Get to Know Christopher Trebilcock

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

Christopher M. Trebilcock is a member in the Labor & Employment Practice Group of Clark Hill’s Detroit office. He has experience in issues arising under the FLSA and represents employers in overtime litigation, wage and hour investigations and collective actions. He brings a wealth of traditional labor experience along with years of litigation practice in defending discrimination and wrongful discharge claims under state and federal law.
A resident of Royal Oak, Trebilcock routinely litigates grievance arbitrations, appears before the NLRB and MERC, and acts as the chief spokesperson in collective bargaining negotiations. He also provides counsel on labor relations and CBA administration.

Trebilcock received his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law and is admitted to the bar of Michigan. He previously worked in the U.S. Department of Labor, National office.He has volunteered and served many notable organizations, including as president of the Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Junior Council, a board member for the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, board member and was appointed by former Gov. Granholm to the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council.

What would surprise people about your job? How much time is spent alone in an office reading and writing.

Why did you become a lawyer? I like helping people solve problems.

What’s your favorite law-related TV show, movie, and/or book?
“A Few Good Men.” “Michael Clayton.”  “A Time to Kill.”

Who are your law role models – real and/or fictional? Former Governor James Blanchard, former Congressman Bart Stupak, and former Chief Justice Michael Cavanagh have been mentors of mine. Atticus Finch is the fictional benchmark.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would that be?
My kids.  I would love to see the world through their eyes.

What advice do you have for someone considering law school?
Make sure a law degree is critical to doing the type of work you want to do before you take on too much debt.

What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer? Being able to introduce my daughter to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg at a reception after I was sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court.

What do you do to relax? Play whatever game or do whatever activity my kids ask without hesitation.  

What other career path might you have chosen?
My parents owned newspapers growing up so becoming a reporter or taking over my mom’s weekly was an option.

What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Slow down.

Favorite local hangouts? Ronin. Starbucks.

Favorite app? Waze.

Favorite music?
Ben Harper.

What is your happiest childhood memory?
Fishing on Indian Lake with my brother.

What is your most treasured material possession? A letter that Vince Lombardi sent to my grandfather Norman Trebilcock after Coach Lombardi spoke at a conference my grandfather attended.

What are the most awe-inspiring places you’ve been?
Tough call. Top 3: Oregon coast, Big Spring Kitchitikipi, and Napali coast on Kauai.

If you could have one super power, what would it be? Mind reader.

What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? Learn a foreign language

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I am shy.

What’s the best advice you ever received? Be genuine and send thank you notes.

Favorite place to spend money? Orvis.

Which living person do you most admire? My mom. She raised three strong willed and educated kids while running our local newspaper for over 20 years without ever taking more than 4 days off in row.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Convincing my wife to marry me.

What is the most unusual thing you have done?
Toured the outside of the top of the U.S. Capitol.
 

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