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Christen Church is a Partner in the General Commercial practice group with a transactional and advisory practice focusing on mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, commercial financings, health care regulation and compliance, data privacy and security, as well as structuring both state and federal tax credit financings/transactions (historic rehabilitation and new markets tax credits). Christen has consistently been recognized since 2014 as a Virginia Rising Star by Virginia Super Lawyers.

  • Cups of coffee daily
  • Continents to visit
  • Favorite podcasts: “Radio Lab” and “This American Life”
  • If you had chosen a career other than law, what would you be doing?

    I would be traveling the world writing photo essays for National Geographic – a dream job!

  • How did you choose this profession?

    I was a science major – a discipline where everything seemed very black and white, until I discovered bioethics. That led me to pursue law. I find that law allows us to shape how we interact as a society. It’s very compelling.

  • What’s an important life lesson you pass on to others?

    If you really want something, do the hard work. Achieve it!

Education

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D. 2008
  • University of Virginia, B.A. 2004

Experience

Intellectual Property

  • Advises clients on all aspects of securing, enforcing and protecting their intellectual property rights

Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and Security

  • Assists clients with identifying and managing privacy and information security risks
  • Assists clients in developing policies, standards and procedures designed to protect sensitive information
  • Advises clients on the applicable response and notification obligations following a security incident

Health Care

  • Advises clients on a wide range of health law topics, including health care reform, fraud and abuse, health information technology, as well as issues related to Medicare and Medicaid provider participation, billing and compliance
  • Assists clients in navigating the often complex and evolving legal issues facing health care providers, employers and individuals today, including compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, and the Affordable Care Act

Tax Credit Financing

  • Structures financings/transactions involving federal and state tax credits (including historic rehabilitation and new markets tax credits)
  • Represents project sponsors as well as other parties participating or otherwise involved with the tax credit financings/transactions, including lenders, not for profit organizations, private developers and municipalities

Banking and Finance

  • Facilitates commercial loan transactions, including secured and unsecured term and revolving credit, asset based loans, participation arrangements as well as refinance and loan modification arrangements

Business

  • Advises entities and organizations, including nonprofits, through all stages of their life cycles, from formation and governance to financing to disposition
  • Drafts and negotiates contracts and advises clients generally on business and transactional matters

Affiliations

  • Roanoke Bar Association: Board Member (2017-Present); Chair, Young Lawyers Committee (2016-2017); Member (2009-Present)
  • Member, Board of Directors for Children’s Trust Foundation Roanoke Valley (2012-Present)
  • Chair, Health and Law Commission, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference (2009-2011)
  • Co-Chair, Virginia State Bar Southern Virginia Minority Pre-Law Conference (2009)
  • Co-Chair, Virginia Bar Association Washington and Lee Law School Council (2009-2012)
  • Member, American Health Lawyers Association
  • Member, Virginia State Bar
  • Member, The Virginia Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Virginia Women Attorneys Association
  • Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Jonathan M. Apgar, Roanoke City Circuit Court (2007-2008)

Awards

  • Named one of the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business magazine for Intellectual Property law (2018)
  • Named a “Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star” in Business/Corporate (2016-2018) and Business/Mergers & Acquisitions (2014-2015)
  • Outstanding Volunteer Service Award for co-chairing the 2009 Southern Virginia Minority Pre-Law Conference, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference (2010)