Christopher Onstott, Shareholder

Chris focuses on employment litigation and commercial litigation. He has defended employers in employment litigation, including defending against race, sex, and disability discrimination and harassment claims, as well as wage-and-hour violations. He also has litigated numerous commercial cases, including cases involving misappropriation of trade secrets, product liability, insurance bad faith, and breach of contract claims.

Prior to joining Kronick, Chris worked in the Sacramento office of a statewide labor and employment law firm representing California employers. Chris also completed a clerkship on the United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit for Judge Walter K. Stapleton.

Chris previously lived in Argentina for two years and is fluent in Spanish.

Legal Experience

Chris’s practice addresses the spectrum of labor and employment law issues facing employers, including:

  • Compliance with other state and federal laws, such as Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • Defend against Unfair Labor Practice claims
  • Defend MOU/CBA grievance arbitrations
  • Disciplinary actions
  • Discrimination and harassment claims
  • Employee benefits, including compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
  • Employee handbooks and other personnel policies
  • Employee leave and compliance with regulations, including the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnancy Disability Leave Act (PDL), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Employee terminations
  • Employment contracts and arbitration agreements
  • Labor Law
  • Wage-hour class actions
  • Workplace Investigations
  • Workplace privacy matters, including identity theft

Practice Examples

Employment Litigation

  • Successful defense of single plaintiff race and sex harassment case for a public agency, resulting in favorable outcome after multiple motions in limine granted at trial.
  • Successful defense in wage-and-hour class actions alleged against multiple in-state and out-of-state clients.
  • Obtained summary judgment and judgment on the pleadings in favor of client city in civil rights action brought by a police officer alleging various constitutional The district court’s ruling was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
  • Obtained summary judgment against an employee alleging disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and constructive discharge against an employer.
  • Successfully mediated numerous employment and business disputes, including employment discrimination claims and wage-and-hour class actions.
  • Represented California employers on how to protect trade secrets and on compliance with California wage-and-hour laws, including meal and rest breaks, expense reimbursement, leaves of absence, and other California employment
  • Successful defense of numerous arbitrations concerning employee grievances and discipline.
  • Conducted numerous Spanish-language witness interviews and investigations.

Commercial Litigation

  • Represented 1000+ employee non-profit organization in successful litigation against the former management company.
  • Represented Arco Arena, and Maloof Sports & Entertainment, Inc. in defense of disability discrimination claims.
  • Represented Nor-Cal Beverage, in defense of trade dress claims brought against Go Girl Energy drink.
  • Represented California-based joint powers insurance authority in insurance bad faith
  • Successfully opposed an application for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in a “bet-the-company” action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets.
  • Represented municipalities in several lawsuits against bus
  • Represented school district in a five-week jury trial bringing breach of contract claims.
  • Part of the trial team that litigated a five-week trial on behalf of a Sacramento business that alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of joint venture agreement, and interference with contract against two national corporations.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

Chris is a frequent presenter on labor and employment law matters for various educational and professional organizations, including the National Business Institute (NBI), the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys, and the California Creditors Bar Association. His other professional activities & affiliations include:

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation & Litigation – Labor and Employment (2023-2024)
  • Northern California Super Lawyer (2016-2024)
  • Northern California Rising Star (2014-2015)
  • Top Lawyers, Sacramento Magazine (2016, 2019, 2021, 2023)
  • Political Action Committee Trustee, Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Chapter Chair, Sacramento Chapter of the Reuben Clark Law Society 2024-Present
  • Member, Sacramento Area Human Resources Association (SAHRA)
  • Member, Roseville Economic Development Advisory Committee (2015-2017)
  • Former Chair, Executive Committee, Sacramento County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (2014-2015)
  • Graduate, Roseville Leadership Program (2012)
  • California State Bar #225968

Admitted to Practice

  • All California State Courts
  • United States District Courts, Southern, Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California
  • United States Court of Appeals, Third and Ninth Circuits
  • United States Supreme Court

Academic Background

J.D. University of Texas, 2002 (High Honors)

B.A. Brigham Young University, 1999 (Magna Cum Laude)