Christopher A. Wright

Partner

Chris Wright’s practice focuses on resolving construction and commercial disputes for clients throughout the United States. He recognizes that litigation is a burden, and it is certainly not what companies envision when they start projects or enter into contracts. When not properly managed, litigation can distract clients from running their business and enjoying their time away from work.

Chris’s top priority is to ease the burden of litigation by making his clients’ problems his own. For more than 25 years, he has obtained winning results for clients in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Alaska, Florida, Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia and overseas. When a client has a problem, it is Chris’s goal to help solve it – no matter where their business or project is.

Chris is a litigator who understands that the best results for his clients often occur outside the courthouse or hearing room. Whether that involves solving a problem before litigation is necessary, obtaining a successful result through mediation, or making a trial as smooth as possible, Chris’s goal is the same: free his clients to focus on their business instead of worrying about litigation issues.

Throughout his career, Chris has helped resolve problems for clients involving a wide range of disputes on federal, state and private projects involving all types of construction projects. He prioritizes the tasks involved with litigation, works with his clients to find the most cost-effective solution and develops a plan that delivers the best possible result. Not only has this method allowed Chris to hone his litigation skills, but it has proven to him that results are measured in many different ways – all from the perspective of the client.

In addition to his active practice, Chris has been a frequent lecturer on construction-related topics including: construction lien law, scheduling, payment, AIA and Consensus DOCS, and a variety of other construction law issues in both the United States and abroad. He served as the editor for the Associated General Contractors of Washington’s Lien and Bond Claims Handbook and authored the chapter on public works liens and public works bonds. Chris also served as the Vice Chairman of the International Construction Projects Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association for two years. Since 2019, Chris has been a member of the Construction Panel of the American Arbitration Association.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Representation of Prime Contractor before a Dispute Resolution Board regarding a public works project for a major state highway corridor improvement using design-build process. Defense of Owner claims in excess of $10M, including liquidated damages. Time extensions granted to Contractor and no sums paid for alleged defective work.
Representation of Prime Contractor in litigation against designer and in defense of counterclaims regarding a light-rail and station platform on a design-build project. Resolved via settlement, with no recovery to designer.
Representation of General Contractor in mediation and litigation regarding an airport terminal expansion concerning $50+ million claim for defective design, delays and impacts and in defense of false claim allegations.
Representation of Prime Contractor regarding a public works road improvement project, claims for delay and impacts in mediation and litigation. Contractor recovered 80% of its claim.
Representation of Prime Contractor for extra work and delay claim under a GMP contract and defense of Owner’s claim for liquidated damages and actual costs. Contractor recovered over 95% of claim and Owner recovered $0.
Representation of Prime Contractor in a declaratory relief action by a Public Owner regarding responsibility for design and cost overruns under the terms of the GC/CM contract. Following a bench trial, the court adopted the Contractor’s interpretation of the contract and Owner’s responsibility for design.
Representation of Prime Contractor in arbitration for a public works project against a subcontractor for breach of contract. Contractor awarded over $4.6M.
Representation of Prime Contractor/Developer for residential development project and in defense of subcontractor claims for delays and extras resulting in a defense verdict following jury trial.
Representation of Prime Contractor concerning the construction of a luxury resort and in defense of a $300M claim for breach of contract, fraud and defects. Contractor paid $0.
Representation of Prime Contractor concerning construction of a correctional facility in arbitration. Multi-million dollar claims for defective design, delays and impacts resulting in an award to Contractor of $6M.
Representation of Prime Contractor for unpaid contract balance and lien foreclosure regarding construction of a 20+ story office tower and defense of $100M counterclaim by the Owner for wrongful termination and lost profits. Obtained priority ruling on lien in favor of Contractor, which was upheld on appeal. Multi-million recovery for Contractor plus award of interest and fees.
Representation of Prime Contractor in arbitration with Owners of a luxury residence. Contractor brought a multi-million dollar claim against Owners for interference. Owners brought multi-million dollar counterclaim for defective construction and breach of contract. Following arbitration, multi-million recovery for Contractor, plus award of fees. Owners recovered $0.
Representation of Prime Contractor concerning construction of an electrical power generation plant for impact and extra work and defense of liquidated damages claim. Following partial summary judgment granted in favor of Contractor, the parties reached settlement and Contractor recovered over $2M.
Representation of Contractor and Contractor’s surety company concerning a public works project and in defense of claims involving Owner’s assessment of liquidated damages and prosecution of delay and impact claims. Following a jury trial, Contractor recovered 95% of its claim, along with fees with jury awarding nothing to against surety or Contractor.
Representation of Prime Contractor for overseas military work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Contractor’s claims for delay and defective design, as well as defense of liquidated damages assessment resulted in recovery for the Contractor.
Representation of Prime Contractor on a public utility project for claims for contract sum and Owner’s claim of over $8M in consequential damages. Following arbitration, Contractor awarded contract balance and Owner’s claim for consequential damages denied.
Representation of Prime Contractor regarding construction of multiple Border Patrol Stations for the U.S. Government. Contractor sought claims for design defects, differing site conditions and delays. Following appeal of initial decision rejecting claim, a settlement was reached with Contractor obtaining a time extension and 65% of claim.
Representation of Prime Contractor regarding delays in the construction of a light rail station for a Public Owner and Owner’s defect claim. Parties were able to reach a multi-million dollar settlement in favor of Contractor.
Representation of Prime Contractor with construction of a facility for the U.S. Navy regarding a Miller Act claim brought by subcontractor. Following litigation and arbitration, the parties were able to reach a settlement agreement.
Representation of the Seattle Convention Center f/k/a Washington State Convention Center in a 10-week bench trial, defeating more than $85M in subcontractor claims being passed through by the General Contractor to the Owner, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.
Representation of General Contractor against claims of Owner for breach of contract, overbilling and construction defects. Jury trial resulted in a complete defense verdict.
Representation of regional contractor on a Superfund Project against claims of lower tier contractor for non-payment, claims of international General Contractor for delays and extra costs, and prosecution of multi-million dollar claim for unpaid sums. Jury provided client with a defense verdict on lower tier claims finding all sums were owed by the General Contractor not client. In related bench trial, obtained complete defense verdict on General Contractors claim, plus recovery of client’s claim and award of majority of fees and costs.
Representation of general contractor in an arbitration against a homeowner regarding owed payments for the construction of a $55M custom home. Successfully recovered the amounts owed to the general contractor following arbitration, plus award of attorneys’ fees and costs.
Represented public owner in a dispute with general contractor. Fully defeated multi-million dollar claim on summary judgment.
Represented national general contractor in a $25M dollar dispute with developer of a hotel in Seattle. Successfully negotiated favorable settlement for client after start of arbitration.
Represented national general contractor in a multi-million-dollar dispute with a subcontractor on the construction of Climate Pledge Arena. Successfully negotiated favorable settlement for client.
Represented general contractor joint venture in a multi-million-dollar dispute with a subcontractor regarding the construction of an NFL Stadium. Successfully negotiated favorable settlement for client.
Represented national general contractor in a multi-million-dollar dispute with a subcontractor on the construction of a building at the Nike campus in Oregon. Successfully negotiated favorable settlement for client.
Represented national general contractor in a multi-million-dollar dispute with a subcontractor on a U.S. Navy project in Georgia. Successfully negotiated favorable settlement for client.
Representation of national real estate development company in claim against regional contractor for $10M in costs to repair and replace defective work associated with a commercial building and parking garage. Two-week arbitration resulted in recovery of over 95% plus award of fees and costs.

