Christopher Passodelis, Jr.

Member

Business

Litigation

J.D. Duquesne University

B.A. Wabash College

Licensure:

Pennsylvania

Office:

Pittsburgh, PA

(412) 504-8050

christopher.passodelis@steptoe-johnson.com

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Biography

Chris' clients keep him on speed dial. When they ask him, "do you have experience with...?", most of the time, the answer is yes. Chris is an entrepreneur at heart and when you talk with him, you quickly learn why clients choose him as their trusted adviser.

Chris works hand-in-hand with his clients on a diverse selection of matters throughout the life cycle of their business, from the early stages of business formation and funding to next steps involving growth and operational matters, and finally to those later stages where transition sometimes leads to a sale, merger, or acquisition.

As the former Assistant General Counsel of a publicly-traded company, Chris developed an understanding of the demands on C-Suite executives, especially in-house counsel. His approach to clients is shaped by his experiences both in-house and as outside counsel serving in-house counsel. He knows that clients don't want to put business on hold while they wait for legal issues to be solved. During his time in-house and after, Chris developed competencies related to sophisticated credit facilities, initial and secondary public offerings, franchise matters, employment matters and the niche area of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) as well as compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). He is active in the Supplement Safety Compliance Initiative (SSCI) and the Natural Products Association.

Chris' pledge to his clients is that when they have an opportunity, a crisis, or a question, he will be there to help find the solution. As their trusted adviser, when clients are in a stressful situation, his first order of business is to help them "stop the bleeding," develop a strategy to solve the problem, minimize risk and protect their business and, in some instances personal interests.

Memberships & Awards

Professional

The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law (2022-Present)
American Bar Association
Allegheny County Bar Association
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Key Experience

Successfully represented minority shareholder in the resolution of litigation involving an attempted forced dilution and buyout of the minority owner resulting in the forced conveyance of the majority owners’ equity to the minority owner

Successfully represented large multi-national franchisor in the defense of an international franchise claim seeking damages of $120,000,000, winning a defense verdict against the franchisee and winning a counterclaim award on behalf of client

Represented client in the sale of multiple senior living facilities with transaction value exceeding $100,000,000