Christopher T. Pickens
Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Chambers USA"Super smart, very intelligent and able to cut through very complex situations."
Chris Pickens understands that the best strategies for clients in litigation and arbitration advance not only the client's case, but also its broader goals. Chris focuses on advising clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration and working with clients to ensure their dispute-resolution strategies also serve their business objectives.
Chris also is aware that technology is influencing all areas of the law, including litigation and arbitration. Chris works with clients to help them understand their shifting risk landscape, as technology disrupts their industries, and helps them ensure they are maximizing the use of technology to mitigate those risks.
Chris has defended corporations, corporate directors, limited liability companies, and LLC members against derivative, class, and representative actions alleging breach of fiduciary duty and violation of federal securities laws. Chris also has represented and advised private company clients and their owners in disputes arising out of corporate transactions, including earn-outs, purchase-price adjustments, and joint-ventures.
In addition, Chris has represented clients in construction disputes and a wide variety of other cases, including insurance fraud and abuse; unfair competition and other business torts; intellectual property disputes; bribery and corruption; and claims for breach of complex government, distribution, employment, and other commercial contracts.
Chris has represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as in domestic and international arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), American Arbitration Association (AAA), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), and Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS).
During law school, Chris served as articles editor of the George Mason Law Review and won the Memorial Richard S. Murphy Prize, awarded to the winner of an annual competition among the top students in each class.
Chambers USA"He keeps a steady hand on the tiller to keep the team moving forward, and comes up with clever approaches to difficult legal matters."
Representative experience
Won US$385m jury trial for Orbital ATK over joint venture to market Orbital ATK's mission extension vehicle, a spacecraft designed to extend the lives of geostationary satellites.
Obtained emergency injunction extending Virginia voter registration by two days after Department of Elections website failed on the final day to register for the 2020 general election.
Represented international investors in shareholder lawsuit against Virginia corporation alleging violation of federal securities laws and Virginia law.
Represented a special litigation committee of a public REIT investigating a series of shareholder lawsuits and arbitrations.
Represented a public aerospace company in a series of shareholder lawsuits challenging a multi-billion dollar merger.
Won a jury trial on behalf of an LLC's managing member in consolidated derivative cases, obtaining defense verdict on all claims.
Won bench trial on behalf of a major university in a will dispute, obtaining award of investment assets to fund scholarship.
Won ICDR arbitration for European distributor in dispute with U.S. manufacturer, obtaining damages and declaratory and injunctive relief.
Represented owner of offshore oil and gas platform in ICC arbitration against its EPC contractor.
Represented corporation in a shareholder representative action challenging corporate transaction.
Represented Virginia LLC in member derivative suit challenging control and ownership of the company.
Credentials
- J.D., George Mason University School of Law, magna cum laude, 2007
- B.A., Washington and Lee University, cum laude, 2003
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- Supreme Court of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia