Christopher Arima
Trial Attorney
Chris’s commitment to justice was shaped early by service, discipline, and lived experience. Before entering the legal profession, Chris served honorably in the United States Navy as an Arabic linguist. He supported national security missions during Operation Inherent Resolve, led joint service teams, and produced real-time intelligence reporting in high-stakes environments. For his service, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Achievement Medal. His military experience instilled a deep sense of responsibility, precision, and respect for human dignity that continues to guide his work today.
After completing his military service, Chris pursued higher education with a focus on language, law, and accountability. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Arabic from Excelsior University, graduating cum laude. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law, where he concentrated in national security and counterterrorism law. During law school, Chris served as Managing Editor of the Journal of Global Rights and Organizations, acted as Executive Director of the Syrian Accountability Project, and published award-winning scholarship on international humanitarian law and human rights.
Following law school, Chris began his legal career handling complex and demanding matters across both criminal and civil litigation. He practiced at an international law firm litigating high-stakes commercial disputes, served as an Assistant Public Defender representing indigent clients in New Mexico trial courts, and later worked as an Associate in complex medical malpractice litigation. Prior to joining Venardi Zurada, he practiced as an Assistant District Attorney in Albuquerque, New Mexico, managing felony cases from inception to conviction.
Chris’s decision to join Venardi Zurada is deeply personal. When he was eleven years old, he was involved in a catastrophic car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury and significant bodily harm and took the life of his father. He knows firsthand the confusion, grief, and frustration that accompany serious injury and the challenge of navigating insurance systems while recovering physically and emotionally. That experience informs his approach to advocacy. He is committed to seeing the whole client, not just the claim, and to guiding individuals through some of the most painful and complex moments of their lives with clarity, honesty, and care. Chris is dedicated to the pursuit of fairness, justice, and the right of every person to be treated with dignity and equality before the law. He brings that commitment to every case he handles, whether large or small, and considers it an honor to stand alongside those who have been harmed and to advocate for accountability and meaningful recovery.
Bar Admissions
- California, 2025
- New Mexico, 2023
- New York, 2023
Education
- Syracuse University College of Law
- J.D. 2022
- Excelsior University
- B.S. Liberal Arts, 2018
- Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center
- A.A. Arabic, 2014
Published Works
- Domestic Violence in Iraq: Legal Barriers to Survivors in Pursuit of Justice, 12 J. Glob. Rts. & Orgs. 109, (2022). Law360 2022 Distinguished Legal Writing Award Winner .
- On the Brink of Famine: The Ukraine Conflict and Food Crisis in Syria, The Syrian Accountability Project (May 2022).
- Russian War Crimes Against Ukraine: The Breach of International Humanitarian Law by The Russian Federation, The Syrian Accountability Project (Apr. 2022).
- Old Law New Challenges: The Laws of Armed Conflict in the 21st Century, World Forum in Berlin (Mar. 2025)
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury
- Employment
- Medical Malpractice
Mark Venardi’s Results
Settlement
Multi-Million Dollar
Discrimination Claims
Martin Zurada and Mark Venardi led a team that obtained a multi-million recovery for a group of deserving clients. We are not afraid to turn down significant initial offers which are insufficient to compensate our clients and change defendant’s behavior. We roll up our sleeves, put on the gloves, and fight it out with the defense. If getting the best possible result means holding on until trial to resolve the case, or fighting the case at trial, we will do whatever it takes. We put our clients in the best possible position to obtain a maximum result.
Partner
Partner
Asentamientos
Acuerdo de varios millones de dólares
Despido Injustificado
Martin Zurada y Mark Venardi lideraron un equipo que obtuvo una recuperación de varios millones de dólares para un grupo de clientes merecedores. No tememos rechazar ofertas iniciales significativas que sean insuficientes para compensar a nuestros clientes y cambiar el comportamiento del demandado. Arremangamos nuestras camisas, nos ponemos los guantes y luchamos contra la defensa. Si obtener el mejor resultado posible significa esperar hasta el juicio para resolver el caso, o pelearlo en el juicio, haremos lo que sea necesario. Ponemos a nuestros clientes en la mejor posición posible para obtener un resultado máximo.
Acuerdo
$28 Millones
Lesiones Personales
El monto exacto del acuerdo es confidencial, pero superó los $28 millones. Acuerdo confidencial contra una organización de mantenimiento de la salud por no supervisar a un cirujano que realizó procedimientos inapropiados en pacientes de urología femenina, causando lesiones significativas y permanentes, incluyendo incontinencia crónica. Las reclamaciones involucraron a más de 80 pacientes y reflejaron una situación de responsabilidad agravada, ya que la organización de salud estaba al tanto del uso recreativo de drogas del cirujano, pero no lo supervisó y ocultó su conducta, formación y experiencia.
Settlement
Settlement in excess of $28 Million
Medical Malpractice
Exact settlement amount is confidential but exceeded $28 million. Confidential settlement against a health maintenance organization for failing to supervise a surgeon who performed inappropriate procedures on female urology patients causing significant, permanent injuries Including chronic incontinence. Claims involved more than 80 patients and reflected an aggravated liability situation since the health care organization was familiar with the surgeon’s recreational drug use but failed to monitor and concealed his conduct, training and experience.
*Obtained prior to joining Venardi Zurada.
Of Counsel
Settlement
$7.125 Million
Boat Accidents
Our client was an 80 year-old passenger in a tender vessel. The vessel rose quickly on a wave and fell quickly causing our client to suffer a spine fracture that required a two-level fusion surgery.
Partner
Client Reviews
"They helped me out when I got into an accident"
VZ are the best in the bay! They helped me out when I got into an accident, I can’t say anything bad about them.
Robert-Christopher G.
"Felt comfortable around the people here"
Friendly and clean environment. Felt comfortable around the people here.
Katarina B.
"They were very understanding"
I really appreciated Venardi Zurada LLP, they were great help and were very understanding of my predicament. Communication was always available and consistent and amicable. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who has issues at work or otherwise and is seeking legal action or justice for any wrongdoing.
Ava B.
"Call Venardi Zurada for any of your PI needs"
The VZ team are such a great help. Call Venardi Zurada for any of your PI needs they are the best!
Nohra R.
"Overall Great Firm"
Everyone is professional, overall great firm!
Fabian P.
We Take Care Of Our Clients
Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We take pride in providing exceptional service, personalized attention, and unwavering support throughout each case. The testimonials from our clients reflect their satisfaction with our commitment to their well-being, highlighting the care, expertise, and dedication we bring to every case. We’re honored to have earned the trust and appreciation of those we’ve had the privilege to serve.