Chip is a founding partner of the Firm in the corporate and securities section. As a pragmatic business lawyer, he helps clients structure their operations, raise and deploy capital and grow value for their stakeholders. He has deep experience in real estate private equity, fund formation and public and private securities work and his clients know him as a consensus-builder and someone who can keep the larger, continually shifting landscape of a deal in view while tackling the details.

He says what he enjoys most about his practice is working with a team of incredibly smart, engaged colleagues to solve complex and often novel issues. He lives for the moment the team delivers a creative solution to a client that opens a business opportunity for them.

Chip’s clients range from multi-billion dollar exchange-traded firms to small, start-up asset managers, with needs across the compliance spectrum – Federal and state securities, Investment Company Act, investment advisor and broker-dealer, and ERISA Plan Asset regulation. He regularly works with and steers a client’s group of external advisors to best address that client’s needs, including accountants, consultants, compensation specialists, tax advisors and legal counsel engaged in other areas of the client’s business.

While his practice is wide-ranging, clients often engage Chip to advise on real estate-centric businesses including REITs, real estate partnerships and joint ventures, and Section 1031 structured products. As an active participant in ADISA (Alternative & Direct Investment Securities Association) he has spoken on or moderated panels regarding best practices, due diligence, start-up issues, securities offerings, product innovation and sustainable investment, among others. He is also a member of the American Bar Association’s Business Section.

Chip is also the Whip for the Firm’s Corporate Team and a contributing member of the Hiring
Committee.

When not practicing law and trying to get some exercise, he enjoys working out, cycling, skiing and pretending that he can play golf well. Notice that he didn’t include running. He runs but doesn’t enjoy it. He does love traveling with his much more impressive wife and their two boys and spending time in Duck, North Carolina. In a quiet moment, he might even read a book, which would likely be something about science fiction, U.S. special forces or anything his friend Ed Flanagan recommends. He’s also a proud “Double Hoo!”

Education
University of Virginia (B.A., 1997, cum laude)
University of Virginia and law school (J.D., 2002)

Admissions
Virginia State Bar

Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
ADISA

Honors and Awards
Rising Star (2009-2014) by the Virginia Super Lawyers