portrait photo of Chris Cathey

Christopher D. Cathey

Principal

Christopher D. Cathey represents companies and individuals in complex business disputes involving financial services, real estate, corporate, and creditors’ rights matters. With more than two decades of experience as a commercial litigator, he handles cases at every stage of litigation, from pre-suit negotiation and discovery through trial and appeal, across state and federal courts nationwide.

Chris counsels clients on issues including directors’ and officers’ liability, professional and tort claims, employment matters, and trade secret and non-competition disputes. He has guided clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial ventures through litigation that balances business priorities with risk management and practical resolution. Known for his direct, solution-driven approach, Chris works closely with decision-makers to assess exposure, develop litigation strategies, and pursue outcomes that protect both immediate and long-term business interests.

His experience extends across multiple jurisdictions, where he has represented financial institutions, property owners, corporate officers, and private businesses. Chris collaborates with in-house counsel and management teams to streamline complex cases and resolve matters efficiently through negotiation, mediation, or courtroom advocacy.

Chris is a Fellow of both the Litigation Counsel of America and the Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers. He is active in the Broward County Bar Association, where he serves on the Bench and Bar and Professionalism Committees, and the Palm Beach County Bar Association.

    Education

    • University of Cincinnati (J.D.)
    • University of Florida (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • Florida
    • Kentucky
    • Ohio

    Court Admissions

    • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
    • United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

    Professional Affiliations

    • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
    • Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, Fellow
    • Broward County Bar Association, Bench and Bar Committee; Professionalism Committee
    • Palm Beach County Bar Association, Member

    Recognitions

    Named to Ohio Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list, 2006–2007, 2009–2013

Featured Publications & News

<p>Offit Kurman Expands National Platform with South Florida Office Opening</p>

Offit Kurman Expands National Platform with South Florida Office Opening

Read more
  • Biography
  • Publications & News

Firm Highlights

  • Blog Posts
    Prenups: The Marriage Contract You Need to Talk About Before Saying “I Do”
    What if talking about a prenup isn't about planning for divorce, but about having honest conversations before you get married? In this episode of Love Ends, Law Begins, hosts Fara Rodriguez and Stephanie Lehman take a closer look at one of the most misunderstood legal documents in marriage: the prenuptial agreement. They discuss why prenups are becoming more common, what couples should consider when creating one, and some of the unusual clauses people have tried to include. From infidelity and social media clauses to financial arrangements and “walk away” agreements, the conversation explores how prenups can be tailored to a couple's individual circumstances. Fara and Stephanie also discuss the importance of thinking beyond the present and considering how marriage, children, careers, finances, and even moving to another state could affect a prenup in the future. They explain why couples need to understand what they're agreeing to, especially when one spouse may eventually become a stay at home parent or sacrifice their own earning potential. Whether you're engaged, considering a prenup, or simply curious about how these agreements work, this conversation offers a practical look at the financial and legal conversations couples should have before walking down the aisle. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why couples choose to create prenuptial agreements • What a “walk away” agreement means • How marriage can change the way couples approach finances • What happens when one spouse becomes a stay at home parent • Lifestyle, infidelity, and social media clauses • Why child custody and child support can't be predetermined in a prenup • The importance of financial transparency before marriage • How future careers, children, and relocation can impact a prenup • Why state laws matter when couples move after signing an agreement • How a prenup can serve as a roadmap for dividing assets if a marriage ends
  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.