Chris is a company director and lawyer by background, having occupied several senior positions in both the private and public sectors. He was formerly the Managing Partner and Senior Commercial Partner of a leading law firm with an international group of clients. 

The positions he occupied in the public sector have included that of Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs and Comptroller-General prior to his appointment to the High Court as inaugural Chief Executive and Principal Registrar. He has also been CEO of the National Capital Authority, Chairman of a company owned by the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of New South Wales and Chairman of a Health Insurance company, Australian Health Management Group Limited. 

He has written an administrative law textbook, is a trained mediator from Harvard Law School and has filled many community positions including Vice President of the Australian Institute of Management and membership of advisory bodies relating to tertiary education, health and finance.