Christopher D. Tomlinson

A longtime member of MVA’s Litigation group and leader of the firm’s North Carolina Business Court team, Chris is called upon to protect clients’ intricate and critical business interests. He assists a wide variety of large and middle-market clients, including global financial institutions, manufacturers, broker-dealers, private equity groups, and aircraft lessors. He also represents members, shareholders, and directors in corporate governance disputes and business break-ups, which often involve claims for breach of fiduciary duties.

Chris maintains a national practice, regularly litigating in federal and state courts around the country, as well as in private arbitrations. In his nearly two decades of practice, Chris also has developed trial strategies tailored to North Carolina Business Court representations and he parlays that experience into successful outcomes for clients.

Representative Experience

Financial Services Litigation

• Served as lead counsel for a global bank in a case against a national auditor in the Complex Business Division for Miami-Dade County, Florida. The case involved a negligent misrepresentation claim arising out of audit issues and audited financial statements
• Obtained a $160 million damages award in favor of a major financial institution and a finding of no liability on $354 million in counterclaims following a week-long arbitration hearing in a dispute over commercial loans and valuation of real estate collateral
• Obtained dismissal of False Claims Act qui tam case filed against a global bank in federal court
• Represented a major financial institution in a New York litigation related to the repossession of a jet leased to a prominent and high net worth Brazilian businessman and Brazilian precatorios, including securing the dismissal of all claims asserted against the financial institution
• Achieved dismissal of all claims asserted against a major financial institution related to a large Ponzi and check-kiting scheme

Shareholder and Corporate Governance Disputes

• Obtained a multimillion-dollar jury verdict and eventual control of a limited liability company for a minority member following month-long jury trial concerning breaches of fiduciary duty
• Represented a minority shareholder of a corporation who had been ousted as CEO in regaining position and forcing a court-ordered special shareholders’ meeting in the first reported decision in North Carolina to order a special shareholders’ meeting pursuant to state statute
• Obtained favorable result and control of company for member of limited liability company in outdoor adventure industry
• Represented the directors of a public company in successfully defending a shareholder suit relating to sale of company’s assets

Manufacturing and Other Commercial Litigation

• Represent international aluminum can manufacturer in litigation in multiple jurisdictions, including Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of New York, and private arbitration
• Represent national refrigeration manufacturer in disputes around the country
• Represent national foundation repair and basement waterproofing company in litigation around the country, including non-compete and trade secret matters
• Served as local counsel to helicopter manufacturers in a wrongful death action brought by the estates of persons killed in a helicopter crash. The team secured a dismissal of claims against the foreign manufacturer based on absence of personal jurisdiction, and the appeal was significant for personal jurisdiction jurisprudence
• Obtained a favorable result for a botanical pest control manufacturer following federal jury trial concerning supplier issues
• Led North Carolina team defending national retailer in multi-district litigation involving prescription opioids
• Represented an international industrial chemical supplier by securing dismissal of all claims asserted against it under the North Carolina False Claims Act
• Served as lead counsel for solar energy development company in litigation involving a joint venture
• Obtained dismissal of claims against an international aircraft broker regarding the sale of a private
• Represented numerous private equity portfolio companies in resolving disputes and litigation concerning mergers and acquisitions transactions

Broker-Dealer Litigation

• Represented a major broker-dealer in a two-week private arbitration brought by an ultra-high net worth customer seeking over $100 million in damages based on allegations of excessive mark-ups, unauthorized trading, unsuitable transactions, and churning
• Obtained dismissal of claims against a broker-dealer in both FINRA arbitration and state court litigation related to alleged fraud, securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and negligent supervision
• Represented brokers and broker-dealers in private FINRA

White Collar & Regulatory

• Defended the first criminal fraud case and asset seizure brought by the North Carolina state authorities related to cryptocurrency
• Represented a major financial institution in a multi-year regulatory proceeding in Brazil concerning alleged antitrust violations
• Represented a major international financial institution in investigations related to LIBOR and other reference

Notable

• Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2026; Litigation-Banking and Finance, 2023-2024
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Litigation, 2023-2025
• Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List," 2018-2021 
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite "Young Guns," 2021
• North Carolina Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, Business Litigation, 2018; Business Litigation, 2025
• Vanderbilt Scholastic Excellence in Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Multiparty Litigation Award Recipient

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