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Overview

Chris delivers sophisticated legal advice in corporate and commercial transactions across multiple industries with a focus on food and agribusiness.

He routinely advises clients on strategy and implementation during the formation, acquisition and disposition of businesses. Chris counsels clients on organizational and governance matters in relation to corporations, alternative business entities (such as limited liability companies and limited partnerships), and joint ventures. He also represents manufacturers, distributors and corporate consumers in commercial transactions and business arrangements, including preparation, negotiation and execution of commercial contracts. Chris counsels and advises clients in all aspects of transactions, including initial structuring and negotiation of business and legal issues throughout.

Industry

Services

Education

  • J.D., Georgia State University College of Law
    • cum laude
  • B.A., Vanderbilt University
    • History

Admissions

  • Missouri

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association
  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • The Missouri Bar

Clerkship

The Hon. Carol W. Hunstein, Supreme Court of Georgia

2023 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Represented Priority Plastics Inc. in its 2012 acquisition of CCW Products Inc. (d/b/a Saffer Plastics) of Arvada, Colo., manufacturer of more than 300 different types of federally approved clear, wide-mouth plastic jars for use in the candy, meat snack, beef jerky, hardware, crafts and pet food industries.
  • Advised the East St. Louis, Ill.-based Casino Queen Inc. in the $170 million acquisition of the company by its employees. Transaction in 2012 was a first in the gaming industry.
  • Advised and assisted TricorBraun Inc. – a designer and supplier of rigid packaging products and components with sales approaching $1 billion – during a 2012 recapitalization, proceeds from which were used to refinance existing debt, repurchase equity, issue a distribution to investors and support ongoing growth initiatives, by securing a new $555 million credit facility from GE Antares Capital and UBS AG.
  • Advised and consulted TricorBraun during the 2012 acquisition of Trilogy Glass and Packaging Inc., headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif., a supplier of glass bottles to the wine industry and now a part of the TricorBraun WinePak division.
  • Advised and consulted TricorBraun during the 2011 acquisition of Penn Bottle and Supply Co., a Philadelphia, Penn.-based distributor of packaging solutions, including containers, closures and related components, serving the food, healthcare, industrial, personal and cosmetics end-markets.
  • Directed the 2008 mergers of Fortco Plastics and Sho-Me Container and their subsidiaries and the formation of Priority Plastics as the successor company.
  • Represented TricorBraun in the 2007 acquisition of Independent Packaging Inc. (I-PAK), a rigid packaging distributor based in Quincy, Mass., that distributes a broad range of plastic, glass and metal containers and a variety of closures to numerous end markets, including food, chemical, paint, pharmaceutical and industrial.
  • Represented clients in the preparation and negotiation of agreements with vendors and suppliers regarding the procurement and sale of various goods and services including:
    • The design, manufacturing and distribution of rigid packaging containers for food, wine, beverage, pharmaceutical, healthcare, personal care, cosmetic, pet/animal care and industrial end-markets.
    • The design, production and distribution of labeling services.
    • Requisition of software products and services, including enterprise resource planning products and services.
Case Studies
News Releases | June 10, 2020
Husch Blackwell Secures ITC Win for TricorBraun-Led Importers

Working with Husch Blackwell’s Washington, DC-based International Trade Remedies team headed by Jeffrey Neeley, TricorBraun developed a coordinated strategy to protect the current supply of glassware available to small and mid-market businesses across the U.S.

Community Leadership
  • Industrial Aid Inc., Board of Directors, President, 2008-2011; Finance Committee, 2008-present