Christopher Wright

Practice Areas

Construction Litigation and Commercial Litigation

Career

Chris Wright focuses his practice on complex construction and commercial disputes for owners, developers, contractors, and subcontractors across the United States. He chairs the Litigation Group at Carney Badley Spellman and serves on the firm’s Board of Directors.

Chris represents clients in high-stakes matters arising from federal, state, and private construction projects, as well as significant commercial disputes involving substantial financial exposure and operational risk. He is regularly called on to manage claims involving delays, design and scope issues, payment and lien disputes, indemnity obligations, and contract interpretation. His practice spans negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial, and he is known for developing disciplined strategies in support of his clients’ broader business objectives.

In addition to his practice, Chris is active in the construction law community. He has served as Vice Chairman of the International Construction Projects Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Construction Panel, and frequently speaks on construction law topics. He also served as editor of the Associated General Contractors of Washington’s Lien and Bond Claims Handbook and authored the chapter on public works liens and bonds.

Professional Memberships

Alaska State Bar Association

American Arbitration Association

Associated Building Contractors

Associated General Contractors

Construction Lawyers Society of America

Idaho State Bar Association

International Pacific Bar Association

Oregon State Bar Association

Washington State Bar Association

Publications

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.

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.

Work Highlights

Seattle Convention Center (f/k/a Washington State Convention Center)

Chris Wright recently served as lead counsel defending the Seattle Convention Center in a complex construction dispute exceeding $150 million. The claims, brought by the general contractor and structural steel subcontractor, involved alleged design changes, disputed pricing of modifications, indemnity obligations tied to previously resolved claims, and responsibility for project delays. The case proceeded to a three-month trial, where despite admitted changes and acknowledged delays, the Court found the contractor had not met the burden of proof on any of the damages sought. The result was a complete defense victory for the Seattle Convention Center.

Clients

DPR Construction, A General Partnership

Granite Construction, Inc.

Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

M. A. Mortenson Company

PCL Construction Services, Inc.

Seattle Convention Center f/k/a Washington State Convention Center

Expert in these Jurisdictions

State of Alaska

State of Idaho

State of Oregon

State of Washington

Oregon State Courts (U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon)

Washington State Courts (U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington and United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit)

Education

Awards