Christopher J. Olsen

From billion-dollar infrastructure projects to complex public works and commercial projects, Chris guides clients through every phase of the construction process—from contract negotiation and risk management to litigation, arbitration, bid protests, and administrative proceedings. His work spans projects involving federal, state, and local government entities, as well as the private sector.

With extensive first-chair trial experience, Chris has a proven record of delivering results successfully in state and federal courts, securing favorable arbitration awards, and arguing before appellate courts. He regularly navigates multi-million-dollar claims involving delay, acceleration, construction defects, scope changes, payment disputes, and performance guarantees, often on projects exceeding $1 billion in value.

Chris is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as multiple federal district and appellate courts. He received his J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Rochester.

Representative Experience

• Defended parent companies in Nebraska litigation seeking $90 million in alter ego and fraudulent transfer claims arising from a construction-related contract dispute, winning summary judgment shortly before trial.
• Represented a general contractor and joint venture partner in a $3 billion Florida highway project dispute, securing summary judgment on liability and a $36.2 million trial judgment, now on appeal.
• Achieved favorable resolution for a general contractor in Georgia litigation over $30 million in delay and completion claims on a luxury senior living project, converting a default termination to convenience with no payment to the owner.
• Defended a construction manager at risk in Utah disputes with subcontractors seeking $50 million in alleged delay and productivity claims on a public infrastructure project.
• Defended a civil subcontractor in Texas arbitration over multi-million-dollar delay and indemnity claims on a solar project.
• Represented a design-build contractor in Georgia arbitration seeking over $5 million for delays and changes on a public works project.
• Represented a subcontractor in a complex Washington, D.C. condominium defect dispute involving alleged design, construction, and inspection failures.
• Represented a construction manager at risk in Maryland administrative and appellate proceedings over defective materials, obtaining a favorable judicial review decision.
• Represented a hotel owner in Maryland state and federal court construction defect litigation against a general contractor and HVAC subcontractor.
• Represented contractors in bid protests and related litigation involving highway, infrastructure, and public facility projects at the state and local levels in various jurisdictions throughout the country.

Court Opinions

• The Lane Construction Corp. v. Skanska USA Civil Southeast, Inc., 2024 WL 4267117 (M.D. Fla. May 3, 2024)
• The Lane Construction Corp. v. Skanska USA Civil Southeast, Inc., 2023 WL 11938839 (M.D. Fla. June 4, 2023)
• Montgomery Park, LLC v. Dep’t of General Services, 254 Md. App. 73 (2022), rev’d, 482 Md. 706 (2023)
• Holder Construction Group, LLC, No. 0865, Sept. Term, 2021 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. July 19, 2022)
• Md. State Highway Admin. v. Milani Construction, LLC, No. 1334, Sept. Term, 2019 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. Sept. 29, 2020)
• Bartenfelder v. Bartenfelder, 248 Md. App. 213 (2020), cert. denied, 472 Md. 5 (2021)
• Charlotte Hall Nursing, LLC v. Md. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, No. 2447, Sept. Term, 2017 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. May 2, 2019)
• Fountain Club, LLC v. City of New Carrollton, cert. denied, 461 Md. 488 (2018)
• Usher v. Riggs Realty, No. 1376, Sept. Term, 2014 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. Apr. 5, 2017), cert. denied, 455 Md. 456 (2017)
• Coley v. 23rd St. Realty Co., No. 2203, Sept. Term, 2015 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. Feb. 9, 2017)
• Bonner v. S-Fer Int’l, Inc., 207 F. Supp. 3d 19 (D.D.C. 2016)
• Griffin v. Jontiff, No. 0725, Sept. Term, 2015 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. Apr. 25, 2016), cert. denied, 450 Md. 116 (2016)
• McKisset v. Brentwood BWI One, LLC, No. 14-cv-1159, 2015 WL 8041386 (D. Md. Dec. 4, 2015)
• Cumberland & Erly, LLC v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 128 F. Supp. 3d 888 (D. Md. 2015)
• Hamilton v. Kirson, 439 Md. 501 (2014)
• Hamilton v. Dackman, 213 Md. App. 589 (2013), cert. denied, 439 Md. 329 (2014)

Administrative Opinions

• AGovX, LLC, No. 3309 (Md. B.C.A. May 8, 2025) (opinion on cross-motions for summary decision)
• Holder Construction Group, LLC, No. 3087 (Md. B.C.A. Dec. 12, 2022) (opinion on motion for attorneys’ fees)
• Holder Construction Group, LLC, No. 3087 (Md. B.C.A. July 1, 2020) (opinion on cross-motions for summary decision)
• Montgomery Park, LLC, No. 3137 (Md. B.C.A. Feb. 28, 2020) (opinion after merits hearing on second protest)
• Montgomery Park, LLC, No. 3133 (Md. B.C.A. Jan. 29, 2020) (opinion after merits hearing on first protest)
• Oakland Consulting Group, Inc., No. 3092 (Md. B.C.A. Feb. 28, 2019) (opinion after merits hearing on protest)
• Milani Construction, LLC, Nos. 3074 & 3088 (Md. B.C.A. Feb. 6, 2019) (opinion after merits hearing on protest)
• Charlotte Hall Nursing, LLC, Nos. 3018 & 3025 (Md. B.C.A. Apr. 27, 2017) (opinion on cross-motions for summary decision)