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Kristine M. Woliver
Associate
Kris Woliver represents and counsels companies in all aspects of employment law, with specialties in harassment and ERISA litigation.
Kris serves companies ranging in size from several employees to thousands of employees worldwide. She regularly defends employers in litigation, including against age, race, sex and disability discrimination claims, along with retaliation, harassment and wrongful termination claims. She has successfully resolved disputes from the charge and position statement stages through discovery and summary judgment. Kris also offers e-discovery expertise.
Kris specializes in ERISA litigation. She has the unique ability to simplify complex benefits claims and 401(k) disputes, and has successfully resolved such matters, along with related executive compensation disputes, throughout the Midwest, the Northeast and in North Carolina and California. Kris recently obtained full dismissal of a breach of fiduciary duty 401(k) action and a total defense victory in an ERISA top hat plan dispute.
Kris also has expertise in all aspects of corporate investigations and related harassment matters. Kris has led a wide variety of employment investigations, ranging from internal sexual harassment complaints, to anonymous complaints issued against high-profile executives, to employee and executive complaints of widespread harassment and discrimination. She regularly presents on the shifting legal landscape in the #MeToo era and provides corporate anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training.
Kris drafts and helps companies implement employment policies that are both legally compliant and congruent with the client’s unique culture. Kris likewise stays current on best practices regarding restrictive covenants and trade secrets. She has both defended and pursued enforcement of non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, along with trade secret obligations.
While in law school, Kris served as the business editor for the Ohio State Law Journal. While studying Economics and Spanish at The Ohio State University, she studied abroad in Toledo, Spain. Kris is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Furthering her passion for animal welfare, Kris currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Columbus Humane.
- Obtained summary judgment for employer in disability discrimination, retaliation and FMLA case in federal court.
- Obtained total defense victory in arbitration for international retailer in ERISA retiree benefits dispute involving US$5 million claim.
- Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of Ohio company in ERISA withdrawal liability dispute.
- Successfully defended international company in racial discrimination and retaliation case in Ohio state court.
- Successfully defended administrative charges for age, race, gender and disability discrimination and retaliation claims for a variety of companies.
- Represented international finance company in obtaining and enforcing injunction order to protect trade secrets, and obtaining summary judgment against former CEO for breach of confidentiality agreement.
- Obtained total defense victory in New York federal court against former CEO’s legal and equitable claims seeking US$25 million in awards under LTIP.
- Successfully defended use of fluctuating workweek method of pay under Kentucky law.
- Counseled national fraternity organization regarding chapter management and various university disputes.
- Served on Monitorship team of major automotive company, per US Government Consent Order.
- Conducted numerous whistleblower, discrimination and harassment investigations for multiple companies.
Education
- The Ohio State University, J.D., cum laude, Ohio State Law Journal, 2014
- The Ohio State University, B.A., with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, 2011
Admissions
- Ohio, 2014
Courts
- U.S. Dist. Ct., S. Dist. of Ohio
- U.S. Dist. Ct., N. Dist. of Ohio
- Author, “EEOC Presses Pause on Collection of EEO-1 Pay Data After This Year’s September 30 Reporting Deadline (US),” Employment Law Worldview Blog, September 13, 2019.
- Author, “EEOC Opens Online Filing System: Are You Ready for the September 30, 2019 Pay Data Reporting Deadline? (US),” Employment Law Worldview Blog, July 16, 2019.
- Co-Author, “Employers Prepare: New York Continues to Revamp Workplace Harassment Law (US),” Employment Law Worldview Blog, July 9, 2019.
- Presenter, “The Last Rose – The Bachelor’s Guide to Sexual Harassment and Misconduct,” L&E Annual Seminar (CLE), September 18, 2018.
- Author, “U.S. Department of Labor Expands Association Health Plans,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, June 22, 2018.
- Author, “6th Circuit Shores Up Deference to Plan Administrator Interpretation in ERISA Retiree Benefits Suit (US),” Employment Law Worldview Blog, May 17, 2018.
- Author, “DOL Delays ‘Final Rule’ for ERISA Disability Benefits,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, December 1, 2017.
- Presenter, “Employment Hot Topics Family Feud,” L&E Annual Seminar (CLE), October 25, 2017.
- Presenter, “Social Media State of the Union,” Squire Patton Boggs Webinar, April 14, 2016.
- Author, “High Court Holds ERISA Preempts State Law Regulating Plan Reporting Requirements,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, March 9, 2016.
- Author, “Executive Action: Obama’s Legacy and 2016 Predictions (Part 2 of 2),” Employment Law Worldview Blog, January 15, 2016.
- Author, “Executive Action: Obama’s Legacy and 2016 Predictions (Part 1 of 2),” Employment Law Worldview Blog, January 14, 2016.
- Author, “New York City Commission on Human Rights Clarifies Which Positions are Exempt from Newly Effective Credit Check Law,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, October 6, 2015.
- Author, “Supreme Court Extends Same-Sex Marriage Rights to All 50 States,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, June 26, 2015.
- Author, “Colorado Supreme Court Confirms Employers May Fire Employees for Medical Marijuana Use,” Employment Law Worldview Blog. June 15, 2015.
- Author, “10th Circuit Reverses EEOC Win After Lower Court Applied Wrong ADA Direct-Threat Standard,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, March 18, 2015.
- Author, “Freeman’s Background Check Win Has Little to Do with Background Checks, Everything to Do with EEOC Experts,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, February 27, 2015.
- Author, “That Delaware choice of law provision might not save your non-compete, at least when California is involved,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, February 6, 2015.
- Author, “President Obama Pushes Increased Funding and High Hopes for the DOL, EEOC, and NLRB in the FY 2016 Proposed Budget,” Employment Law Worldview Blog, February 3, 2015.