Behrens, Christopher

With more than 30 years in commercial and general litigation, Chris has wide-ranging experience in claims management and complex commercial disputes. His abilities extend beyond legal expertise to strategic planning and team leadership. Between 2016 and 2019 Chris was the team leader of our Civil Claims team at AGS.

Chris led the Commonwealth team between 2016 and 2020 in a class action brought by residents of Williamtown (NSW) in the Federal Court on PFAS contamination of waterways and groundwater. He continues to lead the team for multiple non-litigated claims by residents and businesses regarding PFAS contamination.

A practical, solutions-oriented legal adviser, Chris makes it a priority to build strong rapport with his clients. He advises and acts for the Commonwealth in various courts, tribunals and inquiries. He advises on complex liability and risk assessment, legislative and litigation issues, and negotiates settlements via mediation. His experience spans contract and property disputes, compensation claims, protection of information, insolvency and debt-recovery, legal risk audits and development of industry-specific dispute resolution schemes.

Chris was the Chair of the ACT Law Society Government Lawyers Committee from 2009 until 2013, and received the 2017 ACT Law Society Government Law Award.

Relevant experience

Chris’s recent work includes:

• advising Commonwealth agencies on liability and claims-handling arising from environmental contamination at Defence sites and Commonwealth airports
• acting for the Commonwealth in complex compulsory acquisition compensation claims
• participating in a taskforce of experts to review the eCensus shutdown in August 2016.