Experience

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  The Law Office of Christopher J. Marchand

  • Principal Attorney

    • 1997 - Present

    Operated a solo practice at various intervals throughout career, offering civil litigation and transactional legal services. Handled various civil litigation matters, including commercial real estate litigation and employment matters.Represented numerous small businesses in litigation, obtaining favorable results for each client.Delivered legal advice and services involving operational and regulatory matters, including negotiating and drafting commercial and residential real estate sales contract and leases.Drafted business organization and operational documents, and assisted businesses in regulatory compliance.Handled a time-sensitive products liability claim against Bausch and Lomb. Drafted a Complaint, entered into tolling agreement, and presented a compromise with only three days left on the Statute of Limitations; the matter was settled in a matter of months for six figures. As an independent contractor, assisted two experienced defense attorneys in representing a defendant in a federal RICO death penalty case (9-month engagement).Reviewed numerous boxes of pertinent documents and grand jury testimony, researched and drafted pretrial motions and subpoenas, and assisted counsel during a multi-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division.Provided pro bono services for indigent and low income people through the Colorado Lawyers Committee, while studying for the Colorado bar (2018).

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  Astrachan Gunst Thomas, P.C.

  • Of Counsel

    • Jul 2010 - Jul 2011

    Operated a satellite office for a Baltimore based law firm, including performing the daily operations of the satellite office that offered civil litigation and transactional legal services. Delivered accurate and timely counsel in a variety of legal topics (employment law, breach of contract, real estate, divorce, and estate matters).Researched and evaluated different risk factors regarding litigation decisions and business operations, and effective risk management techniques, and offered proactive advice on legal issues.Communicated and negotiated with adverse counsel and other external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc.), resolving disputes, and drafted and solidified agreements, contracts and other legal documents. Settled a copyright infringement case involving a college student who allegedly sold software provided to students; negotiated a settlement agreement whereby the case was dismissed and the student/client was unscathed financially.

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  B.C. Realty

  • Baltimore, MD

  • Principal/Real Estate Broker

    • Feb 2006 - Jun 2009
    • Baltimore, MD

    Established and developed a real estate brokerage, providing both commercial and residential real estate services.Supervised 12 real estate agents and staff who acted as agents for clients that required assistance in both residential and commercial transactions.Managed contracts, negotiations, and all aspects of commercial and residential transactions to finalize purchases.Assisted clients in financial planning for purchase, and advised on mortgage and housing conditions to increase chances of identifying successful properties.

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  Astrachan Gunst Thomas, P.C.

  • Baltimore, Maryland Area

  • Partner

    • Dec 2004 - Feb 2006
    • Baltimore, Maryland Area

    Associate, October 1998–December 2004Primarily provided litigation services to business clients. Handled a wide variety of business, commercial, and general civil litigation including NASD, TILA, RESPA, copyright, trademark, trade secret, breach of contract, consumer protection, real estate, antitrust, and general business matters in both state and federal courts as primary counsel and co-counsel.Acted as outside counsel for Dell Inc., and HSBC Finance Corp. and its subsidiaries, as defense counsel in Maryland in consumer related litigation.Advanced organizational strategies and functional objectives by contributing opinions to develop the firm's strategic thinking and direction.Drafted a Summary Judgment motion in Federal Court that raised the settlement offer $500K in a technology case involving warranty issues; local counsel in Texas dubbed it the “half-million dollar motion.”Oversaw junior associates handling litigation.

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  Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor

  • Towson, MD

  • Legal Intern

    • Jan 1997 - May 1997
    • Towson, MD

    Assisted prosecutors and investigators with the investigation and prosecution of malfeasance and nonfeasance of elected officials in performance of duties while in office, and investigated and prosecuted election law crimes.Researched and drafted memorandum of law for the office’s prosecutors.Supported lead counsel in post-conviction petition hearing, and voting fraud matters.

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  Office of Congresswoman Helen Bentley

  • Towson MD

  • Legal Intern

    • 1994 - 1994
    • Towson MD

    Assisted Chief of Staff for House Representative Helen Bentley with constituents’ issues, such as fielding phone calls when the Brady Bill was pending in Congress.