Christopher D. Pham

Chris is a trusted advisor to clients across the business, sports, and entertainment industries.

Serving as on-demand outside general counsel, Chris provides comprehensive legal guidance on a broad range of matters, including entity formation, corporate structure, governance, intellectual property protection, strategic business planning, and evaluating investment opportunities. He also advises on estate planning, non-profit formation, labor and employment issues, real estate acquisitions, landlord-tenant disputes, and construction matters.

Chris’s clients range from startup entrepreneurs to nationally recognized athletes and businesses. With particular expertise in sports and entertainment, hospitality (including hotels, restaurants, franchises, nightclubs, and bars), real estate and construction, financial services, and emerging agriculture/cannabis, Chris approaches each client’s needs with a strategic, quarterback-like mindset. He develops tailored game plans and assembles the right team of legal experts to deliver effective solutions.

In addition to his practice, Chris demonstrates a strong commitment to pro bono service and leads Fredrikson’s Inclusion & Diversity Committee. He also plays a key role in the firm’s Recruiting & Hiring and Lateral Hiring Committees. Chris founded and serves as Co-Chair of Fredrikson’s Sports & Entertainment Group, helping launch a dedicated practice for clients in these dynamic industries.

Representative Outside General Counsel Experience

• Served as lead counsel for a credit union, advising on compliance and contract matters for a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) marketing campaign involving collegiate and high school student-athletes.
• Represented collegiate and high school athletes in navigating NIL agreements and opportunities.
• Advised an insurance company as lead counsel in developing an innovative insurance product for the NIL space in collegiate sports.
• Provided comprehensive legal counsel to an NBA player on entity formation, corporate structuring, and investment strategies.
• Led legal representation for a professional athlete management company on business formation, contracts, and corporate governance.
• Represented an NBA player in prenuptial agreements, estate planning, non-profit organization formation, and real estate investments.
• Advised a family-owned business on real estate acquisitions, landlord-tenant disputes, employment matters, franchise opportunities, estate planning, and third-party subpoenas.
• Served as lead counsel for a national entertainment and artist management company on corporate governance, intellectual property, and contract matters.
• Represented a national trucking company on corporate governance, employment law, banking and finance, and construction issues.
• Assisted a hospitality client with liquor licensing, intellectual property protection, partnership agreements, lease negotiations, and employment compliance.
• Provided counsel to general contractors on mechanics lien disputes, employment issues, and contract matters.
• Represented a small business client on banking and finance, estate planning, landlord-tenant disputes, construction, and hospitality matters.
• Served as lead counsel for a sports medicine facility, advising on real estate and contractual issues.
• Represented a recording artist in the sale of their music catalog.
• Provided legal counsel to a private security company on licensing and employment matters.
• Assisted recording artists in reviewing Record Label Agreements, Management Agreements, Licensing Agreements, and Production Agreements.
• Served as lead counsel for a multi-platinum recording artist in a Lanham Act claim involving False Endorsement and False Designation of Origin, as well as a right of publicity violation.
• Represented the estate of a globally renowned music icon in state court litigation.
• Defended a nightclub and concert venue against allegations of fraud and breach of contract.

Education

• Mitchell Hamline School of Law, J.D., 2009, cum laude
• Chapman University, M.A., 2006
• University of Minnesota, B.A., 2004

Admissions

• Minnesota, 2009
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2009

• Minnesota Super Lawyers, Entertainment & Sports, 2024
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2013-2018, 2021-2023
• Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer, Independently Rated Lawyers, 2022, 2023
• Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star, Securities Litigation, 2015-2022
• 40 Under 40 Honoree, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2021
• Attorney of the Year, Group Recognition, Minnesota Lawyer, 2019
• Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leader, Diversity MBA Magazine, 2019
• Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2018
• Diversity Award, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2013
• Leonard E. Lindquist Pro Bono Award, 2013
• Pro Bono Spirit Award, 2012

Professional Activities

• University of Minnesota Law School, Adjunct Professor, Sports & NIL Clinic and Sports Law Moot Court Competition
• Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter, Board of Directors
• American Bar Association, Member
• Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
• Hennepin County Bar Association, Member
• Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, Member

Community

• Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Board of Trustees, 2018-present
• Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, Board of Directors, 2011-2017, 2022-present; Emerging Leaders Group, Co-Chair, 2011-2017; and Member, 2011-present
• The Legal Revolution, Board of Directors, 2022-present
• Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), Board of Directors, 2024-present
• University of St. Thomas Law Mentor Program, Mentor, 2019-present
• Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, Volunteer Attorney, 2012-2023
• Greater Twin Cities United Way, Leadership Council, 2021-2023
• Minnesota State Bar Association, Access to Justice Subcommittee Member, 2020-2023
• Legal Access Point, Legal Clinic Volunteer, 2019-2022
• YouthLink, Legal Clinic Volunteer, 2010-2020
• Hennepin County Housing Court Project, Legal Clinic Volunteer, 2010-2020
• Cookie Cart, Board of Directors, 2012-2015
• Volunteer Lawyers Network, Letters to Creditors Volunteer Attorney, 2012-2014
• Tubman Safety Project, Volunteer Attorney, 2012-2014
• YMCA, Downtown Community Board of Directors, 2011-2014