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Overview
Christopher is a member of the firm's Litigation Department and co-chairs the firm's Financial Services & Investment Management Practice Group. He has a wide-ranging practice that centers on finding solutions and offering strategic guidance for complex business disputes. In addition to general commercial litigation matters, Christopher represents clients in defending trade secrets and Lanham Act claims, responding to regulatory investigations (at the state, federal, and agency levels), and helping to minimize risks while maximizing returns in a pragmatic manner.
Christopher is the immediate past president of the Board of Directors for the Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He joined Tonkon Torp in 2009, following a two-year clerkship with U.S. District Judge Edward C. Reed, Jr., in Nevada. Prior to law school, Christopher worked as a staff analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank and as a financial analyst at a regional credit union with over $1 billion in assets.
Christopher is the immediate past president of the Board of Directors for the Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He joined Tonkon Torp in 2009, following a two-year clerkship with U.S. District Judge Edward C. Reed, Jr., in Nevada. Prior to law school, Christopher worked as a staff analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank and as a financial analyst at a regional credit union with over $1 billion in assets.
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Featured Representative Matters
Professional Malpractice
When a large regional accounting firm was sued for malpractice, Christopher defended the firm and helped to navigate a variety of technical and jurisdictional issues. The case successfully resolved following mediation.
Trade Secret
Christopher helped defend a local manufacturer against a competitor's claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of a license agreement, knocking out a substantial portion of the competitor's claims on summary judgment.
Compliance
Christopher has helped clients respond to requests and investigations from various governmental divisions and regulatory agencies. This includes representing a retailer in defense of an unfair trade practices claim, directors of a bank from a complaint by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and principals of an investment company from SEC inquiries and investigations.
Breach of Contract
When a Los Angeles-based finance company sued a client in California for a business venture that fell through, Christopher helped to get the California action dismissed and filed suit against the foreign company in Oregon. Christopher assisted in obtaining a preliminary injunction against the defendant and later second chaired the trial of the matter, which resulted in both the dismissal of a $20 million claim against the client and a judgment of almost $2 million in favor of the client.
Defamation
After an employee voluntarily quit a company, the employee had difficulty obtaining a new job. Believing that his former employer was spreading rumors about him, the employee sued for defamation. Christopher helped mount a vigorous defense of the claim and ultimately succeeded in obtaining a ruling in his client's favor on a motion for summary judgment.
Trust Dispute
When a beneficiary of a family trust challenged the provisions of that trust, Christopher represented the professional trustee and co-chaired a four-day bench trial, which resulted in a judgment upholding the trust.
Construction Defect
In a construction defect case of a proposed high-end condominium project, Christopher helped represent the owner, which recovered a substantial settlement through mediation.
Joint Venture
In an action where an out-of-state client was sued in Oregon for a joint venture gone awry, Christopher took the lead in defending the case, which was ultimately dismissed.
Breach of Commercial Lease
Christopher assisted in representing the landlord when a commercial tenant sought to terminate its lease, helping the client to settle favorably with its lender and obtaining a substantial payment from its tenant.
Breach of Contract
When a national chain sued a family-owned company for breach of a service contract, Christopher represented the family-owned company, eventually helping to settle the case favorably for the client.
Employment
When a former employee sued a client for age discrimination under Washington and Federal law, Christopher managed the defense of the case, leading discovery and drafting and arguing a motion for summary judgment in federal court that led to a decision in the client's favor.
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Featured Work
Tonkon Torp Stays the Course in the Mississippi Avenue Lofts Project
The process to acquire, complete and sell the Mississippi Avenue Lofts involved a broad range of legal transactions from Tonkon Torp, including a funding round, multi-party loan and purchasing agreements, litigation and a final sale. Find the details and more featured cases here.
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Community Involvement & Activities
Federal Bar Association, Oregon Chapter
2018-2019, President
2017-2018, President-Elect
2016-2017, Vice President
2012-Present, Director
Bridgetown FC
Secretary
Portland Business Alliance
Leadership Portland Class of 2015
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Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association
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Awards & Recognition
The Best Lawyers in America
2021, Commercial Litigation
2021, Litigation – Banking and Finance
2021, Litigation – Banking and Finance
Super Lawyers
2018-2020, Oregon Super Lawyer – Business Litigation
2014-2017, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
2014-2017, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation
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Recent News
8.20.2020
Best Lawyers in America® Includes 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2021 List
Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. A majority of attorneys have been named to the peer-review list in past years, and most have been recognized for more…
7.7.2020
26 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2020 Super Lawyers Lists
Twenty-six Tonkon Torp attorneys in nine practice areas have been included in the 2020 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Tonkon Torp partner and bankruptcy authority Albert N. Kennedy has been once again recognized on the Top 50 list of…
5.19.2020
Financial Services Attorneys Host COVID-19 Impact Webinar for Investment Advisors
Tonkon Torp Financial Services attorneys Jessica Morgan, Christopher Pallanch and Jarell Hunt hosted a webinar for investment advisors and private fund managers to explore how COVID-19 has impacted regulations, compliance requirements, examinations…
11.12.2019
Pallanch and Forman Discuss Patchwork CBD Regulations for PBJ Thought Leadership Podcast
Tonkon Torp attorneys Christopher Pallanch and David Forman are featured guests on the October 22 episode of the Portland Business Journal’s Thought Leadership Podcast. Their episode explores the complicated regulatory landscape of cannabidiol (CBD…
9.30.2019
Tonkon Torp Attorneys Hold Briefing for Greater Portland Compliance Association
Attorneys from Tonkon Torp’s Financial Services & Investment Management and Labor & Employment practice groups provided a briefing for chief compliance officers for investment advisers and broker dealers.
