Chris Opie
Chris is acutely aware that every legal issue carries significant risk, and his practice is dedicated to ensuring you sleep a bit easier at night.
- Graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, Dean’s Scholarship
- Recipient of CALI Award for Legal Excellence in Environmental Law
Chris Opie
Attorney in Champaign, IL
Chris Opie recently joined Heyl Royster, marking a return to Champaign, the home of his alma mater (UIUC Law), after sharpening his legal expertise at a leading Chicago-based firm.
Chris’s practice focuses on civil litigation, particularly on professional liability defense and employment law. These practice areas are of great personal importance to Chris. As a member of an extended family containing seven allied health providers, Chris understands the realities medical staff face as they make life-or-death decisions regularly. As a former professional EMT, he has seen how the looming threat of medical malpractice litigation and employment-related lawsuits can impact medical organizations and their employees.
While he appreciates the significance of broader objectives, Chris’ primary focus remains rooted in these personal connections to your defense needs. He works for the individuals seeking legal help. Chris makes it a priority to understand your specific legal requirements and offers straightforward guidance to assist you in finding effective solutions.
A distinguished participant in UIUC’s Client Counseling Competition, Chris was an integral member of the school’s competitive counseling team, solidifying this client-focused legal philosophy. In addition to his client counseling work, Chris is committed to articulating and presenting compelling arguments. He was awarded a full tuition Dean’s scholarship to law school, secured the Cali Award for Legal Excellence in Environmental Law, and earned the Elder Law Journal’s Best Note Award for his published paper on elder financial abuse. Furthermore, he served as a teaching assistant for four undergraduate and law school classes, including in the Dean’s Constitutional Law class.
Outside the classroom and courtroom, Chris is a passionate advocate for the rights of the elderly and children. His significant contributions to the University of Illinois’s Elder Law Journal underscore this dedication, while his two years as a legal assistant at a Children’s Law Center have amplified his impact.
Practices
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, Dean’s Scholarship
- B.S., Bates College, cum laude
Licensure(s) and Admission(s)
- State Courts of Illinois
Professional Affiliations
- American Health Law Association, Member
- The Elder Law Journal, Notes Editor
Presentations/Publications
Presentations
Teaching Assistant, Constitutional Law, taught by Vikram Amar, Dean of the Law School
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Legal Writing for International LLM Students
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Law for Undergraduates
Publications
"S(OLD): Multilevel Marketing Organizations and Elder Financial Exploitation," University of Illinois College of Law's The Elder Law Journal (2023)
Awards/Recognition
- Dean’s Scholar, University of Illinois College of Law, full tuition award for academic merit
- Best Note Award, University of Illinois The Elder Law Journal
- First Place Award, University of Illinois Client Counseling Competition
Public Profile
Chris Opie recently joined Heyl Royster, marking a return to Champaign, the home of his alma mater (UIUC Law), after sharpening his legal expertise at a leading Chicago-based firm.
Chris’s practice focuses on civil litigation, particularly on professional liability defense and employment law. These practice areas are of great personal importance to Chris. As a member of an extended family containing seven allied health providers, Chris understands the realities medical staff face as they make life-or-death decisions regularly. As a former professional EMT, he has seen how the looming threat of medical malpractice litigation and employment-related lawsuits can impact medical organizations and their employees.
While he appreciates the significance of broader objectives, Chris’ primary focus remains rooted in these personal connections to your defense needs. He works for the individuals seeking legal help. Chris makes it a priority to understand your specific legal requirements and offers straightforward guidance to assist you in finding effective solutions.
A distinguished participant in UIUC’s Client Counseling Competition, Chris was an integral member of the school’s competitive counseling team, solidifying this client-focused legal philosophy. In addition to his client counseling work, Chris is committed to articulating and presenting compelling arguments. He was awarded a full tuition Dean’s scholarship to law school, secured the Cali Award for Legal Excellence in Environmental Law, and earned the Elder Law Journal’s Best Note Award for his published paper on elder financial abuse. Furthermore, he served as a teaching assistant for four undergraduate and law school classes, including in the Dean’s Constitutional Law class.
Outside the classroom and courtroom, Chris is a passionate advocate for the rights of the elderly and children. His significant contributions to the University of Illinois’s Elder Law Journal underscore this dedication, while his two years as a legal assistant at a Children’s Law Center have amplified his impact.
