Christopher R. Clark | Stearns Weaver miller

Overview

Christopher Clark is a litigator focusing his practice on complex commercial, government, and administrative litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court. Christopher also counsels corporate clients in litigation portfolio management and statewide and local government procurement issues. Christopher has assisted in expanding the firm’s intellectual property practice with the addition of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) services for collegiate athletes, including the development and negotiation of marketing and branding agreements for professional and Olympic-level athletes.

Areas of Concentration:

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Commercial Litigation and Appeals
Administrative Law and Government Litigation - Administrative Complaints & Disciplinary Proceedings, Government Contracts, Bid Protests, Procurement, Appeals
Land Use & Property Rights Litigation - Constitutional Property Rights Issues
Trust, Estate & Probate Litigation - Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims, Fiduciary Compensation & Fee Disputes

Intellectual Property

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Counseling & Branding - Athlete Contract & Licensing Drafting & Negotiation, Brand Management, Compliance & Reporting including for the Federal Trade Commission
Trademark Management - Trademark Infringement Compliance, Monitoring & Enforcement

Prior to joining the firm, Christopher served as an Assistant State Attorney for the State Attorney’s Office in the Second Judicial Circuit where he managed all aspects of a felony caseload from arraignment through trial. He also served in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police Officer where he worked as a Police Patrol Supervisor and conducted humanitarian aid missions related to Operation Tomadachi in Japan following the Tohuko Earthquake.

Aside from practicing law, Christopher and his wife also own and manage two Pure Barre fitness studios under the Xponential Fitness franchise system.

Representative Experience

Commercial Litigation

Led global sports betting company’s multidisciplinary statewide investigation into referendum ballot tampering and petition blocking relating to the Florida Casino Gaming Expansion Initiative. Investigation required expedited coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies and private investigative services statewide to pursue an investigative tempo to protect ballot initiative signature gatherers.
Successfully defended investor in 1inMM Ponzi Scheme Litigation from Florida-specific claims by other disgruntled investors in federal court. The 1inMM Ponzi Scheme generated approximately $700 million in fraudulent investments for Hollywood movie deals primarily steered by Zachary Horowitz with the assistance of multiple fund aggregators. Multiple accredited investors found themselves barred from suing the fund aggregators and began suing other individual investors in Florida to try to recoup their funds. Shortly after suit, the federal court dismissed the action for a patent lack of jurisdiction.
Represented private financial adviser in turning a contentious Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration into the favorable acquisition of the Montague Collection, the largest privately held African American Art Collection in the world.
Representation of one of Florida’s largest medical marijuana companies in:
- Prosecution of ex-CFO over breach of fiduciary duty and civil theft claims.
- Defense of a class action under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
- Prosecution of multiple hedge fund and research firms for claims of defamation relating to a coordinated “short-and-distort” stock sale scheme

Land Use & Property Rights Litigation

Represented Florida beachfront County in a matter of first impression seeking a declaratory judgment on the public’s right of customary use over more than 1,000 privately owned beachfront properties.
Represented international hotelier and resort brand in successfully defending against challenges to the Monroe County Planning Commission’s resolution granting of a major conditional use permit for the re-development of a resort with auxiliary affordable housing projects.

Administrative Law & Government Litigation

Secured global technology company multiple multi-million dollar municipal contracts following multiple expedited protests of procurement awards across Florida leading to the significant expansion of the company’s operations. Provided related guidance on expanding nationwide operations and emerging privacy law issues.

Trademark and Name, Image, and Likeness

Assisted in formation of national Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agency and provided corporate guidance on structure of entity, multi-state licensure and compliance issues, intellectual property concerns, and related independent contractor agreements. This assistance has been integral in expanding the agency from an athletic training camp to a robust, multidisciplinary athletic training and NIL agency.
With the advent of paid-social media influencers, assisted in the development of social media influencer agreements, works for hire agreements, and Federal Trade Commission compliant Social Media Guidelines for professional sports facility and affiliated athletes and influencers.