Christopher Wilds is Counsel in the firm’s Litigation Department and is quickly establishing himself as a dynamic and sought-after litigator, earning a reputation for his unwavering commitment to clients and sharp strategic instincts in complex commercial disputes. Mr. Wilds represents a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies in the medical device, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries, as well as leading technology companies. Mr. Wilds regularly advises clients on important, high-stakes pre-litigation disputes and legal matters, including matters involving intellectual property, television and interactive/new media rights, and business risk management. Beyond his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Wilds represents clients in internal and government investigations. He also serves as a member of the Independent Monitoring Team for the Newark Police Division (“NPD”), responsible for overseeing the City of Newark’s and NPD’s compliance with a Consent Decree entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mr. Wilds is deeply committed to pro bono work and has a successful track record of representing individuals and organizations in need. Notably, he successfully represented a client appealing a serious criminal conviction before the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division, resulting in the reversal of the client's conviction. He has also represented pro bono clients in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and at the appellate level in the Second Circuit.

Mr. Wilds is heavily involved in the legal community and demonstrates his commitment through leadership roles in the New York City Bar Association. From 2020 to 2023, he chaired the Minorities in the Courts Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He currently co-chairs the Council on the Profession, where he focuses on addressing the most cutting-edge issues impacting the legal profession and leading initiatives aimed at supporting the rule of law and maintaining an independent judiciary.

From 2016 to 2017, Mr. Wilds served as a law clerk to the Hon. Johnnie B. Rawlinson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Prior to that, Mr. Wilds held a Herbert and Nell Singer Social Justice Fellowship, focusing on school desegregation litigation at the Legal Defense Fund.

Successfully represented major medical supply manufacturer in an arbitration involving claims of breach of contract and wrongful termination by a distributor. Mr. Wilds and his team obtained a favorable decision on every issue raised, resulting in a complete dismissal of the distributor’s claims and a judgment awarding the client damages for the costs it incurred in connection with its partial termination of the contract with the distributor.

Represented a medical device and surgical instrument manufacturer in connection with a complex commercial dispute involving allegations of breach of contract and wrongful termination. On behalf of that client, Mr. Wilds and his team achieved an early victory at the motion to dismiss stage, reducing a ten figure damages claim by over 94 percent.   

Served as second-chair trial counsel to a leading beverage manufacturer in a breach of contract arbitration with a construction vendor, defeating primary damages claims.

Successfully represented leading transportation company in connection with a Department of Justice (“DOJ”) investigation into alleged anticompetitive restrictions in labor markets related to "no-poach" agreements. Mr. Wilds and his team conducted an intensive internal investigation and made written and oral presentations to the DOJ, resulting in the closing of the DOJ’s investigation with no further action taken against the client.

Represented former hedge fund trader in six-week securities fraud jury trial in the Southern District of New York and related SEC investigation.

Represented individual defendants in appeal of $100 million judgment on fraud, contract, and civil RICO claims in New Jersey State Court.

Represented Fortune 500 energy company against claims brought under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (“DTSA”) and Florida's Uniform Trade Secrets Act (“FUTSA”).

Represented a legal services company in putative class action under the California Consumer Privacy Act arising from a ransomware attack, resulting in a favorable settlement for the client.

Represented foreign administrators of a global alternative energy company in its chapter 15 cross-border bankruptcy case, successfully petitioning the court for the return of over $28 million held in a U.S. bank account.

Pro Bono

Successfully represented client in challenge of criminal conviction for second-degree reckless vehicular homicide before the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division, resulting in reversal of the client’s conviction.

Represented Harlem, New York-based church in a personal injury action in Bronx Supreme Court, culminating in favorable settlement.

Represented client in connection with an appeal from a decision of the Social Security Administration in the Southern District of New York.

Represented indigent client in a landlord-tenant action in Yonkers City Court, culminating in a favorable settlement that allowed the tenant to remain in her home.

Represented an incarcerated client in a direct appeal of a criminal conviction before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and in compassionate-release proceedings.

  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

  • New York City Bar Association
    • Co-Chair, Council on the Profession (2023 - present)
    • Member, Nominating Committee (2023)
    • Working Group on Racial Equality in Our Courts (2021)
    • Chair, Minorities in the Courts Committee (2020 - 2023)
  • Pathfinder, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2020)

  • Columbia Law School (J.D., 2015)
    • Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
    • Submissions Editor, Columbia Journal of Race and Law
  • Morgan State University (B.A., 2011)