Education

B.A., History and Political Science, with concentration in German, Duke University (1988)

Graduate Studies in Evolution of Democracies, East Asian Revolutions, Islam and German, Duke University.

Grundstufe Curriculum, Goethe Institute, Schwabisch Hall, Germany

J.D., Order of the Woolsack, St. Louis University School of Law (1992)

Professional Affiliations and Activities

Member, The Missouri Bar

Member, The Illinois State Bar Association

Member, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Admitted to practice before several United States District Courts and United States Courts of Appeals.

General Counsel, World Aquarium

Member, Emerging Leaders Council, St. Louis Science Center

Tactical Instructor, P.O.S.T. Certified Law Enforcement Training

Advisor, Apex Response Training Systems

Nationally Certified Instructor, Filipino Martial Arts (Inosanto Method)

Board Member, Huangse' Gebei Xi'Tong Shaolin Lohan

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tel: 314.862.0420 | email: | fax: 314.862.7010

hris Hesse is a Partner with the firm, practicing in the areas of labor and employment law and employment litigation. He represents management exclusively in diverse matters including discrimination based upon race, age, disability, gender, national origin and involving unlawful harassment, child labor, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, OSHA and WARN. Chris also assists clients with union avoidance and election campaigns, and negotiates collective bargaining agreements.

Chris has extensive experience dealing with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorneys' offices and various other law enforcement agencies. Chris practices routinely before state and federal agencies, as well as litigating in various state and federal courts. Chris has practiced before agencies and in courts in over 30 states and has advised clients on international employment issues as well. He represents municipalities, police and fire departments and other governmental entities regarding employment and labor matters. Chris is a regular speaker and advisor for the Missouri Police Chiefs' Association.

Chris spends a significant amount of time advising clients on a daily basis on all types of employment issues and regularly assists clients in taking corrective and preventative measures with employees. These issues include assisting with clients' administration of employee leaves of absence, hiring, discipline, termination, wage and hour, immigration, reductions-in-force, employee investigations, drug testing and employee privacy issues.

Chris lectures on issues regarding discrimination and sexual harassment, wage and hour laws, day-to-day handling of human resources issues and municipal labor and employment law.

Chris has received the highest possible rating ("AV") from Martindale-Hubbell.

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