Christopher W. Weller Sr.
Shareholder
Phone
(334) 241-8066
Chris.Weller@chlaw.com
Chris Weller has practiced labor and employment law for more than 30 years and has extensive experience in representing employers in state and federal courts, including class and collective actions, and before agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and others, and in advising employers with respect to hiring, discipline, termination, wage and hour issues, handbook and policy matters. Chris also has extensive knowledge regarding noncompete agreements and defending accessibility claims under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Chris also represents significant state agencies on a regular basis, including the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama State Personnel Department. Chris is currently listed in Alabama Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in Alabama, as well as Best Lawyers in America®, where he was named 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in the practice area of Labor Law – Management in Montgomery, Alabama.
In addition to his labor and employment practice, Chris serves as counsel for the Alabama House Republican Conference. He successfully defended several challenges to the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, which established an innovative tax credit program to allow students in chronically failing public schools to attend other schools. Chris also has provided campaign advice to numerous state and local candidates and is the author of the Alabama Chapter of Thomson Reuter’s annual publication of Lobbying, PACs and Campaign Finance – 50 State Handbook.
Chris was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1987. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Furman University in 1984 and a J.D., cum laude, from Cumberland School of Law in 1987, where he served as the Casenote Editor of the Cumberland Law Review. He is an author and frequent speaker on employment law, trial practice and professional responsibility.
Education
J.D., cum laude, Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, 1987
B.A., Furman University, 1984
Bar Admissions
Alabama, 1987
Admitted To Practice
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
Supreme Court of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Army Court of Military Appeals
Honors and Awards
The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year”: Labor Law – Management
The Best Lawyers in America®, 2022 (Montgomery Area): Appellate Practice; Employment Law – Individuals; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
Selected for Super Lawyers, 2021: Business Litigation
Curia Honoris
Phi Gamma Mu
Cumberland Law Review, Casenote Editor, 1987
Publications and Lectures
Lobbying, PACS, and Campaign Finance – 50 State Handbook, (Alabama Section) Thompson Reuters (2018)
Lobbying PACS and Campaign Finance Reform – 50 State Handbook (Alabama Section), West Publishing Company (2006)
Christopher W. Weller, Professional Responsibility – Reynolds v. Department of Transportation, State of Alabama, et al., 6 ENGAGE – THE JOURNAL OF THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY’S PRACTICE GROUPS, 129 (May 2005)
“A Practical Guide to Discovery and Depositions” – Presented to the Alabama Department of Insurance (August 2005)
“Deposition Basics – Discovery and Depositions” – Presented to Alabama Defense Lawyers Association Deposition Workshop (February 2005 & December)
“Introduction to Employment and Labor Law in Alabama” – Recruiting, Advertising, Applications, Hiring, New Employee Inprocessing and Training and Documentation
Discovery: “What to Expect When You Get Sued,” Presented to the Attorneys of the Office of The Attorney General of Alabama
ADA Accessibility & Barrier Removal – Rules Regarding Handicap Parking – Presented at Capell & Howard 2014 Labor & Employment Law Conference
“New Overtime Exemption Rules & Travel Pay Rules” – Presented to SHRM (Society of Human Resources Managers) Montgomery (April 2016)
Memberships, Affiliations, and Activities
Defense Research Institute
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Member of Board of Directors
American Inns of Court, Hugh Maddox Chapter, Treasurer (2003 to Present)
Supreme Court of Alabama Standing Committee on the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, Member
Federalist Society
Montgomery Area Kiwanis Foundation, Former Board Member
Knights of the Holy Sepulcher (Catholic Charitable Organization Dedicated to Maintaining Holy Land Sites)
St. Peter’s Catholic Church – Member and Past President of Parish Council, Current Member of Parish Finance Committee
Counsel for Alabama Republican House Conference
Alabama State Bar – Labor & Employment Section
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School – Advisory Council
ClefWorks, Member of the Board of Directors
Other Professional Experience
Associate, Burr & Forman, LLP, 1991-1995
Captain, U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, 1987-1991
Contact Information
150 South Perry Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
p: (334) 241-8066
f: (334) 323-8888