Chris Lopata handles complex and general civil litigation, focusing on product liability, toxic torts, credit reporting, and a wide range of business litigation. As part of Jones Day's national representations of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Sherwin-Williams, Chris has appeared in state and federal courts across the country in actions related to tobacco and lead pigment in paint. He has served as lead trial counsel for an array of commercial disputes in New York State courts. He also has counseled clients who have sought and obtained favorable settlements in non-trial bound business disputes.

Chris has substantial experience, during pretrial and trial phases, defending against complex damages claims. In the course of coordinating damages defenses for clients and codefendants in joint defense groups, Chris has developed considerable knowledge of complex issues such as market share and other collective liability theories, public and private nuisance, class actions, medical monitoring, unfair trade practices, and governmental accounting. In 2006, Chris successfully obtained dismissal of all alleged compensatory damages, totaling tens of millions of dollars, which were being sought by the state of Rhode Island in a public nuisance action.

Chris has identified, worked closely with, and developed a wide range of expert witnesses, including accountants, economists, statisticians, historians, and chemists. He has extensive experience coordinating the use of computer litigation support and record collection services.

Chris is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and the New York State Bar Association.