Christine Parise Cordes
From the start of her legal career, Christine knew she wasn’t drawn to the courtroom—she was drawn to the deal table.
Pragmatic, creative, and collaborative by nature, Christine gravitated toward business law early in law school and never looked back. Her path into transactional work wasn’t linear, but her resolve never wavered. After a brief detour into healthcare law, she landed in the corporate group of a Boston law firm, where she quickly found her footing—and her calling.
Christine works closely with privately held and family-owned businesses across a broad range of industries, including construction, financial services, real estate, manufacturing, distribution, biotechnology, health care, and hospitality. She serves as outside general counsel to many of her clients, helping business owners and executive teams navigate everything from day-to-day legal questions to high-stakes transactions.
Her practice focuses strongly on mergers and acquisitions, as well as a niche in structuring real estate joint ventures between developers and institutional or private investors. Whether advising on a complex acquisition, ownership succession, or internal governance matter, Christine brings a calm, practical approach that keeps clients focused on what matters most.
Clients often say that working with Christine feels different—they understand the documents they’re signing, the risks they’re weighing, and the decisions they’re making. She is known for breaking down complexity without losing precision, offering strategic insight in plain English, and helping clients move forward with clarity and confidence.
Strategic Sale of Multi-Location Fuel and Retail Business
Represented a second-generation, family-owned company in the $100 million sale of multiple gas stations and convenience stores. Christine advised the client throughout an investment bank-led marketing process, addressed complex rights of first refusal, and negotiated with multiple prospective buyers. She successfully guided the client through a multi-phase closing involving numerous stakeholders and high-value assets.
M&A Transaction for Family-Owned Tire Center Chain
Advised a third-generation, family-owned tire business in the $20 million sale of several retail locations to a strategic buyer. Christine led the diligence process, negotiated the purchase agreement, restructured real estate held by affiliates, and implemented a smooth post-closing transition strategy.
Recapitalization of Downtown Boston Property
In collaboration with her real estate colleague, represented a prominent Boston-based real estate developer in the recapitalization of a distressed downtown asset. The matter involved negotiating an equity purchase agreement and new joint venture arrangement with a new investor, redeeming an institutional equity partner, coordinating a deemed mortgage assignment, and managing a complex, multi-party closing with intricate funds flow requirements.
Private Equity Investment and Corporate Restructuring in Behavioral Health
Represented a closely held behavioral health care company in connection with a private equity investment, recapitalization, and amendments to multiple loan facilities. Christine advised on the formation of a new holding company structure, negotiated key investment and loan documents, and helped the owners clearly understand their roles, rights, and obligations under a new operating agreement.
Education
- JD, Boston University School of Law, 2004
- BA, cum laude, University of Delaware, 2001
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Oregon
- Washington
Experience recognized
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America, 2026
- Legal 500 Boston Elite, Corporate and M&A, 2025
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Go To Business Transaction Lawyer, 2024
- Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Corporate Law, 2022-2025
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2013-2014
- Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Corporate Law, 2022-2024
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Oregon Bar Association
- Connecticut Bar Association
- Political Asylum Immigration Representation Project (PAIR), Pro Bono Attorney (2004–2007)
- Charles River Conservancy, Volunteer (2005–2007)
- Boston University School of Law Annual Review of Banking and Financial Law, Developments Editor (2003–2004)
Chasing Big Water: A Life Built Around the Tides
Christine and her husband are serious anglers who devote the majority of their free time to fishing—often in extreme conditions that demand preparation, precision, and skill. From their 23-foot North River boat, they fish the Pacific Ocean and Columbia River for salmon, halibut, sturgeon, cod, sea bass, and albacore tuna nearly year-round. Their adventures extend well beyond the Pacific Northwest, including multi-day deep sea charters out of San Diego and Mexico in pursuit of bluefin tuna, marlin, dorado, sailfish, and grouper. What started as a hobby has become a near-professional pursuit requiring constant focus and respect for the ocean.
From Studs to Showpieces: Passion Projects in Home Renovation
When they’re not on the water, Christine and her husband are just as hands-on on land—renovating and restoring residential properties with a level of craftsmanship that rivals professional contractors. Together, they’ve remodeled kitchens and bathrooms down to the studs, built custom cabinetry and furniture, added rooms and finishes, and taken on everything from flooring to firepits. Their latest project: a full-gut restoration of an early-1900s investment property, which they plan to return to its historic character. For Christine, these projects offer the same satisfaction as closing a deal—measured in vision, effort, and lasting value.