Christopher D. Tomlinson

A member of the firm’s Litigation group, Chris assists a wide variety of clients, including global financial institutions, broker-dealers, private equity groups, aircraft lessors, and manufacturers. He also represents members, shareholders, and directors in corporate governance disputes and business break-ups, which often involve claims for breach of fiduciary duties.  

Chris regularly litigates in federal courts, state courts, FINRA arbitration, and other private arbitrations. He has particular experience litigating cases in the North Carolina Business Court, and he is a practice leader for Moore & Van Allen’s North Carolina Business Court group.

Representative Experience

Financial Services Litigation

• Obtained a $160 million damages award in favor of a major financial institution and a finding of no liability on $354 million in counterclaims following a week-long arbitration hearing in a dispute over commercial loans and valuation of real estate collateral
• Represented a major financial institution in a New York litigation related to the repossession of a jet leased to a prominent and high net worth Brazilian businessman and Brazilian precatorios, including securing the dismissal of all claims asserted against the financial institution
• Achieved dismissal of all claims asserted against a major financial institution related to large Ponzi and check-kiting scheme

Shareholder and Corporate Governance Disputes

• Obtained a multi-million dollar jury verdict and eventual control of a limited liability company for a minority member following month-long jury trial concerning breaches of fiduciary duty
• Represented a minority shareholder of a corporation who had been ousted from position as CEO in regaining position and forcing a court-ordered special shareholders’ meeting in the first reported decision in North Carolina to order a special shareholders’ meeting pursuant to state statute
• Represented the directors of a public company in successfully defending a shareholder suit relating to sale of company’s assets

Broker-Dealer Litigation

• Represented a major broker-dealer in a two-week private arbitration brought by an ultra-high net worth customer seeking over $100 million in damages based on allegations of excessive mark-ups, unauthorized trading, unsuitable transactions, and churning
• Obtained dismissal of claims against a broker-dealer in both FINRA arbitration and state court litigation related to alleged fraud, securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and negligent supervision
• Represented brokers and broker-dealers in private FINRA arbitrations

Commercial

• Obtained favorable result for botanical pest control manufacturer following federal jury trial concerning supplier issues
• Represented an international industrial chemical supplier by securing dismissal of all claims asserted against it under the North Carolina False Claims Act
• Obtained dismissal of claims against an international aircraft broker regarding the sale of a private jet
• Represented numerous private equity portfolio companies in resolving disputes and litigation concerning mergers and acquisitions transactions

White Collar & Regulatory

• Defended the first criminal fraud case and asset seizure brought by the North Carolina state authorities related to cryptocurrency
• Represented a major financial institution in a multi-year regulatory proceeding in Brazil concerning alleged antitrust violations
• Represented a major international financial institution in investigations related to LIBOR and other reference rates

Notable

• Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025; Litigation-Banking and Finance, 2023-2024
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Litigation, 2023-2024
• Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List," 2018-2021 
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite "Young Guns," 2021
• North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Business Litigation, 2018
• Received Vanderbilt’s Scholastic Excellence Awards in Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Multiparty Litigation.
• Serves as Vice-Chairman for the Board of Directors of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, a national non-profit operating in over 30 national parks.
• Completed a special assignment as an Assistant District Attorney in the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office.
• Author of Changing the Rules of Establishment Clause Litigation:  An Alternative to the Public Expression of Religion Act. 6.1 Vand. L. Rev. 261 (Jan. 2008), which received the Myron Penn Laughlin Award.
• Vice-Chairman, Board of Directors of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, a national non-profit operating in over 30 national parks

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