Christopher J. Riffle
Chief Legal Officer
Executive Snapshot
Christopher Riffle is a Chief Legal Officer who helps boards and executive teams navigate governance, regulatory matters, enterprise risk, and complex business decisions. Having served as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, he understands how legal advice fits into the broader business.
Before joining Unified CLO, Christopher served as General Counsel of a publicly traded bank, advising the board, leading regulatory matters, overseeing a federal consent order, and managing legal operations. His experience is particularly valuable to financial institutions, public companies, and other highly regulated organizations.
Why Clients Call Christopher
Clients call Christopher when legal issues intersect with business operations, executive leadership, and regulatory oversight.
Having served as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, he understands the competing priorities executive teams face every day. He helps organizations navigate governance, enterprise risk, regulatory examinations, operational change, and complex business decisions with practical legal advice grounded in firsthand executive experience.
Whether advising a board, responding to regulators, leading an internal investigation, or helping a leadership team work through a significant business challenge, Christopher focuses on practical solutions that protect the organization while supporting long-term growth
Christopher’s Story
Christopher Riffle has spent his career solving business problems that extend well beyond the legal department.
While serving as General Counsel of a publicly traded bank, he was repeatedly asked to step into broader executive leadership roles, ultimately serving simultaneously as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. Those experiences shaped the way he practices law today. He understands that executive teams rarely face purely legal issues. Instead, they navigate challenges where governance, operations, technology, regulation, and business strategy all intersect.
During his time at First Fed Bank, Christopher advised the board of directors, managed all legal affairs, led the successful remediation of a federal consent order, directed enterprise governance and regulatory compliance, reduced outside legal spend by more than $1 million annually, and helped guide the organization's strategic transformation. He also led major operational and technology initiatives, modernizing systems, strengthening cybersecurity, improving vendor management, and helping position the bank for long-term growth.
Earlier in his career, Christopher served as Managing Partner of Platt Irwin, where he advised public and private companies on governance, employment, litigation, securities, and corporate matters while serving as outside general counsel to numerous organizations.
Today, Christopher partners with boards, founders, CEOs, and executive teams through Unified CLO, helping organizations navigate regulatory oversight, enterprise risk, governance, strategic growth, and operational challenges with the perspective of someone who has sat in the executive chair himself.
Career Experience
Unified CLO
Chief Legal Officer
Christopher advises boards, executive teams, and growing businesses on governance, enterprise risk, regulatory compliance, internal investigations, strategic planning, and operational legal matters. He partners closely with leadership to solve complex business challenges that span legal, operational, and regulatory functions.
First Fed Bank
General Counsel
Served as chief legal officer for a publicly traded financial institution, advising the board of directors and executive leadership on governance, regulatory compliance, litigation, enterprise risk, employment, corporate transactions, and legal operations.
Led the successful remediation of a federal consent order, managed regulator relationships, and restructured legal operations, reducing outside legal and professional fees by more than $1 million annually.
Chief Strategy Officer
Worked with the Board and CEO to develop and execute the bank's long-term strategic plan, establishing enterprise priorities, accountability frameworks, and cross-functional initiatives that strengthened organizational performance and culture.
Chief Digital Officer
Led the bank's enterprise digital transformation, overseeing major technology implementations, cybersecurity initiatives, fintech partnerships, and vendor negotiations while generating significant operational savings and supporting new business opportunities.
Chief Operating Officer
Directed operations, information technology, treasury, information security, payments, and project management functions while integrating governance, compliance, and enterprise risk into day-to-day operations.
Platt Irwin Law Firm
Managing Partner
Served as outside general counsel to public and private organizations, advising boards and executive teams on governance, employment, litigation, securities, corporate transactions, and strategic business matters.
How Christopher Helps Clients
Public Company & Banking Governance
Christopher advises financial institutions, public companies, and highly regulated businesses on governance, board oversight, regulatory examinations, consent orders, and supervisory matters. His firsthand executive experience helps clients balance regulatory expectations with practical business objectives.
Board & Executive Advisory
Christopher serves as a trusted advisor to boards, CEOs, and executive teams facing significant legal, operational, and strategic decisions. He helps leadership evaluate risk, strengthen governance, and navigate complex organizational challenges.
