Christine E. Taylor
Partner
Experience
A recognized leader in providing the outdoor hospitality industry with the full range of legal services necessary for the successful operation of their business, Christine E. Taylor is a partner in Goldberg Segalla’s nationwide Retail and Hospitality practice group. She represents self-insured and insured owner/operators of campgrounds and RV parks, franchisors and franchisees, owner/operator associations, as well as businesses in the rapidly growing area of high-end glamping in everything from acquiring and establishing the business, to developing employee and guest contracts, waivers and releases, resolving disputes, removing guests from a property, and defending clients faced with premises liability, personal injury, workers’ compensation and other claims. As such, Christine’s outdoor hospitality practice includes hospitality law, business law, employment and labor law, real estate law, litigation and not-for-profit law counsel.
Christine offers deep, first-hand experience in outdoor hospitality, having grown up as a family operator handling guest services, facilities, recreation and marketing for a Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park franchise and, later, for a Kampgrounds of America (KOA) franchise. Presently, she is part owner of a campground in Upstate New York, franchised as a KOA. She is a nationally regarded speaker and author on matters of critical importance to outdoor hospitality operators on topics such as “Guests Gone Wild: Mitigating Risks and Handling Long-Term Guests,” “Keeping Yourself Protected from a Legal Storm,” “Hospitality Law in the Glamping Space,” and “Violent Events and Legal Issues.”
A well-respected advocate for identifying trends and developing best practices for the outdoor hospitality industry, Christine publishes regularly in Woodall’s Campground Magazine and Glamping Business Americas magazine and speaks at American Glamping Association Member Meet Ups, National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conferences, the Outdoor Hospitality Symposium, The Glamping Show Americas, Campground Owners of New York Expositions, Kampgrounds of America Expos, Northeast Campground Association Tradeshows, Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association Conventions, Mid-Atlantic Campground Conferences, and other events.
Known for providing insightful counsel to nonprofit organizations that represent the outdoor hospitality industry, Christine has a proven history of navigating the challenges faced by individual state associations, addressing diverse legal aspects such as bylaws, meeting records, bank accounts and loans, corporate liability, member and vendor interactions, public relations and communications, employee matters, ADA compliance concerning websites, facilities and service animals, and much more.
Both within the hospitality industry and with employers in a wide range of other industries, Christine has helped clients navigate employment issues, fielding questions and making sure they are set up for success with proper employee handbooks, employment agreements, policies and procedures. When necessary, Christine has defended them against employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour claims and assisted in Department of Labor audits, negotiating better outcomes for all parties involved.
Christine has also served as counsel for county ethics boards and various municipalities throughout New York State, drafting legislation, handling regulatory, statutory and constitutional compliance matters, overseeing and fielding ethics complaints, interpreting local code and state law, and handling tax certiorari proceedings. She has reviewed and responded to complaints under the NYS Division of Human Rights and the EEOC. She also has experience reviewing commercial real estate leases, building and loan agreements, preparing non-compete agreements and waivers, and providing legal services to production companies and start-ups in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.
An accomplished opera singer with a strong background in entertainment law, Christine is also very well-traveled and has lived in New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, and Michigan. She is licensed to practice law in multiple states across the country and leverages her vast network of experienced litigators to provide representation to national clients in the other states.
Related Areas
Industries
Honors & Awards
Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch
- Labor and Employment Law – Management, 2024
Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2021-24
Background
Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Texas
- Washington D.C.
