Christopher E. Thorsen

In addition to these matters, Chris represents and advises businesses in all manner of commercial disputes, including matters involving the enforcement of contracts, fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and the many types of disputes that are unique to the particular industries in which his clients operate. As a former Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Chris helps businesses assess and manage their fraud risks and performs fraud examinations and internal investigations for companies.

Securities Litigation: Chris represents public and private companies and their officers and directors in securities class actions, SEC and Department of Justice investigations, state securities enforcement matters, derivative suits, mergers and acquisitions litigation, and internal investigations. Chris also has extensive experience representing clients in post-merger and acquisition litigation and "corporate divorce" disputes.

Antitrust Litigation: Chris represents businesses in antitrust litigation, investigations, and enforcement matters. He serves as lead counsel for clients in multidistrict and other massive antitrust litigation matters. Chris has also represented clients in antitrust suits filed by competitors. He has also defended companies against the Department of Justice and state antitrust regulators in connection with merger challenges and investigations.

Business Litigation: Chris's practice also includes advising businesses in all manners of business disputes, including matters involving public and private company mergers and acquisitions, contract disputes, fraud claims and investigations, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and business torts.

Chris has also served as interim in-house counsel for one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the world, where he managed litigation throughout the United States. Through that experience, Chris gained valuable insight on litigation project management as well as the internal challenges faced by businesses in their litigation matters.

• Serves as lead counsel for a property management firm in putative antitrust class actions and multidistrict litigation involving the use of algorithmic pricing software.

• Serves as lead counsel for a poultry processor in antitrust claims brought in the Northern District of Illinois.

• Represents multiple national bank underwriters of an IPO in securities class actions pending in federal and state courts.

• Lead counsel of former CEO in putative securities class actions involving warranty claim disclosures.

• Served as lead counsel of former OEM CEO in putative securities class action regarding executive compensation disclosures.

• Defended a private equity/investment advisor firm in cases all across the country brought by exchange fund investors alleging common law securities fraud and mismanagement claims and seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in compensatory damages.

• Has served as lead counsel for publicly traded companies and their directors in multiple federal class action shareholder "strike" suits seeking to enjoin the company's merger. All suits were resolved on acceptable terms, and the transactions closed on schedule.

• Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a large financial services client at a federal jury trial in defense of multiple claims and causes of action asserted by the plaintiff.

• Successfully represented the country's fifth largest water heater manufacturer in obtaining Department of Justice approval of merger with the nation's second largest water heater manufacturer.

• Successfully resolved cross-claims of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and business tort claims between members of an enterprise of companies.

• Represents a group of owners in litigation between two sets of owners over the ownership and management of a family of businesses.

• Obtained a judgment for the client at a bench trial in the Eastern District of Tennessee on its claims for unjust enrichment arising out of a rebate promised by the defendant. The judgment was affirmed on appeal by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

• Obtained a defense arbitration award following an arbitration for a continuing care residential community (CCRC) client challenging the client's business model and resident agreements.

• Represents a death row inmate in state post-conviction proceedings and in a federal habeas corpus action.

• Lead internal investigation on behalf of institutional investor into health care company CEO and CFO's management of the business.

• Represented multiple clients in FINRA investigations and enforcement actions.

• Represented oil and gas clients in securities enforcement and licensing actions before the Tennessee Secretary of State, Securities Division.

• Successfully represented successor officers and directors in connection with securities investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the U.S. Postal Service, and related litigation filed by private plaintiffs.

• Obtained a multimillion dollar settlement on behalf of investor clients in connection with Ponzi scheme litigation.
• Successfully represented a group of benefits brokers in non-compete litigation and related Tennessee Secretary of State, Insurance Division investigation.
• Performed an internal fraud investigation for a multi-state company in connection with state and federal whistleblower claims.

• Represented an armored security firm in an employee embezzlement scheme investigation and obtained a multimillion dollar judgment at trial.

• Represented dozens of clients in connection with estate and wills and trusts disputes and litigation.
• Obtained an arbitration award in favor of a beneficiary against co-trustees on breach of fiduciary duty and breach of trust claims.

• Obtained a $7 million judgment in favor of a Tennessee financial services company in mortgage-backed-securities repurchase litigation.

• Successfully handled more than 100 financial services matters for mortgage servicers during the height of the financial crisis, most of which were resolved through dispositive motions in state and federal courts.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal of 30 asbestos claims in Tennessee state court on statute of repose grounds, which led to the voluntary dismissal of more than 500 asbestos claims against our client.
• Obtained the dismissal of plaintiff's antitrust claims through motions to dismiss and summary judgment.

• Obtained summary judgment dismissing an injured motorist's dram shop claims against a restaurant owner.

• Obtained dismissal in Delaware Chancery Court of two suits involving two separate exchange funds and more than 60 plaintiffs on statute of limitations grounds.

• Represents an international health and beauty company in connection with a shareholder dispute and the separation of its chief executive officer.

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Commercial Litigation (2016 – 2026); Banking and Finance Law (2020 – 2026); Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Securities, and Litigation - Trusts and Estates (2024 – 2026)
• Fellow – Nashville Bar Foundation
• Three-time Tennessee Attorney for Justice
• Member – American Bar Association
• Member – Tennessee Bar Association
• Member – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• Member – SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society
• Adjunct Professor of Law, Vanderbilt Law School
• Recipient – Baker Donelson's 2021 Work-Life Warrior Award

• Quoted – "Class Actions Will Test Labor Department's New Fiduciary Rule," Forbes Magazine (April 2016)
• "What Does the Department of Labor's New Fiduciary Rule Mean?," InsideCounsel (April 2016)

• "Choosing Your Career Path with Intention," Vanderbilt Law School Women's Association (April 2022)

• Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 Listing (August 21, 2025)
• Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Listing (August 15, 2024)
• Baker Donelson Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2024 Listing (August 17, 2023)
• Baker Donelson Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Listing (August 18, 2022)
• Baker Donelson Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 Listing (August 19, 2021)
• Chris Thorsen Receives Baker Donelson's Work-Life Warrior Award (August 16, 2021)