Chris Hayes

Chris graduated from Stanford University and from the top 5% of University of San Diego School of Law, as President of the PDP International Legal Honor Society and Articles Editor of San Diego Law Review. He began his legal career as a four-year Judicial Law Clerk for Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Whelan, reviewing federal cases and drafting a wide variety of judicial opinions for the court (including by assignment at the Ninth Circuit). He then practiced complex commercial litigation at two of the world’s largest law firms and a top San Diego boutique—with a particular emphasis on real estate, construction, and renewable energy matters. His law and motion work achieved strong results for clients in federal and state courts across Southern California, especially in matters of contract interpretation. He helped win summary judgment for a corporate client in a multistate federal fraud case, multiple dismissals in California Superior Court in a series of related solar contract disputes, favorable outcomes in several AAA arbitrations, and negotiated resolutions of difficult business problems.In 2022, Chris moved to the Fort Collins area from San Diego, California. He comes to BBG from an in-house Assistant City Attorney role at the City of Fort Collins, where he was principal advisor to the City’s Building Services, Zoning, and transportation agencies. Chris worked closely with the City’s Chief Building Official, its Engineering team, and its Development Review team on a variety of development, construction, and compliance issues. He reviewed complex development agreements for large projects across the City. He advised the Building Review Commission, the Land Use Review Commission, and City Council on matters pertaining to land use and occupancy, contractor licensing and regulation, zoning, and the application and revision of the City Code and Land Use Code. In close cooperation with the City’s Purchasing team and its Director, Chris reviewed and helped negotiate large commercial contracts for the City inside and outside the construction industry.

At BBG, Chris counsels clients through the process of review, drafting, and negotiation of large construction contracts. He leverages his litigation experience to advise on dispute resolution, and his affinity for writing to provide top-quality work product to achieve BBG client objectives. Chris is licensed in both Colorado and California, and in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Central Districts of California.