Erik A. Christiansen is a bet-the-company litigator with more than 34 years of experience in high-stakes litigation. Mr. Christiansen’s extensive experience encompasses a wide range of complex, high-dollar commercial litigation matters, including securities, multi-level marketing, financial fraud, trade secrets and regulatory defense litigation matters.
Capabilities
Biography
Erik Christiansen is a commercial litigation trial attorney at Parsons Behle & Latimer with 34 years of experience. Mr. Christiansen represents clients in a variety of commercial, financial and securities litigation matters, including, among others:
- Commercial and business litigation
- Securities and financial fraud litigation
- Trade secrets litigation
- Commercial contract disputes
- Direct selling/multi-level marketing related litigation
- Investment related litigation
- Partnership disputes
- Financial institution litigation
- Banking litigation
- Insurance coverage litigation
- Commercial equipment lease litigation
- Regulatory and administrative defense matters
- Non-compete litigation
Mr. Christiansen is the past chairperson of the Utah State Securities Commission, which has oversight authority over the Utah Division of Securities and is the chairperson of the firm's securities litigation practice group. Mr. Christiansen served on the Securities Commission from June 2009 to October 2017.
Mr. Christiansen has received extensive professional recognition, including for, among others:
- President, Utah State Bar, 2023-2024
- Member of Board of Governors, American Bar Association, 2024-present
- Chambers Rated, Litigation, General Commercial, 2020-present
- Alumnus of the Year, S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, 2019
- Practitioner of the Year, Utah State Bar, Business Law Section, 2018
- Lawyer of the Year, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2020
- Lawyer of the Year in Litigation-Securities, Best Lawyers of America, 2013
- Member, American Bar Association House of Delegates, Utah State Bar Representative (November 2017-present)
- Member, Utah Supreme Court Professionalism and Civility Counseling Board, September 2022-August 2026
- Member, Select Committee, ABA House of Delegates, August 2022-August 2024
- Member, ABA Standing Committee on Membership, August 2021-August 2024
- Regional Cochair - Utah, ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, August 2021-August 2024
- Life Fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation (2015-present)
- Adjunct Professor of Law, teaching Business Organizations Law 7050-001, S.J. Quinney College of Law (2015-2021); Procuring and Managing Legal Services Law 6350-001 (2019-2021); Commercial Law 7060-001 (2023-current); and UCLA Transactional Law Competition Law 7096-009 (2023-current).
- Team Editor, American Bar Association's Litigation News (May 2021-August 2024)
- Associate Editor, American Bar Association's Litigation News (October 2019-May 2021)
- Contributing Editor, American Bar Association's Litigation News (October 2017-2019)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers of America since 2010
- Recognized in Mountain States Super Lawyers since 2009
- Maintains a Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rating
Prior to joining Parsons, Mr. Christiansen practiced for six years in Los Angeles, California as an associate attorney at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, now known as Milbank (1990-93) and as an associate at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan (1993-95). Mr. Christiansen maintains an active practice in California. He is willing to do certain types of large cases on a contingency fee basis. Mr. Christiansen has served as an expert witness in multiple securities litigation matters.
Experience
Defense Against Investor Lawsuit in Capital Management Dispute
Served as legal counsel for an individual and related entities in a capital management lawsuit filed by investors. Successfully obtained dismissal of claims based on a pre-litigation settlement and release. Currently addressing a motion for leave to file an amended complaint against the defendant.
Representing Biodigester in High-Stakes Lawsuit Against Hog Farm
Served as legal counsel for a biodigester company in a federal lawsuit against a large hog farm operation. The case, stemming from the farm's depopulation efforts, involves complex issues related to methane conversion and tax credits. Despite initial setbacks in obtaining injunctive relief, the litigation progressed with the filing of an amended complaint seeking over $300 million in damages.
Defense Against Consumer Class Action for Kratom Product Manufacturer
Served as defense counsel in a consumer class action filed against a kratom product manufacturer in federal court. The lawsuit, seeking unspecified damages, alleges addiction issues related to the company's kratom-containing products. Defended the client by filing an answer denying material allegations and asserting various affirmative defenses.
Accomplishments
Academic
University of Utah College of Law (J.D., 1990)
- Articles Editor, Utah Law Review
- William H. Leary Scholar
- Author, “Sterling v. Velsicol Chemical Corporation: Emotional Distress Damages for the Duration of Toxic Exposure,” Utah Law Review 759 (1989)
- Author, “Miranda-Like Warnings Required in Non-Custodial Settings,” Utah Law Review 260, No. 1 (1989)
University of Utah (B.A. in Political Science, 1987)
University of Utah (B.A. in English, 1986)
Professional
Maintains a Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rating
Ranked in Chambers USA for Litigation: General Commercial, 2019-2024
Recognized as Utah Business Magazine "Utah Legal Elite" in civil litigation, 2023, 2024
Recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America," Securities Litigation and Commercial Litigation, since 2010; Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - Securities, 2022
Recognized in "Mountain States Super Lawyers," Securities Litigation, since 2009
Associations
Professional
Member, ABA Standing Committee on Membership
(August 2021-August 2024)
Regional Cochair - Utah, ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program
(August 2021-August 2024)
State Membership Chair, ABA State Membership Committee
(2019-August 2024)
Member, ABA Litigation Section Membership and Marketing Committee
(2020-2021)
Utah State Bar, Litigation Section
Executive Committee
(2015 - 2022)
Chair
(2020-2021)
Utah State Securities Commission
Chair and Commissioner (June 2009 - October 2017)
(Appointed by Governor John M. Huntsman, Jr. in June 2009, and re-appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert in June 2013).
Securities Litigation Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation
Web Editor
(2012 - 2016)
Coverage Magazine, Official Journal of ABA's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
Editor-in-Chief
(2007 - 2015)
Publications Editorial Board, ABA's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
(2015 - 2018)
Federal Bar Association, Utah Chapter
Chair
(2008 - 2009)
University of Utah Board of Advisors for Undergraduate Education
Chair
(2009 - 2011)
Utah State Bar, Securities Section
Chair
(2005 - 2006)
University of Utah Young Alumni Board
Chair
(2000 - 2002)
University of Utah College of Law
Member, Board of Trustees
(1996 - 1999)
Community
Member, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture Advisory Board
(August 2018 - 2024)
Visit Salt Lake
Executive Committee (2009-current), Chair (2013 - 2014), Legal Advisor (2019 - present)
Utah Film Center
Board of Trustees and Executive Committee
(2017 - current)
KRCL 90.9 FM
Community Advisory Board
(2015 - current)
CUAC
Board of Trustees
(2015 - 2017)
KRCL 90.9 FM, Community Radio
Member, Board of Directors and Executive Committee
(2006 - 2011)
International Sculpture Center, Hamilton, New Jersey
Member, Board of Trustees and Executive Committee
(2006 - 2011)
Salt Lake Art Center (now known as UMOCA)
Chair, Board of Trustees
(2006 - 2009)
Insights
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America
News
Erik A. Christiansen Joins the American Bar Association Board of Governors
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer Celebrates 32 Attorneys Ranked as Top Practitioners in the Mountain States Region
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer Attorneys Named as “Utah Legal Elite”
Presentations
Credentials
Licensed
Utah
California
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law
