Attorneys

Chris is an experienced aviation and business attorney who specializes in aviation transactions and litigation. Chris represents aircraft owners and operators, flight departments, air charter companies, maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses, aviation technology companies and other clients within the aviation industry. Chris’ experience ranges from aircraft acquisitions and sales, aircraft ownership structuring, leasing, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, aircraft certification issues, corporate governance, airport development, certificate defense, repossessions, liens and aviation related litigation.

Chris offers skillful counsel that extends to jury trial, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, enforcement actions, and appeals. Chris has successfully litigated aviation-related cases involving issues such as aircraft maintenance and inspections, certification issues, liens, and contract disputes. He understands the value of protecting his clients’ interests through aggressive representation, but also offers his clients creative solutions to realize their goals outside of litigation.

Before joining Carriere, Little & Leach, Chris was a partner at a major Denver law firm. Chris has been named to the Colorado Super Lawyers list in aviation multiple years, and has received an AV ® Preeminent ™ rating from the Martindale Hubbell legal directory, the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.

Chris has experience as a professional pilot, holds a pilot-in-command type rating in a business jet, and has flown competitive aerobatics in a Pitts S-1S biplane.

Professional Affiliations and Community Involvement

• Colorado Bar Association
• Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum – Member of the Board of Directors
• Colorado Aviation Business Association Board of Trustees – Past Chair
• National Business Aviation Association

Education

• Sturm College of Law – University of Denver, J.D. (2003)
• Editor-in-Chief, Transportation Law Journal
• Michigan State University, B.A. (1999)

Admitted

• Colorado U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit