Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Emory University School of Law
Atlanta, Georgia
J.D., 2009
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., with distinction, Political Science and History, 2006
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Georgia
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
All Georgia state courts
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Labor and Employment Attorney
Chris is a partner on the Labor and Employment Practice Team. He defends employers nationwide in federal and state courts under the many statutes that govern the employment relationship, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Chris has experience managing complex class and collective action litigation, administrative actions, and appellate proceedings. He further prosecutes and defends non-compete, non-solicitation, and trade secrets cases.
Chris serves as go-to outside employment counsel for businesses by providing pragmatic advice and counsel on day-to-day human resources legal issues with a view toward achieving client business objectives and removing red tape, drafting employment-related agreements, policies and procedures, and performing due diligence and transaction agreement review for mergers and acquisitions.
Chris has unique experience serving as senior counsel to a large, publicly-traded company where he provided legal consultation to C-suite and senior leaders across all business areas and affiliated companies and supported new business initiatives across the United States and Canada. He served as the primary drafter of executive employment agreements, offer letters, compensation plans, handbooks, equity-related documents, training, and similar legal documents.
Chris also is a rising thought leader in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) and its intersection with labor and employment legal issues. He provides advice on using AI-based recruiting and screening tools and employee performance management systems and has been involved in legislative efforts related to the regulation of AI in human resources.
In addition to his law degree, Chris is a current candidate for a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Wayne State University Law School.
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Society for Human Resource Management
State Bar of Michigan
State Bar of Georgia
Honors and Recognitions
Michigan Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2013, 2017, 2018
Crain’s Detroit Business, recognized as a Top Attorney in Michigan, 2013, 2017, 2018
Publications
Drug Testing Laws: Michigan, Practical Law Company (2018-2020)
Mini WARN Laws: Michigan, Practical Law Company (2018-2020)
Supreme Court: Representative Evidence Can Prove Classwide Viability for Wage-and-Hour Violations, Westlaw Journal Employment, Volume 30, Issue 19 (2016)
Could Your Employee Participation Program Be Illegal? SHRM, co-author (2016)
Leave Laws: Michigan, Practical Law Company, co-author (2011-2020)
Trade Secret Laws: Michigan, Practical Law Company, co-author (2011-2020)
Community Involvement
Various pro bono legal work, including representing Detroit urban renewal organizations such as the Brightmoor Alliance and homeless shelters such as the Coalition on Temporary Shelter
Support the City of Detroit charitable initiatives through the Rock Family of Companies, including the Rocket Community Fund
Participate in Adopt-a-Family and City of Detroit park restoration and sustainable food initiatives