Education and Professional Background

Christopher Ellison earned his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law, one of California’s most respected legal institutions, and his Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University. His academic foundation prepared him for the rigorous, evidence-driven approach to employment law that defines his practice today.

Over the course of his 20-year career, Christopher has been an active member of several professional organizations that reflect his commitment to workers’ rights and high-caliber legal practice, including:

• California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA)
• Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)
• Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
• John M. Langston Bar Association

These memberships are not resume credentials — they reflect an active, engaged legal professional who stays current with California employment law developments, attends continuing legal education in the field, and participates in professional communities dedicated to advancing workers’ rights.

Teaching, Advising, and Giving Back

Christopher Ellison’s legal career extends beyond the courtroom. He has served as an adjunct professor at UCLA Extension and West Los Angeles College, sharing his legal knowledge with students aspiring to enter the legal field. Teaching is not a sideline — it is a reflection of how Christopher approaches client communication. He believes that when clients understand their legal situation clearly, they make better decisions and achieve stronger outcomes.

Christopher also served as a contract advisor for the NFL Players Association, providing professional athletes with guidance on complex contractual matters. That experience reinforced a principle that runs through every client engagement at Ellison & Associates: high-stakes representation demands meticulous preparation, clear communication, and an unflinching commitment to the client’s best outcome — regardless of how powerful the opposing party may be.

Why Christopher Ellison Founded Ellison & Associates

Southern California’s workforce is one of the most diverse and dynamic in the country — and one of the most vulnerable to employer misconduct. From entertainment industry workers in Burbank and Glendale to warehouse employees along the I-10 corridor in the Inland Empire, from healthcare workers in Orange County to hospitality staff throughout Los Angeles, California employees face illegal workplace conduct at every level of the economy.

Christopher Ellison founded Ellison & Associates to give those workers access to the kind of representation that employers take for granted. Large companies retain experienced employment defense firms the moment a complaint is filed. They investigate aggressively, document carefully, and position themselves for the best possible outcome. Christopher built Ellison & Associates to level that playing field — to ensure that the employee across the table from a well-resourced employer has an equally prepared, equally committed legal advocate.

A Litigation-Ready Approach from Day One

Many employment law firms approach cases hoping for a quick settlement. Ellison & Associates approaches every case as if it is going to trial. That distinction matters enormously. When an employer knows that opposing counsel is willing and prepared to litigate, settlement negotiations look very different. The preparation required for trial — thorough documentation, preserved evidence, expert consultation, well-mapped timelines — is the same preparation that produces maximum results at every stage.

As a Christopher Ellison employment attorney client, you will receive:

• Direct access to Christopher Ellison — not a case manager or paralegal handling your matter
• Clear explanation of your legal rights under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the California Labor Code, and federal law
• Evidence-driven case building from the first consultation — including guidance on preserving communications, pay records, and documentation
• Strategic advice on whether your case is best resolved through negotiation, an agency filing with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), or litigation
• Zealous advocacy at every stage — with the preparation to escalate when necessary

Employment Law Practice Areas

Ellison & Associates handles the full spectrum of California employment law disputes. Every case begins with a confidential consultation where Christopher personally listens, identifies the core legal issue, and outlines your options.

Employment Discrimination

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act provides some of the strongest anti-discrimination protections in the country, covering race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, pregnancy, and more. If your employer made adverse employment decisions based on any protected characteristic — whether in hiring, promotion, pay, job assignments, or termination — you may have a viable discrimination claim. Ellison & Associates handles age discrimination, disability discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, LGBTQ+ discrimination, and race discrimination cases across Southern California.

Sexual Harassment

California law prohibits both quid pro quo harassment — where employment benefits are conditioned on submission to unwanted conduct — and hostile work environment harassment, where severe or pervasive conduct makes it unreasonable to continue working. Employers have an affirmative duty to prevent and correct sexual harassment. When they fail, they face significant liability. Christopher Ellison represents employees who have been harassed by supervisors, coworkers, and third parties in workplaces across Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Diego.

Retaliation and Whistleblower Protection

California Labor Code Section 1102.5 and FEHA both prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who report violations, oppose unlawful practices, or participate in investigations. Retaliation often takes subtle forms — sudden negative performance reviews, reduced hours, reassignment to undesirable positions, or termination shortly after protected activity. Ellison & Associates acts quickly in retaliation cases to document the connection between the protected activity and the adverse employment action while the evidence is fresh.

Wage and Hour Violations

California has some of the most employee-protective wage and hour laws in the nation, including strict meal and rest break requirements, overtime regulations, minimum wage protections, and restrictions on employee misclassification. Violations are common, particularly among employers in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and logistics. Ellison & Associates pursues unpaid wages, missed break premiums, overtime violations, and waiting time penalties on behalf of workers throughout Southern California.

Wrongful Termination

Although California is an at-will employment state, employers cannot terminate employees for illegal reasons — including discrimination, retaliation, or in violation of public policy. Wrongful termination claims require careful analysis of the circumstances surrounding separation, including the timing of the termination, any prior complaints or protected activity, and how similarly situated employees were treated. Ellison & Associates investigates thoroughly before filing, building the strongest possible evidentiary record.

Serving Workers Across Southern California

Ellison & Associates represents employees throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County. The firm serves clients in communities including Los Angeles, Irvine, Anaheim, Long Beach, Santa Ana, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Burbank, Glendale, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga.

Whether you work in a downtown Los Angeles high-rise, an Orange County corporate campus, a logistics warehouse near the I-10 or I-15 corridor, or a healthcare facility in San Diego, your workplace rights are protected under California law — and Christopher Ellison is prepared to enforce them.

Common Questions About Working with Christopher Ellison

How long has Christopher Ellison been practicing employment law in California?

Christopher Ellison has been practicing law in California for nearly two decades, with employment law as a core focus throughout his career. He is an active member of the California Employment Lawyers Association and has dedicated his firm exclusively to representing employees in workplace disputes.

Will Christopher Ellison personally handle my case?

Yes. At Ellison & Associates, clients work directly with Christopher Ellison. You will not be passed off to a paralegal or a junior associate after an initial consultation. Christopher is personally involved in case strategy, evidence gathering, and advocacy at every stage. That personal commitment is central to how the firm operates.

What types of employees does Ellison & Associates represent?

Ellison & Associates represents employees across all industries and job levels — from hourly workers in retail, food service, and logistics to salaried professionals in technology, healthcare, education, and entertainment. California employment law protections apply broadly, and Christopher Ellison evaluates each case based on the specific facts and applicable law, not the industry or job title.

Does Ellison & Associates offer a free consultation?

Yes. Ellison & Associates offers a free, confidential initial consultation for all prospective employment law clients. During that consultation, Christopher listens to what happened, identifies the relevant legal issues, and gives you a clear picture of your options. There is no pressure and no obligation. You leave with clarity about where your situation stands.