Christopher M. Berloth
Partner
"I strive to ensure my clients are confident placing their burdens on my shoulders, and to embody the work ethic, skill, and passion necessary to help them succeed."
Chris focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes, contractual disputes, non-compete clauses, first-party insurance coverage litigation, construction litigation, and general corporate and transactional work. He represents a variety of clients, including shareholders and officers of publicly traded companies and close corporations, business owners, entrepreneurs, professional corporations, small business owners, and individual homeowners.
Chris emphasizes building strong client relationships, providing optimal and practical legal and business advice, and achieving the best result possible for his clients. Chris employs a client-centric, long-term strategic approach to the practice of law. Rather than being unnecessarily litigious, his focus is on ensuring a legal strategy that is consistent with the client’s business and/or personal needs and goals. Chris works closely with his clients to ensure that their best interests are met and that every action is geared towards their desired ultimate outcome.
Chris has successfully represented clients in both New York State and Federal courts, including trials, appellate proceedings, arbitrations, and mediations. Chris has also been retained as an Expert Consultant in the field of Insurance Law – Property Damage.
Chris has been selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list as a Rising Star in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Chris started at Duke Holzman as a law clerk while studying at SUNY Buffalo Law School. Following law school, he joined Duke Holzman as an Associate. In January 2020, Chris became a partner in the firm.
Chris is highly engaged in the Buffalo, New York legal community and is a coach for the SUNY Buffalo Law School Trial Advocacy program. Chris also participated in the Trial Advocacy program while attending SUNY Buffalo Law School—where he graduated cum laude. Chris was awarded the 2015 Best Cross Examination at the National Trial Competition by the New York State Bar Association Trial Lawyers Selection.
Chris was also a judicial intern in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit for the Honorable Julio M. Fuentes, Publications Editor for the Buffalo Law Review, and President’s Outreach Committee Chair for the SUNY Buffalo Law School Moot Court Board.
Practice Areas:
Complex Commercial; Business Divorce; Professional and Medical Services; Insurance; Manufacturing; Construction and Demolition; Transportation
New York State Bar Association; Bar Association of Erie County (member of the Young Lawyer’s Committee); Member of the Western New York Trial Lawyers Association; American Bar Association; Member of United Policyholders
State of New York; United States District Court for the Western District of New York; United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; Seneca Nation of Indians Peacemakers Court
State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, J.D., cum laude
State University of New York at Buffalo, B.A., summa cum laude