Chris E. Fender

Senior Associate

Overview

Chris Fender is a litigation attorney in the Washington workers’ compensation practice group. Prior to joining the firm, Chris practiced for several years in other leading workers’ compensation defense firms as well as multiple well-respected civil liability defense firms in the Portland metro area.

A son of the Pacific Northwest, Chris traveled south and obtained a dual Bachelor of Arts in French and History from Claremont McKenna College in 2003 while starting a left tackle for the Claremont Mudd Scripps Stags. Following a brief sojourn as an insurance adjuster for Farmers Insurance, he then returned home to Eugene, Oregon and received concurrent Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science degrees in 2008 from the University of Oregon.

While at the University of Oregon, Chris chaired the Alternative Dispute Resolution Association, and oversaw the coordination of Oregon School of Law’s annual mediation competition. He clerked for the Civil Enforcement Division of the Oregon Department of Justice, and also worked for one of the preeminent defense attorneys in the Eugene-Springfield legal community. In his “spare” time during law school, Chris also coached high school football.

My approach to my work and my clients has been shaped by my experiences growing up as an athlete. I learned there is no substitute for, or shortcut around preparation, diligence, and a desire to compete. As an athlete who spent far too much time in the training room, I also developed an interest and intimate knowledge of the ways in which chronic injuries can impact the body, and how individuals can rise to meet those challenges and remain productive.

I understand that new information or issues arise throughout a case, oftentimes without warning. As a practitioner with years of experience in the field of Oregon and Washington Workers’ Compensation, I know how these sudden changes can place a strain on business owners and adjusters, requiring sudden feedback and decision making. As a result, I am prepared and available to meet these obstacles head on when they arise to ensure my clients are protected.

  • Member, Oregon State Bar
  • Member, Multnomah Bar Association
    • Young Lawyers Section President, 2016
  • Member, Washington State Bar

In my free time, I gravitate toward watching and/or consuming anything sports-related—with a particular bent toward UO and Notre Dame. I enjoy cooking, lifting, and spending as much time on the coast as I can. Other than that, I’m normally trying to keep up with my two insanely active boys, equally insanely active wife, and two French bulldogs.

  • “Adventures in IME Recording,” presented at Washington Claims School, November 06, 2024. 
  • IME Updates – Using Recordings as a Tool, presented at 2024 WSIA Legal Issues Workshop, October 24, 2024.
  • “2022 Significant Decisions and What They Mean,” co-presented at Washington Claims School, November 30, 2023.