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Kris D. Meade

Partner | He/Him/His
Partner | He/Him/His
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Areas of Focus

Overview

Compliance with employment laws and regulations is always a challenge — particularly when an employer’s workforce is highly skilled, mobile, and innovation-focused. With an emphasis on technology, consulting, health care, higher education, and other information-driven industries, Kris works with boards of directors and senior corporate leadership to achieve their business goals through development of effective strategies focused on critical areas, including pay equity, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in making employment decisions, developing and maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs that comply with federal law, and retention of top talent. With regard to DEI, Kris has been conducting full assessments of client DEI programs, including employment programs and supplier diversity programs, to ensure compliance with the Executive Orders (EOs) issued by the current administration, with a particular focus on ensuring clients can certify compliance with all federal anti-discrimination laws.

Kris has decades of experience as a trusted advisor to leading multinational corporations and is a highly regarded labor and employment thought leader. With equal facility, he collaborates with senior executives, regulators, employee representatives, labor economists, and industrial and organizational psychologists to help businesses develop, implement, and manage forward-thinking, proactive employment policies and initiatives.

Among other issues, Kris conducts assessments of DEI programs following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Harvard/UNC cases and in light of the Trump Administration's executive orders; gender‐, race‐ and age‐based claims of systemic discrimination; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives; human capital reporting requirements; the use of AI and predictive analytics tools in hiring, training, promotion, and other employment processes; privacy standards and frameworks; and legislative advocacy and policy development.

Based in Washington, D.C., Kris has developed highly effective relationships with federal and state regulators across the country. Believing that action must be based on information, Kris has authored hundreds of articles, client alerts, and blog posts and speaks frequently before industry and legal groups on labor and employment regulation, compliance, litigation, and strategy.

Kris serves as a member of the Firm's Management Board, as co-chair of Crowell’s Regulatory and Policy Department, and co-chair of the Labor and Employment Group.

Career & Education

    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., honors
    • University of Michigan, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., honors
    • University of Michigan, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland

Kris's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.05.25

Attorney General Issues New Guidance to Federal Agencies Concerning its Interpretation of “Unlawful Discrimination”

On July 29, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued new guidance to all federal agencies entitled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” (“Guidance”). The Guidance purports to “clarif[y] the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to programs or initiatives that may involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (‘DEI’) programs.” It declares that “[e]ntities receiving federal funds . . . must ensure that their programs and activities comply with federal law and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics,” and identifies a series of “‘Best Practices’ as non-binding suggestions to help entities comply with federal antidiscrimination laws and avoid legal pitfalls.” The Guidance is the most comprehensive articulation of the Administration’s view of what constitutes unlawful DEI released since President Trump’s Executive Order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, issued on January 21, 2025....

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Recognition

  • Chambers USA: Labor and Employment, District of Columbia, 2020-2025
  • The National Law Journal: Crisis Leadership Trailblazer, 2021
  • The Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Labor and Employment, Washington, D.C., 2022-2025

Kris's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.05.25

Attorney General Issues New Guidance to Federal Agencies Concerning its Interpretation of “Unlawful Discrimination”

On July 29, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued new guidance to all federal agencies entitled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” (“Guidance”). The Guidance purports to “clarif[y] the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to programs or initiatives that may involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (‘DEI’) programs.” It declares that “[e]ntities receiving federal funds . . . must ensure that their programs and activities comply with federal law and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics,” and identifies a series of “‘Best Practices’ as non-binding suggestions to help entities comply with federal antidiscrimination laws and avoid legal pitfalls.” The Guidance is the most comprehensive articulation of the Administration’s view of what constitutes unlawful DEI released since President Trump’s Executive Order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, issued on January 21, 2025....

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Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.05.25

Attorney General Issues New Guidance to Federal Agencies Concerning its Interpretation of “Unlawful Discrimination”

Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.29.25

New Department of Education Interpretive Rule Ends Federal Education Grants for Undocumented Students

Press Coverage | 07.29.25

Top Gov't Contract Policies Of 2025: Midyear Report

Podcast | 07.10.25

Lightning Round: Certification & Enforcement Targets Under EO 14173: Status and What Every Employer Should be Doing

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Practices

Industries

Kris's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.05.25

Attorney General Issues New Guidance to Federal Agencies Concerning its Interpretation of “Unlawful Discrimination”

On July 29, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued new guidance to all federal agencies entitled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” (“Guidance”). The Guidance purports to “clarif[y] the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to programs or initiatives that may involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (‘DEI’) programs.” It declares that “[e]ntities receiving federal funds . . . must ensure that their programs and activities comply with federal law and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics,” and identifies a series of “‘Best Practices’ as non-binding suggestions to help entities comply with federal antidiscrimination laws and avoid legal pitfalls.” The Guidance is the most comprehensive articulation of the Administration’s view of what constitutes unlawful DEI released since President Trump’s Executive Order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, issued on January 21, 2025....

View All Insights