Christopher C. "Chris" Sabis

Leader of the firm’s Government Compliance & Investigations group, Chris Sabis recognizes that merely “responding” to governmental inquiries, enforcement actions, and litigation is often insufficient to protect his clients’ interests. Rather, he understands that efficient resolutions and positive outcomes in such matters are products of thoughtful and proactive approaches and the ability to take the initiative in addressing the concerns and issues that draw regulatory scrutiny. Chris leverages his advocacy skills, substantive knowledge of the law, and understanding of each client’s operations and practices to develop strategies that minimize cost, disruption, and exposure.

Chris concentrates his practice in government investigations, litigation, white collar litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Much of his work involves fraud and abuse matters, with particularly extensive experience defending and mediating False Claims Act (FCA) cases involving allegations of healthcare and procurement fraud. He defends a wide range of clients in white-collar fraud investigations, commercial litigation, and government investigations.

Having served nearly a decade as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Chris brings government-side insights and perspectives to his work that facilitate his understanding of investigators’ and regulators’ priorities and objectives. Combined with the productive working relationships he has cultivated and the credibility he has earned with government attorneys, this experience helps him find solutions that resolve immediate compliance concerns and minimize future ones.

Chris is on the American Arbitration Association (AAA)’s Roster of Arbitrators’ Commercial and Healthcare Arbitration Panels. He is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator by the Tennessee Supreme Court and a listed mediator and arbitrator with the American Health Law Association’s Dispute Resolution Service. He also has been a federal court-appointed neutral both as a mediator and as what Rule 53 refers to as a ‘special master’ empowered to oversee and resolve discovery disputes in complex commercial litigation. Prior to his tenure as an AUSA, Chris represented clients in complex commercial litigation matters at a large firm in Washington, D.C.

Active in many professional organizations, Chris serves as a Member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Program Committee of the Harry Phillips American Inn of Court and is a former Hearing Examiner for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, where he has served as chair and vice chair of the Federal Practice Section, and the Nashville Bar Association, where he is a former chair and secretary of its Historical Committee and a Nashville Bar Fellow. Chris is also a member of the American Health Law Association (where he serves on the Dispute Resolution Services Council), the Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals, the Federal Bar Association, the Health Care Compliance Association, and the American Bar Association.

Chris is also committed to serving his community, donating his time and talents to several charitable and philanthropic endeavors in the Nashville area. He was named to the Tennessee Justice Center’s Pro Bono Hall of Fame for his work fighting cuts in Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) benefits for a ten-year-old child with severe epilepsy. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Autism Tennessee and as a past chair on the Honorary Board of Stars Nashville, a non-profit that provides prevention, intervention, treatment, and training programs addressing bullying, substance abuse, violence, and social and emotional barriers to success in Tennessee schools. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Nashville and has also been an Adjunct Professor of Law at Belmont University. When not serving his clients or the community, he enjoys hockey, theater, and spending time with his wife and two young boys.