Christopher H M Carter

Practice Areas

Litigation

White Collar & Government Enforcement

Complex Commercial Litigation

Sexual Misconduct & Workplace Harassment

Career

Hinckley Allen, Partner (2002-Present); McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, Of Counsel (2001-2002); New Hampshire Office of the Attorney General, Senior Assistant Attorney General (2000-2001), Assistant Attorney General (1997-2000); Choate, Hall & Stewart

Associate (1993-1996), New Hampshire Supreme Court; Law Clerk to the Honorable Sherman D. Horton, Jr. (1992-1993)

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association

Daniel-Webster Inn of Court

Dartmouth Lawyers Association

Massachusetts Bar Association

New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

New Hampshire Bar Association

Publications

Sexual Misconduct Allegations: Prompt, Thorough and Coordinated Response and Prevention Strategies Are Critical; Chambers USA 2022 Ranks Hinckley Allen Attorneys and Practices; Chambers USA 2021 Ranks Hinckley Allen Attorneys and Practices

Work Highlights

Representative Cases

Kenish, LLC v. Depot Road Revocable Trust (NH Super. Ct 2025): Following jury trial, obtained complete dismissal of claims brought to terminate client/landlord’s rights under 20 year, multi-million dollar commercial lease.

Ma v. Gagliardo and Cox (Seattle Superior Ct 2025): Following two-month jury trial, obtained jury verdict on behalf of plaintiff on claims against USA Swimming officials for intentional interference with plaintiff’s rights to participate in USA Swimming as an official.

Fracassa v. McLaughlin (Mass. Superior Ct. 2024): Obtained $7 million jury verdict for investor/LLC member on claims for conversion and interference with contract against third party that drained LLC of assets.

Bertolino et al. Fracassa (Mass. Superior Ct. 2021): Successfully defended managing member of joint venture against securities fraud claims brought by project investors.

P.C. Connection v. Optymyze Ltd (Del. Chancery Ct. 2021): Obtained $5M award against Singapore firm that unlawfully terminated client’s access to software platform required to manage nationwide sales force.

Mercury Systems, Inc. v. S’holder Representative Servs., 820 F.3d 46 (1st Cir. 2016): successfully represented Mercury in action to establish right to recover over $2.25 million in tax indemnification arising from merger agreement with KOR Electronics.

Freedom Energy Logistics v. Provider Power et al. (NH Super Ct. 2016): obtained jury verdict for Freedom in action for misappropriation of trade secrets against competing energy supply/brokerage firm.

Fat Bullies Farm, Inc. v. Devenport et al. (NH Super. Ct., 2015): obtained jury verdict for owners of Runnymede Farm – a historic thoroughbred horse farm celebrated for breeding the winner of the 1968 Kentucky Derby – in an action by developer to force the sale of the property; obtained award of double damages and attorney’s fees on counterclaims for violations of state consumer protection statute.

State of New Hampshire v. John Brooks (NH Super. Ct., 2008): successfully defended NH entrepreneur John Brooks in the penalty phase of the first capital murder trial conducted in New Hampshire in 50 years.

In re Resident Power Natural Gas & Electric Solutions, LLC (N.H. PUC, 2013): successfully defended energy suppliers and brokers against charges of fraud and misconduct brought in licensing revocation action before the NH Public Utilities Commission.

Law Warehouses, Inv. v. NH State Liquor Commission (NH Super. Ct., 2015): represented Law Warehouses in action challenging validity of a 20-year public contract awarded by the State Liquor Commission; obtained $2.5 million judgment for Law Warehouses, representing the largest amount ever paid by the State in a bid protest action.

Lakeview Neurorehabilitation Center, Inc., v. THCI (U.S. Dist. Ct (NH), 2009 & 2012): obtained verdicts for plaintiffs in consecutive federal court actions brought to preserve plaintiffs’ rights under 25 year commercial leases to operate rehabilitation centers in New Hampshire and Wisconsin.

Johnson v. The Meat House, Inc. (American Arbitration Ass’n, 2011): successfully defended national butcher franchise against claims for fraud and violation of federal franchise laws in the establishment of a network of franchise stores.

Paper Services, Ltd. v. Algonquin Power, Inc. (NH Super Ct., 2009): successfully prosecuted claims on behalf of a paper mill in action to recover $20 million in damages arising from breach of a hydroelectric dam.

