Overview

Christopher B. Kaczmarek represents employers of all sizes in matters involving a wide range of state and federal laws before state and federal administrative agencies and courts, including the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the New Hampshire Department of Labor, and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.  Chris regularly defends employers in litigation, including class actions, involving claims of:

  • Alleged wage and hour violations
  • Wrongful discharge
  • Breach of contract
  • Unlawful discrimination
  • Harassment

He also defends and prosecutes cases involving claims of misappropriation of trade secrets and violations of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. He has specific knowledge of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as state wage and hour laws.  Additionally, Chris counsels employers on the steps necessary to minimize the chance of litigation. He provides advice to employers regarding:

  • Individual employment decisions
  • The creation and successful implementation of effective personnel policies
  • Compensation practices
  • Employment agreements

Chris has written for a variety of publications and regularly gives lectures, presentations, and training sessions regarding a variety of employment law topics, including the identification and prevention of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. He is a frequent editor of the firm's wage and hour-related publications. His clients include financial services companies, retailers, hospitals and health care providers.

Before joining Littler, Chris practiced labor and employment law at another firm. He also previously clerked for the Hon. Paul J. Barbadoro, U. S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

American Bar Association

Member

Boston Bar Association

Member

New Hampshire Bar Association

Former Chairman, Board of Directors

Housing Families Inc.

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2019-2025

Order of the Coif

News, Analysis & Press

Executive Order: Federal Contractors Must Provide Paid Sick Leave

Business Management Daily

October 28, 2015

Paid Sick Leave Spreads to New Jurisdictions

Corporate Counsel

November 14, 2014

Voter-approved sick leave law raises many questions for new AG

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

November 13, 2014

Massachusetts’ New Sick-Leave Law Presents Challenges for Employers

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

November 6, 2014

Paid Sick Time Initiative's Effect on Business

New England Cable News

November 5, 2014

Review Closure-Related Pay Requirements to Avoid Penalties

Bloomberg BNA Benefits & Compensation Management Update

January 22, 2014

FLSA decision puts C-suite executives on guard

InsideCounsel

August 30, 2013

Labor & Employment Law: Unpaid Internships Pose Risks for Employers

New Hampshire Bar Association

April 19, 2013

Speaking Engagements

2024 New England Regional Employer Conference

Boston, MA

October 24, 2024

2023 New England Regional Employer Conference

Boston, MA

November 14, 2023

2022 New England Regional Employer Conference

Boston, MA

November 15, 2022

Employment Law Update: Navigating the New Normal

June 16, 2022

2021 New England Virtual Employer Conference

November 9, 2021

New Year, New Problems - How To Deal with Recent Changes in Employment Law

June 3, 2021

COVID Vaccine Considerations for Massachusetts Employers

February 24, 2021

2020 Virtual New England Employer

November 5, 2020

Return to Work in Massachusetts – Managing the Next Phase of the Pandemic

May 13, 2020

Worst Case Scenarios - How to Deal With the Most Difficult Workplace Situations

Boston, MA

April 9, 2020

New England Update

2019 New England Employer Conference, Newton, MA

September 27, 2019

Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave: Updated Deadlines and Other Critical Information for Employers

Boston, MA

July 22, 2019

Paid Family and Medical Leave, Marijuana, and Other Hot Topics For Massachusetts Employers

Boston, MA

April 11, 2019

Navigating Uncharted Waters: The New Massachusetts Noncompetition Law

September 17, 2018

2018 Employment Law Update

Boston, MA

June 8, 2018

Pay Equity Compliance: How to Advise Your C-Suite and Safeguard Your Company

Boston, MA

March 28, 2018

2017 New England Employer Conference

Boston, MA

October 27, 2017

Employment Law Update

Boston, MA

April 4, 2017

Massachusetts Pay Equity: What You Need to Know

September 30, 2016

Employment Law Update: Navigating a Changing Landscape

Boston, MA

June 24, 2016

Cutting Edge Issues in Employment Law - Including Cat’s Paw Liability

18th Annual Employment Law Conference - Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE), Boston, MA

December 4, 2015

DOL's Proposed Changes to the White Collar Regulations: What Should Employers Do Now?

Boston, MA

November 5, 2015

Employment Law: Navigating a Changing Landscape

Boston, MA

June 5, 2015

Massachusetts Voters Said Yes To Paid Sick Leave… Now What?

December 17, 2014

When to Settle, Waivers That Work, and Other Thorny Issues When Settling, Including the Medicare Secondary Payer Act

17th Annual Employment Law Conference - Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE), Boston, MA

December 5, 2014

Plaintiff’s and Defense Perspectives

Litigating Employment Cases - New Hampshire Bar Association, Concord, NH

October 17, 2014

Employment Law: Trends, Threats and Tactics in 2014

Boston, MA

May 21, 2014

Expanded FLSA Liability: Responding to the New Threat to CEOs, Directors and Joint Employers

Strafford Information Solutions

March 12, 2014

Employment and Labor Law Survey

34th Annual Labor and Employment Law Spring Conference - Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston, MA

June 5, 2013

Employment and Human Resource Issues

Administrative and Legal Issues Seminar - American Association of Port Authorities, Boston, MA

April 9, 2013

2013 Employment Law Update

Boston, MA

February 27, 2013

The Next Wave: Wage & Hour Class Actions in Massachusetts

June 2, 2009

Education

  • J.D., Boston College Law School, 2000magna cum laude
  • B.A., Syracuse University, 1993cum laude

Bar Admission

Massachusetts
New Hampshire

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
  • U.S. District Court, District of Vermont