Background
Following graduation from The George Washington University Law Center, Christine clerked for six judges in senior status in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. After her clerkship, she returned to the firm of Hamilton and Hamilton where she had worked as a law clerk during law school. Hamilton and Hamilton is one of the oldest law firms in the District of Columbia, dating back to the mid-1800's. Working closely with experienced and skilled trial and appellate attorneys at Hamilton and Hamilton, Christine began to develop and expand the strong advocacy skills she uses today for her clients. For example, Christine and her partner defended a local hospital and nursing supervisor from claims of age and race discrimination in a lengthy jury trial. The hospital and supervisor prevailed.
In 1992, Christine and her trial partner joined McLeod, Watkinson & Miller, a District of Columbia-based firm that sought to expand its litigation practice. While there, Christine continued to develop her trial skills in civil litigation, but with an added emphasis on employment counseling and litigation. She handled cases as the second chair attorney, a role conducive to continued professional growth. With partners in the firm, Christine tried federal, state and administrative cases dealing with discrimination, retaliation, harassment and defamation, representing employers in the local courts. Cases included representing a police department in a race discrimination and retaliation case based on promotional testing and other issues. During this time, Christine became one of the first attorneys to litigate cases under the Government Employee Rights Act, the predecessor to today's Congressional Accountability Act. She has been handling claims pursuant to these statutes since 1992.
In 1996, Christine joined the former McGuiness, Norris & Williams, a labor and employment boutique firm with a national reputation. The firm sought an experienced trial attorney and hired Christine to handle their litigation projects and client base. Shortly after joining the firm, Christine obtained summary judgment on behalf of a national military association on claims of age discrimination by one of its management staff. In 2000, the firm made her a partner. In addition to handling discrimination and harassment cases in a variety of jurisdictions, Christine handled class actions with claims of wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and local wage and hour laws, Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) and alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). She continued to develop her own practice handling various kinds of employment decisions and actions under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended and other anti-discrimination statutes. She also has handled cases involving state and local statutes, including the D.C. Human Rights Act, the D.C Family and Medical Leave Act and the Virginia Human Rights Act.
In 2007, Christine opened her own firm to concentrate on her clients and their needs. Christine personally handles each matter, large or small, and therefore provides her clients with maximum attention and prompt response. She continues to represent employers in the metropolitan D.C. area providing sound advice to clients to avoid or address claims and litigation. Nevertheless, should the need arise, Christine is prepared to represent her clients' interests in court with zeal.
Christine has been handling employment cases since her judicial clerkship in 1990. The employer-employee relationship continues to be one of the most complex areas of law. Statutes, rules and regulations intended to protect employers and employees alike are ever changing, while different theories and claims continue to develop and evolve. It is in this challenging environment that Christine has earned a well-deserved reputation for knowing the law and capably handling employment cases on behalf of Federal Government and private sector businesses, directors and owners, non-profit entities and individuals.