Christine C. Carey

Representative Matters

Labor and Employment-Related Litigation

• Represented numerous employers defending against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases in state and federal courts across the country
• Overseeing and managing the defense of a hotel owner in the S.D.N.Y. against claims for Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) withdrawal liability brought by pension fund trustees
• Overseeing and managing the defense of a hotel owner in arbitration and the S.D.N.Y. regarding the limits imposed by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) on a union's right to seek certain operational business information from an employer. This and other issues are currently on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• Defended a DC-area government body in multi-plaintiff labor and employment litigation pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland involving claims of racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
• Helped obtain a favorable settlement for a team of surgeons in an arbitration proceeding governed by AAA regarding a non-compete clause in their LLC agreement
• Represented fire and police pension fund trustees against claims of breaches of their fiduciary duty; worked heavily on the actuary expert witness aspect of the case

Other Civil Litigation

• Representing a corporate entity challenging the constitutionality of New York City Local Law Int. No. 2397-A, which provides $500 per week in severance or unemployment pay to certain laid-off hotel workers, on the grounds that the law violates ERISA's express preemption clause, contravenes the NLRA's implicit preemption doctrine, violates the Contract Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and is preempted by New York state law. These issues are currently on appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• Participated as a member of a team advising an independent monitor appointed to oversee a global bank's implementation of multi-billion-dollar consumer relief obligations under a $7.2 billion DOJ RMBS settlement
• Assisted in the successful defense of a national poultry producer against a Clean Water Act citizen's lawsuit in a three-week bench trial before Judge William M. Nickerson in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Wrote motions in limine, prepared witnesses, drafted witness examination outlines, worked with technology vendors, coordinated with courtroom personnel, and helped to develop the defense's expert witness testimony
• Defended a regional bank in a securities class action case. Assisted with document production and worked with the Federal Reserve regarding the bank examiner's privilege
• Helped a national healthcare U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing lender in securing a substantial jury verdict against an international financial institution in the Circuit Court of Maryland for Montgomery County. The case involved complex issues arising out of a real estate loan made for the acquisition of a nursing home chain, subsequent securitization of the loan, sale of the commercial mortgage-backed securities, and intended HUD-guaranteed refinancing of the loan. Work included all facets of the litigation, from filing the complaint to post-trial motions
• Assisted a trial team representing a national healthcare HUD financing lender during a two-week bench trial before Vice Chancellor John W. Noble in Delaware's Court of Chancery. Supported the expert witness efforts, including preparation of a plaintiff's damages expert, and preparation for the cross-examination of defendants' damages and commercial mortgage-backed securities experts
• Participated in defending multiple financial institutions, in both state and federal courts, against claims by consumers alleging fraudulent practices in the extension of credit, wrongful handling of deposits or assessment of fees, and violation of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act
• Defended a publicly traded company in a § 158 action before the Delaware Court of Chancery in its refusal to lift restrictions on stock certificates in the possession of its former senior executives, who were convicted of healthcare fraud

Internal Investigations

• Led an internal investigation for a large Maryland- and District of Columbia-based nonprofit involving allegations that the CEO, the CFO, and one board member breached their fiduciary duties to the organization by violating their duty of candor and engaging in a conflicted transaction
• Led an internal investigation for a Maryland nonprofit in connection with allegations that supervisors created a racially hostile work environment for employees
• Conducted an internal investigation for a Maryland public school board to probe allegations of employee misconduct and misappropriation
• Conducted an internal investigation by a nonprofit corporation involving allegations of accounting fraud and embezzlement

Criminal Matters

• Represented a local community bank, the victim of theft and embezzlement by its former president. Regularly communicated with the USAO to provide assistance with its investigation
• Assisted in representing a national provider of managed care services in its attempt to be recognized as a crime victim; client was awarded restitution for healthcare fraud committed by several of its former executives
• Represented a Baltimore small business owner prosecuted by the USAO for healthcare fraud, receipt and delivery of misbranded drugs, and conspiracy to traffic in contraband cigarettes. Wrote the sentencing memorandum and developed expert medical testimony. Successfully obtained a sentence of in-home confinement, a departure from the advisory sentencing guidelines' recommendation of 18-24 months' imprisonment

Education

• J.D. summa cum laude University of Baltimore School of Law 2010
• • Member, University of Baltimore Law Review
  • Member, Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Team
  • Member, Phi Delta Phi
• B.A. Political Science magna cum laude Loyola Marymount University 2005

Bar Admissions

• Maryland

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Member, Venable Diversity Committee
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association
  
   

• The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021 – 2023

Pro Bono

• Represents the House of Ruth, an organization that assists victims of domestic violence in their applications for protective orders
• Serves as attorney, active volunteer, and supporter of Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service – specifically, its criminal record expungement program

Personal Activities

• Christine is a member of the firm’s Diversity Committee