Chris J. Chasin
Senior Associate
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Phone: +1 312 499 6769
- Duane Morris LLP
190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700
Chicago, IL 60603-3433
USA
Chris J. Chasin is a litigator and advisor whose practice centers around complex commercial and multijurisdictional disputes, with a focus on serving clients in the construction industry.
A member of the firm’s Construction and International Disputes Practice Groups, Chris represents Engineers, Contractors, and Owners engaged in energy, industrial, commercial, and residential projects. Chris’ experience spans the life cycle of the project, from contract negotiation to commercial discussions during the project and, ultimately, formal dispute resolution.
Chris has successfully represented his clients in local proceedings, state and federal court, and domestic and international arbitrations, including matters requiring highly technical expert testimony. Before joining Duane Morris, Chris served as a law clerk on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Chris is a co-author of the Construction Law Handbook’s chapter on Construction Management and of the ABA’s Design-Build and EPC Contracting book chapter on EPC Agreements.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Haverford College. In his free time, Chris serves as an Assistant Curator at the Illinois Railway Museum, where he maintains and operates the museum’s steam locomotives.
Admissions
- Illinois
- Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2014
- Haverford College, B.A., 2011
Experience
- Duane Morris LLP
- Senior Associate, 2025-present
- Associate, 2019-2024 - U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Senior Law Clerk to the Hon. Sharon Johnson Coleman, 2018-2019
- Law Clerk to the Hon. Sharon Johnson Coleman, 2015-2018 - Colorado Court of Appeals
- Appellate Law Clerk to the Hon. Richard Gabriel, 2014-2015
Professional Activities
Chicago Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Honors and Awards
- Named to Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch," 2023-2025
Selected Publications
- Co-author, "Illinois Construction Contractors Now Liable for Subcontractors' Unpaid Wages," Duane Morris Alert, June 15, 2022
- Co-author, "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Cybersecurity Impacts on the Energy Sector," Duane Morris Alert, November 16, 2021
"Modernizing Class Action Cy Pres Through Democratic Inputs: A Return to Cy Pres Comme Possible," 163 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1463, 2015
"The Revolution Will Be Tweeted, but the Tweets Will Be Subpoenaed: Reimagining Fourth Amendment Privacy to Protect Associational Anonymity," 2014 U. Ill. J.L. Tech. & Pol’y 1, 2014
Selected Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, "Primary Contractor Liability for Wage Claims," Retail Contractors Association Webinar, May 17, 2022
- Moderator, "Mechanics Liens and Construction Claims," Chicago Bar Association Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, March 7, 2022
Representative Matters
Represented a commercial developer in pursuing claims against a terra cotta manufacturer for supplying defective terra cotta tiles.
Represented a general contractor pursuing cost claims against the supplier and installer of exterior panels used on a new-construction hotel in Chicago.
Defended a general contractor against Miller Act claims brought by a subcontractor in the Northern District of Illinois.
Provided day-to-day commercial and legal support to a developer in connection with demolition work at multiple former powerplant facilities.
Represented an EPC contractor in an AAA arbitration, advancing claims for extension of time, prolongation costs, and disruption costs and defending against claims of gross negligence in connection with the construction of a 1,000 MW combined-cycle powerplant.
Provided day-to-day commercial and legal support to an EPC contractor in connection with the construction of a 600MW coal-fired power plant in Vietnam. Developed and advanced claims for extension of times and added costs exceeding $60 million and ultimately negotiated a favorable resolution of those claims with the Owner.
Provided day-to-day commercial and legal support to an EPC contractor in connection with the construction of a 600MW coal-fired power plant in Indonesia. Led the development of claims for extensions of time and prolongation costs.
Defended an EPC contractor in an ad-hoc Indian arbitration against schedule and cost claims brought by a consortium partner in connection with the construction of an LNG regasification terminal in India.
Provided day-to-day commercial and legal support to an EPC contractor in connection with the construction of an LNG regasification terminal in India, and represented the contractor in subsequent negotiations to reach a commercial settlement of delay, cost, and warranty claims with the Owner.
Supported a US-based manufacturer drafting and negotiating FIDIC-based contracts for the construction of a manufacturing facility in Poland.
Represented a construction contractor in an AAA arbitration against a defaulting sub-contractor, recovering the full judgment sought.
Represented a medical analytics provider in connection with a lawsuit brought by former employees alleging entitlement to an ownership interest in the company in the District of Colorado.
Defended an EPC Contractor in an ICC Arbitration alleging breach of contract following the suspension and termination of the works.
Evaluated the legal issues involved in a NAFTA proceeding for a litigation-finance provider.
Represented a national convenience store Owner in the Eastern District of Wisconsin seeking to recover unpaid amounts under a post-closing guarantee.
Assisted in defending a multi-family residential developer against claims arising from an alleged pay-to-play scheme.