Chris has extensive experience representing foreign and domestic airlines in major aviation accident investigations and litigation, including American Airlines in the Flight 587 accident in November 2001 and the property litigation arising from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In the Flight 587 litigation, Chris was responsible for implementing American’s overall liability defense and the prosecution of American’s contribution cross-claims against the aircraft manufacturer. This responsibility included all aspects of Flight 587 liability discovery and motion practice. In the course of handling this and other aviation accidents, Chris has developed an intimate knowledge of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation process and regularly advises clients about this process. Chris was recognized for his expertise in the 2008 and 2011 editions of Legal 500.

Along with Condon & Forsyth LLP being selected as one of the top aviation law firms for 2011 by Legal 500, special mention was made of Chris as being highly recommended for his "internationally renowned" work.

He was also selected in 2011 as a New York Super Lawyer in the field of Civil Litigation Defense.

Chris has represented civilian and military aircraft and helicopter manufacturers in aviation accidents (often involving the government contractor defense) and non-aviation industrial product liability litigation. In addition, he has handled a number of general aviation matters, including business and light aircraft and hot air balloons. He has conducted numerous liability prevention and crisis management seminars for clients of the firm.

Chris is admitted to the bar of New York (1988), the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of New York, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit (2010). He is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, The Association of the Bar of the City of New York (Member, Product Liability Committee, 1997-2000), the American (Member, Aviation Litigation Committee) and New York State Bar Associations, the Federal Bar Council and the Defense Research Institute (Product Liability Committee).

Chris is a graduate of the Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., 1987) and Hartwick College (B.A., 1984).

Published Works and Presentations: 

CMS Increases MMSEA Section 111 Threshold Dollar Exemptions. Condon & Forsyth LLP Alert (October 2011).


U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Employment Class Action Suit Against Wal-Mart, Finds Insufficient Commonality Among Female Plaintiffs. Condon & Forsyth LLP Alert (June 2011).


U.S. Litigation Arising Out of the Air France Flight 447 Accident Dismissed on Forum Non Conveniens Grounds for a Second Time: Another Significant Victory for Defendants. Condon & Forsyth LLP Alert (June 2011).


Co-author, Revisiting the Apex Doctrine. IADC Privacy Project Volume IV (2011).


Co-author, Sealing your Settlement Agreement from the Public Eye. IADC Privacy Project Volume IV (2011).


Editor, The Latest Trends & Tactics in Prosecuting & Defending Foreign Mass Accident Litigation. New York City Bar ABA Section of Litigation, Aviation Litigation CLE Seminar (June 2011).


The Second and Ninth Circuits are Divided Over the Starting Point For Application of the Death on the High Seas Act in Non-Commercial Aviation Accidents. Condon & Forsyth LLP Bulletin (March 2011).


U.S. Litigation Arising Out of the TAM Linhas Aéreas Flight 3054 Accident: Another Significant Forum Non Conveniens Setback for Plaintiffs in Federal Court. Condon & Forsyth LLP Alert (February 2011).


U.S. Litigation Arising Out of the TAM Linhas Aéreas Flight 3054 Accident: Another Significant Forum Non Conveniens Setback for Plaintiffs in Federal Court. Condon & Forsyth LLP Alert (February 2011).


Forum Non Conveniens in Foreign Aviation Accidents: Litigating in Federal Court is Often the Difference Between Winning and Losing. Condon & Forsyth LLP Newsletter (Fall 2010).


U.S. Litigation Arising Out of the Air France Flight 447 Accident Dismissed on Forum Non Conveniens Grounds: A Significant Victory for Defendants. Condon & Forsyth LLP Client Alert (October 2010).


Contributor, The Liability Reporter, published jointly by IATA and Condon & Forsyth LLP. (13th ed., February 2010).



Drawing a Line in the Sea: The Separate Starting Lines Under the Death on the High Seas Act for Commercial and Non-Commercial Aviation Accidents. Condon & Forsyth LLP Client Bulletin (July 2009).


"What You Need to Know to Successfully Depose a Foreign Witness or Obtain Written Evidence Under the Hague Evidence Convention", 76 Defense Counsel Journal 247 (April 2009); originally published in IADC Committee Newsletter: Aviation and Space Law (November 2008).


Author, "Framing the Government Contractor Defense: Origin, Extension, and Potential", American Bar Association, The Brief, Winter 2009.



Rule B Lives On: Appellate Court Affirms Wire Transfer Seizures in Maritime Disputes. Condon & Forsyth LLP Client Alert (September 2008).


Kentucky Judge Denies Protective Order For Pilot Safety Reports In Comair Suit.   Condon & Forsyth LLP Client Bulletin (April 2008).


Attempts by Plaintiffs to Defeat Forum Non Conveniens Motions by Alleging Aircraft Owner or Lessor Liability.   Condon & Forsyth LLP Newsletter (Winter 2008).


Christopher Christensen spoke and presented a paper at the Aviation Litigation Committee CLE Seminar, Co-Sponsored by the ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section in New York on June 3, 2005 on The Montreal Convention of 1999.


Changing Tides in the Law Regarding Admissibility of NTSB Final Accident Reports.   Air & Space Lawyer (Spring 2005).


Beaumont Garnault Fifth International Aviation Conference, July 5-7, 2000.


The Government Contractor Defense in Litigating the Aviation Case from Pretrial to Closing Argument.  American Bar Association (1998).


Aviation Law Compendium. Co-editor, American Bar Association.