Chris is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the litigation group. His practice focuses on privacy, data security and defending organizations in litigation and regulatory investigations arising from data security and privacy matters. He has helped numerous organizations navigate through data security incidents and the multitude of legal issues that arise. Chris counsels clients through payment card industry investigations, compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) and resolution of credit card companies’ assessments. He also counsels clients through ransomware incidents and ransom payment considerations.
Chris also has significant experience working with clients to develop customized incident response plans and information security programs. He counsels clients on compliance with privacy laws and regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). He frequently presents on a variety of topics related to privacy and data security to professional and industry associations.
Career highlights include:
Serving as first-chair in jury trials in federal and state courts
Representing clients in litigation where clients have been awarded over $32 million
Defending a nationwide grocery store chain in multi-state consumer class actions, regulatory inquiries and other matters arising out of data security incidents announced in the fall of 2014
Successfully defending a bank against claims by a commercial customer that the bank was liable for unauthorized ACH transfers that occurred after a data breach
Chris is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and served as co-chair of the Columbus Chapter of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
Chris served as a legislative aide to Sen. Jeff Jacobson, president pro tempore of the Ohio Senate, for five years. He also externed for the Honorable Maureen O'Connor, Supreme Court of Ohio.
Chris received his J.D. cum laude from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He received his B.S.B.A. cum laude in management information systems from The Ohio State University.