Munters Corporation v. MSMC (Mass. Super. Ct., 2010): obtained jury verdict on behalf of national environmental remediation firm in action to recover for restoration services provided in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Enterasys Networks, Inc. v. DNPG, LLC (U.S. Dist. Ct. (NH), 2007): successfully prosecuted claims on behalf of manufacturer of computer networking systems in action for breach of $30 million licensing agreement.

City of Boston v. Modern Continental Construction Co. (Mass. Super. Ct., 2005): lead counsel for national construction company in defense of action seeking $15 million in property damages arising from catastrophic flood of Boston Public Library.

Peerless Construction, Inc. v. Lake Winnipesaukee, LLC (NH Super. Ct., 2005): represented defendant in jury trial that resulted in dismissal of fraud/breach of contract claims arising from construction of nationally-acclaimed golf resort.

Fine v. Jake, Inc. (Mass. Dist. Ct., 2005): defended Boston restaurateur during 4 week trial that resulted in dismissal of claims for termination of 30-year commercial lease.

Financial Resources, Inc. v. National Inspection and Repair (NH Super. Ct., 2004): defended Kansas-based OSHA inspection company in jury trial that resulted in dismissal of $3.6 million breach of contract/fraud claims.

Reported Cases

MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC. V. S’HOLDER REPRESENTATIVE SERVS. (1st Cir. 2016)

U.S. v. UNION BANK FOR SAV. & INV. (JORDAN), 487 F.3d 8 (1st Cir. 2007)

SAUCIER v. WARDEN, N.H. STATE PRISON, 2000 U.S. APP. LEXIS 12290 (1st Cir. 2000)

U.S. v. BILLMYER, 57 F.3d 31 (1st Cir. 1995)

CARE REALTY v. LAKEVIEW NEUROREHABILITATION, 2012 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 44663 (D.N.H. 2012)

LAKEVIEW MGMT. v. CARE REALTY, LLC, 2009 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 28171 (D.N.H. 2009)

MILFORD-BENNINGTON R.R. CO. v. PAN AM SYS., 2011 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 145553 (D.N.H. 2011)

MUT. REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS v. HOUSTON CAS., 2011 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 100072 (D.N.H. 2011)

BROOKS v. AYOTTE, 2008 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 27980 (D.N.H. 2008)

ENTERASYS NETWORKS, INC. V. DNPG, LLC, 2006 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 42225 (D.N.H. 2006)

IN RE ENTERASYS NETWORKS, INC. SEC. LITIG., 2002 U.S. DIST. LEXIS 15450 (D.N.H. 2002)

STATE v. BROOKS, 164 N.H. 272 (2012)

STATE EMPLOYEES ASS’N OF N.H. v. STATE, 161 N.H. 558 (2011)

STATE v. BREED, 159 N.H. 61 (2009)

GULF INS. CO. v. AMSCO, INC. 153 N.H. 28 (2005)

PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF NH v. HEALTHTRUST, 151 N.H. 501 (2005)

REPRESENTATIVE BURLING v. CHANDLER, 148 N.H. 143 (2002)

STATE v. BRUCE, 147 N.H. 37 (2001)

STATE v. MUNSON, 146 N.H. 712 (2001)

IN RE RYAN D., 146 N.H. 644 (2001)

STATE v. HAYCOCK, 146 N.H. 302 (2001)

STATE v. DALE, 146 N.H. 286 (2001)

STATE v. CORT, 145 N.H. 606 (2000)

STATE v. RICCI, 144 N.H. 241 (1999)

STATE v. FLYNN, 144 N.H. 567 (1999)

STATE v. FORD, 144 N.H. 57 (1999)

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Connecticut

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire

Experience

Chris is a Partner in the Firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. A former prosecutor, Chris specializes in high-stakes business litigation and criminal defense. He prosecutes and defends suits involving securities, corporate and partnership governance, fiduciary duties, non-competition covenants, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, commercial contracts, and business torts. Chris has served as lead counsel on dozens of cases tried before federal and state courts throughout New England. He regularly represents corporate and individual clients in connection with investigations into compliance with federal and state false claims statutes, securities fraud, bank fraud, and healthcare fraud.

Education

Awards