Chris Vlahos Joins Law Firm Ritholz Levy’s Nashville Office

Chris Vlahos

Chris Vlahos has joined law firm Ritholz Levy’s Nashville office.

“Ritholz Levy presents a unique opportunity to join a firm with years of expertise in in music, television, film, fashion, trademark and technology and expand my litigation practice across a diverse client base from Los Angeles to New York,” says Vlahos. “I have known both Adam Ritholz and Chip Petree for many years and am excited to be a part of the firm’s commitment to Nashville.”

Vlahos’ experience in state and federal court includes time before the American Arbitration Association, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and in concert with mediators and private arbitrators to reach favorable resolutions.

Vlahos has represented music publishers, labels, and artists in numerous copyright infringement actions; defended insurance companies in litigation, culminating with a seven-week jury trial, regarding coverage for a local mall after the 2010 Nashville flood; defended several recording and touring artists at trial in disputes with managers regarding post-term commissions; represented recording artists, music publishers, and record companies in numerous contractual disputes; represented book publishers in a variety of disputes with authors and/or other book publishers; defended a musical group’s right to trademark in litigation against similarly named band; and defended a publicly-traded company’s right to use a trademark with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

The Nashville native graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1999 and with honors from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1995. Vlahos has served on the Executive Committee for the Sports and Entertainment Section of the Tennessee Bar Association since 2008, for which he was the Chair in 2013 and 2015. Chris also actively participates on behalf of the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in representing local artists in resolving legal issues.

Adam Ritholz adds, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Chris join us. He’s been our friend and ‘go to’ litigator in Nashville for over 10 years and to now have him join the firm just completes the picture. Chris joins our litigation partners, David Boren (California) and Jonathan Plaut (Massachusetts and New York) to give our litigation practice a scope and capability that is unparalleled for an IP/Entertainment boutique of our size.”

Chip Petree also adds, “Chris is a great friend, a tremendous lawyer and passionate advocate who further enables our office to provide a comprehensive range of services to our clients. And as a native Nashvillian, Chris also brings a deep understanding and appreciation for the history, traditions and collegiality that makes our Nashville music community so unique.”