Chris pursued a career in the law because he enjoys solving problems.  Chris is an employee benefits and executive compensation “generalist” capable of advising clients on a range of legal issues affecting both the pension plans and welfare benefit plans.  Chris has significant experience correcting retirement plan administrative errors, defending IRS audits and DOL investigations, and maintaining and terminating pension plans administered by bankrupt entities.  As a member of the Firm’s ERISA Litigation practice group, Chris also defends fiduciary breach claims and claims for benefits under both pension and welfare benefit plans.

Problems and solutions come in many forms, and Chris assists plan fiduciaries, sponsors, and service providers with general ERISA compliance, fiduciary advice, and plan design.  Specific to welfare benefit plans, Chris regularly assists clients with health care reform compliance, wellness programs, and consumer-driven health care arrangements such as health savings accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), a Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).

Chris understands the importance of developing and implementing efficient solutions to business problems. While his practice is focused exclusively on employee benefits and executive compensation, Chris’s clients benefit from his background in bankruptcy law and business. Prior to joining Verrill Dana, Chris served as a law clerk in United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and, while in law school, worked at a multinational securities brokerage firm.  These experiences helped to shape the business perspective Chris brings to his practice and to his clients.

A Maine native, Chris enjoys nature and the outdoors.  He is co-chair of the Firm’s Sustainability Committee and during his time away from the office can be found exploring the wilds of Maine, hiking, canoeing, and paddle-boarding with his family.