Chris Rogers's litigation practice focuses on controversies involving actual or threatened government enforcement. He has represented corporations and individuals who were targets, subjects, or witnesses in criminal investigations by government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Texas Attorney General's Office. His clients operate in many different industries, including telecommunications, healthcare, banking, securities, construction, and military contracting.
Mr. Rogers has also successfully litigated cases to verdict in state and federal court and advocated on behalf of clients in administrative proceedings. Often, these civil matters accompany or follow government enforcement under the antitrust laws, Securities and Exchange Acts, False Claims Act, or healthcare regulation.
As a way of serving his local community and the profession, Mr. Rogers actively participates in the American Bar Association and regularly volunteers with Dallas-area charitable organizations.
Chris was selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition, 2011.
Selected Client Representations
- False Claims Act. Won summary judgment in qui tam action by whistleblower alleging fraud in government procurement contract for the refurbishment of U.S. Coast Guard vessels.
- Poison Pill Litigation. Represented enterprise software company at trial in Delaware Chancery Court challenging novel corporate takeover defense under Delaware law.
- Stock Option Backdating. Represented corporate officer in civil litigation over stock options backdating practices.
- Indirect Purchaser Litigation. Represented a medical device company in defending indirect purchaser claims by plaintiffs in companion case to U.S. v. Dentsply Int'l.
- Accounting Fraud. Defended manufacturing company against claims of accounting fraud related to financial restatement and earnings projection issues.
- Commissioned Sales Agent. Member of trial team that won jury verdict and treble damages under the Texas Sales Representative Act (TSRA).
Selected Professional Activities
- American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Secretary-Treasurer
- Texas Young Lawyers Association, Board Liaison, 2007-2009
- TYLA President's Award of Merit, 2009, 2010
Professional Recognition
- Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Stars Edition (2012)
Selected Representative Experience
International Freight Forwarding Antitrust Investigation and Litigation
Representation of major global freight forwarder in an industry-wide international antitrust investigation into possible price fixing and other improper collusive activity.
Antitrust Counseling in Proposed Telecommunications Acquisition
Represented AT&T before the DOJ and FCC on antitrust matters related to proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA, including pre-merger integration counseling and planning.
Wireless Product Patent and Antitrust Litigation
Defense of leading wireless product manufacturer in federal litigation alleging patent infringement and antitrust violations.
Jersey Dental Labs. v. Dentsply Int’l, Inc., 516 F. Supp. 2d 324 (D. Del. 2007)
Successfully defended a wholesaler of medical devices / dental supplies against antitrust claims brought by indirect purchasers against a group of wholesalers as a companion case to Hess Dental Labs. v. Dentsply Int’l. All claims against client were dismissed or settled with no payment by client.
Trilogy, Inc., Versata Enterprises, Inc. (Selectica v. Versata)
Represented a provider of enterprise software solutions in the Delaware Chancery Court and Delaware Supreme Court in the trial and appeal of the first case to challenge the validity of a 4.99% shareholder rights plan (or net operating loss “poison pill”), arising from the triggering of the pill and the subsequent dilution of the investor’s holdings.
Westlake Associates v. Mill Creek Press - Dallas County, 2006
Represented commissioned sales agent in case seeking treble damages for failure to pay sales commissions. Obtained jury verdict and final judgment of $3.1 million for unpaid commissions and attorneys fees under the Texas Sales Representative Act.
Flowserve Corporation Securities Litigation
Defending a worldwide manufacturer of pumps, valves and seals for flow control systems in a class action alleging securities fraud arising from accounting restatement, merger integration issues, and missed earnings projections. Obtained an order denying class certification and granting complete summary judgment in favor of the defendants, which was remanded for further proceedings after appeal.
United States ex rel. De Kort v. Integrated Coast Guard Systems, Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman
Representation of Northrop Grumman in
United States ex rel. De Kort v. Integrated Coast Guard Systems, A Joint Venture, Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman (N.D. Tex.), a False Claims Act
qui tam alleging false claims for payment in connection with the Coast Guard’s Deepwater project, a contract to refurbish the Coast Guard’s fleet.