Atty. Christopher Richard Pieper
Christopher R. (“Chris”) Pieper is a member of the law firm Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, LC.
Profile Summary
About Christopher Richard Pieper at a glance
Christopher Richard Pieper is a Member based in Columbia, Missouri, practicing at Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, L.C.. They have 21+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2005. Their practice focuses on personal injury, business, real estate, tax, and zoning. Admitted to practice in Missouri (2005) and Illinois U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri (2006). Educated at University of Missouri (J.D., 2005) and University of Missouri (B.A., 1999). Active member of The Missouri Bar Illinois State Bar Association Boone County Bar Association. Serands clients in Columbia, MO and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Christopher R. (“Chris”) Pieper is a member of the law firm Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, LC
- Pieper recently returned to private practice following his service at the highest levels of state government, including directing the Missouri Department of Economic Development and most recently as Chief of Staff to the Governor
- Pieper's practice focuses primarily on government, economic development, real estate, administrative law, environmental law, litigation and regulatory compliance
- Pieper began his legal career in private practice at a large St. Louis law firm before being recruited to join the incoming administration of Governor Jay Nixon in 2009
- Pieper's initial appointment in state government was as the Legislative Director for the Missouri Department of Revenue, serving as a registered lobbyist developing, monitoring and promoting passage of legislation related to sales tax, corporate and personal income tax, property tax, driver licensing, and vehicle registration
- Pieper was also appointed as Special Assistant Attorney General, representing the State of Missouri in matters involving state taxation and licensing in state court and before the Administrative Hearing Commission
- Pieper was subsequently appointed Deputy General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and as Trustee for the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (PSTIF), one of the largest insurers of storage tank liability in the country
- Pieper was appointed as General Counsel and ultimately to direct the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED), a cabinet-level agency with a staff of more than 900 and overall budget and programs totaling more than $1 billion
- As director, Pieper oversaw programs related to job creation and capital investment, real estate development, workforce development, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship and innovation, community development, and tourism
- As director, Pieper served as a member the Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB), the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), the Missouri Workforce Investment Board, the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission, the Missouri Partnership Board, and the Hawthorn Foundation Board of Directors
- As General Counsel of DED, Pieper served as the agency's chief legal officer, managing all legal affairs and providing strategic and legal counsel on a wide array of issues related to economic development and governmental operations
- Pieper supervised all agency legal staff, directed outside litigation counsel, and represented the department in matters before the Administrative Hearing Commission and Personnel Advisory Board
- Pieper developed and drafted policies, rules and legislation, including the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act, which helped to revitalize Missouri's automotive industry, and Missouri Works, comprehensive legislation to streamline Missouri's business incentives and workforce training programs
- Pieper also provided legal and strategic counsel to the Missouri Technology Corporation, a public-private partnership fostering new and emerging high-tech companies in Missouri
- During his time with DED, Pieper gained unique expertise with state and federal economic development programs, including Historic Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Brownfield Tax Credits, Missouri Works, New Markets Tax Credits, BUILD, Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB) Tax Credits, State Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Private Activity Bonds, Chapter 100, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), along with various local economic development tools, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), Transportation Development Districts (TDDs), Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NIDs), among others.Following his time as DED director, Pieper was appointed Senior Policy Advisor, Counsel, and ultimately Chief of Staff to former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, engaging in all aspects of State government—including a budget of more than $27 billion and 44,000 state employees
- As Senior Policy Advisor and Legal Counsel to the Governor, Pieper directed the agency-wide review and analysis of all pending legislation, advised the Governor and communication staff regarding press, speeches, and strategic communication, and identified and vetted candidates for gubernatorial appointments to boards, commissions, the judiciary, and other public office
- As Chief of Staff, Pieper served as the Governor's chief advisor and directed operations of the Governor's office, including legislative and legal affairs, budget, appointments to public office, policy development and implementation, scheduling, and media relations and communications.A native of O'Fallon, Missouri, Pieper resides in Columbia, Missouri
- He graduated with dual degrees, magna cum laude, from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and was a news reporter and editor for Pulitzer Publishing before attending law school
- He graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Law and was a member of the Order of the Coif and Lead Articles Editor for the Missouri Law Review
- During law school, Pieper served as a law clerk for the Hon. Ronnie L. White, Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, now U.S
- District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri
- Following law school, Pieper served as a law clerk to the Hon. John R. Gibson, Senior Circuit Judge for the U.S
- Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- Pieper has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the “Up and Coming Lawyer” Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly in 2012, the Guy Thompson S. Award for Best Casenote, James S. Rollins Award, West Publishing Award for Excellence in Legal Scholarship, the Sidney Faber Award, Joe E. Covington Award, and John D. Lawson Award
- Pieper was also appointed to the board of the Missouri State Council on the Arts, also known at the Missouri Arts Council (MAC)
Practice Areas Explained
Christopher Richard Pieper's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Christopher Richard Pieper handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Christopher Richard Pieper is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Missouri →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Christopher Richard Pieper is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Missouri →
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Christopher Richard Pieper is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Missouri →
Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.
Christopher Richard Pieper is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Missouri →
Christopher Richard Pieper is one of 40,226 zoning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse zoning attorneys in Missouri →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Missouri
Practicing law in Missouri. Legal matters in Missouri are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Columbia are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Missouri state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Missouri brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Missouri courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Missouri attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Columbia or all attorneys in Missouri.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Christopher Richard Pieper
Where is Christopher Richard Pieper's law office located?
What practice areas does Christopher Richard Pieper handle?
How long has Christopher Richard Pieper practiced law?
Where did Christopher Richard Pieper go to law school?
How can I contact Christopher Richard Pieper for a consultation?
Practice Areas
Education
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.