Christopher W. Thompson
Shareholder

Chris’ litigation practice is varied and broad and includes contested trust and estates matters, administrative law and government contracts, public bidding and procurement protests and litigation, Native American law, and products liability defense.

In his trust and estate practice, Chris handles complex multi-state litigation involving contested trust documents and contested trust assets. He is adept at helping clients navigate the complex legal issues and difficult family dynamics that arise when family members disagree. Chris also represents clients in pursuing and resolving pre- and post-death elder abuse claims in Arizona, including financial exploitation, abuse, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Administrative law and government contracts, also known as public bidding and procurement, is a nuanced area of law requiring insight into the inner workings of government, related legal issues, commercial contracts, and how the public interacts with government. Chris has dedicated much of his legal career to this area and represents clients in large-scale, complex bid protest proceedings. From bid protest challenges based on bidding procedures, conflicts of interest, scoring of bids, bidder responsibility, and qualifications, to improper material changes to the contract scope, statutory interpretation, scope of agency discretion, and other contentious issues, Chris is fluent in public bidding and procurement. Further utilizing his skills, Chris regularly assists clients in the preparation of government solicitations to ensure they avoid common pitfalls and potential award protests.

Chris’ administrative law practice also includes representation of large international clients concerning Arizona’s Manufactured Housing Act relating to the regulatory process for obtaining approval and certification for the design, manufacture, and installation of manufactured homes and factory-built buildings in Arizona.

In his tribal law practice, Chris handles myriad legal disputes involving the complex nexus of federal, state, and tribal law. His experience working and negotiating with federal and state agencies on behalf of tribes, tribal governments, and tribal commercial entities, has earned Chris a unique depth of experience and understanding in the consultation, strategy, and representation of tribes, as well as with individuals and commercial entities that do business within tribal reservations.

In his products liability practice, Chris works with in-house and general counsel at large international product manufacturers to resolve local and multi-district products liability disputes. Through such experience and practice, Chris has become well-versed in meeting the challenges posed by the need for and use of expert depositions and testimony in cases involving complex engineering and manufacturing science. Known for his can-do attitude and accessible style, Chris earns client confidence through his solutions-based legal strategy to address local representation and discovery challenges.