Overview

Employers across a range of industries trust attorney Chris Dyess to guide, advise, and represent them in employment litigation and investigations. Clients also seek his advice on a wide range of employment law issues.

Chris litigates matters in state and federal courts, in arbitrations, and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) involving various employment-related matters, including breach of restrictive covenants; trade secret protection; breach of employment contracts; claims of sexual harassment; racial, religious, and other claims of discrimination; and alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the New York Labor Law, among other laws. He also conducts internal workplace investigations related to misconduct allegations.

A trusted advisor, Chris counsels clients on employee relations matters, such as terminations and workforce management issues, employment contracts, and separation agreements.

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Before joining Epstein Becker Green, Chris was the lead employment law attorney at a New York law firm, where he handled employment law matters. During law school, he served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Jeffrey Cole of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

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Focus Areas

Experience

  • Represented a Bitcoin-mining company in an employment dispute with a former employee who threatened a whistleblower action. The claim was ultimately resolved prior to the filing of an action on terms favorable to the company.
  • Defended a New York City restaurant in a dispute with a former employee alleging religious discrimination. The matter was resolved through mediation with the EEOC on terms favorable to the employer.
  • Represented a well-known publicly traded technology company in a high-profile disability discrimination class action regarding website accessibility for the visually impaired. In a precedent-setting victory covered in the legal press, Chris was able to secure a dismissal of the action with prejudice.
  • Defended a boutique investment bank in a putative class action asserting that the bank violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, the New York Labor Law, and the California Labor Code by failing to pay regular and overtime compensation to employees. Chris secured a dismissal of the action with prejudice.
  • Defended a food manufacturer against claims of racial discrimination and hostile work environment raised by a former manager. After conducting an internal investigation into the allegations, and on the advice of counsel, the employer reversed course, choosing to vigorously defend the action rather than settle it.
  • Represented a publicly traded health care company in a dispute with a former senior executive involving restrictive covenants. After filing counterclaims against the former executive, the company resolved the matter on favorable terms.
  • Defended a cryptocurrency trading company in a disability discrimination class action regarding website accessibility for the visually impaired. Chris convinced the plaintiff to drop the lawsuit after threatening a motion to dismiss.
  • Represented a consulting firm in an international trade secrets dispute with a former manager in the firm’s Paris, France, office. After filing suit, the former employee returned the consulting firm’s trade secrets and stipulated to a permanent injunction in favor of the firm.

Recognition

Credentials

Education

  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2014)
    • Senior Articles Editor, Journal of Law and Social Policy
  • University of New Orleans (B.S., summa cum laude, 2007)

Bar Admissions

  • New York

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Musicians Foundation, Board Member
  • Northwestern Pritzker School of Law New York City Alumni Association, Board Member
  • University of New Orleans Alumni Association, Board Member

Events

  • Celesq® AttorneysEd Center: "Changing Legal Standards for Bringing Gender-Based Pay Disparity Claims in the Second Circuit," May 19, 2020

Insights

Publications

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