Overview
Christian defends employers against individual and multi-plaintiff claims involving discrimination, retaliation, employment torts, and wage-and-hour violations in federal and state courts, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. He also prosecutes and defends claims involving restrictive covenants, including noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and confidentiality agreements.
His litigation experience spans courts across the country and claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), and state and local employment laws. He has second-chaired trials involving retaliation, employment torts, and breach of contract, and represented employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the US Department of Labor (DOL), and state human rights agencies.
Beyond litigation, Christian conducts sensitive internal investigations and advises employers on compliance risks associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. He translates complex legal issues into clear recommendations, helping employers weigh their options and act decisively when business operations and reputations are at stake.
Prior to joining Butzel, Christian was a senior associate at a global business law firm in New York City. Earlier in his career, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable J. Phil Gilbert of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. He received his juris doctor from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
Primary Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
University of Michigan, B.A.
Admissions
- New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Memberships
- National Employment Law Council (NELC)
Languages
- Spanish (limited working proficiency)
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
National Employment Law Council (NELC) – Academy Fellow, 2024
Bonderman Fellowship – Fellow, 2015