Enterprise Risk & Internal Investigations
Christopher helps organizations assess enterprise risk, conduct internal investigations, respond to regulatory concerns, and develop practical remediation plans that strengthen long-term compliance.
Strategic Operations & Legal Leadership
Drawing on experience leading legal, operations, technology, and strategy functions, Christopher helps organizations improve legal operations, manage outside counsel, strengthen governance, and integrate legal guidance into broader business decision-making.
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law
Juris Doctor, High Distinction
University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology & History
Bar Admissions
Washington
Nebraska
Beyond the Bar
Christopher believes the same mindset that builds resilient organizations also builds resilient people. He enjoys pushing himself physically through endurance events and outdoor challenges that demand planning, discipline, and perseverance.
His adventures have included completing a 54-mile single-day trek across Olympic National Park and finishing 29029 Everesting by climbing the vertical equivalent of Mount Everest in a single weekend. Whether leading an organization through change or tackling a mountain trail, Christopher enjoys challenges that require grit, preparation, and a healthy sense of humor.
Ready to Talk?
Whether your company needs an experienced General Counsel, strategic legal guidance, or executive-level legal leadership, Unified CLO is ready to help.
Schedule a Conversation
Christopher J. Riffle
Chief Legal Officer
Executive Snapshot
Christopher Riffle is a Chief Legal Officer who helps boards and executive teams navigate governance, regulatory matters, enterprise risk, and complex business decisions. Having served as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, he understands how legal advice fits into the broader business.
Before joining Unified CLO, Christopher served as General Counsel of a publicly traded bank, advising the board, leading regulatory matters, overseeing a federal consent order, and managing legal operations. His experience is particularly valuable to financial institutions, public companies, and other highly regulated organizations.
Why Clients Call Christopher
Clients call Christopher when legal issues intersect with business operations, executive leadership, and regulatory oversight.
Having served as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, he understands the competing priorities executive teams face every day. He helps organizations navigate governance, enterprise risk, regulatory examinations, operational change, and complex business decisions with practical legal advice grounded in firsthand executive experience.
Whether advising a board, responding to regulators, leading an internal investigation, or helping a leadership team work through a significant business challenge, Christopher focuses on practical solutions that protect the organization while supporting long-term growth
Christopher’s Story
Christopher Riffle has spent his career solving business problems that extend well beyond the legal department.
While serving as General Counsel of a publicly traded bank, he was repeatedly asked to step into broader executive leadership roles, ultimately serving simultaneously as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. Those experiences shaped the way he practices law today. He understands that executive teams rarely face purely legal issues. Instead, they navigate challenges where governance, operations, technology, regulation, and business strategy all intersect.
During his time at First Fed Bank, Christopher advised the board of directors, managed all legal affairs, led the successful remediation of a federal consent order, directed enterprise governance and regulatory compliance, reduced outside legal spend by more than $1 million annually, and helped guide the organization's strategic transformation. He also led major operational and technology initiatives, modernizing systems, strengthening cybersecurity, improving vendor management, and helping position the bank for long-term growth.
Earlier in his career, Christopher served as Managing Partner of Platt Irwin, where he advised public and private companies on governance, employment, litigation, securities, and corporate matters while serving as outside general counsel to numerous organizations.
Today, Christopher partners with boards, founders, CEOs, and executive teams through Unified CLO, helping organizations navigate regulatory oversight, enterprise risk, governance, strategic growth, and operational challenges with the perspective of someone who has sat in the executive chair himself.
Career Experience
Unified CLO
Chief Legal Officer
Christopher advises boards, executive teams, and growing businesses on governance, enterprise risk, regulatory compliance, internal investigations, strategic planning, and operational legal matters. He partners closely with leadership to solve complex business challenges that span legal, operational, and regulatory functions.
First Fed Bank
General Counsel
Served as chief legal officer for a publicly traded financial institution, advising the board of directors and executive leadership on governance, regulatory compliance, litigation, enterprise risk, employment, corporate transactions, and legal operations.
Led the successful remediation of a federal consent order, managed regulator relationships, and restructured legal operations, reducing outside legal and professional fees by more than $1 million annually.
