With more than just the problem-solving and negotiation skill set of a lawyer, Chris brings to the table the strategic thinking and business skills of an experienced business founder/owner/entrepreneur.

Chris:

1. Is principal of a law firm that provides transactional and ongoing corporate counsel to
companies and financial institutions.

2. Co-founded, and for 20 years served as managing partner of, a regional law firm of 45 attorneys headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.

3. Served for two years as EVP and General Counsel of Avatech Solutions, Inc., primarily responsible for mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, investor relations, board of director communications, and in-house legal representation.

4. Was one of four lawyers at a major Chicago law firm who formed the Chicago Board Options Exchange and Options Clearing Corporation.

5. Co-founded expertdriven.com, a now inactive financial news and information web site and portal.

6. Created the e-commerce strategy, and was the architect of the online software engine, for QUADSweb.com

Chris has represented corporate issuers, hedge funds, venture funds, investment banks, and credit-enhancement providers in over $30 billion of financing transactions.

Representative clients, during Chris' career, include:

     Legg Mason                                              CBOE (& Options Clearing Corp.)
     Ferris Baker Watts                                     Goldman Sachs
     Merrill Lynch                                             TravelCLICK, Inc.
     NiSource                                                  Alex. Brown & Sons
     Kroger                                                     International Paper Company
     Portec                                                      Illinois Power Company
     Bank of America                                        Wheat First (First Union)
     Newell Rubbermaid                                    Eggspectation Restaurants LLC
     Midwest Stock Exchange                             H.S. Kipnis & Co.
     New York Stock Exchange                           Cox Communications
     Sequel Youth & Family Services LLC              eNucleus, Inc.

Chris was educated at The Johns Hopkins University (B.A., 1970) and the University of Maryland School (J.D., 1973, with honors). He has written numerous books, articles, and law review articles on corporate finance issues, including cutting-edge articles in the areas of securities regulation, interest rate swaps, PIPE transactions, merger and acquisition transactions, and venture capital financing.

Chris lives in Owings Mills, Maryland, with his wife Laura.