Service Areas
- Business
- Labor + Employment
- Entertainment, Sports + Multimedia
- Nonprofit + Charitable Organizations
- Climate Change
- Litigation + Trial
- Election Litigation
- Labor + Employment
- Governments + Nonprofits
- Labor + Employment
- Nonprofit + Charitable Organizations
- Climate Change
- School Law Advice
- Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreements
- Individuals + Families
- Nonprofit + Charitable Organizations
Education
- Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D.
- Alma College, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals
- Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Courts
- Eastern District of Michigan
- Western District of Michigan
- Northern District of Illinois
Christopher M. Trebilcock represents clients in federal and state employment and labor litigation, including oral arguments before the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Michigan Court of Appeals. He also manages arbitrations and administrative proceedings at the state and federal level; conducts collective bargaining negotiations; and advises clients, including school districts and universities, on all labor and employment issues. Chris has expertise in wage and hour issues and in advising employers on reductions in force (RIFs). His work with school districts and universities includes providing guidance on responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, compliance with the Open Meetings Act (OMA), student disciplinary matters and employee discipline and discharge. He has also provided extensive advice to public entities seeking to enter into intergovernmental cooperation agreements.
“I give my clients practical advice. I'm not doing my job unless the client understands how the legal risks and benefits impact their business decisions.”
Christopher M. Trebilcock
Experience
Representative Matters
Moss v. Bierl, 134 Fed.Appx. 806 (6th Cir. 2005)(unpublished)(affirming summary judgment of employee’s claim that his termination violated his right to due process)
Mitchell v. Highland Park Bd. of Ed., 2005 WL 857383 (Mich.App. 2005)(unpublished)(affirming trial court’s decision dismissing former superintendent’s public policy discharge tort and breach of contract claims)
Reynolds v. Lear Corp., 2005 WL 1684127 (E.D.Mich. 2005)(unpublished)(granting motion to dismiss employee’s age discrimination and breach of contract claims)
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
- State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Law Section
- Oakland County Bar Association, New Lawyers' Council, Board of Directors, 2004-2008
- Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Michigan
- National School Board Association, Council of School Attorneys
- Michigan Council of School Attorneys
Honors + Awards
- Wake Forest University School of Law, Moot Court Board; Tulane Sports Law National Moot Court Team; Treasurer, Student Bar Association; President, Sports and Entertainment Law Association; Editor-in-Chief, WFU "Hearsay"
- Alma College, cum laude
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2008-2009 Employment & Labor
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Junior Council, Board of Directors, 2006-present
- Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council
- Michigan's Children, Board of Directors, 2009-present
- The Church of the Messiah Housing Corporation, Detroit, Board of Directors, 2005-2008
- Planned Parenthood of Southeast Michigan, Board of Directors, 2007-present
- Michigan Political Leadership Program, Michigan State University, Fellow, 2004
- Leadership Oakland XVI, 2005-2006 Cornerstone Program
- Downtown Detroit Rotary, Board of Directors, 2006-2008; Speaker Program Chair, 2004-2005
- Justice Michael F. Cavanagh, Michigan Supreme Court Campaign Manager, December 2005-November 2006
- Senator John Kerry, Democratic Presidential Candidate Michigan Campaign Press Secretary, December 2003-February 2004
Publications
"Tread Carefully: Mass Layoff Landmines Ahead," Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce E-Newsletter, June 2009
"Legal Barriers to Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreements in Michigan," co-author, Intergovernmental Cooperation Conference, Michigan State University Land Policy Institute, May 17-18, 2007
"Employment Discrimination Litigation: Entertainment for Some, Sport for Others," co-author, ABA Sports & Entertainment Law Mid-Winter Meeting, April 2006
"Important Michigan Supreme Court Ruling Confirms 3-Year Limit on Discrimination Claims," Hot Points, Fall 2005
"Continuing Violations Doctrine Extinguished in Michigan," Midwest In-House, July 2005
"The Largest Pension Bailout in U.S. History Leads to Contract Concessions," State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Lawnotes, Summer 2005
"Tired of Waiting? Practical Advice for Employers Anticipating Changes to the FLSA," Midwest In-House Counsel, October 2003
Speeches
"Legal Barriers to Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreements in Michigan," co-author, Intergovernmental Cooperation Conference, Michigan State University Land Policy Institute, May 17-18, 2007; Michigan Municipal League Annual Convention, September 19, 2007; Michigan Association of Township Supervisors Annual Meeting, October 3, 2007
"The New “White-Collar” FLSA Regulations: A Lesson Plan for School Districts." Oakland County School Business Officials, November 17, 2004
"Arbitration Agreements: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly," Baker College, March 5, 2004
"Tired of Waiting? Practical Advice for Employers Anticipating Changes to the FLSA," Troy Chamber of Commerce, Employment Law Roundtable, February 10, 2004