About
Chris Fargo-Masuda provides unflinching advocacy to resolve legal disputes through civil litigation in federal and state courts. Chris works with discipline and tenacity; his arguments are succinct and powerful. And he is fiercely adversarial when working a case. But at the same time, Chris remembers that attorneys are both officers of the court and members of their community. And as such, Chris cultivates trust and goodwill in the legal profession by treating others with the same respect that he demands for his clients.
Chris applies a bet-the-company—level litigation strategy to every engagement, but he does not forget that the courtroom is merely one part of reaching a resolution. Therefore, Chris also provides advice and counsel services about the feasibility of achieving his client’s desired outcomes both in and out of the courts, including alternative dispute resolution. He believes that employing a prudent strategy at the start of an engagement facilitates a more effective practice and ensures a better result for his clients.
When not fighting for his clients, Chris can be found traveling, reading, and enjoying all things outdoors.
Admissions:
California
Washington
Hawai’i
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Hawai’i
Education:
J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, 2015
B.A., University of North Carolina Asheville, summa cum laude, 2012
About the Practice
C. Fargo-Masuda was founded to be a lean and agile civil litigation boutique. To achieve this goal, the firm employs cloud-based software technologies that enhance efficiency and reduce the costly overhead found in some traditional law offices. The firm relies on its shrewd legal strategy and impeccable work product to demonstrate its value. And by focusing on one core purpose—to provide the best possible legal services—the firm fulfills its goal of having a nimble and powerful legal practice without passing on unnecessary costs to clients.
Practice Values
The following values are incorporated in every aspect of practice:
Excellence in client service. Refuse to be satisfied with a mediocre solution; instead, always search for the better one.
Cultivate integrity in the legal profession; create mutual respect by doing the right thing first.
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Prioritize quality over quantity; one job done the right way is more valuable than two done poorly.
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Services and Representative Matters
Chris Fargo-Masuda practices in state and federal civil trial courts. He also provides advice and counsel services about a wide array of civil disputes, including risk assessment, options for alternative resolution, and general litigation strategy. Here is a list of representative matters:
- Securing contractual damages in a failed real estate development venture.
- Representing a Limited Partnership in an appraisal action and defending general partners accused of breach of fiduciary duty.
- Pursuing breach of contract claims involving business loans between joint venturers.
- Defending a director accused of breaching fiduciary duties in a closely held corporation.
- Pursuing fraud and breach of contract claims involving investors in real estate ventures.
- Pursuing Voidable Transfers Act claims (i.e., fraudulent transfers).
- Evaluating and navigating commercial receivership actions.
- Defending a closely held corporation in a lawsuit brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Conducting internal investigations for a closely held corporation based on shareholder derivative demand action that the corporation brings a claim against a direct