For the past 27 years, Christina has partnered with large and small companies to solve their labor and employment issues. She assists clients with the full spectrum of employment matters, including daily management of employment issues as well as litigation.
Capabilities
Biography
For the past 27 years, Christina has partnered with clients to solve their labor and employment issues. She assists clients with the full spectrum of employment matters, including daily management of employment issues as well as litigation. Christina served as the chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Department for 10 years and is the past chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the Utah State Bar. She is the director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) director for the firm and regularly speaks in client and community forums on that topic. With her experience as an employment lawyer and as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Christina has the expertise to help clients build DE&I plans, implement plans and address issues.
Christina is recognized in:
- Utah Business Magazine, ranked as a “Legal Elite” in Employment and Labor Law, 2012 - 2021
- Intermountain States Super Lawyers: Ranked as one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers,” 2019 - 2022; also ranked as top attorney in Employment & Labor: Employer; and Employment Litigation: Defense, Business Litigation 2013-2014, 2016-2022
- Best Lawyers in America, ranked as a “Best Lawyer” in Employment Law - Management, 2014 - 2023
- Chambers and Partners USA, “Notable Practitioner” and Band 2 ranking, Labor & Employment Law, 2019 – 2022
Christina is also a member of the national and local Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and has spoken at multiple SHRM events.
Christina regularly represents employers in lawsuits and counsels employers in a variety of areas including:
- Diversity and inclusion plans
- Sex discrimination and sexual harassment
- Age discrimination
- Religious discrimination
- ADA, disability and employee medical issues
- Wrongful termination
- Employment contracts and compensation
- Non-compete, confidentiality, and non-solicitation agreements
- Handbooks
- Social media in the workplace
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime, exemptions, collective actions and wage issues
- Independent contractor issues
- Drug and alcohol testing
- FMLA and other leave issues
- Terminations and unemployment
- Union issues
- Investigations
- UALD and EEOC charges and audits
- Training for management and employees
- Benefits and ERISA
- COVID-19 issues including leave, safety, back to work plans and positive tests
Christina is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. She has taught a litigation skills class for more than 14 years in the Juris Doctor program. She also teaches Labor and Employment Law in the Master of Legal Studies program. She is the past president of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Board of Trustees.
Prior to joining Parsons Behle & Latimer, Christina served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable David K. Winder, then Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Utah, and the Honorable Stephen H. Anderson at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. She graduated first in her class from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of law, where she also served on the Utah Law Review and competed for the National Moot Court Team.
Christina is a member of the American Bar Foundation Fellows.
Experience
Representing Software Company in Collective Action
Representing a dental software company in a collective action brought by independent contractors.
Employment Counsel to Bio Research Company
Providing employment advice to a bio research company in the drug discovery space.
Defending Client in FLSA Claims
Defending call center client against claims of violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Utah Wage Payment Act and Montana Wage Payment Act.
Accomplishments
Academic
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 1995)
Graduated 1st in the class
Order of the Coif
Named Outstanding Woman Law Graduate
William H. Leary Scholar
Winner of Law School Moot Court Competition
Member of National Moot Court Team
Best Brief and Best Oralist at Regional Moot Court Competition
Member of Utah Law Review
University of Utah (B.S., 1992)
Magna Cum Laude
Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Societies
Professional
Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law Management, 2014 - 2023
Intermountain States Super Lawyers: Ranked as one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers,” 2019 - 2022; also ranked as top attorney in Employment & Labor: Employer; and Employment Litigation: Defense, Business Litigation 2013-2014, 2016-2022
Defense Research Institute (DRI), Utah Contributor to Fifty State Compendium, 2019 - 2020
Chambers and Partners USA, “Notable Practitioner” and Band 2 ranking, Labor & Employment Law, 2019 – 2022
Utah Business Magazine, “Legal Elite,” Labor & Employment, 2012 - 2022
Parsons Behle & Latimer
Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Department, 2020 - present
Chair, Employment & Labor Practice Group, 2011 - 2020
Served on:
- Lateral Hiring Committee
- Web Design Committee
- Wellness Committee
- Opinion Letter Committee
- Recruiting Committee
Associations
Professional
Utah State Bar Leadership and Boards
- Chair, Utah State Bar Labor and Employment Section, 2014 - 2015
- Vice-Chair, Utah State Bar Labor and Employment Section, 2013 - 2014
- Treasurer, Utah State Bar Labor and Employment Section, 2012 -2013
- Secretary, Utah State Bar Labor and Employment Section, 2011 - 2012
- Member, Utah State Bar Character and Fitness Committee, 2001 - 2010
