Meet Chris

Chris Gantt-Sorenson serves as Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s employment law practice team leader and works exclusively with all types of employers, providing advice and counsel and representation when an employee or employees file a claim or a lawsuit. 

Chris’ goal is to help her clients comply with employment law in a way that does not run counter to their primary goal of doing business. In her 31 years of experience, she has learned that the employers who seek guidance often and before acting incur the lowest legal fees. She is committed to preventing, rather than reacting to, compliance issues and provides employment law training for managers and employees. Chris believes it is important to provide prompt and timely responses to her client’s questions because she understands that employers often do not have much time to seek guidance before responding to an employment situation. She sees her relationship with clients as a business partnership and acts accordingly.  

She advises employers and human resource professionals on issues that arise daily, particularly in the areas of FMLA, ADA, ACA, FLSA and Title VII. She defends clients in employment related claims and litigation before administrative agencies such as the DOL and the EEOC as well as in state and federal courts. 

Chris has extensive federal trial experience having represented employers in federal employment litigation.

She oversees our firm’s employment blog, www.scemployersblog.com, and is a frequent speaker on employment law issues.  

Prior to Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, Chris worked with a regional law firm on complex litigation matters from 1991 to 1993 and then enjoyed a 100% conviction rate in prosecuting drug king-pin cases for the State Grand Jury Division of the Attorney General’s Office from 1993 to 1997. 

• University of South Carolina, J.D., 1991
• College of Charleston, B.A., 1987

• South Carolina, 1991
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1993
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1993
• U.S. District Court, South Carolina, 1991

• The Best Lawyers in America© Employment Law – Management (2024), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2019-2024) and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2013-2024)
• South Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2023 Employment Law Power List
• Greenville Business Magazine “Legal Elite of the Upstate” Employee Benefits (2022-2023), Employment Law – Defendant (2022-2023) and Labor Law (2013-2015, 2018-2023)
• South Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2019 Leadership in Law Award
• South Carolina Super Lawyers® Employment and Labor (2013-2015) 

• SC SHRM State Council, Legislative Director (2018-2021) and Director of Workforce Readiness (2021-2022)
• Furman University, Adjunct Professor (2016-Present)
• Greenville County Bar Association, former President
• Greenville Chamber, former General Counsel
• South Carolina Women Lawyers Association
• Pickens Area Society of Human Resource Managers, President
• Cliff Ridge Colony, Board Member (2010-2017)
• Trinity Lutheran, Foundation Board Member (2006-2012), Stewardship Committee (2008-2014) and Congregation Council (2023-Present)
• South Carolina Centers for Equal Justice, Board Member (2000-2005)
• Western Carolina Legal Aide Society, Board Member (1998-2000)
• Meals on Wheels of Greenville County, Board Member (2005-2008)
• Greenville Family Partnership, Board Member (1996-1998)

