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Christine Netski
Chair, Employment Law Group
Co-Chair, Business Disputes Group

Christine M. Netski

Partner

617.227.3030
[email protected]
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Christine Netski
Chair, Employment Law Group
Co-Chair, Business Disputes Group
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Chris concentrates her practice in the areas of business and employment litigation and advice, assisting clients in a variety of industries, including technology, biotechnology, professional services, insurance, real estate, health care, retail and manufacturing.

As an experienced trial lawyer, Chris brings a strategic and pragmatic approach to litigating cases – whether before juries, judges or arbitrators – and serves as a trusted advisor to her clients, partnering with them to successfully resolve high-stakes disputes both inside and outside the courtroom.

In her business litigation practice, Chris represents clients in matters involving non-competition and non-solicitation covenants; trade secrets; breach of contract; breach of fiduciary duty; fraud; civil conspiracy; defamation and unfair and deceptive trade practices.

Chris’s employment practice includes representing employers in cases involving allegations of race, gender, age and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge and other employment-related claims and advising employers on legal compliance and best practices in the workplace. She also assists employers and business executives in drafting and negotiating employment contracts and severance agreements.

Chris collaborates with clients to understand all facets of the most complex legal challenges and to thoroughly evaluate the risks and benefits of alternative paths forward. Chris’s ability to realistically analyze how a dispute is likely to unfold allows her to guide her clients toward outcomes that are closely aligned with their business objectives.

Chris’s strong facilitation skills enable her to build consensus, promote teamwork, and foster a highly professional and collegial work environment.

Outside the firm, Chris has held many leadership positions in the Boston legal community, including as President of the Boston Bar Association, as a Trustee of the Boston Bar Foundation, as Co-Chair of the Women’s Bar Association’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and as Vice President of the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

