Christopher Houk: The Phoenix Attorney Who Went From Prosecuting Discrimination Cases to Defending Against Them

Christopher R. Houk is the founder of Houk Employment Attorneys, a Phoenix-based firm established in August 2019 and dedicated exclusively to employment law. With nearly two decades of experience, Houk represents employees, executives, and employers in matters including discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, non-compete disputes, and wage and hour claims.

Background

Houk earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Arizona and his J.D. from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Before entering private practice in 2005, he served as a trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and as a civil rights attorney in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. This government enforcement experience provided him with firsthand litigation experience from the regulator’s perspective before transitioning to private practice.

Practice Areas

• Discrimination (federal and state claims, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and A.R.S. 41-1463)
• Sexual harassment
• Retaliation
• Wrongful termination
• Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements
• Wage and hour disputes (Arizona minimum wage and paid sick time under A.R.S. 23-362 et seq.)

The firm handles cases in both state and federal courts, including appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Client Voice

• One client praised Houk and his team for their patience, empathy, and knowledge during a challenging period.
• Another, who consulted on vaccine mandate and Title VII issues, credited Houk’s advice with resolving the matter directly with their employer.
• A third client highlighted a complex case handled by Houk and attorney Marina Kovacevic, commending their ethics, attention to detail, and persistence.

Community & Recognition

Houk serves as an adjunct professor at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, teaching employment law. He holds leadership roles in several professional organizations, including:

• Officer, National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
• Co-Chair, American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Section
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Board Member and Treasurer, Arizona Employment Lawyers Association

His government enforcement background—prosecuting discrimination cases for the EEOC and Arizona’s Civil Rights Division—is an independently verifiable credential. While Arizona does not certify employment law as a board specialty, his active leadership in national and state bar associations reflects substantive engagement in the field.

Office

631 N. 1st Ave., Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (480) 569-2377
Website: houklawfirm.com