Championing Fair Housing: Former Chief of the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement Chris Thrutchley Leads the Fight Against Discrimination

April 8, 2024 |According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, more than 33,007 Fair Housing Act complaints were recently filed. The FHA and Oklahoma law prohibit discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status.

Prior to joining GableGotwals, Shareholder Chris Thrutchley served as the Chief of the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement where he oversaw the investigation and resolution of not only employment-related discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints, but also housing discrimination complaints. Chris launched the State’s first fair housing civil rights enforcement action to put a stop to race-related housing discrimination and sexual harassment. The historic fair housing civil rights lawsuit ultimately resulted in a federal action that secured $1.25 million for the victims and their families.

For more than 30 years, Chris has counseled employers regarding best labor and employment law practices and has successfully defended employers in labor and employment disputes (arbitration, litigation, administrative proceedings) around the country. As a result, Chris has earned numerous prestigious honors. Highlights include Super Lawyer, Labor & Employment Law; Benchmark Litigation, Labor & Employment Star; Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Ratings, AV Preeminent, top rating for Labor & Employment Law; Best Lawyers in America, Labor & Employment Law; and Chambers USA, ranked in Labor & Employment. Chris also advises clients on fair housing compliance and represents clients in regard to fair housing complaints and litigation.