Christopher J. Mercado

Christopher J. Mercado serves as a Lecturer at Gonzaga University School of Law, where he holds three significant roles: Co-Director of the Center for Law, Ethics and Commerce, Director of the Business Innovation Clinic, and Supervising Attorney for the Sports Law Clinic. His position falls under the School of Law's regular faculty roster with primary responsibilities in clinical legal education and administrative leadership.

Professor Mercado's academic foundation includes a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Washington. This educational background supports his specialization in commercial law domains through both classroom instruction and practical clinical supervision.

His professional focus centers on Commercial Law, Sports Law, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Business Law, and Legal Ethics. Through the Center for Law, Ethics and Commerce, he explores the critical intersections between regulatory frameworks, ethical business conduct, and market operations, with particular emphasis on practical application in transactional settings. Clinical programs under his direction provide students with direct client representation experience in sports law matters and business formation transactions.

Professor Mercado maintains active judicial service as a Judge pro tem in Snohomish County Superior Court and Commissioner pro tem in Spokane County Superior Court, which complements his academic work by providing current courtroom experience. His prior professional history includes roles as in-house counsel for business/real estate entities, managing attorney at a creditors' rights law firm, and counsel for the Chapter 13 Trustee's office, creating a robust practice-to-classroom knowledge transfer.

The Business Innovation Clinic and Sports Law Clinic form the core of his student engagement, offering hands-on legal training while the Center for Law, Ethics and Commerce serves as his primary academic initiative, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between legal theory, ethical business practices, and commercial systems.