Clients turn to Chris Collins for more than courtroom advocacy. As a trusted advisor to business owners, executives, developers, investors, and families, Chris helps clients make sound decisions when the stakes are high and the path forward is not always clear. Whether guiding a significant real estate development, structuring a complex commercial transaction, navigating a business dispute, or assisting with estate and succession planning, Chris provides practical advice grounded in a deep understanding of legal risk, commercial realities, and his clients' long-term objectives.
While Chris is an accomplished trial lawyer with substantial experience in high-stakes commercial litigation, his practice extends well beyond dispute resolution. Business owners, executives, developers, and families rely on him for strategic counsel involving commercial transactions, real estate development projects, governance matters, risk management, and estate planning. His litigation background allows him to identify potential issues before they become costly disputes and to structure solutions that protect both assets and relationships.
Chris's experience spans a wide range of industries, including real estate development, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services. He regularly advises clients on business transactions, development projects, contractual relationships, succession planning, and other strategic business matters. Many clients view Chris as an extension of their leadership team, relying on him as outside general counsel for strategic planning, contract negotiations, risk management, business governance, major transactions, and day-to-day legal guidance.
When disagreements escalate into disputes, Chris draws upon more than fifteen years of litigation and trial experience to protect his clients' interests. He has successfully represented businesses in matters involving trade secrets, contract disputes, fiduciary duty claims, construction litigation, class actions, product liability claims, and other complex commercial controversies. His experience includes securing multimillion-dollar verdicts, obtaining complete defense victories in high-exposure matters, and achieving favorable resolutions in disputes involving substantial financial and operational risk.
Whether helping launch a development project, negotiate a critical transaction, resolve a business dispute, or plan for the future transfer of family wealth and business interests, Chris is committed to helping clients achieve their objectives, manage risk, and capitalize on opportunities for long-term success. His goal is not simply to solve today's problems, but to serve as a trusted advisor whose counsel clients can rely upon through every challenge, opportunity, and stage of growth.
- Secured a unanimous multimillion-dollar jury verdict on behalf of a manufacturer in a trade secrets and unfair competition dispute against a former supplier and former employees, including findings supporting exemplary damages under the Tennessee Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
- Obtained a complete defense verdict and substantial attorneys' fee award for a real estate developer in litigation involving breach of contract, fraud, and Tennessee Consumer Protection Act claims.
- Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in a bench trial involving breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims, securing judgment in the client's favor on all claims.
- Secured summary judgment dismissing all claims against a telemarketing company in a $250 million putative class action alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
- Defended a leading manufacturer of commercial, industrial, and appliance motors against product liability claims involving alleged design and manufacturing defects, resulting in dismissal of all claims.
- Recovered more than $1 million on behalf of a commercial property owner for construction defects affecting multiple properties.
- Obtained dismissal of a $100 million lawsuit asserting breach of fiduciary duty, conflict of interest, civil conspiracy, and related business tort claims.
- Represented an international logistics and fulfillment company in litigation arising from the development and construction of a regional fulfillment center.
- Represented the owner of a regional shopping mall in litigation involving contract, negligence, and misrepresentation claims, achieving a favorable resolution through mediation.
- Defended contractors and construction professionals in disputes involving alleged construction defects, professional negligence, and misrepresentation claims.
- Represented residential developers and contractors in nuisance-related claims arising from development and construction activities.
- Assisted in securing summary judgment for a hospital executive in litigation involving constitutional claims, antitrust allegations, contract disputes, and business tort claims.
- Advised an international floor-plan lender in insolvency, creditor rights, and commercial litigation matters.
- Justices Ray L. Brock, Jr.-Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court (Executive Committee; Holiday Auction)
- On Point (Board of Directors; Executive Board)
- Signal Mountain Youth Baseball (Board of Directors; Executive Committee)
- Signal Mountain Flag Football (Board of Directors; Executive Committee)