Christopher D. Barraza

Partner New York City

A seasoned litigator with almost two decades of experience, Chris represents domestic and international clients in complex litigation and arbitration across the United States.

Chris has successfully represented clients in the chemicals, fintech, maritime, materials science and natural resources industries, among others. His litigation focus spans consumer products, commercial litigation, deceptive trade practice statutes, emerging contaminants, government contracts, mass torts and product liability. Known for his unflappable style and aggressive approach to defense, Chris prides himself on his ability to quickly distill and explain complex factual and legal issues to juries.

Chris also has significant experience in domestic and international arbitrations. He has represented small businesses, multinationals, foreign sovereigns and sovereign entities in investment and commercial arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and JAMS.

Before joining Phillips Lytle, Chris was an associate in the New York City and Washington, D.C. offices of Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP.

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Honors & Awards

  • Selected for the New York Metro Super Lawyers® list, 2023
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Education & Admissions

Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2006
  • Georgetown University, B.S., cum laude, 1999
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
  • Connecticut
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of New York
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
Languages
  • French
  • Spanish

Experience

Representative Matters
  • Counsel to multinational materials science corporation in ongoing groundwater contamination litigation brought by municipal water authorities on Long Island.
  • Defended GoodLeap, LLC in consumer protection, trade practice, and disputes related to the financing of residential solar panel systems.
  • Represented Toyobo Co., Ltd. in connection with False Claims Act litigation brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), class action litigation, multiple personal injury suits, and claims by multiple state attorneys general and foreign states, among others, relating to the performance of Zylon fiber in bullet-resistant vests used by thousands of law enforcement agencies worldwide. Integral member of trial teams that resolved matters for nuisance value.
  • Defended a multinational HVAC manufacturer in putative state and nationwide consumer class actions pending in Florida and Tennessee federal courts alleging that residential HVAC systems manufactured contained defective copper evaporator coils. Secured dismissal of all class claims with prejudice.
  • Represented insurer in admiralty subrogation action seeking recovery for the loss of a vessel and its cargo while under tow in the Long Island Sound. Obtained six-figure resolution during mediation.
  • Defended Latin American sovereign and its national oil company in an ICSID arbitration concerning alleged breach of hydrocarbons production share contract.
  • Advised multinational conglomerate in pre-arbitral dispute with subcontractor concerning delays and cost overruns during construction of a nitrogen rejection unit in Mexico.
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Activities & Professional Associations

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • Litigation Section
    • Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER)
  • New York State Bar Association
    • Commercial & Federal Litigation Section