Christopher Dacus

Christopher Dacus is a seasoned litigator whose practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, with an emphasis on land use and construction litigation. He oversees matters from inception through judgment, providing strategic guidance across a broad range of industries and in connection with government investigations.

Christopher rejoined Glaser Weil in 2022 after serving nearly three years as General Counsel for an international investment firm headquartered in Hong Kong. His practice spans commercial litigation, construction contract issues, land use disputes, entertainment litigation and white-collar defense.

He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2005. While in law school, he also completed a certificate in business and public policy at the Wharton School. Christopher began his legal career clerking for the Honorable Thomas C. Platt of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Christopher's recent notable experience includes his representation of:

• The cities of La Cañada Flintridge and Laguna Hills regarding lawsuits filed and threatened invoking so-called "Builder’s Remedy" provisions of California’s Housing Accountability Act.
• Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, owners of a Los Angeles home that Marilyn Monroe owned for six months before she passed away there 61 years ago, in litigation against the City of Los Angeles. Among other allegations, the dispute focuses on the City invoking an unconstitutional “stay” of City-issued and vested construction permits, and its working with third parties (including for-profit tour operators and a local conservancy organization) to assure its desired outcome of “designating” the house an “Historic Cultural Monument.”
• A resort owner in achieving a $25 million settlement in a major construction defect case. When the firm took over the 4-year-old matter, the defendants’ best offer stood at just $2 million. Following 12 months of investigation and seven months of intensive federal court discovery, we achieved a resolution involving a large construction company, its subcontractors and the project architect. The case included over 20 law firms representing more than 30 subcontractors and design pros.
• Environmental Restoration, LLC, an environmental remediation contractor, in supporting the defense of high-profile multidistrict litigation arising from the Gold King Mine spill—a three-million-gallon release of acid mine drainage near Silverton, Colorado. Over the course of six years, the team achieved dismissal of 250 out of 265 claims totaling over $1 billion and negotiated settlement of the remainder. The matter involved extensive discovery, including over 200 depositions and more than 25 expert designations, and received national media attention, including coverage by The New York Times.

Additional experience includes his representation of:

• Pimco founder in dispute with company.
• Tinder co-founder in dispute with company.
• Numerous criminal defendants against the United States Attorney’s office, including at plea agreements and sentencing.
• Numerous health systems, hospital chains, and skilled nursing facilities in relation to payor and contract disputes, as well as in connection with responses to CMS and Department of Justice investigations.
• Client in dispute related to $1 billion real estate development.
• Criminal defendant against United States Attorney’s Office at plea agreement and sentencing.
• Fortune 100 health care company in False Claims Act case.
• Major talent agency in relation to numerous disputes.

Results

News

"Seven Glaser Weil Attorneys Included in the 2016 Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars List"

"Eight Glaser Weil Attorneys Included in 2015 Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars List"

"Seven Glaser Weil Attorneys Among 2013 Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars"

Awards and Recognition

"Rising Star,” Southern California, Super Lawyers, 2013, 2015-2016