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Moderator: “CEO Roundtable,” BisNow Seattle State of the Market, Seattle, Washington, September 2025.
Speaker: “What A General Contractor Should Do When Hit With A Massive Claim Alleging Defective Construction,” Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2018.
Speaker: “Expectations of In-House Counsel for Outside-Counsel on Litigation Matters: What Do They Really Want and Why,” Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2017.
Speaker: “How to Maximize the Benefits of Arbitration and Achieve Positive Results from the Process,” Construction SuperConference 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2016.
Speaker: “Time Related Claims and Concurrent Delay,” International Pacific Bar, Kuala Lumpur, May 2016.
Speaker: “New Trends in International Contracting for Global Contracts: Design-Build and Design-Build-Operate,” SEFI and GcilA, Paris, France, April 2015.
Speaker: “The USA Experience: Prompt Payment Legislation,” Canadian Construction Association, British Columbia, May 2015; Toronto, September 2015.
Speaker: “The Role of Insurance from Project Commencement to Completion on Complex Commercial and Public Projects,” Construction SuperConference, Las Vegas, Nevada, December 2014.
Speaker: “Concentrated Course in Construction Contracts,” Thomson Reuters/West, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2014.
Author: “Top Ten (Actually 13) Things Foreign Contractors Need To Know Before Operating In The U.S.,” Inter-Pacific Bar Association Journal.
Author: “Seven Shades of Grey: Necessary Due Diligence for an International Company Purchasing a US Construction Company,” Inter-Pacific Bar Association Journal, December 2013.
Panelist: “Lessons Learned from the Largest Engineering Malpractice Case Ever Tried to a Jury: C.W. “Bill” Young Regional Reservoir,” Construction SuperConference, San Francisco, California, December 2013.
Speaker: “Changes and Claims Clauses,” Lorman, June 2013.
Speaker: “Federal Contracting – Small Business Programs,” Oregon Society of CPAs, May 2013.
Panelist: “Strategic Alliances for Success,” Construction SuperConference, San Francisco, California, December 2011.
Speaker: "Construction Lien Law," Lorman, March 2010; July 2014
Speaker: "You Say My Contractor's Insurance Covers What?" Construction SuperConference, 2009.
Speaker: “Termination Do’s & Don’ts,” Construction Law Forum, 2009.
Speaker: “Handling Changes to Job Site Conditions,” “Tackling Contract Performance Delays,” and “Understanding Your Payment Settlement Options,” Washington Construction Law: What Do You Do When, 2007.
Speaker: “Understanding General Conditions and Contract Provisions,” Washington Construction Law, 2003 and 2005.
Speaker: “In the Wake of Mike M. Johnson: Notice and Dispute Resolution,” Advanced Construction Law in Washington, 2004.
Author: “Is a GC/CM Responsible for Design Defects?” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2005.
Author: “3 Ways to Make Sure You Get Paid,” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2003.
Author: “Ruling on Construction Claims Case Will Trigger a ‘Blizzard of Paperwork’,” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2003.
Editor and Chapter Author: “Public Works Liens and Public Works Bonds,” Liens and Bonds Claims Handbook, Associated General Contractors of Washington, 2001.
Author: “Unions Can’t Come After Generals for Subs’ Failure to Pay into Benefit Plan,” Daily Journal of Commerce, 2001.