Christopher Pallanch

Christopher Pallanch

Partner

503.802.2104
christopher.pallanch@tonkon.com

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Services & Industries

Education

J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, Order of the Coif

B.A., with distinction in major, Colorado College

Bar & Court Admissions

Oregon State Bar
Washington State Bar Association
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Chris is a partner in Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department, a member of the Managing Board, and serves as a co-chair of both the Antitrust Advice & Advocacy practice group and the Financial Services & Investment Management practice group.  As a trial lawyer, Chris has tried eight- and nine-figure cases to verdict with juries and judges in federal and state court. Chris has a wide-ranging practice that centers on finding solutions and offering strategic guidance for complex business disputes. In addition to trying cases, Chris represents businesses in enforcing and defending their trade secrets and trade dress, responding to regulatory investigations (at the federal, state, and agency levels), and helping to minimize risks while maximizing returns in a pragmatic manner.

Chris is a past president of the Oregon Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and currently serves as a District of Oregon Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative. He joined Tonkon Torp after a clerkship with U.S. District Judge Edward C. Reed, Jr., in Nevada. Prior to practicing law, Chris 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.

Representative Matters

Professional Malpractice

When one of the largest regional accounting firms was sued for malpractice based on a supposed conflict of interest, led the defense of the firm in arbitration, obtaining a complete defense verdict.

Trade Secrets – Software as a Service

Successfully first-chaired a three-week federal jury trial of a nine-figure dispute over claimed trade secrets in software as a service platforms.

Trade Secrets – Bread

Trial counsel for two-week federal jury trial for bread manufacturer accused of trade secret misappropriation, ultimately obtaining a complete victory for the client on appeal.

Trade Secrets – Manufacturing

Defended 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

Regularly defends clients in responding to requests and investigations from various governmental divisions and regulatory agencies, including representing: a national retailer in defense of an unfair trade practices claim brought by a State; 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 local client for a business venture that fell through, obtained a preliminary injunction against the LA-company. At trial, obtained a dismissal of a $50 million claim against the client and succeeded in winning a judgment of almost $2 million in favor of the client.

​Defamation

Represented a hospital organization in a defamation suit brought by a disgruntled former employee; succeeded in getting the case dismissed at summary judgment.

​Trust Dispute

When a beneficiary of a family trust challenged the provisions of that trust, represented the professional trustee and co-chaired a four-day bench trial, which resulted in a judgment upholding the trust.

Construction Defect

Represented the purchaser of a troubled green condominium project in North Portland. This Multnomah County Circuit Court case involved over 20 parties, including the architect, general contractor, subcontractors and suppliers. The building, although brand new, experienced significant construction defects, including a prematurely failed roof and acoustic separation issues. The case was ultimately settled following a series of joint expert investigations and a comprehensive mediation process.

Commercial Leases

Represents both landlords and tenants in connection with commercial leases.

Employment

When a former employee sued a client for age discrimination under Washington and Federal law, Chris led the defense of the case, drafting and arguing a motion for summary judgment in federal court that led to a decision in the client’s favor.

Tonkon Torp Litigators Take on One of Oregon’s Largest Commercial Lawsuits

In 2021, Tonkon Torp defended its client Sprinklr, Inc. in one of the largest Oregon-based commercial lawsuits to be filed in recent years. The complex case between Sprinklr and plaintiff Opal Labs began in 2017 and involved the high-end technology of two sophisticated companies offering services in content marketing.

The Ramos Project

In April 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down non-unanimous jury convictions in criminal cases in Ramos v. Louisiana. A shameful carryover from the Jim Crow era, Louisiana and Oregon were the last two states that allowed non-unanimous criminal convictions when as many as two jurors believed a defendant was innocent. Overnight, more than 260 cases in Oregon became eligible to seek post-conviction relief for unconstitutional non-unanimous convictions. Housed in the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic (CJRC) at Lewis & Clark Law School, the Ramos Project is a statewide pro-bono initiative providing legal assistance to those seeking redress.

