Pepper Hamilton LLP announced that Christopher J. Moran has joined the firm as a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group, resident in the Philadelphia office.

Mr. Moran frequently handles cases involving the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, Section 1981, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, and many other federal and state employment laws. He defends employers in wage and hour actions under the FLSA and state law. He also advises employers concerning trade secrets and restrictive covenants, the negotiation of executive employment agreements, and the employment matters connected with corporate mergers and acquisitions.

“Pepper Hamilton is a clear fit for my experience, specialties and client work,” said Mr. Moran. “I look forward to working with the exceptional attorneys in the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group.”

Prior to joining Pepper, Mr. Moran was managing shareholder at the Philadelphia office of Ogletree Deakins, a national labor and employment law firm. He first became involved in the area of employment and labor law as a consultant representing employers in the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, and the resolution of employee grievances. He also chaired joint labor-management committees for regional and nationwide employer associations.

“Chris’ excellent reputation in the community precedes him,” said Thomas J. Cole, Jr., partner and vice chair of Pepper’s Executive Committee and chair of the Associates Committee. “He’ll be a great complement to Pepper’s Labor and Employment Practice Group.”

Mr. Moran is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1992), where he was editor in chief of the Villanova Law Review and was admitted to the Order of the Coif. He received his B.S. from St. Joseph’s University in 1983. Upon graduating law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Collins J. Seitz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.