About Christopher T. Vazquez

Chris Vazquez litigates complex business disputes and class action lawsuits. He represents financial services providers, corporate clients and individuals in a broad array of litigation matters involving alleged breach of contract, fraud, business torts, consumer protection violations and discrimination.

Complex commercial litigation and class action defense

Chris draws on his experience in state and federal court to efficiently resolve complex contract disputes and class action claims. He has represented clients in matters involving consumer-related claims, M&A issues, successor liability, commercial lending, real estate disputes, and adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court. Chris has particular experience representing banks, credit unions, and financial institutions facing consumer class actions challenging retail banking and lending practices, including alleged violations of state consumer protection statutes, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Civil Rights Act 1866 and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act. In addition to successfully representing clients through dispositive motion practice, trial and/or appeal, he has experience negotiating and drafting complex individual and class settlements. Recognizing that each case raises unique challenges and urgencies, Chris works with clients to design a strategy that fits their goals, from claim assessment through resolution. He also regularly advises clients on emerging legal trends and regulatory developments to limit exposure.

Chris maintains an active pro bono practice. In 2024, he received Katten's Pro Bono Achievement Award for his continued work representing an Alabama death-row inmate in post-conviction and habeas corpus proceedings. He has also successfully represented asylum seekers through work with the National Immigration Justice Center.

Chris served as a law clerk to the Honorable LaShann DeArcy Hall of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. During law school, Chris served as executive articles editor of the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy. He also served on the executive boards of the Business Law Forum and Hispanic Law Students Association.

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Practice Focus

  • Litigation

Representative Experience

  • Successfully defended numerous credit unions and retail banks in consumer class action lawsuits challenging the assessment of overdraft and non-sufficient fund fees.
  • Represented financial institutions against class action claims alleging novel theory of alienage discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (Section 1981) and the California Unruh Civil Rights Act.
  • Obtained dismissal and defeated appeal of claims against multinational bank alleging breach of commercial loan term sheet, fraud, and violation of New York’s Business Law.
  • Represented commercial real estate company in complex, multi-district contract dispute arising from the sale of resort and timeshare properties.
  • Defended national retailer in employee class action alleging discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • Successfully enforced multi-million dollar arbitration award in international M&A earn-out dispute.
  • Successfully defended multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer against class action claims arising from generic drug recall.
  • Obtained summary judgment decision dismissing failure to investigate claims against financial institution in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • University of Notre Dame Law School, JD
  • Cornell University, BA
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
  • New York
Court Admissions
  • US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • US District Court, Southern District of Illinois
  • US District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • US District Court, Southern District of New York
Community Involvements
  • Federal Bar Council
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • The Chicago Bar Association