Christopher Walker Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois And Plano, Texas

Chicago, Illinois

►Lead all aspects of the employment and benefits legal practice group with enterprise-wide accountability for the human resources and people strategy.►Trusted advisor to CHRO and senior leadership regarding company’s commitment to fair employment practices and compliance with OFCCP. Track each department to ensure retention of diverse workforce.►Respond to pre-litigation demands and litigation matters including the management of outside counsel.►Respond to HR business partner… Show more ►Lead all aspects of the employment and benefits legal practice group with enterprise-wide accountability for the human resources and people strategy.►Trusted advisor to CHRO and senior leadership regarding company’s commitment to fair employment practices and compliance with OFCCP. Track each department to ensure retention of diverse workforce.►Respond to pre-litigation demands and litigation matters including the management of outside counsel.►Respond to HR business partner questions on Title VII, FLSA, ADEA, ADA, ERISA, COBRA, and OWBPA.►Counsel Vice President of Compensation on deferred compensation, long term incentives, PTO purchase and buy back, and the successful implementation and enforcement of protective covenants for all executives.►Strategize with Vice President of Benefits regarding plan design and administration of qualified pension, 401(k), group health, severance and wellness programs provided to 24,000 employees nationwide.►Lead and counsel fiduciary and governance committees on benefit plans, incentives, HR policies, wellness programs, investments, and workforce strategy.►Draft and implement trainings and policies involving independent contractors, drug testing, harassment, disability, parental leave, workplace flexibility, and telecommuting.►Advise Employee Relations on union negotiations, collective bargaining agreements, medical leaves, workplace accommodations, EEOC charge responses, immigration, discipline, performance management, and RIFs.►Advance diversity objectives by diverting outside counsel spend to minority and women owned firms. Long time member of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). ►Earned the Health Care Service Corporation HR Star Team Leadership Award. Show less

San Francisco, California And Denver, Colorado

►Led operations for Compliance department providing client services, regulatory guidance, & strategic planning.►Advised consultants and clients on benefits and HR laws including ERISA, COBRA, ADA, MSP, HIPAA, FMLA, wellness, cafeteria 125 plans, regulatory investigations, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation.►Presented to a wide range of audiences on complex legal topics including ACA, ERISA, DOL audits, Supreme Court rulings, and mergers and acquisitions.►Improved… Show more ►Led operations for Compliance department providing client services, regulatory guidance, & strategic planning.►Advised consultants and clients on benefits and HR laws including ERISA, COBRA, ADA, MSP, HIPAA, FMLA, wellness, cafeteria 125 plans, regulatory investigations, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation.►Presented to a wide range of audiences on complex legal topics including ACA, ERISA, DOL audits, Supreme Court rulings, and mergers and acquisitions.►Improved quality and response times to client questions and projects via an inquiry intake system. Show less

Denver, Colorado

►Advised HR and Employee Relations on employment issues including FMLA, ADA, disability, workplace accommodations, medical leave, employment agreements, severance plans, adoption assistance, and EAP.►Counseled HR leadership on complex employee benefits issues involving plan design and administration of qualified retirement and group health plans provided to employees nationwide.►Trusted advisor to the President of the $150M Anthem Foundation; provided counsel on corporate giving and… Show more ►Advised HR and Employee Relations on employment issues including FMLA, ADA, disability, workplace accommodations, medical leave, employment agreements, severance plans, adoption assistance, and EAP.►Counseled HR leadership on complex employee benefits issues involving plan design and administration of qualified retirement and group health plans provided to employees nationwide.►Trusted advisor to the President of the $150M Anthem Foundation; provided counsel on corporate giving and private foundation compliance including the IRS code, self-dealing and non-profit tax issues.►Advised fiduciary committees on plan administration and corporate governance.►Managed regulatory compliance projects involving MSP, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, DOMA, and HIPAA.►Responded to regulatory audits and investigations by the DOL, insurance departments, and IRS.►Served as Co-Chair of the Anthem Legal Department Diversity Committee. Show less

Greenwood Village, Colorado

►Lead attorney advising Healthcare Operations business unit on COBRA, Cal-COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, prompt pay, MEWAs, Coordination of Benefits and Medicare Secondary Payer claims. ► Advised Human Resources on health and welfare benefit programs.

Seattle, Washington

►Employee Benefits Associate

Denver, Colorado

►Human Capital Consultant focused on ERISA and employee benefit plans

Doctor Of Law (J.D.)

Political Science