Christopher Chen is the founder of 606 Essex Chambers and has practiced law – first in the United States and then in Canada – since 2012. Chris primarily represents businesses and individuals in commercial disputes and general corporate matters. In addition to being a lawyer, Chris is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Delaware (non-practicing).

In his commercial litigation and arbitration practice, Chris has recovered in excess of $148 million Canadian Dollars in funds for plaintiffs as well as successfully defended clients in high stakes litigation where the amount of alleged damages in controversy exceeded $105 million Canadian Dollars. The disputes have included fraud, conversion, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfer, unjust enrichment, and other civil claims. Chris also has substantial experience representing clients in Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act claims in the United States.

In his general corporate practice, Chris assists clients in purchasing and selling businesses, forming business entities, various corporate governance matters, preparing commercial agreements (including, without limitation, shareholders’ agreements, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, and joint venture agreements), and other general corporate matters. Chris has represented clients in connection with more than $2 billion Canadian Dollars in business transactions.

Before starting 606 Essex Chambers, Chris worked at the St. Louis office of a large full-service law firm with offices across the United States; at a large full-service law firm in Taipei City; as in-house counsel at the Taipei office of a global venture capital fund; and at a boutique litigation firm in downtown Vancouver. Before becoming a lawyer, Chris worked as a tax accountant at two Big Four accounting firms.

Chris’ experience includes the follow:

• Obtaining the equivalent of a $136 million Canadian Dollar settlement in an international arbitration before the American Arbitration Association on behalf of a Taiwanese-listed company against a US-listed company in connection with the breach of a put option agreement while preserving the right to seek prejudgment interest. Later, in the same arbitration, the arbitral tribunal awarded the client the equivalent of $5.84 million Canadian Dollars in prejudgment interest.
• Litigating a property dispute between two religious organizations. After approximately six months of litigation, the client obtained a $2.49 million settlement (more than the client initially expected) while preserving the right to seek additional damages from other co-defendants.
• Negotiating and obtaining a six-figure settlement for a client in connection with a private loan where the client successfully received all her principal advanced with interest without undergoing any litigation.
• Representing a private lender in a complex, eight-figure secured loan transaction where the client essentially also received a call option to purchase certain real property in British Columbia and Alberta.