Chief Strategy Officer
Worked with the Board and CEO to develop and execute the bank's long-term strategic plan, establishing enterprise priorities, accountability frameworks, and cross-functional initiatives that strengthened organizational performance and culture.
Chief Digital Officer
Led the bank's enterprise digital transformation, overseeing major technology implementations, cybersecurity initiatives, fintech partnerships, and vendor negotiations while generating significant operational savings and supporting new business opportunities.
Chief Operating Officer
Directed operations, information technology, treasury, information security, payments, and project management functions while integrating governance, compliance, and enterprise risk into day-to-day operations.
Platt Irwin Law Firm
Managing Partner
Served as outside general counsel to public and private organizations, advising boards and executive teams on governance, employment, litigation, securities, corporate transactions, and strategic business matters.
How Christopher Helps Clients
Public Company & Banking Governance
Christopher advises financial institutions, public companies, and highly regulated businesses on governance, board oversight, regulatory examinations, consent orders, and supervisory matters. His firsthand executive experience helps clients balance regulatory expectations with practical business objectives.
Board & Executive Advisory
Christopher serves as a trusted advisor to boards, CEOs, and executive teams facing significant legal, operational, and strategic decisions. He helps leadership evaluate risk, strengthen governance, and navigate complex organizational challenges.
Enterprise Risk & Internal Investigations
Christopher helps organizations assess enterprise risk, conduct internal investigations, respond to regulatory concerns, and develop practical remediation plans that strengthen long-term compliance.
Strategic Operations & Legal Leadership
Drawing on experience leading legal, operations, technology, and strategy functions, Christopher helps organizations improve legal operations, manage outside counsel, strengthen governance, and integrate legal guidance into broader business decision-making.
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law
Juris Doctor, High Distinction
University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology & History
Bar Admissions
Washington
Nebraska
Beyond the Bar
Christopher believes the same mindset that builds resilient organizations also builds resilient people. He enjoys pushing himself physically through endurance events and outdoor challenges that demand planning, discipline, and perseverance.
His adventures have included completing a 54-mile single-day trek across Olympic National Park and finishing 29029 Everesting by climbing the vertical equivalent of Mount Everest in a single weekend. Whether leading an organization through change or tackling a mountain trail, Christopher enjoys challenges that require grit, preparation, and a healthy sense of humor.
Ready to Talk?
Whether your company needs an experienced General Counsel, strategic legal guidance, or executive-level legal leadership, Unified CLO is ready to help.
Schedule a Conversation
Christopher J. Riffle
Chief Legal Officer
Executive Snapshot
Christopher Riffle is a Chief Legal Officer who helps boards and executive teams navigate governance, regulatory matters, enterprise risk, and complex business decisions. Having served as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, he understands how legal advice fits into the broader business.
Before joining Unified CLO, Christopher served as General Counsel of a publicly traded bank, advising the board, leading regulatory matters, overseeing a federal consent order, and managing legal operations. His experience is particularly valuable to financial institutions, public companies, and other highly regulated organizations.
Why Clients Call Christopher
Clients call Christopher when legal issues intersect with business operations, executive leadership, and regulatory oversight.
Having served as General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, he understands the competing priorities executive teams face every day. He helps organizations navigate governance, enterprise risk, regulatory examinations, operational change, and complex business decisions with practical legal advice grounded in firsthand executive experience.
Whether advising a board, responding to regulators, leading an internal investigation, or helping a leadership team work through a significant business challenge, Christopher focuses on practical solutions that protect the organization while supporting long-term growth
Christopher’s Story
Christopher Riffle has spent his career solving business problems that extend well beyond the legal department.
While serving as General Counsel of a publicly traded bank, he was repeatedly asked to step into broader executive leadership roles, ultimately serving simultaneously as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer. Those experiences shaped the way he practices law today. He understands that executive teams rarely face purely legal issues. Instead, they navigate challenges where governance, operations, technology, regulation, and business strategy all intersect.
