Christopher Massaroni is an accomplished trial attorney who represents a diverse group of clients in high-stakes disputes. His clients commonly include businesses, government entities, public officials, and corporate leaders who are confronting major and sensitive matters, often involving unique issues of law.
Chris’ core strength is his skill and experience as a trial attorney. He began his career trying a wide variety of commercial and personal injury cases and he conducted his first jury trial just six months after entering practice. Since then, he has successfully litigated hundreds of cases in federal and state courts throughout New York and in several other states.
His cases now center upon complex commercial and government disputes, including ownership disputes, shareholder claims, matters involving corporate governance, claims of breach of fiduciary duty and unfair competition, employment litigation, and intellectual property disputes. He has particular experience in construction litigation, estate litigation, and challenges to wills and trusts.
Chris is also known for his representation of some of New York’s highest-ranking public officials. For many years, he has served as outside counsel to the New York State Assembly and its Majority leaders in defense of constitutional challenges. Most recently, in 2023 and 2024, he successfully represented the Assembly Majority and its leaders in litigation challenging an Act which amended New York’s Election Law. He has successfully handled multiple other cases involving constitutional challenges to the authority of public officials.
Following successful business litigation, several of Chris’ clients have asked him to remain involved with the company as outside general counsel and legal advisor. He continues in this role for companies in several business sectors.
Chris is often engaged to assist in sensitive matters requiring internal investigation by private companies and government entities. He has assisted many clients in confronting challenging issues requiring investigation both as company counsel, as the outside independent investigator, and as counsel to executives under investigation. He currently serves as the independent investigator to a statewide government entity.
Because of his experience in the areas of litigation, trial techniques, corporate disputes and employment matters, Chris is often invited to speak at Continuing Legal Education seminars on these topics.
Prior to joining Hodgson Russ, Chris was a shareholder at the law firm of McNamee Lochner.
Some of Chris's representative work includes:
- Successful Defense of Constitutional Challenge to NYS Election Law: Chris led a Hodgson Russ team in representing the New York State Assembly, its Speaker and its Majority Leader in litigation challenging the constitutionality of the 2023 amendments to New York’s Election Law governing the canvassing of absentee ballots (Amedure v. State of New York). He argued the case before the New York State Court of Appeals, which issued a favorable decision upholding the amendments and dismissing all claims.
- Defense of Securities and Contract Claims in SDNY: Chris represented a technology startup company in the successful defense of securities and contract claims asserted by an investor.
- Acquisition of Auto Dealership Group: Chris led a group of Hodgson Russ attorneys who worked in conjunction with lawyers from outside the firm in the representation of a client in a major transaction for the acquisition of five automobile dealerships in Virginia.
- Breach of Subcontract under a New York State Project: Chris successfully represented a technology company in prosecuting claims of breach of contract against a prime contractor under a project for the provision of statewide services to a New York State agency.
- Litigation of Constitutional Challenge to the Authority of a Public Official: Chris successfully represented the then-Speaker of the NYS Assembly in two separate actions in New York State Supreme Court (Albany County and New York County) which challenged the constitutionality of certain actions of the Speaker.
- Litigation Involving the Legality of Financing of the New Tappan Zee Bridge: Chris represented a New York State Authority and its members in litigation relating to the funding for the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge. (NYS Supreme Court, Albany County).
- Share Ownership Dispute: Representation of the trustee of a testamentary trust in a dispute as to the ownership of shares of a long-time family business. (NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department).
- Deceptive Sales Practices: Representation of a retail company in the defense of class action claims alleging deceptive sales practices. (NYS Supreme Court, Kings County).
- Major Injury Case: Representation of a teenager who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a major automobile crash (settlement in excess of $1 million).
Representative Work
Recognitions
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation) 2015 - 2026, (Bet-the-Company Litigation) 2026
- Listed, Upstate New York Super Lawyers (Business Litigation) 2010 - 2025
- Fellow, New York State Bar Foundation
- Martindale Hubbell AV Rating
News & Insights
Professional
- New York State Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- National Association of Dealer Counsel
- Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
- AlertThe Countdown Has Begun: Critical Timing and Deadlines in New York Election Law
- Press ReleaseOne-Third of Hodgson Russ LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 Upstate New York Super Lawyers List, 35 Recognized as “Rising Stars”
Press Release93 Hodgson Russ LLP Attorneys Ranked in 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®