Capell & Howard P.C. Attorneys At Law Montgomery & Auburn/Opelika, AL

Christopher W. Weller Sr.

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Phone

(334) 241-8066


email

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 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in Appellate Practice in Montgomery, and Employment Law — Individuals in Montgomery.

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® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in Appellate Practice in Montgomery, and Employment Law – Individuals in Montgomery

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

Chris.Weller@chlaw.com  | vCard

Legal Assistant

Anne Gunderson

p: (334) 241-8047

f: (334) 323-8888

Anne.Gunderson@chlaw.com