Background
ERISA-focused attorney with expertise in employee benefit litigation. Regarded for dedicated client service, creative problem solving and deep knowledge of ERISA Taft-Hartley trusts, specifically MPPAA withdrawal liability.
A litigator focused on ERISA governance, Chris Humes uses his employee benefits expertise to navigate issues with trusts, regulatory compliance, litigation and dispute resolution. Chris helps ensure multiemployer trust funds’ employee benefit plans comply with federal guidance from Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL).Working primarily with Taft-Hartley trusts, Chris frequently drafts summary plan descriptions to be used as employee benefit handbooks. He keeps his clients up to date on federal and state regulations including the Affordable Care Act and the Pension Protection Act. He also has experience pursuing employers that do not pay required employee benefit contributions and has particular expertise in withdrawal liability related to ERISA.
Chris is also skilled in educational labor law issues, including representing the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-Technical Employees (CCASAPE).
During and prior to law school, Chris served as a teacher in the Clark County School District for students with visual impairments.
Representative Matters
- Obtained summary judgment against an illegal double breasting operation, prevailing on claims of assumption of a collective bargaining agreement, alter ego and single employer. The judgment resulted in over $1M in employee benefit contributions owed to the Trust Funds. Board of Trustees of Construction Industry Laborers Health Welfare Trust v. Sentinel Maint. of Las Vegas, LLC, No. 2-22-CV-565-JCM-NJK, 2024 WL 1300094 (D. Nev. Mar. 27, 2024).
- Obtained summary judgment against Nevada Labor Commissioner that state statute purporting to regulate trusts was preempted by ERISA. Board of Trustees of the Glazing Health and Welfare Trust v. Chambers, 168 F. Supp.3d 1320 (D. Nev. March 10, 2016). After the Nevada legislature modified the statute and a 2-1 Ninth Circuit decision reversing the district court, obtained unanimous en banc opinion from Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that the issue was moot. 941 F.3d 1195 (9th Cir. 2019) (en banc).
- Obtained temporary restraining order against the Clark County School District due to an alleged Open Meeting Law Violation, halting its plan to remove over 170 people from their Dean of Students positions. The restraining order combined with public pressure caused the District to abandon its plan of removing all of the Deans.
- Obtained judgment after trial for full amounts owed including delinquent contributions, liquidated damages, interest, attorney’s fees and audit fees. Trustees of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 525 Health and Welfare Trust and Plan v. Sotelo, 2018 WL 3240959 (D. Nev. July 3, 2018).
Insights & Publications
Insights & Publications
News
News
Credentials
Education
- J.D., 2012, UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, magna cum laude
- M.S., 2010, Portland State University
- B.A., 2004, Western Oregon University
Previous Experience
United States Army National Guard
Admissions
- Nevada
- U.S. District Court, Nevada
Memberships
State Bar of Nevada
Clark County Bar Association
Howard D. Mckibben American Inn of Court
Community Involvement
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Families for Effective Autism Treatment, Board Member
Recognition
AWARDS:
Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025
Super Lawyers, Mountain States, Rising Stars, 2022
Vegas Inc Top Lawyers, Labor Employment, 2021
Army Achievement Medal, two-time recipient
Legal Elite, Nevada Business Magazine, 2017
