Services
Industries
Education
J.D., Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2011
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2006
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court
- Western District of Michigan
- Northern District of Illinois
Chris specializes in advising craft beverage manufacturers. He functions as outside general counsel to breweries, wineries, and distilleries clients from small start-ups to regional and multi-national. Chris leads clients through initial licensing and permitting, aggressive growth phases, trade practice compliance, mergers and acquisitions, negotiating and terminating distribution agreements, intellectual property protection, and all manner of general commercial contracting.
Chris brings a unique blend of legal acumen and industry experience. Before joining Miller Canfield, Chris was assistant head brewer and quality manager at the Five Points Brewing Company in Hackney, London, which followed various production and public facing roles with Milwaukee Brewing Company. Chris provides invaluable insights and guidance to clients navigating an ever-changing and complex regulatory environment. His dual background makes Chris particularly adept at identifying regulatory issues before they become costly problems. He is known for his thorough understanding of the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau as well as alcohol control laws of the various states.
Chris’ litigation experience encompasses a broad spectrum of commercial disputes, primarily representing alcohol beverage industry clients in both state and federal courts. Representative matters include civil challenges to local government regulation, shareholder and partnership disputes, intellectual property infringement, construction lien issues, and business torts.
You can follow Chris on X at @BevCounsel.
Representative Matters
• Advised alcoholic beverage clients in food safety, distribution, advertising, asset purchasing, employment, stock sales and import and export among U.S., EU, Canadian, Japanese and Russian markets.
• Advised and administered IP protection strategies for craft breweries & fashion and graphic designers, including U.S. and International Trademark and Copyright Applications.
• Advised clients in construction, retail, motorsports and entertainment industries on business and succession planning, real estate conveyances, contracting, creative financing, leasing and government regulation.
Honors
Grand Rapids Magazine,Top Lawyers, Food and Beverage Law, 2022
State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021-present
Professional Activities
WMU/KVCC Sustainable Brewing Advisory Board
Michigan Brewers Guild
Illinois Craft Brewers Guild
Wisconsin Brewers Guild
London Brewers Alliance
Brewers Association
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation, GR8 Sports Fundraising Campaign Committee, 2018-present
Grand Valley State University–Van Andel Global Trade Center, "World Trade Week" Conference Planning Committee, 2019-present
Speeches
"7 Most Common Mistakes - International Sale of Goods" (Moderator), Michigan World Trade Week, Grand Rapids, May 3, 2023
"Product Recall How-To," Wisconsin Brewers Guild Technical Conference and Trade Show, Green Bay, March 27, 2020
Publications
"Continuing Tariffs: The Impact on West Michigan Businesses," Grand Valley State University, April 11, 2019