Christopher K. Ralston
Overview
Chris Ralston helps businesses navigate a wide range of commercial litigation matters, employing a strategic blend of negotiation and litigation tactics to advance clients’ interests in and out of the courtroom. He specifically focuses on antitrust law, business torts, contract disputes, tax litigation, securities litigation and arbitration, direct selling, and intellectual property litigation in addition to maintaining a substantial appellate practice.
With regular appearances in state and federal courts over his 25-year practice, Chris frequently litigates breach of contract disputes and enforcement of non-competition, licensing, and distributor agreements. He has tried antitrust, securities fraud, federal qui tam / False Claims Act cases, large real estate suits, and a variety of commercial disputes.
In the appellate context, Chris has orally argued before each of the five Louisiana Circuit Courts of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Louisiana, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Credentials
Education
- Tulane University School of Law, 1999 (J.D.)
- William & Mary, 1992 (B.A.)
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- Supreme Court of Louisiana
Clerkship Experience
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, 1999-2000
- The Pro Bono Project, Board of Directors, 2009-present; Vice President, 2015-present
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Board of Directors, Officer; First Vice President, 2011-2012; Vice President, 2015-present
- American Diabetes Association, New Orleans Community Leadership Board, Board Member, 2009-present; Board Chair, 2014-present
- Tulane University, Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 2016-present
- Tulane University Law School, Civil Litigation Bootcamp Course, Faculty Member, 2012-present; Alumni Association, President, 2014-present
- Louisiana Super Lawyers, Top 50 Louisiana Lawyers, 2017
- Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter, President’s Award, 2016
- Louisiana State Bar Association, President’s Award, 2016
- Louisiana Bar Foundation, President’s Award, 2016
- Client Choice & Lexology, Client Choice Award, 2016
- Louisiana Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2010-present; Board of Directors, 2014-present; Treasurer, 2017-present
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Client Assistance Fund Committee; Crystal Gavel Award Committee, Chair; Access to Justice Policy Committee, 2012-present; House of Delegates, 2013-present; Bench and Bar Section, Secretary-Treasurer, 2014-present
- New Orleans Bar Association, Public Service Committee, Chair; Young Lawyers Section, Past Chair; Board of Directors, 2008-present; Vice President, 2013-2015; President-Elect, 2015-2016; President, 2016-present
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Fifth Federal Circuit Bar Association