Christopher L. Slaughter

Recognized by Best Lawyers^® since 2009.

825 Third Avenue, Suite 400, P.O. Box 2195 Huntington, West Virginia 25722-2195

(304) 522-8290

Firm: Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

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Overview

Firm

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

Years In Practice

Phone Number (304) 522-8290

Chris Slaughter practices law in the firm’s Huntington, West Virginia, office. Mr. Slaughter represents employers in labor and employment law matters. His practice is evenly divided between counseling and litigation. Mr. Slaughter has tried cases before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, and he regularly litigates arbitration matters. His clients include companies in the construction, energy, health care, hospitality, and manufacturing industries.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Advised a large manufacturer in connection with a reduction in force that impacted union and non-union employees, overseeing every aspect of the reduction, from WARN Act notification to salaried employee evaluations, to training managers to deliver the news to impacted employees
Assisted a regional manufacturer with a reduction in force at operations in four states
Negotiated the severance of the CEO of a large manufacturer
Resolved a whistleblower case for a public entity after the key witness and decision-maker was impeached and removed from his office by a public tribunal
Negotiated labor agreements with a number of different unions
Helped control mass picketing and violence through court litigation in state and federal courts
Advised employers engaged in strike contingency planning
Negotiated executive employment contracts with key employees
Represented employers in MSHA and OSHA investigations involving workplace injuries
Defended employers in discrimination and workplace injury litigation in state and federal courts, and before the EEOC and state human rights agencies
Defended employers in unfair labor practice charge litigation before the NLRB
Helped employers defeat union organizing campaigns

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Labor law
Employee benefits (ERISA) litigation
Employment law
Employment contracts and policies
Workplace safety
Litigation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1999          Steptoe & Johnson
2000          Labor Counsel, Law Department, Columbia Gas
                 Transmission Corp.
1995-1999  Smith, Heenan & Althen

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Bar Association, Sections on Labor and Employment Law and Litigation
Past President, Tri-State Society for Human Resource Management
Admitted to practice in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia

INDUSTRY / CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS

Member, Board of Trustees, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Nashville, Tennessee
Co-Chairman, Board of Directors, Advantage Valley, Inc.
Commerce Lexington (Kentucky)
Kentucky Coal Association
Contractors Association of West Virginia
Member, Board of Directors, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Member, Board of Trustees, Huntington Museum of Art
Leadership Tri-State, 2006
Leadership West Virginia, 2000
Past President and Board Member, Charleston Jazz Series, Inc.
Past Chairman, Board of Directors, Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce

AWARDS / HONORS

Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
The Best Lawyers in America®
Recognized in Law & Politics Magazine’s Virginia/West Virginia Super Lawyers®

PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

September 2009: "Implementing a Reduction in Force: Legal and Practical Advice," Mid Ohio Valley Society for Human Resource Management, Marietta, Ohio
July 2009: "Employment Law 101: A Primer for Supervisors," Volunteer West Virginia, South Charleston, West Virginia
May 2009: "Implementing a Reduction in Force," Charleston Society for Human Resources Management, Charleston, West Virginia
February 2009: "Card Check Update: What Employers Should Do Now to Prepare for a Union Campaign," Huntington Chamber of Commerce, Huntington, West Virginia
January 2009: "Change: The Uncut Version—What Employers Can Expect from the Obama Administration," Contractors Association of West Virginia Mid-Winter Meeting, Orlando, Florida
September 2008: "Labor Law Update," West Virginia Hospital Human Resources Association Annual Meeting, Flatwoods, West Virginia
August 2007: "Conducting a Successful Union Campaign For the Employer," West Virginia Healthcare Association Assisted Living Conference, Charleston, West Virginia
January 2007: "The Top Ten Things Every Employer Should Know About West Virginia Employment Law," Contractors Association of West Virginia Mid-Winter Meeting, Aruba
Contributing author for the American Bar Association’s treatise Employee Benefits Law (2nd Ed., 2001)