Christopher R. Pettit, Esq.

PRACTICE AREAS:

• Business Law
• Business and Commercial Litigation
• Securities Arbitrations
• Collections
• ERISA Litigation
• Employment Law
• Professional Malpractice
• Fair Housing Act/Americans with Disabilities Act Defense

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE:

• Successfully defended an architecture firm against FHA claims for inaccessible design and construction of a multi-family housing development in Warren County, Ohio
• Arbitrated fraud claims through the NASD against a securities firm for multiple thefts committed by one of its registered brokers
• Obtained a verdict at trial on behalf of a licensee for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation claims against a furniture distributor and wholesaler
• Successfully defended a civil engineering firm against ADA/FHA claims for inaccessible design and construction of common areas at a condominium development in Fairfield County, Ohio
• Litigated contribution claims under ERISA on behalf of a small HVAC contractor
• Obtained a verdict at trial on behalf of a medical services and billing company that was being accused of fraud and conversion
• Act as collection counsel for several construction companies and manufacturers
• Negotiated a franchise agreement on behalf of a franchisee who purchased a graphics and printing company in Dublin, Ohio
• Obtained an arbitration award on behalf of a registered broker against his former securities firm for wrongful termination and conversion
• Assisted client in negotiating settlement in a dispute among the shareholders of a closely held software development corporation relating to the buy-out of shares of two minority owners
• Conducted an arbitration on behalf of corporate counsel on a claim for wrongful termination against his employer through the American Arbitration Association
• Litigated the enforcement of a non-competition agreement on behalf of a mid-sized flooring company
• Litigated a breach of contract case on behalf of a press and equipment manufacturer against the purchaser of a tire-shredder in Livingston, New Jersey
• Litigated breach of fiduciary duty claims under ERISA on behalf of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan of a large concrete casting and construction company in Southwest Ohio
• Defended an attorney in Dallas, Texas against claims of fraud, negligence and unjust enrichment relating to the attorney’s representation in a tax resolution and debt consolidation matter
• Defended a financial services company against breach of contract and fraud claims related to a Section Eight apartment complex in Blacklick, Ohio
• Defended medical practice against denial of benefit claims under ERISA filed by former partner
• Assisted numerous clients in the formation of Limited Liability Companies and Subchapter S Corporations in the software development, property development, rental and property management industries
• Litigated a products liability case against a press manufacturer in Düsseldorf, Germany
• Arbitrated claims of negligent supervision and fraud through the NASD against a securities firm in Lincoln, Nebraska related to the theft of client funds perpetrated by a registered representative

SIGNIFICANT CASES:

• Wagner v. Marietta Area Health Care, 2001 Ohio 2424, 2001 Ohio App. LEXIS 362 (Ohio App. 4 Dist. 2001). Holding: Physician required to evaluate risks rationally before refusing to make a settlement offer in order to avoid an award of prejudgment interest
• Watters v. Ross County Children Services, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 709 (Ohio App. 4 Dist. 2000). Holding: Foster parent was acting in a proprietary capacity when foster child was fatally injured in her custody, thereby precluding application of sovereign immunity

EDUCATION:

• The Ohio State University – Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1998
• Ohio University, M.A., 1992
• Ohio University, B.S.E.D. 1989 cum laude

BAR ADMISSIONS:

• Ohio, 1998
• United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, 1999
• United States Court of Claims, 1998
• United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2006
• United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2009

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

• Columbus Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Ohio Business Brokers Association

COMMUNITY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT:

• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Young Professionals Board
• Cub Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Counsel, Pack 98, Den Leader
• Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Counsel, Troop 898, Merit Badge Counselor
• Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Beta Chapter, Ohio University, Board of Governors

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:

• “S.B. 106: Immunizing Political Subdivisions,” Trial, Spring 2004
• “Single Member LLC’s: Pitfalls and Practical Applications”, Ohio Business Broker’s Association, November 2010
• “FHA/ADA Enforcement: What is the Impact on Commercial Real Estate?”, Ohio State Bar Association, June 2010
• “Litigating ERISA Benefit Claims”, Ohio State Bar Association, October 2009
• “How to Handle Post-Trial Issues”, National Business Institute, December 2009

Practicing: Business and Commercial Litigation