7.16.2019
31 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2019 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-one Tonkon Torp attorneys in nine practice areas have been included in the 2019 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.
10.9.2018
Tonkon Torp Attorneys Lead Education Meeting for Greater Portland Compliance Association
On September 20, attorneys from Tonkon Torp’s Financial Services & Investment Management and Corporate Finance & Transactions practice groups hosted CCO's from investment advisers and broker dealers for the Greater Portland Compliance Association…
9.4.2018
Christopher Pallanch Elected President of Oregon Federal Bar Association
Tonkon Torp partner Christopher Pallanch has been elected President of the Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association for the 2018-2019 term. The Federal Bar Association works to strengthen the federal legal system and administration of justice…
7.24.2018
31 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2018 Super Lawyers Lists
Thirty-one Tonkon Torp attorneys in 11 practice areas have been included in the 2018 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Tonkon Torp partner and bankruptcy authority Albert Kennedy has been once again recognized on the Top 50 list of Oregon…
5.25.2018
Tonkon Torp Sponsors 2018 Federal Bar Association Dinner
Tonkon Torp was a platinum sponsor at the Federal Bar Association, Oregon Chapter annual dinner on May 24. Tonkon's participation in the event was organized by Christopher Pallanch, President-Elect of FBA Oregon, and Jeff Bradford, also a member of…
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Recent Alerts
9.12.2019
What You Need to Know About Buying and Selling Products Containing Cannabidiol (CBD)
It seems as though products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are everywhere – in supermarkets, health food stores, gyms, even the corner convenience store. And CBD can come in almost every product, regardless of the shape or size: oil, toothpicks, dog…
2.21.2019
CBD Business and Regulation Focus - The 2018 Farm Bill
So, can you ship hemp across state lines now? Not without risk. The 2018 Farm Bill makes it possible to produce hemp in some states without violating federal law. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains for the hemp industry, as shown by recent efforts to…
6.27.2018
Supreme Court Throws Out SEC Administrative Law Judge Process
On June 21, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States invalidated the process that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") had been using to appoint administrative law judges. Staff from the SEC had selected administrative law judges as…
2.7.2018
SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations Priorities for 2018
On February 7, 2018, the Security and Exchange Commission's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations announced its 2018 examination priorities. For 2018, OCIE's priorities fit into five broad categories.
1.9.2018
New “Financial Abuse” Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Oregon Investment Adviser Representatives
Effective January 1, 2018, Oregon's securities regulation laws started imposing a mandatory reporting requirement in certain circumstances on "qualified individuals"—including investment adviser representatives—to protect "vulnerable persons" from…
4.7.2017
DOL Fiduciary Rule Delayed for 60 Days
Today, April 7, 2017, the Federal Register published the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) final rule extending the applicability date of the ERISA Fiduciary Rule from April 10, 2017 to June 9, 2017. A copy of the final rule is available here. Other…
3.17.2017
Temporary Guidance for Fiduciary Rule Compliance
On Friday, March 10, 2017, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a field assistance bulletin (FAB) adopting a temporary enforcement policy regarding compliance with the ERISA Fiduciary Rule. The ERISA Fiduciary Rule is set to go in effect on April 10…
2.14.2017
Fiduciary Rule's Status Uncertain
On Friday, February 3, 2017, the President signed an executive order requiring the re-examination of the final Fiduciary Rule (81 Fed. Reg. 20946 (April 8, 2016)) set to go into effect on April 10, 2017. The Fiduciary Rule, which was the subject of…
6.20.2012
JOBS Act Directs SEC to Lift Ban on General Solicitation and General Advertising in Rule 506 Offerings
The recently enacted Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) directs the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to adopt rules that remove the existing prohibition against general advertising and general solicitation in private…
4.23.2012
SEC Adopts Final Rules on Performance-Based Fees
As discussed in a previous Tonkon Tip, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued an order raising the financial thresholds of Rule 205-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which provides that only "qualified clients" may be charged a…
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Publications & Presentations
"Managing Investment Adviser Compliance in the Global Pandemic," May 2020
Podcast, "CBD’s ‘Patchwork’ Regulatory Scheme is Causing Confusion. What are the Facts?" Portland Business Journal, October 2019
"What you Need to Know About Buying and Selling Products Containing Cannabidiol (CBD)," Portland Business Journal, September 2019
"CBD Business and Regulation Focus – The 2018 Farm Bill," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, February 2019
"Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations Priorities," Greater Portland Compliance Association, September 2018
"Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, April 2018
"Vulnerable Person Abuse Protections Coming to FINRA in 2018," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, February 2018
"SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations Priorities for 2018," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, February 2018
"New 'Financial Abuse' Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Oregon Investment Adviser Representatives," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, January 2018
"DOL Fiduciary Rule Delayed for 60 Days," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, April 2017
"Compliance and Enforcement Update," Greater Portland Compliance Association, October 2017
"Social Media and GPS Location Information," Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, June 2017
"Temporary Guidance for Fiduciary Rule Compliance," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, March 2017
"Fiduciary Rule's Status Uncertain," Tonkon Torp Legal Update, February 2017
"Important Developments in e-Discovery," Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, June 2016
"The PAGA Problem: The Unsettled State of PAGA Law Isn't Good for Anyone," Bender's California Labor & Employment Bulletin, July 2013