Christopher D. "Chris" Jagel

Christopher D. "Chris" Jagel

Pittsford, NY recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008
Harris Beach Murtha

105 Best Lawyers awards

Harris Beach Murtha logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Commercial Transactions / UCC Law Corporate Governance Law Corporate Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Rochester, NY.

Biography

“I enjoy identifying novel and practical solutions to clients’ real world issues and helping them to achieve their objectives in a cost-effective manner.”

Chris focuses on sophisticated commercial transactions, banking and commercial financing and general corporate law. He represents business clients and entrepreneurs at all stages of their business development, negotiating and documenting matters, complex organizational documents (e.g., sophisticated shareholder, operating partnership and joint venture agreements) pertaining to business purchases, startups, on-going business matters, contracts, transactions and sales of businesses. Chris negotiates and documents commercial loan transactions on behalf of financial institutions and borrowers. In addition of a focus on financing, capital markets and merger and acquisition transactions, Chris provides general corporate, strategic and practical advice to a number of clients who rely on him as a trusted advisor, confidential sounding board, and a source of valuable insight.

Harris Beach Murtha

105 Best Lawyers awards

Harris Beach Murtha logo

Overview

  • New York University, J.D., graduated 1988

  • New York, State Bar of New York

  • Community Technology Assessment Advisory Board - Member, Board of Trustees
  • Monroe County Bar Association - past chair of Business Law Section
  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (New York) - past president of Advisory Board
  • Rochester Museum & Science Center - Member, Board of Directors
  • New York, State Bar of New York
  • Community Technology Assessment Advisory Board - Member, Board of Trustees
  • Monroe County Bar Association - past chair of Business Law Section
  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (New York) - past president of Advisory Board
  • Rochester Museum & Science Center - Member, Board of Directors
  • New York University, J.D., graduated 1988

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Corporate Governance Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Rochester, NY (2026)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Rochester, NY (2024)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Rochester, NY (2020)
  • Corporate Governance Law, Rochester, NY (2019)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Banking and Finance Law
Special Focus:
  • Banking
  • Commercial
  • General Corporate
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
Awards:
  • Leadership Rochester, 2004 Graduate

Additional Information

  • REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
  • Represented a manufacturing company in a $515 million recapitalization, including $350 million first lien loan, $120 million second lien loan and $45 million revolver loan.
  • Represented a mining company in a $515 financing, including a $300 million Term Loan B, $175 million in senior secured notes and a $40 million revolver.
  • Represented a food manufacturer in a $300 financing, including term loan, revolver and new markets tax credit financing
  • Represented the owners of a waste management and hauling company in a $36 million sale to a private equity firm, including senior, mezzanine and equity financing.
  • Represented a professional services firm in an estimated $20 million acquisition of another professional services firm to expand its presence in Central New York and continued expansion in New York state.
  • Represented an electrical contractor in a series of acquisitions of operating assets of other electrical contracting businesses, resulting in a business with over $140 million in annual revenues.
  • Represented biosolids management firm in agreement to operate and maintain a large county co-composting and recycling facility.
  • Represented start-up company in successful launch of smart phone app, including related capital raise, negotiation of development agreements, etc.
  • Represented commercial equipment rental business in connection with negotiation of franchise, financing and rental agreements.
  • Represented manufacturer of bagged de-icing salt in acquisition of competing business
  • Represented automobile dealer in acquisition of multiple manufacturer franchises
  • Represented software developer in connection with negotiation of commercial licenses

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