Kris Woliver advises her clients on all aspects of employment law and advocates on their behalf in complex litigation, with specialties in ERISA and commercial contract litigation.

Kris provides practical counseling to multi-state companies to ensure their employee policies and practices further corporate goals while minimizing legal risk. Having recently completed a six-month secondment serving as global employment counsel for a publicly traded financial technology company, Kris has a unique understanding of how to best deliver employment legal guidance for practical and efficient implementation.

When employee disputes arise pre-litigation, Kris is adept at facilitating clean resolution and working with clients to create new protocols for avoiding similar issues in the future. Kris specifically 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 systemic harassment and discrimination.

Kris also regularly defends companies in employee-based lawsuits, including against all varieties of discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, wage and hour disputes (including nationwide class actions), executive compensation, and other wrongful termination or contractual matters.

Kris’ specialties in complex litigation include expertise in ERISA benefits and fiduciary duty matters, along with commercial contract disputes. In the ERISA space, she is skilled at simplifying complex benefits claims and 401(k)/403(b) disputes, and has successfully resolved such matters all over the country. 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. As to commercial contract disputes, Kris is quick to understand the business’ priorities and fiercely advocates for successful outcomes. Kris recently obtained full dismissal of multi-claim contract-based action and also recently secured a high damages breach of contract victory.

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.

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  • 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
  • Recognized in Columbus CEO magazine’s 2023 Top Lawyers in the Columbus area
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021-2023: Ones to Watch for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law in Columbus
  • Selected, Leadership Columbus Class, 2022

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