Christopher Wilkinson
Christopher Wilkinson

Christopher Wilkinson

Senior Counsel

Washington DC

Introduction

Chris helps clients solve employment-related compliance obligations.

Christopher Wilkinson represents clients facing large-scale investigations by federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the DOJ, and the Department of Labor (DOL). 

Chris also conducts investigations into sensitive matters at all levels of the workplace, including high-ranking executives. His experience leading the civil rights branch in the DOL’s Office of the Solicitor informs his approach to investigations and to evaluating the root causes of workplace misconduct. Chris brings that perspective to his work, advising clients of all sizes on their workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, pay equity, and wage and hour compliance obligations Chris’s practice entails working consistently with the firm’s government contracts and privacy and AI teams to provide broad services to clients facing complex interdisciplinary issues. 

Before joining Ashurst Perkins Coie, Chris served as the associate solicitor for civil rights and labor management at the DOL. In this role, he advised on government contractor equal employment opportunity regulatory and enforcement strategies and handled complex legal matters in federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States., He also oversaw union election enforcement work, transit labor certification matters, and appellate matters involving labor union practices.

Education & credentials

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., Senior Editor, Journal of Law and Politics, 1991
  • Rutgers University, B.A., 1988
  • California
  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliff, Washington, D.C., Partner, 2015-2020
  • U.S. Department of Labor, Civil Rights and Labor Management Division, Washington, D.C., Associate Solicitor, 2011-2015
  • U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, San Francisco, CA, Counsel for Civil Rights Programs, 2006-2011
  • U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, San Francisco, CA, Trial Attorney, 1999-2006
  • Seyfarth Shaw, San Francisco, CA, Senior Associate, 1996-1999
  • Gordon and Rees, San Francisco, CA, Associate, 1994-1996
  • Hancock, Rothert and Bunshoft, San Francisco, CA, Associate, 1991-1994

Professional recognition

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2020-2026

  • Named Top Lawyer by the Washingtonian, 2024

Impact

  • Law360, Diversity & Inclusion Editorial Board, Board Member, 2026
  • Institute for Workplace Equality, Faculty Member
  • Washington Latin Public Charter School, Washington, D.C., Board of Governors, President, 2016-present
  • Bridge Middle School, Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), Oakland, CA, Board of Directors, Secretary, 2008-2010