Jones & Watkins, LLC
Flagstone Building
2101 Corona Road
Suite 201
Columbia, MO 65203

573.234.1130
CWatkins@joneswatkins.com

Chris, a 5th generation attorney, was born in Columbia and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri.  After graduating from St. Joseph Central High School in 1988, Chris attended the University of Missouri on academic scholarship.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the MU College of Business in 1992 with majors in Finance and Real Estate.  After graduation, Chris continued his studies at the University of Missouri School of Law, where he earned his J.D. in May, 1995.

Chris has spent most of his professional career in Kansas City.  After working as a law clerk at the Missouri Court of Appeals, Chris joined his father’s law firm. His practice primarily involved representing business, estate planning and hospital clients in both Kansas City and St. Joseph.   In 2002, the firm merged with a large Kansas City based firm, Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy, where Chris expanded his business practice to include commercial finance and securities law.

Chris, his wife, Amy, and their two young daughters moved back to Columbia in August, 2007.  Amy, also a Mizzou graduate, spent the last several years working in the Liberty School District as an elementary school principal.  She currently works for the Columbia Public Schools as the Assessment for Learning Instructional Specialist at Rock Bridge High School where she facilitates staff development and coaches teachers in academic assessment practices.  During the 2008-2009 academic year, Amy will assume the role of Principal at Parkade Elementary School.  Chris and his family are quickly becoming integrated into the community.  Chris enjoys Camping, kayaking, biking, tennis and other outdoor activities.

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS: Worked under the Honorable Victor C. Howard of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District of Missouri. 

MEMBERSHIP & ACHIEVEMENTS: The Missouri Bar; Boone County Bar Association; Mid Missouri Estate Planning Council; The Rotary Club of Columbia, MO; the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce (where he served on the Board of Directors and was involved in numerous committees); Columbia Chamber of Commerce; the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association; Young Friends of the Northland (where he served on the Board of Directors and as Past Chairman).  Chris, an Eagle Scout, is also an ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.

LEGAL FOCUS: New Business Formation; Business Mergers, Sales and Acquisitions; Wills, Trusts, and Probate; Succession Planning; Real Estate Law.