes; post-merger and post-acquisition disputes; and professional liability. He has represented companies in a broad range of industries including the restaurant, technology, financial services, and real estate industries.

In addition to litigation, Chris counsels and advises on proposed business transactions, entity formations and structures, contractual obligations, trademark law, copyright law, and other transactional matters, including the negotiation and drafting of various corporate documents such as separation agreements for members of limited liability companies, escrow agreements, confidentiality agreements, nondisclosure agreements, employee manuals, licensing agreements, and other contracts. 

Education & Admissions

St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D., 1995)

Binghamton University (B.A., History, 1992)

Admissions

  • New York
  • Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Experience

Representative Experience

  • Acted as primary counsel advising on the options surrounding the potential separation of partners in a multi-million-dollar real estate company.
  • Acted as primary counsel for EB-5 investors in New York State Supreme Court, New York County Commercial Division successfully briefing and arguing in opposition to a motion to dismiss the investors’ claims.
  • Acted as second chair in an ICC arbitration concerning disputes regarding the production and distribution of solar panels and involving issues of New York, California, and Chinese law.
  • Acted as second chair of the team that successfully represented former partner in algorithmic trading firm prosecuting claims against firm for breach of promissory note and defending against counterclaims brought by firm in the New York State Supreme Court, New York County Commercial Division.
  • Acted as key member of team engaged in internal investigation of Bank client and reporting results to external auditors.
  • Acted as a key member of team engaged in internal investigation of allegations of discrimination by real estate management company and reporting results of Board of Managers of Cooperative.
  • Acted as part of a two-member trial team in ICC arbitration successfully prosecuting claims for breach of contract by health and beauty products manufacturer against exclusive distributor.
  • Acted as part of a two-member trial team successfully defending Restaurant Management Company at trial before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against claims of breach of fiduciary duty and related business torts brought by estate of former member of that company.
  • Acted as primary counsel successfully defending judgment in favor of Real Estate Management Company before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

*Certain representative experiences occurred prior to joining Dorsey

News & Resources

News & Press Mentions

Highly Regarded Litigation Team Joins Dorsey in New York

Industries & Practices

  • Appellate
  • Banking & Financial Institutions
  • Commercial Litigation
  • International Arbitration & Litigation
  • Labor & Employment
  • Technology
  • Trademark, Copyright + Advertising

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Member, New York City Bar Association
  • Member, New York City Bar Association LGBTQ Rights Committee (Tenure 2025-2028)
  • Member New York City Bar Association (Tenure 2025-2028)
Christian V. Cangiano