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Christopher Skelton

Senior Attorney

Christopher Skelton represents clients with their disputes related to suretyship, construction, contracts, business, real estate, and general litigation. Chris leans on his background in construction, engineering, and real estate to counsel surety companies, owners, developers, contractors, and design professionals with their commercial claims.

A large part of Chris’ experience and success comes from his time spent practicing surety and construction law with litigation boutiques. He continues to represent surety and construction industry participants at all phases of the project or claim process, including complex construction litigation, construction defect, indemnity claims, contract drafting and negotiation, general business best practices, and claims counseling matters. His litigation experience includes the state courts of Arkansas, the state and federal courts of Oklahoma, the U.S. Appellate Court for the Tenth Circuit, and several arbitrations in various states.

Chris also represents both businesses and individuals in various construction and business contract and litigation matters. He regularly assists his construction and business clients in contract development and negotiation, mechanic’s liens, and litigation involving contracts, real property, and other commercial disputes. Through his practice, Chris has successfully obtained multiple favorable settlements and judgments on his clients’ behalf.

Education

J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law, 2015
B.S., University of Arkansas College of Engineering, 2011, Civil Engineering

State Bar Licenses

Arkansas, Oklahoma

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. District Court, W.D. of Oklahoma
U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Oklahoma
U.S. District Ct., N.D. of Oklahoma
U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., W.D. of Oklahoma
U.S. District Ct., W.D. of Arkansas
U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Arkansas
  • Regularly prosecuted and defended claims for ENR 100 contractors and the largest surety companies.
  • Obtained favorable judgments in federal jury trials. Served as second chair.
  • Obtained a favorable appellate court decision. Served as second chair.
  • Obtained state court summary judgment ruling discharging mechanics and materialmens lien.
  • Obtained federal summary judgment in favor of surety against lenders. Served as second chair.
  • Litigated and obtained favorable arbitration defense judgments for surety and insurance companies. Served as second chair.
  • Defended multiple performance and/or payment bond claims for surety companies.
  • Handled various construction industry claims, to include: actual and liquidated damages, delay, change orders, extra work, differing site conditions, constructability, price escalation, scope gap, acceleration, time impact analysis, scheduling, lien, licensure, and construction defects.
  • Negotiated and settled several multi-party claims.

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