More about Christine

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  • Jury verdict in favor of recruitment outsourcing software and service provider, defeating multi-million dollar claim by customer for alleged fraud, negligent misrepresentation and breach of contract, resulting in a $2.1 million judgment on provider’s counterclaim for breach of contract
  • $4 million arbitration award on behalf of appliance manufacturer seeking contractual indemnification against a component part supplier for underlying property damage claims arising out of defect in component part
  • Jury verdict in favor of Oracle Applications implementer on claim by customer seeking to recover consequential damages for breach of “fixed bid” contract
  • Preliminary injunction in favor of national provider of audio-visual equipment for live business and entertainment events enjoining former salesperson from working for competitor.
  • Pre-trial dismissal of contract and promissory estoppel claims brought by commercial lessee against municipality, seeking to enjoin public waterfront revitalization project.
  • Massachusetts defense counsel for two major national retailers in discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour, and public accommodation claims
  • Favorable summary judgment rulings for employers in numerous discrimination, sexual harassment and civil rights matters
  • Successful appeal overturning employee’s jury verdict against employer based upon lack of subject matter jurisdiction over workers’ compensation claims
  • Favorable resolution on behalf of seller of software company of buyer’s claims for breach of stock purchase agreement and violations of Chapter 93A in connection with certain representations and warranties and the alleged failure to transfer certain software licenses
  • Summary judgment in favor of release of information service provider that precluded named plaintiffs and prospective class members from recovering damages in class action asserting that provider had imposed unlawful charges when fulfilling medical records requests
  • Pre-trial dismissal of class allegations in consumer protection action brought against vehicle storage and auction facility for alleged unfair and deceptive trade practices in connection with its standard notice to vehicle owners
  • Favorable resolution of a defamation and commercial disparagement claim on behalf of a consumer product manufacturer alleging that the sponsor of an educational seminar for the client’s customers made false statements concerning the client’s products
  • Summary judgment in favor of a consumer product manufacturer in misrepresentation claim by patent owner seeking a licensing arrangement, based upon a successful Daubert challenge to the plaintiff’s proposed expert testimony on lost profits
  • Preliminary injunction on behalf of technology consulting firm against a former employee and favorable settlement with new employer after discovery on employee’s misappropriation of trade secrets and violation of the injunction
  • Representation of major mutual fund company in non-compete case against high-profile portfolio manager, resulting in favorable settlement on the eve of evidentiary hearing on company’s request for injunctive relief
Community Presence
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  • Boston Bar Association (President, 2019-2020; President-Elect, 2018-2019; Vice President, 2017; Treasurer and Chair, Finance Committee, 2015; Member, Executive Committee, 2013-2016, 2017-2020; Member, Council, 2012-2016; Member, Advisory Committee of Women’s Leadership and Advancement Forum, 2021-present; Co-Chair, BBA Task Force on the Future of the Profession, 2010-2011; Co-Chair, BBA Strategic Planning Committee, 2008-2009; Chair, BBA Nominating Committee, 2007; Member, Litigation and Labor and Employment Sections)
  • Boston Bar Foundation (Trustee, 2017-present; Society of Fellows Committee, 2012-2016)
  • Women’s Bar Association (Co-Chair, Women’s Leadership Initiative, 2011-2012; Co-Chair, Appointments, Awards & Endorsements Committee, 2006-2008; Co-Chair, Senior Practice Group, 2002-2006)
  • Boston University School of Law, Small-Midsized Firm Apprenticeship Program (Member, Advisory Board 2014-present)
  • Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Vice President, 2011-2015; Board Member, 2010-2011)
  • Board of Editors, Boston Bar Journal (Chair, 2004-2007; Member, 2002-2007)
Publications
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  • Co-author, “The Family and Medical Leave Act: An Employer Perspective,” Massachusetts Employment Law (MCLE, Inc. 2021)
  • Co-author, “Leave Policies,” Massachusetts Wage and Hours Handbook, (MCLE, Inc. 2017)
  • Interference with Business Relations (MCLE, Inc. 2011)
  • Ethical “Red Flags” for Counsel Retained by Insurer to Defend Insured, BBA Employment Law Seminar (June, 1999)
  • Co-author, “Chapter 93A and Chapter 176D - Recent Developments,” a chapter in Raising the Stakes: Defending G.L. c. 93A and G.L. 176D Claims (Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, 1994)
Speaking Engagements
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  • Panelist, “Upping Your Litigation Game: Depositions and Hearings in the Virtual World,” MCLE 20th Annual Business Litigation Conference 2021, Februrary 2021
  • 4th Annual Bench Meets Bar, Boston University Law School, February 2021
  • Presenter, “Digital Accessibility on Today’s Campus: The Law, the Challenges, and Some Practical Approaches,” Boston Bar Association, October 2017
  • Presenter, “Self-Help Discovery: Ethical Breach or Protected Right,” Boston Bar Association, February 2017
  • Presenter, “Contract and Tort Update,” MCLE 19th Annual Employment Conference, December 2016
  • Presenter, “The Verdrager v. Mintz, Levin Case: Sex Discrimination, Retaliation and Discovery in the Law Firm Context,” Frank J. Murray Inn of Court, November 2016
  • Panelist, “Both Sides of the Bar,” Mass DLA/MATA, March 2016
  • Panelist, “The Supremes: Review of 2014 Employment Cases,” Boston Bar Association, September 2014
  • Panelist, “Connecting With Your Jury,” Women’s Bar Association, April 2014
  • Presenter, “Defending Depositions: What Every Litigator Needs to Know,” Boston Bar Association, April 2014
Professional Recognition
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  • Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
  • The Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation, 2013-Present, Litigation, Labor & Employment, 2016-Present, Employment Law - Management, 2018-Present)
  • Benchmark Litigation “Litigation Star,” Massachusetts, 2013-2016
  • Benchmark Litigation “Top 250 Women in Litigation,” Massachusetts, 2013-2014
  • Benchmark Litigation “First Circuit Litigation Star,” Massachusetts, 2013
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers (Business Litigation), 2005-Present; (Employment Litigation) 2021-Present; Top 100 Lawyers in Massachusetts, 2013, 2016, 2019-2021; Top 50 Female Lawyers in Massachusetts, 2008-2021; Top 50 Female Lawyers in New England, 2011-2013, 2015- 2020
  • Honoree, “Top Women of Law,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2012