Christopher J. Cunio handles complex commercial litigation, government investigations and business disputes of all sizes and varieties. Chris has litigated and tried matters involving real estate, environmental contamination, breach of contract (including Information Technology contracts), fiduciary duty, employment law, regulatory process, administrative appeals, intellectual property, and internal and external investigations.
He staffs each case based on the subject matter involved, the amount in dispute, the scope and complexity of the issues, and the eDiscovery demands for efficient and effective results. He takes the leading role in every case he handles, and is involved in all critical events from the initial intake meeting to the final disposition. He is available 24/7 to meet a client’s needs. Chris previously served as a law clerk to Massachusetts state trial court.
Chris also served on the planning board for the Town of Marshfield (1999-2005; recalled in 2015-2016). He is active in numerous regional political campaigns and participates in several charitable organizations, including the Cape Cod Bay Challenge for Christopher’s Haven and Supporters of Marshfield Skatepark, Inc.
Experience:
- Represented a major paving contractor seeking to obtain permits to construct and operate an asphalt plant on a 100 acre property located outside of Boston. Chris was co-lead counsel in various administrative appeals and abutter lawsuits, all of which were successfully resolved through trial and dispositive motions allowing the project to go forward.
- Lead counsel for the managing partner of a New Hampshire Limited Liability Company in a dispute with his partner over ownership and control of three real estate projects valued at more than $150 million. He won various pre-trial rulings that resulted in removal of the other partner and secured 100% ownership of the real estate for his client.
- Co-lead counsel for a prominent businessman involved in litigation concerning his purchase of a 100+ acre shipyard from a government agency at foreclosure. Prevailed on summary judgment before the Federal trial court, and on appeal in the First Circuit.
- Lead counsel for an international corporation prosecuting and defending numerous trademark infringement claims. In one of these cases, Chris litigated a novel issue involving internet-based jurisdiction over an infringing defendant in federal court and prevailed. He then prevailed on a summary judgment, obtained a verdict in the amount of $426,486, and secured a permanent injunction prohibiting the infringing company from any further use of his client’s trademarks. Chris also prevailed on appeal in the First Circuit Court.
- Represented a global company that acquired 30 chemical manufacturing facilities throughout the world in a multibillion-dollar transaction. Chris represented the purchaser who filed suit in federal court against the seller for breach of the purchase agreement and violation of various warranties. He was lead counsel for 40 claims related to health, safety and environmental breaches and violations that resulted in damages in excess of $100M. The case involved complex e-discovery, including the collection, review and production of over 400GB of documents and data and 1.1TB of technical data.
- Represented a national workers compensation provider. Chris handled all employment matters (i.e., discrimination, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment) for the company.
- Represented an international, multi-platinum recording artist in a copyright infringement case.
- Represented a large, publicly held high-tech computer company in various disputes regarding complex data storage contracts.
- Represented a major manufacturer of fluid sealing devices — Chris handled hundreds of products liability cases throughout New England and in Puerto Rico for the company.
- Chris and Harry Manion were retained as lead trial counsel in a federal criminal case in Boston involving allegations of an “under-the-table” payroll scheme resulting in corporate tax evasion, ERISA fraud and workers compensation fraud. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the defendant faced up to 46-57 months imprisonment on 17 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud and ERISA false statements. Harry and Chris successfully obtained a substantial downward departure resulting in a sentence of 12 months imprisonment, on the grounds of the impact of incarceration upon the defendant’s innocent employees under the First Circuit case U.S. v. Olbres and the defendant’s extraordinary family circumstances.
- Chris and Thomas F. Reilly were retained as lead counsel in a federal investigation of a public company regarding pricing. Tom and Chris are currently handling this matter.
EDUCATION:
- JD, New England School of Law, magna cum laude, 1996
- BA, College of the Holy Cross, 1993
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- New York
- Texas
- Massachusetts
COURT ADMISSIONS:
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
Memberships:
- Member, Board of Directors for Cape Cod Bay Challenge
- Member, Planning Board for the Town of Marshfield, 1999 – 2005, 2015 – 2016
- Member, Planning Board for the Town of Marshfield, Chairman, 2002 – 2003
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Member, Boston Bar Association
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, Texas State Bar Association
- Member, Hispanic National Bar Association
Cost
Rate : $$$