Christian Keeney headshot

Christian J. Keeney

Principal
Orange County
P 949-885-1360
F 949-885-1380
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    Christian J. Keeney is a principal in the Orange County, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. 

    Christian is an accomplished litigator and trusted advisor to a national base of corporate clients. Whether it is a high-stakes lawsuit or a sensitive internal matter, clients appreciate Christian’s strategic and collaborative approach to employment law matters. 

    Christian represents employers in the full spectrum of employment litigation, including wage and hour class actions and PAGA representative actions, as well as individual claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Beyond the courtroom, Christian serves as a day-to-day strategic partner helping clients navigate an often confusing mix of federal, state, and local employment laws. 

    He is recognized as a leading attorney by Chambers & Partners and has been quoted on employment law matters in publications, including the Wall Street Journal. 

    Representative Experience

    • Obtained a unanimous defense verdict in a two-week jury trial of a $140 million wrongful termination lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
    • Secured dismissal of class claims in a number of “bet the company” class actions.
    • Achieved full summary judgment in a sexual harassment lawsuit after the California legislature declared that “workplace harassment cases are rarely appropriate for disposition on summary judgment.” 
    • Secured injunctive and monetary relief against a former high-level executive who attempted to use client trade secrets to start a competing business.

    Honors and Recognitions

    • Chambers USA, “Up and Coming: Labor & Employment” (2024-present)
    • California Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star” (2013-2022)

    Speeches

    • “From Crude to Confusing: A Refined Look at What’s New in California Employment Laws” American Petroleum Labor Lawyers Association (Houston, 2025) (presenter) 
    • “PAGA Amendments: Have Recent Changes Improved the Plight of Employers” American Association of Corporate Counsel, Southern California (Newport Beach, 2025) (presenter)
    • "California Workplace Law Update" Association of Corporate Counsel, Southern California (Webinar, 2025) (presenter)
    • “Stranger Things: The Craziest California Employment Cases,” APLLA Fall Conference (Houston, 2024) (presenter)
    • “California Midyear Employment Law Update,” (Webinar, 2024) (presenter)
    • ACC Southern California In House Counsel Conference,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Southern California (Anaheim, 2024) (presenter)
    • “California Workplace Law Update: Employment Trends,” Association of Corporate Counsel (Anaheim, 2024) (panelist)
    • “The Latest Developments in California Employment Law,” Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive (Colorado Springs, 2022) (presenter)
    • “Not So Fast! Don’t Rush Hiring Employees in California,” Navigating California Employment Law Seminar (Napa, 2022) (presenter)
    • “Is Any Absence Not Protected in California? Managing Leaves in a Challenging Environment,” California Employment Law & Cabernet (Napa, 2020) (presenter)
    • “Proactive and Prepared: Making Your Company Employment Litigation-Ready,” Workplace Strategies Seminar (Las Vegas, 2019) (presenter)
    • “Be Right Back . . . or Not: Managing California Employee Protected Leaves,” Navigating California Employment Law Seminar (Napa, 2019) (presenter)
    • “Legislative Update,” California Staffing Professionals (Tustin, 2019) (presenter)
    • “Protect Your Business From Lawsuits in 2019,” California Staffing Professionals (Webinar, 2019) (presenter)
    • “Did You ‘Really’ Just Say That? An Interactive Look at Handling Sexual Harassment Complaints,” ACC SoCal In-House Counsel Conference (Anaheim, 2018) (presenter)
    • “Navigating Our Ever-Changing Legal Landscape,” California Staffing Professionals Annual Staffing and Recruiting Conference (Rancho Mirage, 2018) (presenter)
    • “Lessons from the Courthouse: Key California Wage and Hour Practices and Policies,” Managing a Workforce in 2019 (Orange County, CA, 2018) (presenter)
    • “You Be The Judge: Interactive Presentation of the Most Important Staffing Cases,” California Staffing Professionals Owner’s Only Retreat (San Diego, 2018) (presenter)
    • “California 2017 Labor and Employment Law Update,” Managing a Workforce in 2018 (Orange County, CA, 2017) (presenter)
    • “Best Practices for Employee Handbooks,” Professional in Human Resources Association (Pomona, 2015) (presenter)
    • “Auditing Employee Handbooks and Workplace Policies,” Professional in Human Resources Association (Anaheim, 2015) (presenter)

    Credentials

    Education
    Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
    J.D.
    University of Kentucky
    B.A.
    Admitted to Practice
    California - C.D. Cal.
    California - E.D. Cal.
    California - N.D. Cal.
    California - S.D. Cal.
    California
    Delaware (inactive)
    Pennsylvania (inactive)

    Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
    J.D.
    University of Kentucky
    B.A.

    California - C.D. Cal.
    California - E.D. Cal.
    California - N.D. Cal.
    California - S.D. Cal.
    California
    Delaware (inactive)
    Pennsylvania (inactive)