• “HSB Employment Law Webinar: Navigating Independent Contractor Relationships,” March 28, 2024
• “HSB Employment Law Webinar: 2024 Employment Law Legislative Preview,” January 25, 2024
• “Wrapping up 2023 with our Top 4 Employment Law Questions of the year,” HSB Blog, December 28, 2023
• “Celebrating Responsibly: HR’s Legal Checklist for Holiday Party Success,” HSB Blog, December 7, 2023
• “Navigating Pregnancy and Postpartum Employment Laws in the Workplace: A Guide for Employers,” HSB Blog, November 8, 2023
• “Top Current Issues in Employment Law,” Anderson University’s Family Enterprise Institute Annual Conference, Greenville, SC, November 2, 2023
• “Can employers face liability when a cyber-attacker steals funds from an employee’s individual 401(k) account?” HSB Blog, October 18, 2023
• “HSB Employment Law Webinar: Fundamentals of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and Best Practices for Compliance,” September 28, 2023
• “Hurricane Season – 5 Things Employers Should Review Ahead of Any Major Storm,” HSB Blog, August 29, 2023
• “SCOTUS Issues New Undue Hardship Standard for Religious Accommodation Requests,” HSB Blog, June 30, 2023
• “Deplete the Non-Compete – Employer Takeaways from the Latest NLRB Memo,” HSB Blog, June 5, 2023
• “The Foundation of DEI Training,” Greenville SHRM Webinar, May 19, 2023
• “DOL Issues New FMLA and FLSA Posters,” HSB Blog, May 10, 2023
• “Legal Panel: Discussing Today’s Relevant Topics” (Panelist), Greenville SHRM HR and Leadership Conference, Greenville, SC, April 27, 2023
•  “HSB Employment Law Webinar: What Employers Need to Know About the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency,” April 25, 2023
• “Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Interplay with Other Laws,” HSB Blog, April 11, 2023
• ​“What Employers Need to Know About Special Enrollment for Employees Formerly on Medicaid,” HSB Blog, April 4, 2023
• “HSB Employment Law Webinar: Employer Considerations When Handling FMLA Leave and ADA Accommodation Requests,” March 23, 2023
• “DOL Issues Important Opinion Letter on FMLA,” HSB Blog, March 6, 2023
• “NLRB Rules Nondisclosure and Nondisparage Provisions Unlawful in Severance Agreements,” HSB Blog, March 2, 2023
• “What do the PUMP Act and PWFA mean for employers?” HSB Blog, February 8, 2023
• "Compliance Checklist for Employers with Out-of-State Remote Employees," HSB Blog, January 19, 2023
• "2022 in Review: The 5 Most Popular Employment Law Topics We Covered This Year," HSB Blog, December 28, 2022
• “HSB Employment Law Webinar: What Employers Need to Know About ADA Compliance and Technology,” October 27, 2022
• “Key Legal Areas for Family Businesses” (Panelist), Anderson University’s Family Enterprise Institute, October 20, 2022
• “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Charting a Course for Organizational Success,” ACC-SC Annual Meeting, Columbia, SC, September 16, 2022
• “HSB Employment Law Webinar: Compliance Overview and Checklist for Employers Who Employ Out-of-State Remote Employees,” August 25, 2022
• “AI Used in Hiring May Discriminate Against Applicants with Disabilities; EEOC and DOJ Issue Guidance for Employers,” HSB Blog, June 27, 2022
• ​"HSB DEI Webinar Series: Creating an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplace and What Employers Need to Know About Transition," June 23, 2022
• "Five Steps Employers Can Take to Create a More Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Workplace," HSB Blog, April 26, 2022
• “HSB DEI Webinar Series: Women in the Workplace, Discussing Leadership Roles, the Pandemic’s Impact and More,” March 24, 2022
• "HSB DEI Webinar Series: Race Equity and the Employer's Role in Inclusion," February 24, 2022
• “HSB Employment Law Legislative Update Webinar,” January 27, 2022
• “Federal Vaccination Mandates & Vaccination Legislation,” Greenville SHRM Virtual Membership Meeting, January 11, 2022
• “HSB DEI Webinar Series: Religious Diversity in the Workplace,” December 1, 2021
• “Update on the Status of OSHA's Vaccine Mandate,” HSB Blog, November 16, 2021
• ​“What Employers Need to Know About OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard,” HSB 2021 Employment Law Webinar, November 15, 2021
• “Vaccination Requirements Issued for Employers: What Employers in South Carolina Should Know,” HSB Blog, November 4, 2021
• "HSB DEI Webinar Series: ADA Compliance and the Interactive Process," October 21, 2021
• “Working with Legal to Promote Disability Employment,” 2021 Hire Me SC Virtual Employer Summit, October 13, 2021
• “HSB DEI Webinar Series: Creating an Inclusive Workplace for Employees with Disabilities,” September 30, 2021
• “Drug Free Workplaces and Drug Testing in the CBD/Marijuana Environment,” SC SHRM State Conference, September 21, 2021
• “Top 7 Questions Employers Have About President Biden’s Mandatory Vaccination Plan, Next Steps,” HSB Blog, September 16, 2021
• "Pay Equity in South Carolina - Part 1 of HSB’s DEI Series," HSB Blog, August 2, 2021
• 3 Questions Employers Need to Consider When it Comes to Marijuana in the Workplace,” HSB Blog, June 30, 2021
• "OSHA Issues Updated COVID-Related Guidance for Employers," HSB Blog, June 11, 2021
• “Employers Are Legally Permitted to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations, But Should They?,” HSB Blog, April 23, 2021
• “Where do we go from here? Applying Lessons Learned from COVID-19 to the Workplace Post-Pandemic,” HSB 2021 Employment Law Webinar Series, April 22, 2021
• “Correction Programs of the IRS and DOL For Employee Benefit Plans,” HSB 2021 Employment Law Webinar Series, March 25, 2021
