Christopher W. Pendleton

Chris has defended employers against claims pertaining to all forms of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful discharge, wage and hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state analogs, and disputes over compensation and severance.  He has practiced before federal and state courts, arbitrators and administrative agencies, and has experience with all phases of litigation, including pre-action investigation, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, trial, and settlement negotiations.

Chris has also advised clients on a variety of employment-related matters, including, but not limited to, compliance with the FLSA and state wage and hour laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and state leave statutes, and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) Act and other regulations governing layoffs and terminations.  He has additional experience drafting workplace policies and safety regulations, assessing and implementing reasonable accommodations to employees who require the same, and conducting workplace investigations and internal trainings.  He has further represented and counseled employers in connection with their existing collective bargaining relationships with labor organizations. 

Chris has also represented businesses in complex commercial disputes and advised financial lending institutions in connection with government and internal investigations.

Prior to joining Benesch, Chris practiced at two law firms in New York City for the better half of a decade.  He maintains strong relationships with clients and colleagues there to this day.