Skip to Main Content
Overview

Chris’ experience on both sides of the negotiation table offers clients broad and unique skills in real estate and land-use transactions.

In addition to his legal experience, Chris formerly worked as Development Incentive Administrator for Jackson County, Missouri, evaluating local tax incentive projects. Having approached development from this perspective, Chris brings clients greater insight and collaborative approaches that are mutually beneficial.

Chris represents clients in a wide range of land-use transactions facing businesses today, such as exemptions, rezoning, variances, permits, licenses, street vacations and other legal challenges. Landlords and tenants on office, retail and industrial lease negotiations are another group of clients he serves. He guides individuals, public and private companies, and nonprofit organizations across a variety of sectors with respect to real estate acquisition, sale, leasing and financing transactions. Further, he advises developers on procurement of complex development incentives such as real property tax abatement, Brownfield remediation tax credits, tax increment financing, community improvement districts and sales tax exemption on construction materials.

Clients appreciate his understanding of government finance, local politics and economic development to effectively achieve desired results in a wide range of real estate and land-use transactions.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
    • Land Use and Zoning Law, 2022-2025
    • Real Estate Law, 2022
  • Civic Council of Great Kansas City's Kansas City Tomorrow (KCT) leadership program, 2022-2023
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
    • Rising Star, Real Estate, 2022 and 2023
  • Missouri Bar Pro Bono Wall of Fame, 2016, 2021

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
    • cum laude
    • University of Missouri, Kansas City Law Review
    • Urban Lawyer Law Review
  • B.A., Benedictine College
    • Economics and Business Administration
    • cum laude

Admissions

  • Missouri

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Urban Land Institute (ULI)
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Assisted client Milhaus in obtaining a tax abatement and tax exemptions for a mixed-use development project.
Case Studies
Netrality Properties, LP

Our team ensured the issuance of $56 million in bonds for the development and renovation of an important client site.

Through G.I.F.T. Partnership, Husch Blackwell Provides Pro Bono Legal Support to Black-OwnedBusinesses, like Ruby Jean's Juicery, LLC

Our firm assisted with a number of matters, including lease and contract review, corporate restructuring, intellectual property protection and advice on future growth through franchising.

Moving Harris Park Midtown Sports & Activity Center From Vision to Reality

Our team helped bring a sports-themed development project in Kansas City's urban core to fruition.

Garney Construction

We represented the project lead in the Vista Ridge project, the largest water infrastructure P3 in the United States.

Outside the Office

Chris and his wife spend their time with their young children. An avid sports fan, he also plays in several adult recreational leagues including dodgeball, softball and flag football. Chris loves cheering on his alma mater, Benedictine College’s football team. He was a former captain and three-time all-conference player for the team.