Chris Galanek is a trial lawyer. He handles complex commercial litigation matters and arbitrations involving business disputes, unfair competition and breaches of fiduciary duty.

Mr. Galanek has extensive experience handling matters involving temporary restraining orders and requests for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief.  He also has significant experience defending class actions and class arbitrations.  Mr. Galanek is familiar with, and has participated in, various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration both as an advocate and as a neutral. 

A significant portion of Mr. Galanek’s practice is litigating the enforceability of noncompetition and nonsolicitation covenants, litigating claims arising out of employment relationships, including discrimination claims and executive compensation issues, and litigating trade secret disputes for high growth companies, financial institutions and Fortune 500 Corporations.  Mr. Galanek frequently advises clients on the protection of their trade secrets, the scope of proper post-employment restrictions and the competitive recruitment of employees.

Bar and Court Admissions

Georgia, 1991

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

United States District Courts for the District of Colorado and the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia

United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina

United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Arkansas

Supreme Court of Georgia

Georgia Court of Appeals

Superior Court of North Carolina

Education

University of Georgia, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1991

University of Georgia, B.B.A., 1986

Publications

• "A Re-Evaluation of Arbitration in Light of Class Actions and Appeal Rights: Is it Still Worth It?" Georgia Bar Journal, vol. II, no. I, co-authored with Jennifer Dempsey, 2005
• "Recent Developments Regarding the American Arbitration Association's Interpretation of its Class Action Rules," PoGo Alert, 2004
• "The Impact of the Zolin Decision on the Crime-Fraud Exception to the Attorney Client Privilege," 24 Ga. L. Rev. 1115, 1990

Speeches and Seminars

• “Trade Secret and Competitive Restriction Update,” 23rd Annual National Intellectual Property Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium, 2011
• "Reactive Covenants in Georgia; Be Afraid, Very Afraid," The Kettering Group Quarterly Meeting, 2007
• "The Nuts and Bolts of Post Employment Competition Restrictions in Georgia," Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, 2007
• "Building and Protecting Your Workforce," RCB Eagles Discussion Panel, 2007

Professional Affiliations

• Atlanta Bar Association
• Sandy Springs Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Bleckley Inn of Court, Master

Civic Involvement and Honors

• Georgia Super Lawyer, 2007-2013
• Leadership North Fulton – Class of 2007
• The Marist School – Booster Club Board, 2009-2011; Vice President of Communications – Current
• Northside Youth Organization – Baseball Board and Coach