Attorney Biography
Chris joined the Suster Law Group in 2021. He counsels and represents developers and other landowners in a broad range of complex litigation, appellate, transactional, and administrative matters involving zoning, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, contracts, platting, permitting, land use, annexation, landlord/tenant, historic preservation, constitutional law, fair housing, open records, open meetings, and other property and regulatory matters.
Before joining the Suster Law Group, was in private practice with another law firm. Before that, Chris was an assistant city attorney for the City of Dallas for almost 27 years, including serving as first assistant city attorney for almost 10 years and interim city attorney for five months. His primary responsibility as first assistant was supervising all Dallas' civil litigation and criminal prosecutions. In his last year with Dallas, it had the second lowest average litigation cost per resident of the 10 largest cities in the nation during the previous three years.
Chris is known for aggressively representing his clients and finding creative ways to achieve their goals whether they are plaintiffs, defendants, or not in litigation. He has favorably resolved numerous federal and state lawsuits through trial and mediation. Chris also has successfully handled appeals in multiple appellate courts.
Representative Experience
* Persuaded U.S. Supreme Court to grant his petition for certiorari and vacate Fifth Circuit's adverse judgment in tow truck regulation case in City of Dallas v. Cole, 536 U.S. 936 (2002)
* Convinced Texas Supreme Court to reverse court of appeals and trial court and to uphold Dallas board of adjustment's denial of a variance in City of Dallas v. Vanesko, 189 S.W.3d 769 (Tex. 2006)
* Took over appeal and obtained reversal of $6.4 million judgment against Dallas in regulatory takings case in City of Dallas v. Currey, No. 05-00-01436-CV, 2001 WL 1671160 (Tex. App.--Dallas Dec. 20, 2001, pet. denied) (not designated for publication), cert. denied, 537 U.S. 1030 (2002)
* Secured favorable court of appeals' opinion affirming trial court's ruling that Dallas' denial of demolition permit for historic building did not result in taking of property rights in 2218 Bryan Street, Ltd. v. City of Dallas, 175 S.W.3d 58 (Tex. App.--Dallas 2005, pet. denied)
* Led team that acquired 1,500 acres for Dallas' Trinity River Corridor Project, which was a finalist for one of the "Best Real Estate Deals of the Year" awards by the Dallas Business Journal
* Persuaded a Dallas suburb's officials to reverse a planning department's decision and allow a substance abuse treatment center
* Convinced the Dallas Board of Adjustment to reverse the building official's decision to revoke a building permit
* Filed a lawsuit challenging a Dallas suburb"s parkland exaction ordinance as excessive and obtained $350,400 for client
