Christopher M. "Chris" Walters

A partner with Ball Janik LLP, Chris Walters has practiced at the firm for over 25 years. His areas of practice include real estate, construction, finance, sales and leasing, venture formation and representation, public contracting, and all aspects of project funding, development and management. He has assisted developers, investors, landlords, tenants, lenders, corporations, public agencies, contractors, design professionals, health organizations, resort and hospitality providers, and religious, nonprofit and community associations in a wide variety of matters. His representation of public agencies has included the State of Oregon, the City of Portland, the Portland Development Commission, the City of Vancouver, and several Oregon school districts. He has established and represented community associations in all aspects of their operation, governance, construction activities, and claims management. In recognition of his achievements, Mr. Walters has earned the AV® Preeminent™ Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, American Registry. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Construction Law.

While Mr. Walters has provided professional guidance on many high profile matters throughout the Pacific Northwest, much of his work supports clients with smaller, unique, and innovative projects. He has experience with a wide range of developments, including office towers, condominiums, subdivisions, hotels, retail centers, sports facilities, stadiums, mixed-use developments, energy projects, infrastructure projects, industrial, warehousing and high-technology facilities, hospitals, and schools.

Prior to joining Ball Janik in 1990, Mr. Walters practiced for four years with Pillsbury Winthrop, a large San Francisco law firm. During his career in Portland, he has served as the chair of the Oregon State Bar Real Estate and Land Use Executive Committee. He has co-authored the Commercial Association of Brokers® legal forms package and the lease package published by the Portland Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), and has served as editor of the Oregon State Bar manual, Real Estate Disputes. Mr. Walters served on the panel that authored the State of Oregon’s model rules for alternative contracting methods. Mr. Walters is a frequent speaker on real estate and business law topics, and serves on BOMA's program committee.

A long-time resident of Portland, Mr. Walters enjoys spending time with his family and friends and participating in his children’s school functions.