Christopher R. West
Principal
cwest@semmes.com

Baltimore Office
Suite 1400
25 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 576-4772
(410) 539-5223 (Fax)

Washington Office
Suite 1100
1001 Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 822-8250

Mr. West has a national practice representing venture capitalists which are licensed, or which want to obtain licenses, from the U. S. Small Business Administration as Small Business Investment Companies; once so licensed, these companies are able to borrow up to three times the amount of their private capital from the U. S. Government at very advantageous interest rates. Mr. West assists these companies with licensing and regulatory issues and handles the documentation of their investments. Mr. West also represents lending institutions in connection with their Maryland-based commercial and real estate loans, and he represents both local and national companies doing business in Maryland, assisting them with their transactional needs and in complying with all applicable state and local regulations. Mr. West also maintains an active business litigation practice.

Mr. West achieved an A/V® rating from Martindale Hubbell®, the highest possible peer review rating for ethics and legal ability.

Admitted

• 2000, District of Columbia
• 1986, U.S. Supreme Court;
• 1979, U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals;
• 1978, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland;
• 1975, Maryland Court of Appeals and U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Education

• University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 1975)
• Williams College (B.A., 1972)

Affiliations, Associations & Special Achievements

• Bar Association of Baltimore City
  • President (2007-2008)
  • President-Elect (2006-2007)
  • Vice President (2005-2006)
  • Treasurer (2004-2005)
  • Chair, Judicial Selections Committee (2003-2004)
  • Chair, Young Lawyers Section (1986-1987)
• American Bar Association
• Maryland State Bar Association
  • Judicial Appointments Committee (2008)
  • Special Committee on Court House Construction (2004-2008)
• President, Baltimore Bar Foundation, 2005-2006
• Fellow, Baltimore Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Maryland Bar Foundation
• Maryland State Arts Council
  • Vice Chairman (2006-2007)
  • Secretary Treasurer (2004-2006)
• President, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Inc. (2004-2006)
• Counsel, Maryland Republican Party, 1982-1996,1998-2003
• Maryland Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee (2005-2008)
• Mediator, Circuit Court of Maryland for Baltimore City
• Baltimore Bar Library, Board Member (2007-2008)