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meet our attorneys

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chris flood

With over 30 years of experience, Chris is a highly sought-after defense attorney and legal problem solver, relied on by his clients in a broad spectrum of federal and state actions.

Having tried more than 100 cases to verdict, Chris is a trusted advisor to his clients when the stakes are at their highest. His practice focuses on high-profile white collar criminal defense and complex civil cases. Chris has obtained acquittals, dismissals, and favorable outcomes in criminal and civil litigation in state and federal court across the United States. Chris has handled cases in nearly every state in the country.

Chris started his legal career as an intern with the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., during the Reagan administration, and then spent two years as a prosecutor with the Harris County Assistant District Attorney’s Office. He left the DA’s office to work with famed Houston criminal defense attorney Dick DeGuerin, quickly establishing a reputation as a winning trial attorney. Since starting his own firm 25 years ago he has solidified his status as a top criminal defense attorney.  Chris is known for his team building skills.

Chris and his brother Charles assemble the right lawyers for each matter.  No two cases are alike, so each case requires its own team of lawyers and experts.  Chris has hired many internationally known lawyers such as famed Harvard Professor Alan Dershowitz, and well-known trial and appellate specialist John Cline.

Education:
B.B.A., University of Texas, 1983; J.D., St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, 1986

Awards & Honors:
Texas Super Lawyers, 2008 – present

Admitted:
State Bar of Texas; Supreme Court of Texas; Supreme Court of the United States; United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas as well as District of Colorado and Central District of Illinois; United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Districts. Chris has also been admitted pro hac vice in many jurisdictions throughout the United States.

Member:
Houston and American Bar Associations; Texas Bar Foundation; Bar Association of the FifthFederal Circuit; Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association; Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Commissioner, Texas Ethics Commission – appointed in February 2017 to a four-year term by Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.

Vice Chair, Texas Ethics Commission – 2023 to present

Engagements:

  • Currently representing former CEO of Blue Bell Creameries in the federal prosecution and civil matter arising out of Listeria found in its ice cream; after a hung jury on felony charges, the criminal case settled with a no jail time misdemeanor.
  • Currently representing individuals in a complex civil suit in Miami where the Mexican Government has alleged fraud of over $700 million.
  • Represented an executive charged in a multi-million-dollar fraud case related to union benefits for the third largest construction company in New York; the client received probation.
  • Represented natural gas traders from Dynegy, El Paso Energy, Coral Energy, Reliant Energy, and others accused of making false reports to trade publications to affect the price of natural gas. These cases arose from the investigation of Enron’s role in the collapse of natural gas prices in California.
  • Represented Laura Pendergest-Holt, Stanford’s former Chief Investment Officer, who was charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
  • Defeated extradition attempts by the Mexican government of Juan Jose Domene, CFO of Pemex in the famed “PEMEX-gate” case.
  • Represented several prominent Mexican citizens fighting extradition on politically motivated charges.
  • Represented employees of a major international oil company in a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation involving customs agents in Nigeria.
  • Obtained a full acquittal on behalf of the CFO of a private wastewater company charged with bribery of a public official in New Orleans.
  • Obtained a dismissal of charges against a prominent personal injury attorney for wire/mail fraud allegations arising out of a $120M inventory settlement with The Hartford. After a hung jury, the United States Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges and Chris successfully recovered a settlement from The Hartford for the allegations.
  • Achieved a favorable outcome for Gary Kaplan and BetOnSports in St. Louis, Missouri, still the largest internet gambling prosecution in the United States.
  • Represented a Houston pain-management physician and his clinics in a $143M healthcare fraud indictment.
  • Avoided filing of any charges against Buddy Trahan, Asset Manager of Transocean’s Deepwater Horizon.
  • Representing a plaintiff’s attorney being investigated by the FBI for his role in obtaining clients from the oil spill caused by the Deepwater Horizon blowout.
  • Represented a doctor in a healthcare fraud investigation in the Southern District of Texas.
  • Won a mistrial and dismissal of charges for his doctor client in a five-month, multi-defendant federal trial known as the “Spring Shadows Glen case.”
  • Obtained a full acquittal in the “West Ave” murder case.