Christopher Chase

Chris Chase is responsible for coordinating the provision of legal services for all aspects of the company’s business operations. In addition to providing legal counsel to the board and management, his duties include direct participation in the company’s transactional matters, including, without limitation, purchases and sales of real property, financing transactions, leasing, joint ventures and related contractual matters. Additionally, Chris oversees the engagement of outside counsel and works closely with the company’s Risk Management department to address, minimize and mitigate issues that might create legal liability for the company.

Chris joined the Watt organization in 1987 with an extensive background in real estate matters, particularly real estate financing. He was appointed General Counsel in 1994.

He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1978. He is a 1982 graduate of Boalt Hall Law School at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a member of the California Law Review. Prior to joining the Watt team, Chris worked at the firm of McKenna, Conner and Cuneo in Los Angeles.