Christopher M. Helsel

Overview

Chris Helsel is a trial attorney who focuses his practice on a wide range of business and other commercial disputes. Primarily, Chris represents the interests of businesses, non-profit foundations, and private clubs. Chris thrives in the courtroom but, recognizing that protracted litigation is often not in anyone’s best interest, he brings proven skill to discrete, behind-the-scenes tactical negotiation and diplomacy to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients.

Specifically, Chris’ experience includes the defense of matters involving alleged employment discrimination and retaliation, wrongful discharge, failure to accommodate, wage and hour disputes, business torts, defamation, professional liability, products liability, and premises liability. Chris regularly practices in the state and federal courts of Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York, and New Jersey, and has handled matters in other states by admission pro hac vice. In addition to litigation, Chris regularly represents clients in administrative proceedings before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state agencies.

Chris is also relied upon by his clients for his strategic employment counseling acumen, helping to avoid disputes before they arise. In furtherance of that aim, Chris regularly conducts comprehensive training sessions for management on anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation best practices to ensure strict compliance with federal and state law.

In the courtroom, Chris demonstrates exceptional litigation prowess, combining meticulous preparation with persuasive advocacy. His clients consistently praise his attention to detail and responsiveness throughout the litigation process and when they need him most. Chris approaches each case with a pragmatic mindset, developing tailored strategies that align with each client’s long- and short-term business objectives while vigorously protecting their interests. His ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear, compelling, and highly persuasive arguments, both in writing and in court, has proven particularly effective in achieving outstanding results for his clients throughout his career.

Chris’ experience prior to joining O’Hagan Meyer includes a judicial clerkship in New Jersey Superior Court and a litigation associate role with a mid-size national firm in New York City. Drawing upon his clerkship experience, Chris provides his clients with invaluable insights into judicial decision-making processes and is able to leverage each client’s distinct facts to realize the best possible outcome in any given dispute. Chris’s diverse litigation background equips him with the versatility to navigate multifaceted legal challenges with confidence and precision.

Experience

• Represented a wellness center in federal litigation regarding purported overtime violations and an improper commission scheme, achieving dismissal of all claims on summary judgment
• Represented a local non-profit in contentious federal employment discrimination/retaliation litigation, ultimately achieving dismissal of all federal claims on summary judgment and resolving the remainder of the dispute on highly favorable terms
• Represents a national homeowner association management company on various litigation and counseling matters
• Represented a hotel in complex multi-party litigation involving allegations of negligence, discrimination, retaliation, defamation, harassment, civil conspiracy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, achieving full dismissal of all claims on motion to dismiss
• Represented a disability services provider in negligence litigation, achieving dismissal of all claims on summary judgment
• Represented an owner of a facilities support contractor in retaliatory discharge litigation, achieving full dismissal of all claims on motion to dismiss

Professional

• Member, Virginia Bar Association
• Member, Alexandria Bar Association
• Member, DRI – Association for Civil Defense Attorneys

Community

Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, a local nonprofit that operates an apprentice program to provide a safe haven where at-risk young adults in need of a new start can learn career and life skills through hands-on woodworking and boatbuilding via one-on-one mentoring, personalized instruction, and project-based learning. Chris also regularly serves as a judge at the William & Mary undergraduate regional mock trial tournament.