Christopher L. Hering

Chris Hering focuses his practice in commercial litigation and construction law. He is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer, appellate advocate, and valuable business partner for clients facing complex legal challenges. Chris has consistently been ranked among the top litigators and construction lawyers in Arizona by multiple publications.

Chris’ litigation experience spans a wide variety of matters and industries, including construction, cannabis, real estate, creditors’ rights, municipal and public entity law, and health care. He efficiently and cost-effectively advocates for clients at all levels of the judiciary, including the Arizona Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

As a construction lawyer, Chris handles a wide array of matters, including professional licensing, contract drafting and negotiation, public bidding and procurement, transaction privilege tax, and litigation. His litigation experience includes payment disputes, mechanic’s lien and surety bond claims, delay claims, contract termination disputes, indemnity claims, and construction and design defect claims. Chris’ clients include owners, developers, homebuilders, general contractors, trade contractors, material suppliers, and design professionals.

Chris is recognized by Chambers USA as a Band 1 lawyer in construction law and by Best Lawyers in America in construction law, commercial litigation and appellate practice. He has also been named as a Rising Star by Southwest Super Lawyers and as a top lawyer by PHOENIX Magazine.

Recently, Chris authored two chapters of the Arizona Civil Remedies handbook, addressing how creditors can utilize the legal system to get paid. He frequently presents on construction law topics to various organizations, including the Arizona Builders Alliance, Southwest Business Credit Services, and the State Bar of Arizona Construction Law Section.

Before joining Gammage & Burnham, Chris clerked for Arizona Supreme Court Justice A. John Pelander. He earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Arizona, graduating first in his class and earning induction into the Order of the Coif. Prior to law school, Chris graduated summa cum laude with B.S. degrees in Economics and Finance from the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University.

Court Admissions

• State Bar of Arizona
• Arizona Supreme Court
• United States Supreme Court
• United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• United States District Court, District of Arizona

Speaking Engagements

• Arizona PBS, Arizona Horizon, Prop 123 Deemed Illegal (2019)

Publications

• Arizona Construction Law Book, HLK Global Communications (2015)
• Public Private Partnership Legislation: Arizona State Q&A, Practical Law Finance (2024)
• Arizona Civil Remedies, State Bar of Arizona (5th ed. 2024)

Published Opinions

• S. Point Energy Ctr. LLC v. Ariz. Dep’t of Revenue, 257 Ariz. 189, 546 P.3d 1130 (App. 2024)
• Simms v. Ariz. Racing Comm’n, 253 Ariz. 214, 511 P.3d 209 (App. 2022)
• S. Point Energy Ctr. LLC v. Ariz. Dep’t of Revenue, 253 Ariz. 30, 508 P.3d 246 (2022)
• Torres v. Jai Dining Services (Phoenix), Inc., 253 Ariz. 66, 508 P.3d 1148 (App. 2022) (as amicus)
• Grunwald v. Scottsdale Healthcare Hosps., 252 Ariz. 141, 499 P.3d 329 (App. 2021)
• Torres v. Jai Dining Services (Phoenix) Inc., 252 Ariz. 28, 497 P.3d 481 (2021) (as amicus)
• Cardinal Square Inc. v. Guiahi, 2021 WL 824398 & 2021 WL 862360 (D. Ariz. 2021)
• Hamberlin v. State ex rel. Ariz. Game & Fish Dep’t, 249 Ariz. 31, 465 P.3d 521 (App. 2020)
• Ansley v. Banner Health Network, 248 Ariz. 143, 459 P.3d 55 (2020)
• Dignity Health v. Farmers Ins. Co. of Ariz., 247 Ariz. 39, 444 P.3d 743 (App. 2019)
• Saban Rent-A-Car v. Ariz. Dep’t of Revenue, 246 Ariz. 89, 434 P.3d 1168 (2019) (as amicus)
• Saban Rent-A-Car, LLC v. Ariz. Dept. of Revenue, 244 Ariz. 293, 418 P.3d 1066 (App. 2018) (as amicus)
• Ariz. Chamber of Commerce & Indus. v. Kiley, 242 Ariz. 533, 399 P.3d 80 (2017) (as amicus)
• Abbott v. Banner Health Network, 239 Ariz. 409, 372 P.3d 933 (2016), cert. denied 137 S. Ct. 813 (2017)
• Ponderosa Fire Dist. v. Coconino Cty., 235 Ariz. 597, 334 P.3d 1256 (App. 2014)
• Mirabel Golf Club Inc. v. Altman, 2012 WL 13027044 & 2013 WL 12284598 (D. Ariz. 2013)
• Parker v. City of Tucson, 233 Ariz. 422, 314 P.3d 100 (App. 2013)
• RSP Architects, Ltd. v. Five Star Dev. Resort Communities, LLC, 232 Ariz. 436, 306 P.3d 93 (App. 2013)
• Arizona Indep. Redistricting Comm’n v. Brewer, 229 Ariz. 347, 275 P.3d 1267 (2012)

Significant Representations

• Obtained jury verdict in favor of plaintiff as first chair trial counsel in a two-week trial involving the validity of a public procurement for the construction of a broadband network.
• Successfully represented a large homebuilder in resolving nearly $1 million in mechanic’s lien claims arising out of the insolvency of a heavy civil contractor, with minimal loss to the client.
• Represented two Taiwanese petrochemical companies in drafting and negotiating design-build and EPC agreements for the construction of manufacturing facilities that will serve Arizona’s semiconductor industry, with a combined value of $500 million.
• Represented Arizona’s largest animal welfare organization in drafting and negotiating design and construction contracts for a $46 million animal shelter and hospital, and in successfully resolving various change order and defect claims at mediation.
• Successfully defeated attempted judicial removal of a C-level cannabis executive as a member of a dispensary’s board of directors.
• Represented a golf course in a public-private partnership with the City of Phoenix for the construction of infrastructure to deliver non-potable water to three separate golf courses.
• Successfully defended Arizona’s hospitals against class action litigation to unwind many years of settlements of health care provider liens.
• Successfully defeated lawsuit seeking the closure of a medical marijuana dispensary for alleged violations of zoning restrictions.
• Represented Arizona’s public education interests as amicus in defense of Proposition 123, which increased distributions from Arizona’s state land trust fund to the public schools.
• Represented a global plastics manufacturer in drafting and negotiating design and construction contracts for a 450,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and accompanying railroad spur.
• Successfully defeated lawsuit to compel a municipality to enforce subdivision bonds, resulting in a published opinion construing Arizona’s subdivision statutes in favor of municipalities.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Construction Lawyers Society of America, Fellow
• Arizona Association of Health Care Lawyers, Member
• Arizona Builders Alliance, Member
• State Bar of Arizona Construction Law Section, Executive Council Member
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Certified Ambassador
• Barrett Honors College Alumni Council, Member