Chris Donovan is an experienced litigator who has represented clients in a broad range of complex commercial disputes, multidistrict litigation, environmental actions, mass torts, intellectual property disputes, as well as internal and government investigations.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Defended hotel franchisor in federal and state court cases throughout the United States, including multidistrict litigation proceedings in Texas, involving alleged third-party crime at franchised hotels
Defended cybersecurity companies in federal court against trade secret misappropriation claims
Defended a software company in federal court against various trade secret misappropriation and false advertising claims
Defended hotel franchisor in federal and state court cases throughout the United States, including multidistrict litigation proceedings in Texas, involving alleged third-party crime at franchised hotels
Defended cybersecurity companies in federal court against trade secret misappropriation claims
Defended a software company in federal court against various trade secret misappropriation and false advertising claims
Represented an ocean plastic recovery company in federal court asserting claims under the Lanham Act
Defended manufacturer against perfluorinated chemicals-related claims brought under various federal and state environmental statutes
Defended an entertainment franchisor in arbitrations with franchisees asserting contractual, statutory, and business tort claims
Represented a natural gas services company in a federal case asserting claims for trade secret misappropriation and breaches of noncompete and confidentiality agreements
Represented a Fortune 500 company in a government investigation involving alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and various environmental regulations
Represented a Latin American state-owned oil company asserting claims arising from offshore equipment failure
Defended hotel franchisor in state court litigation against franchisees asserting contract claims
Defended health maintenance organization against commercial claims brought by a laboratory services provider before the American Arbitration Association
Represented a client in a government investigation involving allegations of fraud and money laundering.
Doe v. Red Roof Inns, Inc., 21 F. 4th 714 (11th Circ. 2021), affirming dismissal of claims arising under 18 U.S.C. § 1595(a) and related claims against hotel franchisors
Petrobras Am. Inc. v. Vicinay Cadenas, S.A., 780 F. App’x 96 (5th Cir. 2019), reversing grant of summary judgment
zvelo, Inc. v. Akamai Techs., Inc., No. 19-CV-00097-PAB-SKC, 2019 WL 4751809 (D. Colo. Sept. 30, 2019), granting motion to dismiss trade secret misappropriation and unjust enrichment claims
Recognitions
- Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers® - Texas Rising Stars (2023-2024)
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., Honors in Legal Writing Associate Editor, Journal of Constitutional Law
- University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, Certificate in Management
- Austin College, B.A., Environmental Studies and Political Science, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Hatton W. Sumners Scholar
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Texas
Court admissions
Court admissions
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of Texas