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Partner

Christopher J. McNamara

212.885.8803 cmcnamara@bartonesq.com
Partner

Christopher J. McNamara

212.885.8803 cmcnamara@bartonesq.com
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Chris McNamara is an experienced attorney with a practice focusing primarily on trials, arbitrations, and pre-suit resolution of business disputes. Chris has litigated in federal and state courts across the country, and has represented clients in domestic and international arbitrations as well as mediation. A strategic advisor and counselor to various companies and individuals, Chris offers a steady, thoughtful, and commercially practical perspective when counseling clients on corporate policies, disputes, risk management, transactions, and other sundry, sensitive matters.

Chris has represented a diverse set of clients, including public companies, investment advisers, global healthcare companies, real estate investment and management firms, boards, nationwide logistics companies, technology companies, startups, and individuals in a broad array of matters, including securities litigation, employment disputes, shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, class actions, breach of contract, fraud, and intellectual property.

Chris has been selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers each year since 2018. He is also a prior recipient of The Legal Aid Society’s “Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award”, and chairs Barton’s pro bono program.

Chris is an active member of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA). In 2018, Chris was appointed to serve on NYSBA’s Presidential Task Force on Mass Shootings and Assault Weapons. In connection with his work on the Task Force, Chris chaired the subcommittee devoted to analyzing the relationship between mass shootings and mental health. He currently serves on both the NYSBA Committee on Leadership Development and the NYSBA Committee on Membership.

Chris is a graduate of Fordham Law School, where he served as an associate editor of the Fordham Law Review. Prior to joining Barton, Chris practiced at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

Practices

Arbitration Commercial Litigation Intellectual Property Litigation Internal Investigations Labor and Employment Disputes Securities Litigation, Regulatory Investigations, and Enforcement White Collar Defense
Practices

Industry Experience

Cannabis Entertainment Finance Healthcare Investment Management Investor Relations Real Estate Technology
Industry Experience
B
Practices
Industries
Admissions
  • State of New York
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Education
  • Fordham University School of Law, J.D.; Fordham Law Review, Associate Editor
  • Fairfield University, B.A.

Honors

  • Selected as “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers from 2018 to present
  • Recipient of The Legal Aid Society’s “Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award” 2015, 2016
Memberships
  • New York State Bar Association: Leadership Development Committee
  • New York State Bar Association: Membership Committee
  • New York State Bar Association: Task Force on Mass Shootings and Assault Weapons; Chair of Subcommittee on Mental Health Issues
  • New York County Lawyers Association: Delegate from NYCLA to the NYSBA House of Delegates, the governing body for NYSBA
Presentations

Matters

Close
Internal Investigations
  • Represented Hedge Fund in Insider Trading Investigation
    • Represented a hedge fund in parallel DOJ and SEC investigations into insider trading; conducted numerous interviews and managed document review of internal investigation; worked closely with the client to achieve a highly favorable settlement with the SEC; was involved in every aspect of the external and internal investigations.
Commercial Litigation
  • Represented Public Company in Multiple Shareholder Litigations
    • Represented a public company in multiple shareholder and securities litigations following the removal of the chairman of the board of directors from his CEO position following revelations of improper conduct in the workplace. The company auditor’s subsequent public resignation and significant board turnover lead to an additional two lawsuits alleging breach of fiduciary duties and another alleging securities fraud. Argued on behalf of the company in separate proceedings in the Delaware Chancery Court and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
  • Represented Capital Management Firm and Board Designees
    • Represented Vintage Capital Management and its board designees in connection with a public company’s proposed acquisition of multiple targets, including Vitamin Shoppe, in excess of $500 million, which included, among other things, defending against disclosure and other claims in the Delaware Chancery Court.
  • Litigated Cross-Broder Disputes for Private Equity Firm
    • Represented partners in a private equity business engaged in pursuit and defense of various claims in cross-border disputes, including in Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, and Nevis.
Intellectual Property Litigation
  • Successfully Represented Biosimilar Manufacturer Regarding Patent Infringements
    • Represented a biosimilar manufacturer in defense of alleged patent infringements; conducted the trial examination of expert witness opining on economic theory and damages calculation; prepared the cross-examination of opposing economist; drafted successful appellate brief upholding lower court’s decision to deny requested discovery based on a novel theory addressing the implications of the BPCIA statutory scheme.