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Chris Barrett

Associate

Chris Barrett litigates employment, commercial, and fair housing disputes for clients in state and federal courts across the country.

Overview


Chris Barrett concentrates his practice in employment litigation at the state and federal levels.

Chris is a seasoned litigator with more than a decade of experience representing clients in state and federal courts across the country. His practice spans employment law, general commercial litigation, and fair housing and accessibility matters. On the employment side, Chris handles disputes involving discrimination, wage and hour claims, restrictive covenants, and trade secrets. He also regularly advises and defends employers on the full range of legal challenges they face in the workplace.

As a member of Baker Donelson's Fair Housing and Accessibility Team, Chris counsels developers, property managers, and other housing providers on compliance with the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He has experience defending clients in administrative complaints before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and state and local enforcement agencies, as well as in enforcement actions brought by private individuals. The team's work covers a broad variety of housing types, including multifamily, senior living, student housing, and affordable housing.

Chris is licensed to practice law in California, Tennessee, and Connecticut.

  • Leveraged restrictive covenant and trade secret misappropriation claims in a federal court action to achieve a seven-figure settlement on behalf of a client.

  • Defeated a defamation lawsuit by prevailing on an anti-SLAPP petition, resulting in a court-ordered fee award to the client.

  • Obtained summary judgment dismissing claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Families First Coronavirus Response Act where the plaintiff alleged wrongful termination after requesting leave due to the loss of childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Supported trial team that achieved $7.4 million verdict in copyright infringement lawsuit.

  • Blocked service of summons in action on judgment in California where client faced $600,000 in liability.

  • Convinced opposing counsel to drop website accessibility lawsuit with one letter outlining legal deficiencies in the case.

  • Prevailed on strategic early motion for partial summary judgment which significantly limited damages at issue in lawsuit and forced favorable settlement.

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2024 – 2026)
  • Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2022, 2023)
  • Selected to Mid-South Rising Stars (2021 – 2024)
  • Legal Affairs Director – MT SHRM Board of Directors
  • "Employment Law 2026: EEOC Shifts, NLRB Direction, AI Risks, and Workforce Pressures" (March 2026)
  • "Back to the Basics – Employment Law under the Trump Administration" (September 2025)
  • "AI in Employment Law: What HR Professionals Need to Know" (July 2023)
  • "An Employer's Guide to Navigating the Interactive Process" (October 2022)
  • "Cancel Culture in the Workplace," Tennessee Gas Association Fall Management Conference (November 2021)
  • Coordinator/Moderator – "Effective Closing Arguments," ABA Section of Litigation Trial Practice Committee and Trial Evidence Committee (June 2021)
  • "How to Manage ADA- and FMLA-Related Leave," National Business Institute (April 2021)
  • "Using Handbooks to Protect Against Legal Liabilities: With Example Policies," National Business Institute (November 2020)
  • "Hiring and Firing: Legal Do's and Don'ts for Crucial HR Functions," National Business Institute (November 2020)
  • "Human Resource Law Boot Camp," National Business Institute (November 2018)
  • "Application of the FMLA Beyond the 50/75 Rule," Nashville Bar Association Employment Law Institute (October 2018)
  • "Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now," National Business Institute (November 2017)
  • "Human Resource Law from A to Z," National Business Institute (November 2016)

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