Most spring Saturday mornings, you’ll find Christopher Pottratz on a lacrosse field somewhere in Indiana, whistle in hand, making the calls that keep the game fair and flowing. Over the years, he has been a player, a coach, and, since 2017, an official. It’s a role that requires quick decision-making, clear communication, and earning respect from all sides. Those are skills that translate remarkably well to his day job as a partner at Warrick & Boyn. In fact, Chris’s love for lacrosse–and sports in general–is one of the things that first set him on the path to becoming an attorney.
In 2008, Chris graduated with his undergraduate degree from Purdue University into a country facing significant economic headwinds. Job prospects were few and unpromising. But Chris had always been drawn to the law. “One of my good friends went to law school and told me how much he enjoyed it. I always had an interest in law and politics, so I decided to go to law school, too. I went into law school with the idea that I would be a sports lawyer.”
While Chris entered law school with visions of negotiating athlete contracts and navigating sports regulations, his coursework in contracts, antitrust, and real estate opened his eyes to something broader. “I realized that I could be fulfilled helping clients resolve business issues in any industry, not just sports,” he reflects. That shift in perspective proved prescient. Today, whether he’s guiding a company through a complex acquisition or helping a small business navigate regulatory challenges, Chris finds the same satisfaction in working out solutions and creating successful outcomes for his clients.
“Every time I can help someone solve a problem, it’s meaningful. I’m able to experience meaningful achievements almost every day,” Chris says. “I feel most fulfilled in helping a client complete a major transaction. Sometimes a deal involves months, or even years, of discussions, negotiations, due diligence, and regulatory hurdles. When you reach the end, everyone, on all sides of the transaction, is happy that we have completed a transaction to benefit all parties.” Those daily meaningful moments with clients have also consistently culminated in broader recognition for Chris. He was named one of Michiana’s Forty Under 40 in 2018 and achieved partnership at Warrick & Boyn in 2022.
Getting over those hurdles and finding success starts by building great relationships. At Warrick & Boyn, Chris feels lucky. Most of the firm’s clients began as referrals from other happy clients.”The most important way to establish a long-term relationship with a client is to consistently deliver prompt, quality service. We take great pride in quickly responding to our clients’ needs, and I think they know they can count on us to be there when they need help,” Chris reflects.
But the attorneys at Warrick & Boyn don’t just help their clients. They help each other, too. Something that Chris values. “The best part about Warrick & Boyn is the people. Lawyers, even within their own law firms, can be competitive and territorial. Our lawyers work together and help each other to provide the best service to our clients. We view our clients as clients of the firm, not clients of any individual attorney. That mindset promotes unity and efficiency, which ultimately benefits our clients.”
That collaborative culture is exactly what drew Chris to Michiana in the first place. He goes on to add, “I came to Michiana for the job. I didn’t know anyone in the area, but Warrick & Boyn was exactly the kind of firm I was looking for. When one of my law school mentors–retired Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan–spoke highly of the attorneys here, I knew I was on the right track. I was surprised that a small firm in Elkhart had earned recognition from people I respected in Indianapolis, which gave me confidence in my decision.”
From advising a large manufacturing client with complex needs to ensuring a family business transitions smoothly to the next generation, Chris brings the same steady judgment and collaborative approach that has defined his decade-plus in Michiana. He possesses a commitment to the kind of relationship-based practice that serves this community well. Like the lacrosse games he officiates, successful legal work requires fairness, clarity, and trust from all sides of the table. For Chris, that’s not just a professional philosophy–it’s the foundation of how business gets done right here in Michiana. When you need an attorney who understands both the complexities of modern business law and the values that make our community a great place to do business, Chris and the team at Warrick & Boyn are ready to help.