Christopher M. Wildenhain

Counsel

Chris represents publicly traded companies, private businesses, entrepreneurs, and employers in complex disputes before the Rhode Island and Massachusetts state and federal courts and regulatory agencies. These matters routinely involve substantial sums of money and legal issues of great importance to his clients.

Chris’ practice is diverse and ranges from the defense of a large nonprofit in a class action brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to the prosecution of a manufacturer’s breach of fiduciary duty and theft of trade secrets dispute with former C-Suite executives. In addition, Chris advises businesses confronting complex claims and investigations before regulators and frequently assists clients in coordinating their responses to subpoenas and other forms of process requiring the production of substantial volumes of records. Chris has also litigated complex breach of contract and insurance coverage matters, as well as disputes under the United States Bankruptcy Code and the False Claims Act.

Prior to joining Partridge Snow & Hahn, Chris served as a law clerk to the Honorable Alice B. Gibney and the Honorable Sarah Taft-Carter of the Rhode Island Superior Court, and as an intern to the Honorable William P. Robinson III of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Practice Areas

Banking & Financial

Corporate & Business

Litigation & Disputes

Education

Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude

Brown University, B.A., magna cum laude

Bar Memberships

Rhode Island

Massachusetts

U.S. District Court, Rhode Island

U.S. District Court, Massachusett

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association, Rhode Island Chapter, Young Lawyer’s Committee
Rhode Island Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association

Representative Cases

Obtained summary judgment for second-lien creditors in adversary proceeding over rights under casino’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan.
Obtained summary judgment for nonprofit organization on central issue in complex ERISA class action.
Coordinated financial institution’s response to government investigation, including response to multiple investigatory subpoenas requiring the collection, review, and production of significant quantities of electronically stored information, and negotiated resolution of client’s claims for restitution.
Managed collection, review, and production of vast amounts of electronically stored information, positioning client to achieve favorable settlement in arbitration with large multi-national companies.
Represented publicly traded company in lawsuit against former C-Suite executives in litigation alleging breach of fiduciary duty and theft of trade secrets to negotiated resolution.