Christopher Malikschmitt
Your Outsourced General Counsel
Bar Admissions
- New Jersey
- New York
- Connecticut
- District of New Jersey
- Southern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
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Prior to founding Dressel/Malikschmitt, Christopher Malikschmitt was a law clerk with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and then with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Chris then served as a lawyer at a corporate law firm in New York City, handling a broad range of corporate and civil matters including class action defense, white collar defense, internal investigations, complex civil litigation, and on appellate matters right here in New Jersey. Because of this experience, Chris is uniquely qualified to serve as his clients’ outsourced general counsel handling all legal aspects of his client’s day-to-day business, an efficient and low cost alternative to hiring an in-house general counsel.
Chris completed his undergraduate degree at Brown University and received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, graduating cum laude. Following his time in big law, Chris served as an Assistant Prosecutor here in New Jersey, deepening his understanding of local practice and appearing on behalf of the State of New Jersey in Superior Court as well as before the Appellate Division. He has worked with, and learned from, top-tier peers and mentors while gaining valuable background on the different stages of criminal and civil litigation, including the appellate process.
Having represented large corporations and on many criminal cases, Chris brings a “big law” approach to each and all of his matters, but from a more personalized and cost-effective perspective. This includes a strategic, detail-focused ethos that is designed to deliver an upscale legal experience that helps produce favorable outcomes, while also including the client intimately in the case so as to understand the overall strategy, nuance of the process, and the potential risks and rewards that lie along the way. Chris favors an elegant approach to his practice, believing that the client is best served through professionalism and preparation, not bluster or brute force. High-end experience, a connection to, and understanding of local practice, as well as critical case strategy works to deliver consistent client satisfaction.
Chris is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and continues to serve as a municipal prosecutor in New Jersey in addition to his practice at Dressel/Malikschmitt.
Originally from Connecticut, Chris now proudly calls Central New Jersey home. Chris enjoys flying as a licensed pilot and has a passion for classic cars. When he’s not spending time with his wife and two young children, Chris enjoys history, as well as taking a break with a great short story, often within the New Yorker. Chris was named a Rising Star of the Mercer County Democratic Committee for his volunteer work and commitment to justice and the pursuit of democratic policies.
- AB, Brown University, 2006
- JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, 2011 (cum laude)
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2011-12
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2012-13
- Chair, Hopewell Valley Democratic Club
- Rising Star, Mercer County Democratic Committee
- Board Member, Brown Club of Central New Jersey
- Holding the Enablers Responsible: Applying SEC Rule 10b-5 Liability to the Credit Rating Institutions, 13 U. Pa. J. Bus. L. 1035 (2011)
Recent Blogs by Christopher Malikschmitt
Marijuana Legalization Comes to New Jersey
On Election Day 2020, the voters of New Jersey will be deciding whether to amend the State’s constitution to allow for the recreational use of marijuana for those aged 21 and older. By many accounts, the initiative does appear likely to pass as New Jersey voters support a marijuana legalization referendum on their ballots by a nearly three-to-one margin.
State of New Jersey Delays Enlarged WARN Act Protections
Contributor: Andrew Dressel Last week, the State of New Jersey passed a law delaying the effective date of the State’s heightened WARN Act protections for 90 days after the expiration of Governor Murphy’s stay-at-home order. This is a significant development for both employers and employees in New Jersey, as the updated NJ WARN Act contains much […]
COVID-19: Frustration of Purpose and Impossibility
Contributor: Andrew Dressel The spread of COVID-19, and accompanying steps taken by state governments, has created a situation in which many businesses will, out of necessity, find themselves breaching contracts or suffering from a breached contract. While the breaching parties may not wish to breach these contracts, difficult financial straits may present no other option. Two […]
*The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. See the Super Lawyers website for a description of the selection methodology and other information about Super Lawyers. No aspect of this award has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.