Chris Patz

MANAGING DIRECTOR
San Francisco

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Chris is passionate about using his decades of experience as a trusted advisor, advocate, and storyteller to guide clients through their most challenging times. Achieving favorable results in these matters is only one source of pride for Chris, as he is more proud that his work is rarely seen publicly. He believes a client’s success belongs to the client.

Chris brings 30 years of experience to August. He began his career as a litigator at prominent law firms, where he focused mainly on shareholder litigation, corporate governance, and internal, as well as SEC, investigations. In these roles, he achieved notable results, including changing the narrative in bet-the-company litigation. More recently, Chris established and operated his own advisory firm where he continued to provide strategic consulting and board-level counsel – which, at August, he does for clients across many industries.

Chris is well versed in finance and explaining complex financial matters persuasively to multiple audiences, including regulators and journalists. In addition, Chris has deep relationships in the legal and finance industry and is able to help build relationships among clients and other partners that assist clients with having their story told appropriately.

A long-time leader of charitable and cultural institutions in San Francisco, Chris is a passionate traveler, passable golfer, and devoted supporter of the Cal Bears and Arsenal FC. In his off hours, you also may find Chris reading history or exploring the Bay Area food and wine scene.

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  • Managed fast paced litigation- and business-related communications for a data center developer

    Developed and led a team to manage multiple matters for a substantial family business in transition

    Created narrative and third-party support for the petitioners in a United States Supreme Court case

    Advised a major mutual fund company in connection with multiple aspects of its response to a negative article that was based on incomplete and stolen information

    Helped a public technology company successfully manage multiple strategic announcements in a compressed timeframe

    Advised the board of a public pharmaceutical company in connection with transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters

    Helped develop and lead a successful campaign to save a century-old San Francisco institution from an imminent threat of dissolution

    Seized control of the narrative in ongoing litigation by exposing short-seller plaintiffs in shareholder class action against a cable modem manufacturer

    Persuaded regulators not to pursue claims against a company alleged to have participated in a public company’s accounting fraud

    Developed narrative and communications strategy to secure insurance coverage for litigation costs in a matter arising from a criminal fraud

  • UCLA School of Law. J.D., Distinguished Advocate and member of Moot Court Board

    University of California Berkeley. A.B. with High Distinction in Political Science & History

  • Chris.Patz@AugustCo.com

    323.739.5789