- Member, Utah State Bar Association Summer Convention Committee 2015
- Member, Utah State Bar Association Spring Convention Committees 2013 - 2015
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Co-Chair, Development Committee, UCLI 2022
Pro Bono Attorney for Domestic Violence Victims, 2000 - 2010
Pre-Litigation Chair, Department of Professional Licensing, 2003 - 2005
Judge Pro Tempore, Third District Court Small Claims Court, 1997 - 2007
Community
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
- Past president, Board of Trustees, 2021 - 2022
- President, Board of Trustees, 2019 - 2021
- President-elect, Board of Trustees, 2017 - 2019
- Member, Board of Trustees, 2008 - present
- Chair, Alumni Relations Committee, 2015 - 2017
- University of Utah Law School Search Committee for Career Development Director
- University of Utah Law School Search Committee for Dean of Academic Affairs
Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Utah Law S.J. Quinney College of Law, 2007 to present
Labor and Employment Law in Masters of Legal Studies Program
- Pre-Trial Practice in JD Program, 2007 - present
Adjunct Faculty Service Award 2022
University of Utah Alumni Association Board of Directors Member, 2005 - 2008
- Chair and Member, Community Service Committee, 2006 - 2008
- Member, Development Committee, 2007 - 2008
- Member, Scholarships and Awards Committee, 2006 - 2007
- Member, Legislative Affairs Committee, 2005 - 2006
- Member, Athletics Advisory Council, 2005
Member, Visit Salt Lake Human Resource & Compensation Committee, 2021 - present
Member, Board of Directors, LiveOn.org, currently
Member of Board of Trustees, Visit Salt Lake, 2014 - 2018
Member, Board of Directors, Ballet West, 2012 - 2015
Pro Bono Clients
Utah Film Center
Girls on the Run
Megan Blues Studios
Salt Lake City Arts Council
Political
Member Utah Trafficking in Persons Taskforce Legal Subcommittee, 2016 - present
Democratic Party Sexual Harassment Committee, 2018 - 2019
Insights
Articles
Leave Policy Language: Utah (2023)
Drug Testing Laws - Utah
Employment Claims in Release Agreements: Utah
Anti-Discrimination Laws Utah, 2022
Unionization Trending
Employee Privacy Laws: Utah
Hiring Requirements: Utah
Wage and Hour Laws: Utah
Employment Law Update, July 15, 2022
The Impaired Mobile Employee: What are the CMD's Options?
Drug Testing Laws: Utah
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Rules that Computer Log-in Time for Certain In-Office Workers is Compensable Under Fair Labor Standards Act
Workers' Compensation Laws: Utah
DRI Employment Law Compendium, Utah Section
Leave Policy Language: Utah
Salt Lake County Extends Face Covering Order to Aug. 20, 2020
Salt Lake County and Summit County Require Individuals to Wear Face Coverings
Leave Policy Language: Utah
FLSA Requirements for Part-time Telecommuters: When Must Employers Pay For Time Spent Commuting?
Industry-Specific Guidelines for Re-Opening Construction and Manufacturing Businesses in Utah (June 2)
Industry-Specific Guidelines for Re-Opening Restaurants in Utah
Industry-Specific Guidelines for Re-Opening Retail Establishments in Utah
Industry-Specific Guidelines for Re-Opening the Hospitality Industry in Utah
Industry-Specific Guidelines for Re-Opening Construction and Manufacturing Businesses in Utah
OSHA Issues New Enforcement Policies Regarding Workplace Inspections And Employer Recording Requirements For Covid-19
What to Do with Employees at High Risk for Serious COVID 19 Illness: The ADA and Return to Work
What Utah Employers Need to Know About Governor Herbert’s Order Moving the COVID-19 Public Health Status from Red to Orange
The U.S. Department of Labor Cracks Down on Employers not Providing Sick Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
COVID-19: Employers' Rights and Duties When Pandemic Spurs Protected Concerted Activity
Re-opening for Business: Employers Should Begin Planning Now
What Employers Need to Know About the CDC’s Recent Recommendation to Wear Cloth Facemasks
New Guidance From The Department of Homeland Security Allows Some Employers To Confirm Employees’ I-9 Information Remotely During “National Emergency”
Wage and Hour Laws: Utah
Ground Rules: Three Major Employment Law Changes That May Impact Your Business
Background Check Law: Utah
Independent Contractors: Utah
Drug Testing Laws: Utah
Anti-discrimination Laws: Utah
Leave Laws: Utah
Presentations
Parsons Attorneys to Present at SHRM Annual Employment Update
Hot Employment Law Topics for 2023
Privacy in the Workplace: How Much Snooping is Legal and Proper?
Common Mistakes and Horror Stories
Independent Contractors or Employees
The Impaired Mobile Employee: What Is the CMD’s Options?
Political Speech in the Workplace
Political Speech in the Workplace
Political Speech in the Workplace
Onboarding Talent Through Wellbeing and Inclusive Practices
Trends in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs
Women in Business
Webinar: Employment Issues and The Pandemic
Back in Business: Information Every Idaho Employer Should Know
What Every Employer Should Know Before Resuming Business in Utah
Back in Business: Information Every Idaho Employer Should Know
Getting Utah Back to Business
Employer Considerations To Successfully Reopen A Business - May 5, 2020
ADA and the FMLA: Managing Intermittent Leave
Religion in the Workplace: Walking on Eggshells
To Compete or Not To Compete... That is the Legislation
Pregnancy Discrimination Panel
Employment Law Compliance/Point and Counterpoint
Social Media in the Workplace
Social Media in the Workplace
Effective Use of Paralegals
Women in Law
Trends and Corrections in the Utah Courts of Appeals
Credentials
Licensed
Utah
U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Utah
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law
