Chris Anaya
Main image for Chris Anaya

Chris Anaya

The solution to effectively solve any client matter must be tailored to that client’s wants and goals. I believe in a tactical approach to every matter that satisfies the client’s overall objectives, whether that’s thinking ahead to prevent an issue, negotiating a resolution to a dispute, or bringing or defending a lawsuit.

Chris Anaya works closely with clients to find effective business solutions to complex business disputes. Through his construction practice, Chris offers clients the full range of services from strategic counsel on transactional matters and project planning to resolving often complex disputes through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation. His extensive construction experience includes representing owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in transactional and litigation matters involving contract negotiations, lien and payment bond issues, construction defects, professional liability for design professionals, as well as many other contract disputes.

As part of the commercial litigation practice group, Chris works with a range of business clients including regional and national corporations in telecommunications, agriculture, real estate, and finance industries, to resolve conflicts efficiently and effectively through pre litigation negotiations, litigation, arbitration, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution.

Chris graduated, cum laude, from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He received his Bachelor’s degree with high honors in Government with a minor in Philosophy from New Mexico State University. After graduating from law school, Chris clerked for the Honorable Justice Richard C. Bosson of the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Significant Matters

  • Counsel owners, contractors, subcontracts, and suppliers regarding contract negotiations and claims resolution for design and construction projects.
  • Extensive experience in all aspects of construction law litigation arising from all phases of construction on both private and public projects, including lien issues, payment and performance bond matters, termination issues, and construction defect claims.
  • Extensive experience negotiating construction agreements including:
    • Represent owner and developer in negotiating construction contract for new hospital in Celina, Texas;
    • Represent national management company in negotiating master construction management agreement with national developer;
    • Represent owner and developer in negotiating design-build contract and construction monitor agreement for new hospital in Sachse, Texas;
    • Represent owner and developer in negotiating construction contract for a new commercial space in McKinney, Texas;
    • Represent owner in negotiating construction contract for new power sports showroom in McKinney, Texas;
    • Represent a major city in Texas in drafting the standard construction contracts and the construction manager at risk agreements;
    • Represent owner in construction of new commercial space in Houston, Texas;
    • Represent owner in negotiating construction contract for assisted living facility in Naples, Florida;
    • Represent National Homebuilder in drafting, revising, and negotiating master services agreements with design professionals;
    • Represent contractor in negotiating construction contract for finish out of commercial space in Lancaster, Texas;
    • Represent contractor in negotiating construction contract for multifamily project;
    • Represent various owners in drafting, revising, and negotiating master services agreements with design professionals;
    • Represent various contractors and subcontractors in drafting, revising, and negotiating master services agreements and construction agreements; and
    • Represent developers and owners both public and private in negotiating various residential construction contracts.

Areas of Focus

Education

Education

  • Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2014)
    • Dean’s Scholarship recipient and Nelda Sanchez Adamson Endowed Scholarship recipient.
  • New Mexico State University (B.A., with high honors, 2010)
    • B.A. in Government with minor in Philosophy, with High Honors
    • Crimson Scholar
    • Outstanding Senior for the College of Arts and Sciences
    • Outstanding Senior for the Department of Government
    • Outstanding Senior for the Hispanic Faculty/Staff Caucus
    • Recipient of the Peirce and Barbara Hubbard Scholarship

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Texas
  • New Mexico
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico, New Mexico

Leadership

  • Dallas Bar Association
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
  • Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals (Selected for LEAD YP 2018)
  • State Bar of Texas

Recognition

  • Named to D Magazine's "Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas" List, 2023-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
  • Lawdragon 500, Leading Litigators in America, Commercial Litigation - Construction, 2025
  • Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2024
  • Construction Lawyers Society of America, Associate Fellow