Tipping, Valerie E. Neal

Christopher Thrutchley has advised and defended employers in labor, employment, and business matters for nearly 20 years. Attorneys in the legal community have rated Chris "AV® Preeminent," the highest rating for legal ability and ethics earned by only 12% of attorneys in North America. Tulsa People magazine has listed Chris as one of Tulsa’s "Top Lawyers."

Chris is one of few employment lawyers in the nation to be certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), an internationally recognized designation conferred for senior-level mastery of the strategic and functional areas of human resources. Chris capitalizes on his unique knowledge and experience as a former human resources director with responsibility for over 3,250 union and non-union employees to provide daily, strategic counsel to unionized and non-unionized employers of all sizes and types, from large fortune 500 companies to small businesses, state agencies, county governments, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. Chris proactively teams with clients to design, implement, and audit best employment practices to achieve strategic objectives, foster continually improving employee relations, and reduce risk of costly liability. Chris is also a trial lawyer who regularly defends employers and businesses in state and federal courts, as well as state and federal agencies.

Chris earned his law degree with highest honors from the University of Tulsa, where he was inducted into the Order of the Curule Chair, the highest academic accolade conferred by the College of Law. Chris served as Editor-in-Chief of the Tulsa Law Review and received the highest scores in several classes, including Labor Law. After law school, Chris joined one of Oklahoma’s largest law firms and gained significant litigation experience serving businesses of all sizes. Chris later joined one of Oklahoma’s largest employers as Human Resources Director where he designed and delivered management training; ensured compliant employment policies, procedures, and practices; counseled strategic business partners in labor and employment matters; investigated complaints of harassment and discrimination; managed performance and disciplinary processes; reviewed and approved disciplinary actions; managed FMLA, ADA, and other leave processes; and assisted in labor relations, collective bargaining, and contract administration and enforcement.

Chris is a frequent author and speaker on a variety of labor, employment, and HR subjects, including breaking e-discovery trends and the impact on employers. He has served in various leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section, Vice President of Legal Legislative Affairs for the Tulsa Area HR Association, Vice President of Programs for the Tulsa EEO Coordinators’ Association, and Board Member and Director of the Oklahoma Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division.