Christopher L. Brigham, a Principal with the firm and Chairman of the Employment Practices Group, focuses his practice on representing and counseling businesses with respect to workplace and employment law issues. He defends clients in a wide variety of employment claims in both federal and state court. Mr. Brigham also represents and counsels clients on matters before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Department of Labor and the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Of particular note, Mr. Brigham counsels clients about issues facing employers during all stages of the employment relationship including but not limited to the hiring, disciplinary and termination process. Mr. Brigham conducts human resource audits to ensure that employment policies and procedures are in compliance with the most recent state and federal laws pertaining to wage and hour issues and equal employment opportunities. He also conducts employment seminars and sexual harassment training seminars throughout the state for various associations and business clients, and has published numerous articles regarding employment issues. Mr. Brigham has written and spoken extensively about the legal compliance issues related to the implementation of corporate wellness programs.
In the area of professional liability defense, Mr. Brigham represents attorneys at trials, mediations and arbitrations in legal malpractice claims. He also represents clients before the Statewide Grievance Committee defending complaints alleging violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Mr. Brigham is a frequent speaker and presenter for various professional groups including the National Business Institute, the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, the Greater New Haven and Quinnipiac Chambers of Commerce, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the Connecticut Bar Association, and for the Firm’s clients on employment matters and sexual harassment issues. He is actively involved in various professional and community associations including the Greater New Haven and Quinnipiac Chambers of Commerce and the Connecticut Bar Association. He is Immediate Past Chair of the Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis and a current board member.
Mr. Brigham and members of the Employment Practices Group periodically prepare Employment Law Alerts for friends and clients of the firm focusing on recent trends and important decisions impacting employers in the State of Connecticut. These alerts can be found by visiting the Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. website at www.uks.com or by contacting Attorney Brigham directly at cbrigham@uks.com.
Mr. Brigham received his B.A. from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont in 1986, and participated in the Tufts in London Semester Abroad Program at Westfield College, University of London, England. After teaching middle school for three years, Mr. Brigham received his J.D., cum laude, from the Vermont Law School and participated as an exchange student (one semester) at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Practice FocusEducation
Professional & Community Associations
Publications
- J.D., cum laude, Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT, 1992
- B.A., American Literature, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 1986
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Connecticut Bar Association
Labor & Employment Section -
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Council
Board Member
Co-Chair Legislative Committee -
Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce
Member, HR Roundtable -
Meritas Law Firms Worldwide
Co-Chair, Labor & Employment Section
Steering Committee -
Ethel Walker School
Board Member -
Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, Inc.
Immediate Past President
Board Member -
St. Thomas Day School
Member, Long Range Planning Committee -
Eli Lacrosse Program, New Haven, Connecticut
Coach
- State of Connecticut
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- "Looking for a Healthy Balance - Overly Aggressive Wellness Programs Can Prompt Litigation", Connecticut Law Tribune, Vol. 34, No. 17, April 28, 2008
- 2009 Employee Wellness InfoPak prepared for Association of Corporate Counsel by the Meritas Labor and Employment Section. www.meritas.org
- Malpractice Claims Not Always Ripe for Action, Connecticut Law Tribune, April 20, 2001
- Employment Law Alerts, www.uks.com
