Christopher J. Stevens

/My focus

Employment Litigation

I represent employers at every stage of litigation, routinely handling cases in both state and federal court and before administrative agencies including the EEOC, the New York State Division of Human Rights, and the Department of Labor. My litigation experience spans class and collective actions involving misclassification, unpaid overtime, off-the-clock claims, and more. I’ve also defended employers in numerous single-plaintiff matters alleging discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.

I approach every matter as a problem to solve—working efficiently and collaboratively with clients to develop practical solutions tailored to their specific circumstances.

Compliance and Counseling

I advise employers, almost daily, on a wide range of employment law issues including handbook and policy development, terminations, separation agreements, performance management, overtime eligibility, reasonable accommodations, and leave administration. I enjoy leading training on topics such as harassment prevention and wage and hour compliance. Helping clients build strong foundations that reduce legal risk before issues arise is a cornerstone of how I practice law.

In-House Perspective

Immediately before joining Nixon Peabody, I served as in-house employment counsel at Goldman Sachs—an experience that shapes how I partner with clients to this day. Having sat on the client side, I understand how businesses evaluate legal risk, what they need from outside counsel, and how to deliver solutions that are not just legally sound but operationally workable.

/Representative experience

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION

• Obtained dismissal, at the pleadings stage, of age discrimination claims asserted against a hospital system by a former executive
• Obtained dismissal, at the pleadings stage, of discrimination and retaliation claims asserted against a business products company by a former salesperson
• Obtained summary judgment dismissing misclassification claims asserted as putative class/collective action against a supermarket chain
• Negotiated favorable resolution, on an individual basis, of a class/collective action asserted against a hospitality company alleging misappropriation of tips

/Looking ahead

I’m closely tracking the legal and regulatory developments surrounding artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are reshaping how businesses operate across every industry. I help clients understand and manage the employment-related implications of these technologies as they continue to evolve alongside the existing regulatory landscape.

/Insights

• “FLSA Changes and Wage Theft Protection Act Notices,” The HR Advisor, August 3, 2016 (co-author)
• “Keeping Up With Evolving Cybersecurity Regulations,” New York Law Journal, June 6, 2016 (co-author)
• “An Empirical Study of Dissent at the Third Department,” 74 Albany Law Review 913, 2011
• “Beating Around the Bush: Reforming the Political Question Doctrine and Creating a Necessity Based Exception,” Center for Judicial Process blog, spring 2011