When your job suddenly disappears right after you report harassment or your employer cuts your pay without any real explanation, finding the right attorney becomes critical. Employment law cases get complicated extremely fast, and most people have absolutely no idea where to start.
That’s exactly where Chris Houk comes in. Since 2005, he’s been representing Arizona workers, executives, and employers in cases that range from small-town discrimination disputes all the way to complex arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Chris Houk founded Houk Employment Attorneys in 2019 with a pretty straightforward philosophy: change the world one case at a time. Not the flashiest mission statement out there, but it’s deeply honest. Every single client gets treated like their case actually matters, not just another file number.
Real Experience Behind the Cases
Chris didn’t just study employment law sitting in a classroom somewhere. He actually spent years working directly in the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That means he knows exactly how these agencies think, what they look for, and how they build their cases.
Now he’s an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, teaching the next generation of lawyers. He’s also involved with the State Bar of Arizona, where he helps set professional standards and contributes to ongoing legal education across the state.
Types of Cases He Handles
Employment law covers a lot of ground. Chris handles wrongful termination, discrimination based on race or gender or disability, sexual harassment claims, retaliation after someone reports illegal conduct, and wage disputes when employers don’t pay what they owe.
He also works on non-compete agreements, separation agreements, and cases involving unpaid overtime. Basically, if it involves your rights as an employee or your obligations as an employer, his firm can handle it.
National Recognition Without the Big Firm Bureaucracy
Chris serves as co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section. He’s also an officer with the National Employment Lawyers Association and a Fellow with the American Bar Foundation. Those aren’t decorative titles. They reflect real involvement in shaping employment law at a national level.
But unlike big firms where your case gets handed off to junior associates, Chris keeps his practice intentionally small. Clients get direct access to someone who actually knows what’s happening with their case.
What Clients Say About Working with Him
Client reviews mention a few things repeatedly. First, he actually listens. People don’t feel like another file number. Second, he responds quickly and keeps clients updated. Third, he fights hard when cases need to go to court, but he’s realistic about outcomes and settlement options.
Chris has earned the Client Champion Gold award from Martindale-Hubbell and the Avvo Client’s Choice Award. Both are based on actual client reviews and ratings, not self-promotion or advertising spend.
Steps to Take If You Have an Employment Issue
- Document everything: emails, text messages, witness names, dates of incidents.
- Don’t sign anything from your employer without getting legal advice first.
- Keep copies of your employee handbook, pay stubs, and performance reviews.
- Call an employment attorney as soon as you suspect something’s wrong.
- Act fast because Arizona has strict deadlines for filing employment claims.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Houk has represented Arizona employment cases since 2005.
- He worked in the Civil Rights Division and EEOC before starting his firm.
- His firm handles discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and wage disputes.
- He serves as Co-Chair of the ABA Labor and Employment Section.
- He teaches employment law at ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
- Clients consistently rate him highly for responsiveness and fighting for their rights.
- Employment cases have extremely strict deadlines in Arizona, so consulting an attorney early really matters.
