Dinsmore & Shohl LLP is pleased to welcome partner Christopher Azzara to its Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office and to its national corporate department.

Azzara joins Dinsmore from a local firm, where he practiced for 15 years. His practice focuses primarily on commercial finance and real estate transactions. His well-rounded legal background expands his ability to assist his clients in everything from complex financings and real estate development, to mechanics lien issues, business formation and operations matters, judgment and lien enforcement, litigation, and more.

“My clients view me as outside general counsel,” Azzara said. “I help them in every facet of their businesses, from operations and finance to strategic initiatives. My goal is always to be at the forefront of their issues in a way that helps them navigate complex scenarios, grow their businesses, and manage marketplace sensitivities.” 

Azzara is one of just five attorneys in Pennsylvania certified as a creditor’s rights specialist by the American Board of Certification. He earned the title through rigorous testing, continuing education, comprehensive peer reviews, and an extended concentration of practice that showcases his knowledge and experience in creditor work, representing banks in secured transactions, judgment collection and lien enforcement.

“Clients often have separate lawyers who manage front-end transactional work and the litigation efforts that can follow, thereby breaking a much-needed knowledge stream that can benefit them and the case,” he said. “I have spent my career helping clients on the front end of their transactional needs and, when needed, I have leveraged my experience as a litigator to help them in the unfortunate situation that their deal ends up in court,” he said.

Azzara is assisting area businesses at the same breakneck pace that development projects are booming across the city of Pittsburgh. He has worked with financial, hospitality, and real estate developer clients to finance local and regional projects, open several new restaurants and entertainment concepts, and helped ensure numerous shopping complexes remain open and operating at full capacity during the pandemic.

“My practice has grown along with the city of Pittsburgh, and I’m excited about the prospect of future growth as tech companies and real estate developers continue to move into the city limits,” Azzara said. “I’m excited to join Dinsmore, where the firm’s national platform, community of practice, and depth of talent will benefit my clients with any expanding needs they have and also provide an established base of operations to address the continued economic growth in and around Pittsburgh.”

Dinsmore Pittsburgh Office Managing Partner Anthony Ditka is equally excited to add Azzara to the office.

“I have known Chris on a personal and professional level for several years. Chris is an exceptional attorney with a proven track record of client success and he brings experience and depth in multiple practice areas,” Ditka said. “I am very pleased to welcome Chris to our growing Pittsburgh office and the Dinsmore team.”

A Duquesne University School of Law and Fairfield University graduate, Azzara is also the president of the Vincentian Collaborative System Board of Directors, a nonprofit human services organization that has served people of all ages since 1924. During his time as president, he has overseen and played an active role in the organization’s strategic acquisitions, new project developments, and growth of services. He also serves on the Travelers Aid of Pittsburgh Board of Directors, a nonprofit, United Way agency that assists income-eligible people with accessing medical appointments, social service activities, human service programs and employment opportunities through transportation services and resources.