During his time at First Fed Bank, Christopher advised the board of directors, managed all legal affairs, led the successful remediation of a federal consent order, directed enterprise governance and regulatory compliance, reduced outside legal spend by more than $1 million annually, and helped guide the organization's strategic transformation. He also led major operational and technology initiatives, modernizing systems, strengthening cybersecurity, improving vendor management, and helping position the bank for long-term growth.
Earlier in his career, Christopher served as Managing Partner of Platt Irwin, where he advised public and private companies on governance, employment, litigation, securities, and corporate matters while serving as outside general counsel to numerous organizations.
Today, Christopher partners with boards, founders, CEOs, and executive teams through Unified CLO, helping organizations navigate regulatory oversight, enterprise risk, governance, strategic growth, and operational challenges with the perspective of someone who has sat in the executive chair himself.
Career Experience
Unified CLO
Chief Legal Officer
Christopher advises boards, executive teams, and growing businesses on governance, enterprise risk, regulatory compliance, internal investigations, strategic planning, and operational legal matters. He partners closely with leadership to solve complex business challenges that span legal, operational, and regulatory functions.
First Fed Bank
General Counsel
Served as chief legal officer for a publicly traded financial institution, advising the board of directors and executive leadership on governance, regulatory compliance, litigation, enterprise risk, employment, corporate transactions, and legal operations.
Led the successful remediation of a federal consent order, managed regulator relationships, and restructured legal operations, reducing outside legal and professional fees by more than $1 million annually.
Chief Strategy Officer
Worked with the Board and CEO to develop and execute the bank's long-term strategic plan, establishing enterprise priorities, accountability frameworks, and cross-functional initiatives that strengthened organizational performance and culture.
Chief Digital Officer
Led the bank's enterprise digital transformation, overseeing major technology implementations, cybersecurity initiatives, fintech partnerships, and vendor negotiations while generating significant operational savings and supporting new business opportunities.
Chief Operating Officer
Directed operations, information technology, treasury, information security, payments, and project management functions while integrating governance, compliance, and enterprise risk into day-to-day operations.
Platt Irwin Law Firm
Managing Partner
Served as outside general counsel to public and private organizations, advising boards and executive teams on governance, employment, litigation, securities, corporate transactions, and strategic business matters.
How Christopher Helps Clients
Public Company & Banking Governance
Christopher advises financial institutions, public companies, and highly regulated businesses on governance, board oversight, regulatory examinations, consent orders, and supervisory matters. His firsthand executive experience helps clients balance regulatory expectations with practical business objectives.
Board & Executive Advisory
Christopher serves as a trusted advisor to boards, CEOs, and executive teams facing significant legal, operational, and strategic decisions. He helps leadership evaluate risk, strengthen governance, and navigate complex organizational challenges.
Enterprise Risk & Internal Investigations
Christopher helps organizations assess enterprise risk, conduct internal investigations, respond to regulatory concerns, and develop practical remediation plans that strengthen long-term compliance.
Strategic Operations & Legal Leadership
Drawing on experience leading legal, operations, technology, and strategy functions, Christopher helps organizations improve legal operations, manage outside counsel, strengthen governance, and integrate legal guidance into broader business decision-making.
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law
Juris Doctor, High Distinction
University of Washington
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology & History
Bar Admissions
Washington
Nebraska
Beyond the Bar
Christopher believes the same mindset that builds resilient organizations also builds resilient people. He enjoys pushing himself physically through endurance events and outdoor challenges that demand planning, discipline, and perseverance.
His adventures have included completing a 54-mile single-day trek across Olympic National Park and finishing 29029 Everesting by climbing the vertical equivalent of Mount Everest in a single weekend. Whether leading an organization through change or tackling a mountain trail, Christopher enjoys challenges that require grit, preparation, and a healthy sense of humor.
Ready to Talk?
Whether your company needs an experienced General Counsel, strategic legal guidance, or executive-level legal leadership, Unified CLO is ready to help.
Schedule a Conversation
Your Fractional
Chief Legal Office
About Unified
What We Do
© 2026 Unified Law Group, PB LLC
Your Fractional
Chief Legal Office
About Unified
What We Do
© 2026 Unified Law Group, PB LLC
Legal Hub
Your Fractional
Chief Legal Office
About Unified
What We Do
© 2026 Unified Law Group, PB LLC
Legal Hub