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of New York
Education
- University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, J.D., 2017
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, M.A., 2012
- Stetson University, B.M., 2010
Professional Affiliations
- New York State Bar Association
- Albany County Bar Association
- Capital District Women’s Bar Association
- National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Affiliate Member
- American Glamping Association, Affiliate Member
- Campground Owners of New York, Affiliate Member
- Northeast Campground Association, Affiliate Member
- Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association, Affiliate Member
News & Knowledge
Publications & Events
- “Understanding the Disclosure Process When Buying or Selling,” (Co-author), Woodall’s Campground Magazine, January 30, 2025
- “Ensuring Fair, Legal Background Checks at Your Park,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2024
- “Navigating the Corporate Transparency Act,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2024
- “Is Charging Extra Campground Fees Legal?” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2023
- “Independent Contractor vs. Employee,” Glamping Business Americas magazine, 2023
- “Who’s Responsible for Damages?” Glamping Business Americas magazine, 2023
- “When Does a Long-Term Guest Become a Tenant?” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2023
- “Active Shooters: Prevention and Your Liability,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2023
- “Defamations. Reviews. The Internet. OH MY!” Glamping Business Americas magazine, 2023
- “Are Cameras OK to Use in Rec Areas?” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2022
- “Am I Liable for How My Wi-Fi is Used?” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2022
- “Overtime, 1099 Employee Questions,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2022
- “Scalpers: The Legal Issues and What You Can Do,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2021
- “When, Why and How to Hire the Right Attorney,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2021
- “Exploring the Validity of Utilizing E-Signatures,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2020
- “Can You Get Sued for Enforcing a Mask Rule?” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2020
- “Crisis Shows Why You Need Clear Agreements,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2020
- “Can You Sue Over Receiving Bad Reviews?” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2020
- “Keeping Your Corporation LLC Veil Intact is Key,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2019
- “Someone is Hurt! Before, During and After,” Woodall’s Campground Magazine, 2019
- “Operating Your Park: Delivering THE Guest Experience,” Panelist, Outdoor Hospitality Symposium, 2024
- “Ghost from Summers Past: Child Camper’s Injury Leads to Trial,” Northeast Campground Association Tradeshow 2024
- “Compliance Blueprint: Waivers and Licenses for Outdoor Hospitality,” Carolina Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Conference and Expo, 2024
- “Campground Community: Legal Insights into Addressing Social Issues,” Carolina Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Conference and Expo, 2024
- “Your Legal Tool Kit,” Mid-Atlantic Campground Conference and Trade Show, 2024
- “Guests Gone Wild: Mitigating Risks and Handling Long-Term Guests,” Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association Convention and Trade Show, 2023
- “Problems with Seasonals? Legal Tips that are Feasible,” National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, 2023
- “Ghost from Summers Past: Child Camper’s Injury Leads to Trial,” Campground Owners of New York Expo, 2023
- “It’s a No ‘Rainer:’ Keep Yourself Protected from a Legal Storm,” The Glamping Show Americas, 2023
- “Hospitality Law in the Glamping Industry,” American Glamping Association Member Meet Up, 2023
- “Current Issues and What to Do,” Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association Convention and Trade Show, 2022
- Mock Trial, Speaker and Host, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Expo, 2022
- “Seasonals: Grow the Business You Want by Pruning the Weeds,” Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Expo, 2022
- “The 4 P’s: Policies, Procedures, Practices, and PEOPLE,” Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, 2022
- “Current Issues and What to Do,” Campground Owners of New York Exposition, 2022
- “Best Tips for New Owners and Operators,” Campground Owners of New York Buyer’s Workshop, 2022
- “Hospitality Law in the Glamping Space,” American Glamping Association Member Meet Up, 2022
- “Keeping Your Venue Glamorous: Hospitality Law 101,” The Glamping Show Americas, 2022
- “Hospitality Law Basics,” American Glamping Association Member Meet Up, 2022
- “Legal Issues and Violent Events,” Panelist, Woodall’s Campground Management Hospitality Update, 2022
- “Current Issues: How it Affects Your Business,” National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Young Professionals Webisode, 2022
- “Legal Tools of the Trade,” Louisiana Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Webinar, 2022
- “Because You Asked… Legal Hotline Questions Answered,” Campground Owners of New York Zone Meetings, 2022
- “The Legal Side of Long-Term Stays,” Virginia Campground Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show, 2022
- “Only Your Can Prevent Legal Fires,” Northeast Campground Association Conference and Trade Show, 2022
- “Leave the Calls to Nature, Not Your Attorney,” 59th Annual Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association Convention and Trade Show, 2021; and Mid-Atlantic Conference, 2022
- “What’s Behind the Employment Law Sign,” Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Expo, 2021
- “Fundamentals for Association Directors: What You Need to Know,” National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, 2021
- “General Releases and Waivers,” National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, 2021
- “Opening General Session: Charging Ahead on Electric,” Panelist, National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, 2021
- “Legal Tools of the Trade for New Campground and RV Park Owners,” National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, 2021
- “How the Law Helps and Hinders: Permits, Guest Ejections and the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act,” Campground Owners of New York Expo, 2021
- “Don’t be TENTse about Employment Issues,” Campground Owners of New York Zone Meetings, 2021
- “Buy, Build or Sell Outdoor Conference,” Panelist, Outdoor Business Pros, 2021
- “Managing Seasonal Campers,” Panelist, Woodall’s Campground Magazine Fireside Chats, 2020
- “Making Sure Long-Term Guests Aren’t a Long-Term Problem,” Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Convention, 2020
- “General Releases, Waivers of Liability, and Other Ways to Limit Legal Exposure,” National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, 2020
- “Table of Experts: Women in Law,” Panelist, Albany Business Review, 2019
- “Making it Great … for Your Lawyer,” Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Convention, 2019
- “Waivers, Contracts and Bears – Oh My!” Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association Convention, 2019
- “Waivers, Contracts and Bears – Oh My!” Northeast Campground Owners Association Conference on Camping, 2019
- “How to Make a Long Story Legal,” Campground Owners of New York Exposition, 2019
- “Americans with Disabilities Act Website Lawsuits,” Panelist, Campground Owners of New York Exposition, 2019
- “Legal Issues for the Campground Owner,” Campground Owners of New York Exposition, 2018