• “WHAT’S HAPPENING: FFCRA, PRO Act, COBRA Subsidies, Vaccinations and more!,” HSB Blog, March 15, 2021
• “Legislative Overview,” Spartanburg Chamber’s Caffeinated Conversations Webinar, March 4, 2021
• “What Employers Can Expect from the Biden Administration and 2021 South Carolina Legislative Session,” HSB 2021 Employment Law Webinar Series, January 28, 2021
• “Should Employers implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies?,” HSB Blog, December 10, 2020
• “HR Trends: Don’t Let COVID-19 Distract You From Other Important Developments,” Pee Dee SHRM Webinar, December 2, 2020
• "HR Trends: Don’t Let COVID-19 Distract You From Other Important Developments,” Anderson University Virtual HR On Purpose Conference, November 12, 2020
• “What Employers Need to Know About Politics in the Workplace,” Anderson University Virtual HR On Purpose Conference, November 10, 2020
• “Politics and the Workplace – Employers, Do You Have a Policy?,” HSB Blog, November 3, 2020
• “Promoting Diversity & Inclusion in Law Firms & Corporations: Disrupting Old Models & Lowering Attrition” (Panelist), Women in Legal & Corporate Leadership Virtual Summit, September 17, 2020
• “Employers, Is Your Workplace Diverse and Inclusive? Considerations to Help End Workplace Inequity.,” HSB Blog, September 15, 2020
• “COVID-19 Update for Employers,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series, August 25, 2020
• “Managing Risk Through A Respectful Workplace,” GSHRM HR & Management Conference, August 19, 2020
• “Coffee & (Tele)Conversation: COVID, Childcare & Employer Considerations” (Panelist), Upstate SC Alliance, August 18, 2020
• “Federal Court Strikes Down Portions of FFCRA Regulations,” HSB Blog, August 5, 2020
• “COVID-19 Update,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series, July 8, 2020
• “Supreme Court Finds Title VII Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination,” HSB Blog, June 16, 2020
• “The Map for Financial Recovery During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” HSB Blog, June 9, 2020
• “Differences Should Be Valued, Not Normalized or Erased,” HSB Blog, June 5, 2020
• “HSB COVID-19 Update,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series, June 3, 2020
• “COVID-19 - What's New From CDC, DOL, EEOC and SCDEW,” HSB Blog, May 22, 2020
• ​“COVID-19: Recommendations for Return to Work and Continued Business Operations,” HSB Blog, May 15, 2020
• “Creating a Successful Return to Work Strategy,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series, May 13, 2020
• “What Employers Need to Know about OSHA’s Reporting Requirements and Enforcement Guidance for COVID-19 Inspections,” HSB Blog, April 27, 2020
• “What Employers Should Do to Prepare their Workplaces per OSHA’s COVID-19 Compliance,” HSB Blog, April 24, 2020
• "COVID-19 and FFCRA Check-in for Employers,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series, April 22, 2020
• “DOL Final Rule: Paid Leave Under the FFCRA,” HSB Blog, April 3, 2020
• “FFCRA and CARES Act,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series
• “Being the Best Employer Possible During These Times – Part II,” Together SC Webinar, April 1, 2020
• “IRS Launches Employee Retention Credit,” HSB Blog, April 1, 2020
• “How to Shift to a Remote Workforce,” SC Chamber of Commerce Webinar, March 31, 2020
• "Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA): Posters, Fact Sheets, Q&A for Employers,” HSB Blog, March 27, 2020
• “Be The Best Employer You Can Be During This Time,” Together SC Webinar, March 25, 2020
• “COVID-19 and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series
• “EEOC Updates 2009 Pandemic Guidance with Specific Guidance to COVID-19,” HSB Blog, March 20, 2020
• “COVID-19: What Employers Need to Know about Permissible Medical Inquiries and OSHA Requirements,” HSB Blog, March 11, 2020
• “What Employers Need to Know about COVID-19,” HSB Blog, March 5, 2020
• “South Carolina Legislative Preview,” HSB 2020 Employment Law Webinar Series
• “Your HR Law Questions Answered” (Panelist), Greenville SHRM Membership Meeting, Greenville, SC, January 7, 2020
• “Ask the Attorney” (Panelist), HSB 2019 Employment Law Seminar Series
• “Best Practices for Conducting Workplace Investigations,” HSB 2019 Employment Law Seminar Series
• "Ask the Attorney" (Panelist), South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance Human Resource Professionals Annual Meeting, Spartanburg, SC, August 8, 2019
• "Creative Benefits (Including Keeping Costs Down!)," Anderson University's Beyond Compliance: Innovative Workplace Strategies for the Future, June 25, 2019
• "Creating a Workplace that Works for Everyone," Anderson University's Beyond Compliance: Innovative Workplace Strategies for the Future, March 26, 2019
• "Review of Proposed Legislation Impacting SC Employers," HSB 2019 Employment Law Seminar Series
• “Ask the Attorney” (Panelist), South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance Human Resource Professionals Annual Meeting, November 8, 2018
• "Tips on Implementing a Different Approach to Harassment & Discrimination in the Workplace," HSB 2018 Employment Law Seminar Series
• "South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act," GGI Labour Law Newsletter, Autumn 2018 (p. 3)
• “Harassment and Discrimination: A New Approach from Top to Bottom,” 24th Annual SC SHRM State Conference, May 25, 2018
• "Workplace Relationships, Sexual Harassment & #MeToo Movement in the Food & Beverage Industry," HSB 2018 Restaurant Seminars