Christopher J. Hug has focused exclusively on dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation, and litigation. He has handled a range of disputes, with a focus on those arising in construction, commercial lending, commercial contract, municipal contracting, trusts and probate, and insurance contexts. He has more than three decades of experience as a trial lawyer, and he has practiced in both Connecticut federal and state courts as well as in the Southern District of New York.
Business Litigation
Chris has represented various private and public entities in business disputes. He is particularly experienced at handling disputes that involve commercial transactions, system failure analysis, manufacturing and/or processing defects, environmental issues, financial disputes, and creditors' rights. Chris’s cases typically involved the coordination of multiple experts. His most recent experiences included shareholder disputes, Freedom of Information disputes, First Amendment issues, software/hardware installation and design contracts, manufacturing defects, boiler design and installation, wastewater treatment plant disputes, foreclosure, and lender liability defense.
Probate Litigation
Chris also has had a very active probate litigation caseload. He has represented institutions and individuals, healthcare providers, charities, and various beneficiaries in disputes in probate and courts of general jurisdiction. Typical cases included: will contests, instrument interpretation, breach of fiduciary duty, accountings, conservatorship appointments and representation, heir determination and psychiatric commitment hearings.
He has participated as a member of the Connecticut Probate Practice Book Advisory Committee and assisted in drafting the new Rules of Practice for Connecticut Probate Courts, effective July 1, 2013. He has appeared as a faculty member describing and explaining various aspects of probate law to the Connecticut Probate Judges and Connecticut Bar industry groups. Chris has been a senior adjunct professor of law at Western New England University School of Law, where he taught a course on probate litigation since 2007.
Construction Litigation
Since shortly after joining the firm in 1989, Chris had an active construction litigation practice and has experience in many different areas. Chris has represented owners, contractors, engineers, and property insurers in disputes arising from the construction of various projects, such as schools, laboratories, energy plants, industrial and commercial buildings, nuclear power, athletic facilities, wastewater treatment, and landfills. He is well-versed in industry contracts and specialized damages claims, including, but not limited to, loss of productivity claims.
Insurance Litigation
Chris has represented insurers in large-loss property insurance disputes, particularly as it relates to heavy engineering and physical damages. He also has represented insurers in commercial general liability disputes arising out of defective construction, design, and workmanship. He has represented insurers in connection with natural disasters such as hurricanes, and major construction projects.
