Christine M.Costantino
Senior Counsel
Labor & Employment
ccostantino@seyfarth.com
Chrissy is committed to achieving optimal resolution for clients.
More About Chrissy
Chrissy is an experienced employment litigator, specifically defending management against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, employment-related torts, and other related matters in administrative, state, and federal court proceedings and arbitration. Chrissy defends employers in actions brought under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, and various state statutes. She also represents employers in litigation involving restrictive covenants and related non-competition matters. Chrissy has extensive deposition and courtroom experience and has successfully achieved favorable resolutions for numerous clients through various alternative dispute resolution measures.
Chrissy advises clients on preparing employment agreements and drafting and implementing employment policies. She also represents management in collective bargaining negotiations and assists clients in navigating contemplated employment actions while ensuring compliance with federal and state law.
Chrissy’s clients include entities in a wide range of industries, including government contractors, financial institutions, large retailers, and hotel management companies. Chrissy has substantial experience representing entities in various industries at the trial and appellate levels.
Chrissy advises clients on preparing employment agreements and drafting and implementing employment policies. She also represents management in collective bargaining negotiations and assists clients in navigating contemplated employment actions while ensuring compliance with federal and state law.
Chrissy’s clients include entities in a wide range of industries, including government contractors, financial institutions, large retailers, and hotel management companies. Chrissy has substantial experience representing entities in various industries at the trial and appellate levels.
- JD, Notre Dame Law School
Cum laude
- BBA, University of Notre Dame
FinanceMagna cum laude
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, District of Maryland
- US District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
- US District Court, Western District of Virginia
Related Services
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
May 21, 2026
If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 137: Virginia Significantly Broadens Statewide Paid Sick Leave Requirements with Enactment of New Law
-
Legal Update
Apr 29, 2026
Final Versions of Significant Virginia Employment Legislation Set to Take Effect July 1, 2026
-
Media Mentions
Apr 23, 2026
Corporate Counsel (Law.com) Quotes Christine Costantino on Virginia’s Expanding Employee Protections
-
Legal Update
Feb 23, 2026
Previewing Virginia’s 2026 Employment Legislation
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-2026)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) - defense, The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023)
- Co-Author, “If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 137: Virginia Significantly Broadens Statewide Paid Sick Leave Requirements with Enactment of New Law,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Final Versions of Significant Virginia Employment Legislation Set to Take Effect July 1, 2026,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 29, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Previewing Virginia’s 2026 Employment Legislation,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 23, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Washington, DC Employment Laws: A Reference Guide for Employers (2025 Edition),” Publication, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 23, 2025)
- Co-Author, "Justices Mull Fundamental Change To Proving Claims Of Discrimination During Oral Argument On Muldrow v. City of St. Louis," Workplace Class Action Blog (December 11, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Paid Family and Medical Leave Rights and Obligations," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Washington, DC Employment Laws: A Reference Guide for Employers," Publication, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 19, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Becomes Tenth State to Enact Paid Family Leave Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Change in the Commonwealth: Reviewing Virginia’s Expansive New Employment Legislation Taking Effect Today," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 1, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Virginia Legislative Update: California of the East? A Flood of Employment-Related Legislation in the Commonwealth," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Additional Employer Obligations Take Effect as DC Paid Family Leave Program Inches Closer to July 2020 Benefit Launch Date," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 23, 2020)
- Co-Author, "October Brings Increased Legal Exposure for Maryland Employers for Workplace Harassment Claims," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 4, 2019)
- Co-Author, "D.C. Rings in the New Year with New Requirements for Employers of Tipped (and Non-Tipped) Employees," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2018)
- Co-Author, "If Pain, Yes Gain — Part XLI: Prince George’s County, MD Passes Paid Safe Leave Ordinance," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 28, 2017)
- Author, "Third Time’s the Charm: The EEOC Successfully Asserts Inflexible Leave Policies are Impermissible Qualification Standards under the ADA," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 27, 2014)
- Presenter, "Virginia legal and legislative updates 2021-2022," 2022 Virtual Legal Academy, NOVA SHRM (March 23, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Guidance on State and Local Paid Family Leave Laws - Part IV: Spotlighting Federal, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Oregon, and New Hampshire Paid Family Leave Developments ," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 12, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Guidance on State and Local Paid Family Leave Laws – Part I: Spotlighting Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington and Washington, D.C. Paid Family Leave Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "State Paid Family Leave Laws Bring the Heat for Employers This Summer," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "MeToo from the Other Side: Meaningful Response Planning for Investigating, and Resolving Harassment Allegations in Today’s Environment / Investigations," Northern Virginia Society for Human Resource Management (March 21, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "Whatever Happened to Those Overtime Regulations?" Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (August 30, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Pay for Sick and Family Leave . . . in the District and Beyond," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (May 19, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Labor & Employment Law Compliance in a Time of Change," Law Summit, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (October 29, 2014)
Chrissy is committed to achieving optimal resolution for clients.
