Christopher J. Banks
Overview
When your case needs to be tried, Chris Banks delivers. He is a seasoned trial lawyer and passionate advocate who specializes in simplifying complex matters for presentation to a jury or judge. Chris has spent a substantial portion of his career in court, cross examining witnesses, giving winning opening statements and closing arguments, and arguing nuanced legal issues. He also works hand-in-hand with companies and founders, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, to help them solve or avoid legal disputes before litigation arises.
Career & Education
- University of Nebraska, B.A., cum laude, 1994
- The George Washington University, M.A., with distinction, 1997
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2001
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Christopher's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 08.19.25
Webinar | 12.12.24
Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law
Speaking Engagement | 12.12.24
"Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Webinar.
Representative Matters
- Secured $415 million judgment for Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. after three-month jury trial that was upheld on appeal, generating a $523 million recovery for the client in 2014.
- Successfully defended aerospace company as lead trial lawyer against claims of unlawful termination and retaliation in the Western District of Washington in 2018.
- Successfully defended hospital network against claims for wrongful termination, disability discrimination, and retaliation as lead trial lawyer at arbitration hearing in 2018.
- Successfully defended software company in arbitration as lead trial lawyer on claims for breach of contract in 2019.
- Successfully obtained defense verdict and judgment for information network company as lead trial lawyer in jury trial alleging race discrimination in the District Court of Nevada in 2019.
- Successfully defended a billion-dollar reasonable royalty claim for online brokerage in trade secret misappropriation bench trial in California state court in 2016.
- Represented companies in the technology, healthcare, medical products, pet food, and fire protection industries in wage and hour class action and PAGA lawsuits.
- Obtained summary judgment for a multinational company in the Northern District of California against ERISA claims for prohibited transactions after class certification.
- Represented numerous companies and founders in pre-litigation separations in the technology, pharmaceutical, and other industries.
Christopher's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 08.19.25
Webinar | 12.12.24
Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law
Speaking Engagement | 12.12.24
"Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Webinar.
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America: Employment Law - Management
Christopher's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 08.19.25
Webinar | 12.12.24
Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law
Speaking Engagement | 12.12.24
"Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Webinar.
Insights
U.S. Department Of Labor Issues Proposed Rule On Independent Contractors
|01.23.23
Employee Benefit Plan Review
Crowell & Moring Lures Morgan Lewis Labor & Employment Litigator in San Francisco
|02.23.22
The Recorder
Trade Secrets Food Fight Spotlights Importance of Comprehensive Agreements
|09.30.22
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Non-Compete Agreements a Non-Starter? New Jersey Proposes Sweeping Non-Compete Legislation
|05.24.22
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Enforceability of Non-Compete Agreements; Recent Input from the DOJ
|03.22.22
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Christopher's Insights
Firm News | 9 min read | 08.21.25
Washington – August 21, 2025: The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 43 Crowell & Moring lawyers as Best Lawyers and 31 lawyers as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The publication also named partner Jason Murray as Lawyer of the Year for Antitrust Law in Los Angeles.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 08.19.25
Webinar | 12.12.24
Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law
Speaking Engagement | 12.12.24
"Navigating 2025: Key Updates and Reforms in California Employment Law," Crowell & Moring Webinar.