Chris Avallone is a shareholder in von Briesen’s Commercial and Business Litigation Section and co-chair of the firm’s Appellate Section. He represents clients in complex civil litigation and appellate matters across state and federal courts, including the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. At the trial level, Chris advocates for businesses and individuals in disputes involving shareholder oppression, breach of fiduciary duty, business torts, contract claims, and class actions. His practice combines strategic litigation experience with a deep understanding of appellate advocacy to deliver effective solutions for clients facing high-stakes commercial disputes. At every stage of litigation, Chris applies strong writing skills and a strategic, big-picture perspective to distill complex facts, craft compelling legal narratives, and, when necessary, advocate for changes in the law.

Chris is well-versed in the use and legal implications of artificial intelligence (AI). He advises clients on responsible AI deployment and helps organizations develop internal policies to govern its use. As a member of von Briesen’s task force on AI, Chris has spoken to internal and external audiences and regularly incorporates large language models into his practice to increase efficiency and drive better client outcomes.

Before joining von Briesen, Chris served as a law clerk to Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Wisconsin Law School. During law school, Chris served as a judicial extern to U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb and completed internships with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, and the University of Wisconsin Consumer Law Litigation Clinic. He also served as a research assistant to Professors Miriam Seifter and Steph Tai, conducting research on state and federal regulatory agencies.

Chris is active in both community and pro bono service. He has obtained excellent results in multiple federal civil rights actions on behalf of incarcerated individuals and serves on the Pro Bono Committee of the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association. In the greater Milwaukee community, Chris serves on the Board of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, a science-based advocacy organization working for swimmable, fishable rivers throughout the Milwaukee River Basin. Outside of work, Chris enjoys cycling, fly fishing, and sailboat racing.

Appellate Matters

• Defeated petition for non-final review following trial victory in shareholder dispute.
• Secured reversal of dissolution and receiver appointment order in shareholder oppression case; prevailed on post-decision motions and obtained dismissal of petition for review.
• Argued before the Seventh Circuit and defended dismissal of takings claim based on Colorado River abstention; later secured denial of certiorari by the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Preserved dismissal of shareholder oppression and securities fraud claims in Wisconsin Court of Appeals and successfully opposed petition for review.
• Defended local government win in appeal involving condominium tax assessments.
• Represented county in Wisconsin Supreme Court in procedural due process case brought by police officer demoted for leaking confidential information.
• Submitted amicus brief for home construction business in divorce proceeding involving business ownership.
• Submitted amicus brief for Association of Health Information Outsourcing Professionals in Banuelos v. UW Hospital.
• Fast-tracked review of adverse rulings in COVID-19 business interruption class actions by successfully petitioning for Supreme Court bypass, resulting in unanimous decision for insurance client.
• Secured Wisconsin Supreme Court victory upholding dismissal of challenge to county’s sales and use tax.
• Opposed petition for non-final review of venue ruling in shareholder dispute.
• Defeated petition for non-final review in breach of contract and tort action following grant of summary judgment on majority of claims.
• Obtained non-final appellate review in Chapter 128 proceeding involving erroneous personal jurisdiction finding, leading to favorable settlement.
• Represented healthcare provider in appeal of class certification decision in medical records litigation.
• Upheld county board of adjustment’s grant of nonconforming use status for gravel pit on appeal.
• Secured appellate win for bank in Seventh Circuit case arising from residential foreclosure.
• Preserved dismissal of guardianship action and fee award to client in appeal.
• Defended municipal fire and police commission in appeal by terminated officer seeking backpay and alleging procedural defects.
• Represented auto manufacturer in Lemon Law appeal.

Trial Court Matters

• Representing company founder in multiple actions brought by minority shareholders.
• Representing IT consulting business in cases involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and business torts.
• Secured trial win for minority shareholder wrongfully terminated by majority owners.
• Obtained favorable settlement in fraudulent transfer action brought against client’s debtors.
• Represented numerous healthcare entities in class actions challenging fees for medical records.
• Represented dealer in Wisconsin Fair Dealer Law dispute with foreign manufacturer.
• Achieved favorable resolution for LLC and majority member in action brought by dissociated member.
• Negotiated favorable exit from multiple businesses for minority shareholder asserting derivative and direct claims including breach of contract, fiduciary duty, corporate waste, and shareholder oppression.
• Represented private company through trial in shareholder oppression case culminating in a month-long proceeding.
• Reached favorable settlement for organic farm in dispute over unauthorized pesticide application.
• Defended medical billing service in complex contract dispute with healthcare provider, resolving for a fraction of plaintiff’s demand.