christine Breen
Christine E. Breen attended Vermont Law School, where she received a Master in Environmental Law and Policy in 2008 and her Juris Doctor in 2011. Christine concentrates her practice on employment law, commercial litigation, and civil litigation.
Christine’s employment practice includes claims for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under Title VII and the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, including gender, national origin, and sexual harassment claims, as well as disability discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and matters arising under the Family Medical Leave Act. Christine also enjoys advising on and litigating restrictive covenant issues, e.g. non-competes and non-solicitations, state wage and hour matters, as well as representing independent contractors on their breach of contract claims.
Christine also takes pride in advising businesses on personnel issues that arise and helping businesses navigate the inevitable complications that come with managing people. Christine finds that many issues between an employee and the employer may be resolved effectively while preserving the rights and dignity of all parties involved.
Christine co-authored an article for the 2019 June/July issue of Trial Talk discussing the various laws in Colorado that extend rights and protections to Colorado’s work-force. Christine has also lectured to the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association on Colorado employment laws and nuances that exist in practice. In 2018, Christine trained the Colorado Legislators, their aids and interns, as well as Capitol staff on sexual harassment in the workplace and appropriate workplace behavior.
When not in the office, Christine advocates for increased protections for women, families, and workers at the Colorado State Capitol. Christine serves on the Board for the Women’s Lobby of Colorado and is the organization’s treasurer. Christine Chairs the Legislative Committee for the Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association (PELA). Christine also serves on the Board for PELA. She has testified on numerous bills and worked with coalition members and stakeholders to advance legislation important for improving the lives and protections for Colorado residents. In 2023, Christine and her colleagues on the PELA Legislative Committee led the charge to pass groundbreaking legislation in Colorado, the Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights (POWR) Act, which increased non-disclosure and non-disparagement protections for Colorado workers, as well as eliminated the outdated "severe or pervasive" harassment standard in Colorado.
Practice Areas
Employment Law
Employment Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Civil Litigation
Education
Masters in Environmental Law and Policy, Vermont Law School
J.D., Vermont Law School
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Southern Methodist University
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Southern Methodist University
Admitted to Practice
Colorado
U.S. District Court of Colorado
U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
Professional Associations and Memberships
Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association - Board Members and Legislative Committee Chair
Colorado Bar Association - Labor and Employment Section
Adams County Bar Association
Boulder County Bar Association
Women’s Lobby of Colorado
Board Positions
Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association – Board Member and Legislative Committee Co-Chair
Women’s Lobby of Colorado - Treasurer
Awards
Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024
Super Lawyers, Colorado Rising Starts 2021, 2023,& 2024
Publications & Lectures
Raise Your Hand If You Know All The Employment Laws in Colorado. Hands Down. Read On. – 2019 June/July Edition of
Trial Talk
Chapter 28. Litigation of Employment Cases – The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Employment Law
A Discussion of Legal Framework to Regulate Fracking: Federal, State and Local Concerns. – June 2013, Royalty Owners Action Report
Presented: Updated Summary Judgment Standards of Federal Judge Rodriguez Martinez, 2022 PELA Retreat
Presented: State Employment Law Protections (Reviewing the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, Colorado Wage Claim Act, and Other State Law that Protect Employees) at the Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association’s 2019 Employment Law Seminar
Presented: 11th Amendment Immunity Considerations – 2018 PELA Retreat
Sexual Harassment Training of the Colorado Legislature, Staff, and Aids –2018
