Chris was born and raised in Page County, Iowa. He obtained undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science from Drake University in 1988 where he graduated summa cum laude. Chris obtained his juris doctor from Drake University Law School in 1991. Chris graduated order of the coif and was editor in chief of the Drake Law Review from 1990-1991.

Since graduating from law school and passing the Iowa bar in June 1991, Chris has been a trial lawyer practicing with Cedar Rapids firms. From June 1991 to June 1994, Chris was an associate with the Tom Riley Law Firm. Since June 1994, Chris has practiced with Elderkin & Pirnie and became a member of the firm in 2001. Chris was also an officer in the United States Army Reserves from 1988 until 1995.

The emphasis of Chris' practice is civil litigation and Civil Appellate Law. He represents both defendants and plaintiffs in personal injury, civil rights, employment discrimination, contract and other civil litigation matters. Chris is admitted to practice in the Iowa courts, the Northern District of Iowa, the Southern District of Iowa, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Chris is a member of the Linn County Bar Association, the Iowa Bar Association, the Iowa Defense Counsel Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

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