Our Attorneys: Christopher C. Mason
Practice Areas
Employment litigation and advice; construction litigation; general business and commercial litigation; injunctive litigation
Experience
Mr. Mason has 24 years of experience litigating and advocating on behalf of his clients. These clients range from large, mid range and small companies, including startups, to corporate executives and other individuals with legal needs. He is committed at all times to cost effective, results driven advocacy. In negotiation and litigation, his approach is to identify each client’s leverage and bring it to bear for maximum impact.
Litigation
Mr. Mason’s litigation practice includes injunctions, torts such as interference with contracts and business expectancies, and all aspects of non-compete agreement, trade secrets and confidential information disputes. He has successfully prosecuted and defeated injunctive claims involving departing executives, business sales and intellectual property.
Employment Law
Mr. Mason also advises businesses and individuals on all aspects of employment law and compliance, including wage claims as to overtime and commission, sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation and internal employment investigations.
Contract Negotiation for Executives
In addition, Mr. Mason frequently advises high level corporate executives such as CEOs, COOs, CFOs, corporate counsel, and vice presidents on all aspects of their contractual negotiations, both at the beginning and end of a particular employment relationship.
These negotiations include all aspects of executive pay including salary and commission, restricted stock grants, stock options and severance pay. They also include contract issues such as good cause dismissal and good reason departure, change in control protections and reputation issues, including the managing of business media announcements and non-disparagement.
Mr. Mason’s clients include executives in all manner of industries, from Fortune 500 technology, biotech, and communications companies to international banks, regional health care institutions, insurance companies, retail and wholesale food services companies, internet commerce companies and start-ups. His work includes interaction with board representatives, senior management and venture capital partners. In this field, Mr. Mason often works with skilled compensation, tax and outplacement consultants to further ensure the executive is well positioned at each stage of his or her relationship.
Education
Arizona State University School of Law, J.D. 1984
Bowdoin College, B.A. Government, cum laude 1980
Honors and Awards
O’Connor, Cavanagh Trial Advocacy Award
Order of the Barristers
Professional Memberships
Federal Bar Association
Washington State Bar Association
King County Bar Association
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
American Trial Lawyers Association
American Judicature Society
Community Activities
Director, Food Lifeline
