Christian W. Habersaat
Director
Boston
chabersaat@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3549Christian W. Habersaat
Director, Boston
chabersaat@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3549Related Expertise
Chris Habersaat represents private and public companies, property owners, developers, retailers, restaurants, hospitality groups, healthcare providers, governmental agencies, and individuals in commercial and complex business disputes.
Representing clients before federal and state courts in several states, as well as before governmental and administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals, Chris has handled complex civil litigation cases for over 30 years. With a reputation for quick thinking and strong trial and advocacy approaches, Chris’ experience includes dealing with contracts and business disputes, land use, real estate and property disputes, construction disputes and complex insurance coverage disputes.
Government and Enforcement Actions
In tandem to his work as a trial lawyer, Chris has extensive experience representing private and public companies and individuals in governmental investigations and civil enforcement actions, including compliance with government subpoenas and in connection with testimony before federal and state regulatory agencies. As part of his practice, Chris also handles cases related to cybersecurity events and data breaches, the False Claims Act, and investigations relating to government procurements and federal and state bid protest claims.
A testament to his reputation, Chris has been appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with litigation brought against the state in both federal and state courts in Massachusetts and New Jersey where he has successfully represented the Commonwealth’s interests.
Serving Communities in Need
In addition to his robust litigation and trial practice, Chris is committed to pro bono work. He represents many organizations, including Community Resources for Justice, a Massachusetts-based organization that has worked for over 130 years on matters relating to social justice, and the Parenting Journey, an organization helping families to develop life skills and networks of resources they need to succeed.
Chris is a board member of the F.C. Greater Boston Bolts, a 501(c)(3) a non-profit and the oldest youth soccer club in Massachusetts.He is a past President of the Acton-Boxborough Youth Soccer Club, a former member of Friends of Lower Fields, a non-profit that was instrumental in developing a $3M sports complex for the Acton-Boxborough School District, and a former chair and member of the Town of Boxborough Zoning Board of Appeals.
Related Representative Matters
A family holding a 50 percent ownership interest in historic and prominent buildings on Brattle Street in Harvard Square in complex Massachusetts Land Court partition litigation resulting in the sale of the commercial properties for $108M.
A family holding a 50 percent ownership interest in historic and prominent buildings on Brattle Street in Harvard Square in complex Massachusetts Land Court partition litigation resulting in the sale of the commercial properties for $108M.
The owner of a commercial building in Manhattan against a national real estate developer in a lawsuit for property damage resulting from the developer’s construction activity at an adjoining property. After a 13-day trial, obtained a judgment in excess of 2M and an award of attorney’s fees.
A Boston-based seafood company in a commercial arbitration to determine the value of a business income loss sustained following the shutdown of the company’s main distribution facility resulting in an award in excess of 2.5M.
A prominent Massachusetts university in an arbitration proceeding concerning a complex insurance coverage dispute involving historic and significant environmental issues.
A multi-national clothing company in connection with a civil enforcement investigation brought by the New York Attorney General and a related qui tam (whistleblower) action brought in New York State Court alleging violations of the New York False Claims Act.
A Boston-based restaurant/hospitality group in connection with a civil enforcement action brought in state court by the Massachusetts Attorney General under the State's data privacy law, G.L. c. 93H, following a data and cybersecurity breach involving access to consumer credit card information
A Hotel/hospitality group in connection with data privacy and cybersecurity matters resultant from a Massachusetts Attorney General investigation into the reported release of personal information on account of a breach through vendor-supplied POS software.
Commercial property owners in administrative enforcement proceedings brought by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration arising out of alleged workplace condition investigations involving fatalities.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the successful defense of multiple high-value contract challenges, including a $114M diesel locomotive bid protest before the Federal Transit Authority, a $155M paratransit services award lawsuit, and trial and appellate actions over a $100M fare collection contract.
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Accolades
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow (2023- present)
- AV Preeminent in the Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
- Best Lawyers in America®: Commercial Litigation (2023-2025), Litigation - Real Estate (2024-2026)
- Boston Magazine Top Lawyers, Civil Litigation/Defense, 2021
- Community Resources for Justice CEO Award Recipient 2012
- Massachusetts SuperLawyer – Rising Star, 2005
Affiliations
- Zoning Board of Appeals, Boxborough, MA, past Chair and member
- Acton Boxborough Youth Soccer, past President
- Boston Bar Association
- New York Bar Association
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- New York
Education
Drew University ( B.A. , 1988 )
Suffolk University Law School ( J.D. , cum laude , 1993 )