More About Chrissy
Chrissy is an experienced employment litigator, specifically defending management against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, employment-related torts, and other related matters in administrative, state, and federal court proceedings and arbitration. Chrissy defends employers in actions brought under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, and various state statutes. She also represents employers in litigation involving restrictive covenants and related non-competition matters. Chrissy has extensive deposition and courtroom experience and has successfully achieved favorable resolutions for numerous clients through various alternative dispute resolution measures.
Chrissy advises clients on preparing employment agreements and drafting and implementing employment policies. She also represents management in collective bargaining negotiations and assists clients in navigating contemplated employment actions while ensuring compliance with federal and state law.
Chrissy’s clients include entities in a wide range of industries, including government contractors, financial institutions, large retailers, and hotel management companies. Chrissy has substantial experience representing entities in various industries at the trial and appellate levels.
Chrissy advises clients on preparing employment agreements and drafting and implementing employment policies. She also represents management in collective bargaining negotiations and assists clients in navigating contemplated employment actions while ensuring compliance with federal and state law.
Chrissy’s clients include entities in a wide range of industries, including government contractors, financial institutions, large retailers, and hotel management companies. Chrissy has substantial experience representing entities in various industries at the trial and appellate levels.
- JD, Notre Dame Law School
Cum laude
- BBA, University of Notre Dame
FinanceMagna cum laude
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, District of Maryland
- US District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
- US District Court, Western District of Virginia
Related Services
Blogs
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
May 21, 2026
If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 137: Virginia Significantly Broadens Statewide Paid Sick Leave Requirements with Enactment of New Law
-
Legal Update
Apr 29, 2026
Final Versions of Significant Virginia Employment Legislation Set to Take Effect July 1, 2026
-
Media Mentions
Apr 23, 2026
Corporate Counsel (Law.com) Quotes Christine Costantino on Virginia’s Expanding Employee Protections
-
Legal Update
Feb 23, 2026
Previewing Virginia’s 2026 Employment Legislation
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2023-2026)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) - defense, The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023)
- Co-Author, “If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 137: Virginia Significantly Broadens Statewide Paid Sick Leave Requirements with Enactment of New Law,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 21, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Final Versions of Significant Virginia Employment Legislation Set to Take Effect July 1, 2026,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 29, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Previewing Virginia’s 2026 Employment Legislation,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 23, 2026)
- Co-Author, “Washington, DC Employment Laws: A Reference Guide for Employers (2025 Edition),” Publication, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 23, 2025)
- Co-Author, "Justices Mull Fundamental Change To Proving Claims Of Discrimination During Oral Argument On Muldrow v. City of St. Louis," Workplace Class Action Blog (December 11, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Paid Family and Medical Leave Rights and Obligations," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Washington, DC Employment Laws: A Reference Guide for Employers," Publication, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 19, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Becomes Tenth State to Enact Paid Family Leave Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Change in the Commonwealth: Reviewing Virginia’s Expansive New Employment Legislation Taking Effect Today," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 1, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Virginia Legislative Update: California of the East? A Flood of Employment-Related Legislation in the Commonwealth," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Additional Employer Obligations Take Effect as DC Paid Family Leave Program Inches Closer to July 2020 Benefit Launch Date," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 23, 2020)
- Co-Author, "October Brings Increased Legal Exposure for Maryland Employers for Workplace Harassment Claims," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 4, 2019)
- Co-Author, "D.C. Rings in the New Year with New Requirements for Employers of Tipped (and Non-Tipped) Employees," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2018)
- Co-Author, "If Pain, Yes Gain — Part XLI: Prince George’s County, MD Passes Paid Safe Leave Ordinance," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 28, 2017)
- Author, "Third Time’s the Charm: The EEOC Successfully Asserts Inflexible Leave Policies are Impermissible Qualification Standards under the ADA," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 27, 2014)
- Presenter, "Virginia legal and legislative updates 2021-2022," 2022 Virtual Legal Academy, NOVA SHRM (March 23, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Guidance on State and Local Paid Family Leave Laws - Part IV: Spotlighting Federal, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Oregon, and New Hampshire Paid Family Leave Developments ," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 12, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Guidance on State and Local Paid Family Leave Laws – Part I: Spotlighting Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington and Washington, D.C. Paid Family Leave Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "State Paid Family Leave Laws Bring the Heat for Employers This Summer," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "MeToo from the Other Side: Meaningful Response Planning for Investigating, and Resolving Harassment Allegations in Today’s Environment / Investigations," Northern Virginia Society for Human Resource Management (March 21, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "Whatever Happened to Those Overtime Regulations?" Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (August 30, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Pay for Sick and Family Leave . . . in the District and Beyond," Breakfast Briefing, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (May 19, 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "Labor & Employment Law Compliance in a Time of Change," Law Summit, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (October 29, 2014)