The AI Risk Gap: What Technology Contracts and Patent Practice Must Address Now

Chris earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The George Washington University Law School in 2000, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Physics from Oregon State University in 1994, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics from the University of Connecticut in 1989. His strong scientific background underpins his ability to work across a wide range of complex technologies. Chris is licensed to practice in Idaho, the District of Columbia, and Virginia (inactive), as well as before the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

Chris has served as Chairperson of the Idaho State Bar Intellectual Property Law Section (2014–2015) and Vice Chairperson of the same section (2013–2014 and 2010–2011). He has been recognized among the attorneys highlighted by Best Lawyers in America through Parsons Behle & Latimer. His litigation track record includes notable outcomes, such as representing a patentee in a case resulting in a $25 million award, winning a jury verdict of willful infringement with enhanced damages, attorneys' fees, and a permanent injunction on behalf of a railroad technology company, and securing a case declared "exceptional" by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit resulting in an approximately $600,000 fee award. He has also served as an expert witness in patent litigation.

Chris is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the Idaho State Bar Litigation Section. He is a participant in the Idaho Volunteer Lawyer Program, contributing pro bono legal services. In the community, Chris has served on the Board of Directors of the Discovery Center of Idaho since 2015, including as Board President (2018–2019). He is also an active thought leader, having authored articles and delivered presentations on topics including trade secret litigation, USPTO guidelines for AI, the impact of executive orders on patent and trademark pendency, and intellectual property law education.

Chris's practice encompasses patent prosecution, patent litigation, due diligence and opinions, and USPTO proceedings. His technical expertise spans a broad spectrum of technologies, including flexible angular displacement sensors, touch screen devices, semiconductor devices, aircraft systems, routers and networking hardware, software, network security, firearms and firearm accessories, environmental monitoring and cleanup, automotive systems, financial and banking systems, and medical devices. He frequently prepares opinions on patentability, non-infringement, invalidity, and freedom to operate. Chris has represented numerous clients in patent litigation matters across various U.S. District Courts, Appellate Courts, and before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including agribusinesses, online retailers, a 5G wireless networking company, a railroad inspection company, luxury automobile companies, and medical equipment companies. Prior to private practice, Chris served as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, examining applications related to electric motors and electric power generation in green technologies such as wind, wave, and solar power generation.