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.

Community Involvement & Activities

Federal Bar Association, Oregon Chapter
2018-2019, President
2017-2018, President-Elect
2016-2017, Vice President
2012-2022, Director

District of Oregon Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative
2022-present

Bridgetown FC
Secretary

Portland Business Alliance
Leadership Portland Class of 2015


Professional Memberships

American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Multnomah Bar Association

The Best Lawyers in America

2021-2024, Commercial Litigation
2021-2024, Litigation – Banking and Finance
2023, Lawyer of the Year – Litigation – Banking and Finance, Portland

Super Lawyers

2018-2023, Oregon Super Lawyer – Business Litigation
2014-2017, Oregon Rising Star – Business Litigation

Read More

Tonkon Torp Attorneys Lead Roundtable for Greater Portland Compliance Association

Tonkon Torp attorneys Christopher Pallanch, Sam Taylor, Jarell Hunt, and Jessica Morgan led a recent informational session on timely topics important to compliance professionals. The educational roundtable was hosted by the Greater Portland Compliance Association at the Tonkon Torp offices.

Best Lawyers in America® Includes 49 Tonkon Torp Attorneys on 2024 List

Forty-nine Tonkon Torp lawyers representing 36 practice areas have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024. All of the attorneys have been previously named to the peer-review list, and most have been listed for more than 10 years.

39 Tonkon Torp Attorneys Honored on 2023 Super Lawyers Lists

Thirty-nine Tonkon Torp attorneys in 12 practice areas have been included in the 2023 Oregon Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.

Christopher Pallanch Named Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative for the District of Oregon

Tonkon Torp attorney Christopher Pallanch has been appointed to a three-year term as a Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative for the District of Oregon.

Tonkon Torp Attorneys Host Briefing for Greater Portland Compliance Association

Tonkon Torp attorneys Jessica Morgan and Christopher Pallanch led an informational session on timely topics important to compliance professionals.

All News Items

SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2023 Priorities

By Samantha Taylor, Christopher Pallanch, and Jessica A. Morgan – On February 7, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations announced its fiscal year 2023 examination priorities. This year, the Division continues its focus on protecting investors by prioritizing examinations on a risk-based approach to ensure compliance with federal securities laws and rules and to respond to the various risks posed by evolving technology.

SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2022 Priorities

By Chris Pallanch and Jessica Morgan – On March 30, 2022, the Security and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations announced its fiscal year 2022 examination priorities. This year’s theme is empowering compliance officers. Once again, the Division’s priorities fit into several broad categories.

SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2021 Priorities

On March 3, 2021, the Security and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations (formerly the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, now either “the Division” or “EXAMS”) announced its fiscal year 2021 examination priorities.

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 treats, beverages, lotions, creams, bath bombs, gummies, and coffee, to name but a few.

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 ship hemp from one state to another.

All Alerts Items

Publications & Presentations

“SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2023 Priorities,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Feb. 2023

“SEC Examination Priorities and Enforcement Update for 2022,” Greater Portland Compliance Association, Sept. 2022

“SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2021 Priorities,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, March 2021

“Compliance and Enforcement Update,” Greater Portland Compliance Association, Oct. 2020

“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, Oct. 2019

“What You Need to Know About Buying and Selling Products Containing Cannabidiol (CBD),” Portland Business Journal, Sept. 2019

“CBD Business and Regulation Focus – The 2018 Farm Bill,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Feb. 2019

“Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations Priorities,” Greater Portland Compliance Association, Sept. 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, Feb. 2018

“SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations Priorities for 2018,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Feb. 2018

“​New ‘Financial Abuse’ Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Oregon Investment Adviser Representatives,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, Jan. 2018

“DOL Fiduciary Rule Delayed for 60 Days,” Tonkon Torp Legal Update, April 2017

“Compliance and Enforcement Update,” Greater Portland Compliance Association, Oct. 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, Feb. 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