Christopher p banaszak

Christopher P. Banaszak

Shareholder

  1. Home
  2. Our People
  3. Christopher P. Banaszak

Christopher P. Banaszak is a shareholder in Reinhart’s Labor and Employment Practice, serves as chair of the Litigation Practice, and is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He regularly represents clients involved in a range of employment-related disputes before state and federal courts as well as before governmental and regulatory agencies. Chris is a skilled attorney who has experience representing clients with harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, ERISA and FMLA matters, non-compete agreements, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, whistleblower, trade secret, unfair competition, shareholder dispute, breach of fiduciary duty and duty of loyalty matters, employment discrimination, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, and employee health and safety disputes.

Drawing on two decades of experience, Chris provides clients with proactive legal advice as his accumulated knowledge enables him to identify issues, provide solutions, and address problems before they arise. Clients appreciate this approach as it saves them time, energy, and money by avoiding problems in the future. Playing a role in helping business owners navigate the complex process of labor and employment disputes is a rewarding aspect of Chris' career. He enjoys playing a role in helping others resolve conflicts advantageously so they can focus their attention on what matters most: their business.

Chris's desire to help others in a position of need extends beyond the walls of his office since he recognizes the importance of giving back to the community. Therefore, he is actively involved with the Cathedral Center which is focused on providing safe environments for women and families while working to end homelessness as well as the Malaika Early Learning Center which works with families to establish strong academic, social, and emotional foundations for Milwaukee's economically disadvantaged children.

Chris primarily focuses on the following industries:

  • Trade Secret and Nondisclosure Counseling

  • Disputes Between Employers and Former Employees

  • Employment Counseling, Compliance and Advice

  • Employment Litigation

  • Audits and Training

  • Environmental Litigation

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Marquette University Law School
  • B.S., Marquette University

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan

Matters

In addition to handling trials and administrative hearings, Mr. Banaszak represents clients in civil and administrative appeals, and in peer review and other internal proceedings:

  • Represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law

  • Represents employers in litigation involving employment related claims

  • Works with businesses to proactively develop employment strategies, policies and procedures, drafting and reviewing employee handbooks, contracts and other documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations

  • Advises clients with respect to a variety of employment-related issues including employment aspects of sales and acquisitions, employment contracts, noncompete and confidentiality agreements, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, wage and hour, WARN compliance, affirmative action, OSHA, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation, sexual and other workplace harassment, family and medical leave laws, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and ERISA

  • Litigation practice includes employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, whistleblower, wage and hour, ERISA, FMLA and other employment-related disputes before state and federal courts, as well as before governmental and regulatory agencies

  • Represents employers in unemployment compensation, worker's compensation and employee health and safety disputes

  • Represents companies in disputes involving non-compete agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty and duty of loyalty claims and other unfair competition claims

  • Represents shareholders and companies in ownership disputes including shareholder oppression and related claims

Many of Chris's cases have resulted in reported decisions. Here are some examples:

  • United States v. WHPC-DWR, LLC, No. 10–CV–0590, 2011 WL 6817921 (E.D. Wis. Dec. 28, 2011) (holding that defendants did not violate the federal Fair Housing Act)

  • Reliable Fire Equip. Co. v. Arredondo, 965 N.E.2d 393 (Ill. 2011) (clarifying the standard that Illinois courts must use when evaluating the enforceability of restrictive covenants between employers and employees)

  • InfoCorp, LLC v. Hunt, 2010 WI App 3, 323 Wis. 2d 45, 780 N.W.2d 178 (holding that under Wisconsin law, employees owe a duty of loyalty to their employers)

  • Carney v. CNH Health & Welfare Plan, 2007 WI App 205, 305 Wis. 2d 443, 740 N.W.2d 625 (dispute regarding employee benefits Koski v. Standex Int'l Corp., 307 F.3d 672 (7th Cir. 2002) (holding that former long term employee could not pursue age discrimination claim against employer)

  • Servais v. Kraft Foods Inc.,2002 WI 42, 252 Wis. 2d 145, 643 N.W.2d 92 (affirming Court of Appeals holding that plaintiffs could not pursue antitrust claims against defendants)

  • Marino v. Arandell Corp., F. Supp. 2d 947 (E.D. Wis. 1998) (addressing dismissal of state law claims preempted by Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Act)

Honors & Affiliations

Honors

  • Best Lawyers in America (Employment Law-Individuals)

  • Selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers

  • Benchmark Litigation: Wisconsin Litigation Star

Affiliations

  • State Bar of Wisconsin

  • Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association

  • Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association

  • Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Bar Association

  • American Bar Association (Litigation and Labor sections)

  • Chair of Review Committee appointed by Wisconsin Board of Administrative Oversight to review the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation

  • Cathedral Center, Inc. (Former Board Member, President and member of Executive and Human Resource Committees)

  • St. Monica's Parish (Personnel Committee)

  • Malaika Early Learning Center (Past President, Board Member and member of Executive Committee)

News & Insights