Christian D. Marquis

Significant Representative Matters

• After the completion of discovery, successfully obtained settlement of less than $42,000 on behalf of a police department and its officer arising out of a family dispute where seven family members filed Section 1983 civil rights claims alleging malicious and retaliatory prosecution where the initial demand was over $750,000.

• In a case where a plaintiff filed a Section 1983 civil rights claim based on alleged unlawful excessive use of force where a police canine, upon the command of its controlling officer, grabbed the plaintiff's abdomen, taking him to the ground and resulting in puncture wounds. Obtained a settlement of $20,000 where the plaintiff's demand was $250,000.

• Currently handling a case on behalf of a roofing contractor where the plaintiff school district is alleging against multiple parties that the roof was improperly constructed, resulting in roof leakage associated damages in excess of $600,000.

• Currently handling a case on behalf of a civil engineering and surveying firm resulting from an allegedly improperly designed storm water management system associated with a land development plan. Decedent's estate has raised claims against multiple parties that storm water drainage formed ice on a state road, causing decedent's accident.

• Obtained summary judgment in favor of a municipal authority wherein plaintiffs claimed damages in excess of $75,000 as a result of a landslide that impacted their property allegedly as a result of a defective sanitary sewer line and corresponding trenching.

• Obtained summary judgment in favor of a township wherein a plaintiff alleged that she sustained various personal injuries as a result of a motor vehicle versus tractor trailer accident that was allegedly caused by a defective traffic signal.

• Successfully obtained a favorable decision on appeal before the Commonwealth Court in a reported decision on behalf of a borough and its council on the basis of high public official immunity wherein a plaintiff sought damages as a result of being debarred during a public meeting by the council from bidding on public works contracts.

• Obtained a jury defense verdict on behalf of a township wherein a plaintiff alleged that he sustained a foot fracture after stepping into an uncovered utility trench.

• Obtained a non-jury defense verdict on behalf of a city wherein a plaintiff alleged that his rental property sustained damages as a result of a sanitary sewer back-up.

• Obtained a decision in favor of a home inspector after binding arbitration wherein a plaintiff alleged that the inspector was negligent for failing to discover the existence of mold during a home inspection.

• Obtained a non-jury defense verdict on behalf of a police officer wherein a plaintiff alleged unlawful use of force during the course of an arrest.

• Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement in the amount of $15,000 on behalf of a township wherein a police officer who demanded $75,000 alleged wrongful termination from the township police department in violation of his equal protection rights.

Education

• New England School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts, 1999 J.D.

  Honors: Dean's List Graduate

• Pennsylvania State University, 1996 B.S.

  Major: Chemical Engineering

• Saint Vincent College, 1995 B.A.

  Major: Mathematics

Published Works

• "The First Amendment's Protection Applies To Certain Comments Directed Toward Police Officers," Defense Digest, Vol. 13, No. 4, December, 2007

• "Nanty-Glo Rule Applies to Preliminary Objections Raising Issues of Fact," Defense Digest, Vol. 10, No. 1, March, 2004

Representative Cases

• Osiris Enterprises v. Borough of Whitehall, 877 A.2d 560 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2005)

• Osiris Enterprises v. Borough of Whitehall, 398 F. Supp. 2d 400 (W.D. Pa. 2005)