Overview
CHIP HELPS BUSINESSES INVOLVED IN DISPUTES ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.
For over 35 years, Chip’s clients have benefitted from his tenacity, creativity, insight, and strategic thinking in handling high-stakes lawsuits. His success in trials across the country also enables Chip to forge pragmatic solutions to complicated business disputes.
Chip has particular expertise with respect to consumer class action litigation, particularly matters involving claims of “greenwashing” and product labeling; energy litigation; product liability litigation, and commercial litigation. Chip also works with his clients to reduce their liability risks and to help them navigate the federal regulatory system, particularly in connection with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Chip is the Partner in Charge of Dorsey’s Washington, DC, office, and is actively involved in the community. Chip is the board chairman of College Success Foundation – District of Columbia, which helps low income children prepare for college and earn college degrees; serves on the emeritus board of the Children’s Law Center, whose mission is ensuring that every child in DC can grow up with a loving family, good health, and a quality education; and is a member of the Programs Committee of the Economic Club of Washington.
Education & Admissions
University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1987), cum laude
Princeton University (A.B., Economics, 1984), with honors
Admissions
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh, Federal and District of Columbia Circuits
- U.S. District Courts for Colorado, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Minnesota, the Northern District of Iowa and the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Experience
Representative Litigation
- Successfully defended a major water utility in a $70 million case alleging that a catastrophic fire could have been limited had a water main been better maintained to allow greater flow volume.
- Won a $22+ million judgment for an Arkansas local natural gas distribution company arising out of non-deliveries of gas during a winter storm in a case of first impression regarding the applicability of force majeure to a seller’s failure to arrange adequate supplies of gas to meet a firm delivery commitment.
- Obtained a $7 million jury verdict in the Southern District of Texas in a case of first impression concerning allocation of short deliveries among contracts with different pricing terms.
- Won a multi-million judgment in a dispute over post-closing adjustments to the sale price of a business.
- Successfully defended a manufacturer in multi-million dollar property damage, personal injury and wrongful death cases resulting from a plant explosion.
- Won a judgment worth more than $250 million in a breach of fiduciary duty suit involving ownership of commercial real estate assets.
- Obtained a defense verdict and a $100+ million counterclaim verdict in a jury trial over control of an aerospace company.
- Successfully defended a national consumer products company in a nationwide class action concerning the recyclability of single-serving coffee pods.
- Obtained dismissals of multiple class actions involving labeling of consumer products, including ingredient claims and recyclability claims.
News & Resources
Articles
News & Press Mentions
Events & Speaking Engagements
Select Presentations
Industries & Practices
Energy & Natural Resources
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 practiceHealthcare & Life Sciences
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Appellate
- Class Action Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Products Liability
- Sustainability
- Technology
Professional & Civic
Professional Achievements
- Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
Community Involvement
- Board Chairman, College Success Foundation – District of Columbia
- Emeritus Board Member, Children’s Law Center
- Trustee, Federal City Council
- Member, Programs Committee, Economic Club of Washington
