Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb, LLC | attorneys at law
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Christopher W. Byron

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Rated By Super Lawyers Christopher W. Byron Selected In 2023 Thomson Reuters

Biography

Real Estate Transaction & Real Estate Development:

Mr. Byron has extensive experience in representing clients in all aspects of real estate transactions and real estate development.  He works closely with clients to ensure their real estate needs are handled swiftly and professionally.  This experience includes land use deals, tax increment financing, business development agreements, purchase agreements, and closing assistance through the firm's title company.

General Litigation: 

Mr. Byron has extensive experience in various types of commercial litigation cases, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His experience includes prosecution and defense of all types of general business litigation including contract disputes, real estate, Agri-business, trademark / copyright / trade secret disputes, product liability, property damage claims, and prosecution of claims against governmental agencies. Mr. Byron also has experience in a broad range of insurance litigation matters, including coverage, environmental, mass tort, general liability, employment, health, life/annuity, disability, malpractice, errors and omissions, directors and officers and title.

Construction:

Mr. Byron focuses his Construction Law practice on advising contractors and subcontractors in a variety of litigation and commercial matters. His work includes prosecuting and defending various types of construction claims. He also advises both contractors and subcontractors regarding Illinois and Missouri mechanic's lien laws.

Estate Planning/Estate Litigation:

Mr. Byron focuses his Estate Planning practice in all aspects of estate planning, including the preparations of wills, trusts, living wills, powers of attorney and other testamentary instruments. Additionally, he routinely litigates probate and relative estate matters in court.

Agri-business:

Mr. Byron's Agri-business practice includes representing Agricultural producers in all aspects Agri-business litigation; including grain contracts, options, hedge-to-arrive contracts, and forward contracts. Additionally, Mr. Byron assists producers in forming business entities (S-Corps, LLC's Partnerships, and Family Partnerships). In 2011, Mr. Byron was appointed to the Illinois State Bar Association Agricultural Law Section Council.

Real Estate/Eminent Domain/Land Use/Pipe Line/Mineral and Coal Rights:

Mr. Byron assists land owners in all aspects in land use law, including eminent domain, pipe line litigation, mineral rights, coal rights, and other mineral rights. Mr. Byron has successfully represented farmers and land owners in eminent domain, pipe line, and condemnation proceedings. He has also routinely handles all forms of Real Estate transactions, including sales, title issues, title litigation, lease preparation, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Privately Held Businesses:

Mr. Byron assists private, closely held companies in all aspects of formations (LLC's, S-Corps, Partnerships, and Professional Corporations), mergers, and acquisitions. Additionally, he routinely advises companies in buy-sell agreements; covenants not-to compete; non-solicitation agreements, and often restriction agreements to protect businesses.

Education

  • Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
    • J.D., 1995 - 1995
    • Honors: Pre-Trial Moot Court Champion
  • University of Illinois
    • B.A.
  • University of Southern California

Professional Associations

  • Illinois State Bar Association, Member
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Agricultural Law Section Council Member
  • The Missouri Bar, Member
  • St. Clair County Bar Association, Member
  • Madison County Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Commercial Law League of America, Member

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 1996
  • Missouri, 1996
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit

Current Employment Position

  • Managing Partner

Practice Areas

  • Litigation
  • Real Estate Development
  • Banking Creditor's Rights
  • Agri-business
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Intellectual Property
  • Corporate/Privately Held Companies
  • Estate Planning
  • Landlord-Tenant
  • Mineral Rights
  • Eminent Domain
  • Coal Rights