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Morgan Lewis
Christopher Wasil

Christopher M. Wasil

Associate

Hartford Phone +1.860.240.2719 Fax +1.860.240.2800

One State St.//Hartford, CT 06103-3178//United States

Christopher M. Wasil has a diverse litigation practice in which he represents public and private companies, their officers and directors, venture capital firms, banks, and insurance companies in a variety of matters, including shareholder class actions and derivative suits, securities litigation and regulatory defense, complex contractual disputes, and business torts. His practice also includes real estate litigation, unfair trade practice claims, and employment matters.

Chris also represents pro bono clients in both civil and criminal matters, including federal and state appeals. Prior to law school, Chris was a senior copy editor at a major marketing firm, where he specialized in legal and regulatory compliance.

selected representations

Deal Litigation

  • Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. – Obtained disclosure-only settlement for Tempur-Pedic in deal litigation arising from its acquisition of Sealy Corporation, following defeat of motion for expedited discovery in North Carolina state court
  • Kayak Software Corporation – Obtained disclosure-only settlement for Kayak in deal litigation arising from its acquisition of Priceline.com Incorporated
  • Acme Packet, Inc. – Achieved voluntary dismissal of a class action in Delaware Chancery Court seeking to enjoin merger after defeating motion for expedited discovery
  • LeCroy Corporation – Achieved voluntary dismissal of a class action seeking to enjoin the LeCroy Corporation-Teledyne Technologies, Inc. merger, after obtaining denial of motion for expedited discovery and preliminary injunction hearing, a decision which appears to be the first of its kind issued in New York federal court

Shareholder Derivative Litigation

  • Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alleged Lowball Asset Sale) – Obtained dismissal in Pennsylvania federal court of derivative and purported class claims alleging conspiracy surrounding sell-off of dissolving company’s IP assets
  • Jenzabar, Inc. (Executive Compensation) – Obtained dismissal for a company and its board in Massachusetts state court against derivative claims of breach of fiduciary duty and waste arising from alleged compensation decisions and political and charitable contributions

Fund Litigation

  • Battery Ventures/Index Ventures (Preferred Shareholder Litigation) – Obtained dismissal in California federal court of all claims, including federal and state securities law violations and common law breach of fiduciary duty claims by major preferred shareholder of portfolio company in connection with defendant funds’ sales of preferred stock
  • Village Ventures/Worcester Ventures/Point Judith Capital (Venture Capitalist/Founder Dispute) – Obtained affirmation of dismissal in the Connecticut Appellate Court for VC funds of complaint by alleged founders of portfolio company claiming entitlement to substantial percentages of equity and proceeds of sale of company for near $500 million

Insurance Litigation

  • Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company – Obtained dismissal of action in Connecticut state court alleging wrongful denial of coverage on a motion to enforce settlement agreement
  • Primerica Life Insurance Company – Obtained voluntary withdrawal of action alleging improper life insurance payments in Connecticut state court

Awards and Affiliations

Recognized, “Ones to Watch,” Commercial Litigation, Hartford, The Best Lawyers in America (2022)

Recognized, “Ones to Watch,” Litigation – Real Estate, Hartford, The Best Lawyers in America (2022)

Recognized, “Ones to Watch,” Litigation – Securities, Hartford, The Best Lawyers in America (2022)

Fairfield County Bar Association

Connecticut Bar Association, Young Lawyer’s Section

Editor-in-Chief, Pro Se, University of Connecticut School of Law (2009–2010)

Clinical Legal Education Association Certificate of Recognition — Asylum and Human Rights Clinic (2010)

CALI Excellence for the Future Award — Contracts II (2008)

Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • US Courts of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits
  • US District Court for the District of Connecticut
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • US District Court for the Southern District of New York

Education

  • University of Connecticut, 2002, Bachelor of Arts
  • University of Connecticut School of Law, 2010, Juris Doctor

Services

News

2/24/2017 - Morgan Lewis Secures Immediate Voluntary Dismissal of Securities Class Action on Behalf of Abeona Therapeutics Inc.
8/19/2016 - Morgan Lewis Secures Dismissal of Investor’s Suit on Behalf of WisdomTree Investments in Delaware Chancery Court
11/20/2015 - Morgan Lewis Wins Class Action for Abeona Therapeutics

Publications

7/6/2015 - Individual Liability Unlikely Under Dodd-Frank Act’s Whistleblower Anti-Retaliation Proscriptions, BNA Securities Regulation & Law Report
8/1/2014 - Delaware Supreme Court Allows Plaintiff Shareholders to ‘Invade’ Corporation’s Attorney-Client Privilege for Good Cause
4/19/2012 - SEC Staff Study Presents Congress With Options for Expanding the Private Right of Action Under Section 10(b) Following Morrison v. National Australia Bank