Chris litigates complex employment claims under federal and state laws, defends employers in collective actions under the FLSA and class actions under the FCRA and state laws, and advises employers concerning trade secrets and restrictive covenants.
Located in:
Areas of Focus:
As a partner in the Labor + Employment Practice Group, Chris represents clients in complex employment and whistleblower claims under federal and state laws, including Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank. He regularly defends employers in collective actions under the FLSA and in class actions under the FCRA and state laws, including the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act and the New York Labor Law. He has successfully represented employers in numerous cases involving the ADA, ADEA, Title VII, FMLA, WARN, ERISA, in addition to many other federal and state employment laws. He also advises clients throughout the employment lifecycle in an effort to avoid claims. Chris counsels employers concerning trade secrets and restrictive covenants; the negotiation of executive employment agreements; strategic initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the employment matters connected with corporate mergers and acquisitions. Chris also regularly represents employers in union organizing campaigns, grievance handling, labor arbitrations, and the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements. His clients include consumer products companies, health care systems, energy providers, life sciences employers, professional services employers, and transportation companies.
Chris' regular client representation also includes colleges, universities, and other educational institutions, and he is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. He counsels boards and administrators on resolving complex employment problems, and he represents educational institutions in the full range of employment matters including tenure processes, investigations, compliance with state and federal employment laws, employee hiring and separation decisions, and policy development. He routinely represents higher education clients with respect to administrative charges and in employment litigation.
Before attending law school, Chris worked as a labor relations consultant representing employers in the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements and the resolution of employee grievances. He also chaired joint labor-management committees for regional and nationwide employer associations.
Class and Collective Actions
Employment Law
Represented large energy employer in obtaining a unanimous defense verdict on disability discrimination and FMLA retaliation claims.
Labor Law
Higher Education
Representative matters may include engagements before joining Troutman Pepper.
Hiring to Firing Law Blog
02.09.24
NLRB Rules That Dartmouth Basketball Players Are Employees
Articles + Publications
02.09.24
NLRB Rules That Dartmouth Basketball Players Are Employees
Firm News
10.09.23
Troutman Pepper Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2024
Articles + Publications
08.04.23
Requests for Remote Work Accommodations Require Individualized Assessments
Firm News
10.13.22
Troutman Pepper Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2023
Press Coverage
10.11.22
EEOC Employer Lawsuits Could Increase in Number, Reach