2024 Los Angeles Legal Education Conference

    Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

    Skirball Cultural Center | 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

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    Please join us on Wednesday, June 26 for a thought-provoking exploration of the latest trends and challenges in California employment law, from wage & hour and post-pandemic updates to cutting-edge developments in employment litigation. Our panelists will provide practical insights and strategies for navigating the ever-evolving legal landscape, helping you stay ahead of the curve and avoid common pitfalls.

    Attendees will earn up to 5.0 California CLE/HRCI/SHRM credits, provided free of charge. Our program will include a light breakfast and lunch.

    Event Program

    8:00 – 9:00 AM

    Registration and Breakfast
    Please register and join us for a light breakfast.

    9:05 – 10:05 AM

    AI DIY: A Guide to Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls in the Workplace
    In today's fast-paced and rapidly evolving technological landscape, employers face numerous challenges and opportunities arising from artificial intelligence (AI) and its related applications. This panel aims to provide employers with an understanding of the current and emerging AI trends, their potential impact on the workplace, and strategies to navigate the associated legal, ethical, and operational considerations.

    Speakers:
  • Dion Cominos / Partner, GRSM
  • Debra Ellwood Meppen / Partner, GRSM

    • 10:10 – 11:10 AM

    Significant Changes and Developments in Employment Litigation for 2024
    This panel will provide attendees with critical insights and practical guidance on the most pressing employment litigation issues facing employers in 2024. Our panelists will explore recent legal developments, trends, and best practices to help attendees stay ahead of the curve in managing employment litigation risks. We will discuss key trends and hot-button issues in employment litigation, including wage and hour disputes, discrimination claims, and workplace safety issues. Our panelists will provide insights into new legal theories, recent court decisions, and emerging risks that are shaping the employment litigation landscape. Attendees will learn about recent legal developments and practical strategies for mitigating risk and avoiding common pitfalls.

    Speakers:
  • Varouj Arabian / Partner, GRSM
  • Alexa Foley / Senior Counsel, GRSM
  • Rachel Salvin / Senior Counsel, GRSM

    • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

    Latest Developments in Class Action Litigation
    This panel will provide attendees with a comprehensive update on the latest developments in class action litigation. Our panelists will delve into recent developments in wage and hour class action and representative litigation, while also exploring current trends, significant court decisions, and legislative developments that are shaping the class action landscape in California and beyond.

    Speakers:
  • Mollie Burks / Partner, GRSM
  • Linh Hua / Partner, GRSM
  • Erika Shao / Partner, GRSM
  • Matthew Theriault / Senior Counsel, GRSM

    • 12:15 – 1:15 PM

    Lunch
    Please register and join us for lunch.

    1:20 – 2:20 PM

    Keynote Speaker, Valerie Alexander – Leading for Happiness

    This program will discuss the science behind happiness at work and give actionable takeaways to improve communication, adjust managerial styles, and implement policies that will create a happier culture with far better outcomes.

    Valerie Alexander is a renowned expert on happiness and inclusion and a globally recognized speaker on the topics of happiness in the workplace, unconscious bias and the advancement of women. Her TED Talk, “How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias” has been viewed over a million times and been used as an instructional tool in classrooms and boardrooms around the world. Valerie’s books include the Amazon #1 seller, Happiness as a Second Language, Success as a Second Language, and How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having “Female Brains”).

    Prior to this work, Valerie was a securities lawyer, an investment banker, a tech startup CEO, and a screenwriter and film director. She’s also written Christmas movies for the Hallmark Channel, which she knows you secretly love, even if you’ll only admit to watching them with your mom.

    2:25 – 3:25 PM

    Navigating Complex Employment Law: Best Practices for Hiring and Firing in the Current Litigation - Forward Environment
    This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of current employment law topics that are crucial for employers to understand. Our panelists will discuss various aspects of employment law, including how employers can manage the legal risks of hiring while conducting layoffs, the WARN Act and how to ensure compliance, practical strategies for addressing pay equity issues and promoting a fair and equitable workplace, and how to safely hire and fire employees in the current litigation-forward environment. Attendees will learn how to minimize legal risks when making employment decisions and best practices for documenting those decisions. This presentation is a must-attend for anyone responsible for employment law compliance in their organization. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the most important employment law issues and practical strategies for mitigating legal risks.

    Speakers:
  • Kimberly Westmoreland / Partner, GRSM
  • Cecelia Hong / Senior Counsel, GRSM
  • Sonia Taylor / Senior Counsel, GRSM

    • 3:30 – 4:30 PM

    Best Practices for Addressing Gender Diversity in the Workplace
    This panel will provide practical strategies and tools to effectively manage gender diversity in the workplace. Topics covered will include understanding gender diversity, implementing inclusive policies and practices, addressing unconscious bias, and fostering a supportive workplace culture. Participants will gain practical insights and tools to effectively navigate issues related to gender diversity and promote a more inclusive workplace.

    Speakers:
  • Diba Rastegar / Partner, GRSM
  • Erik Slechta / Senior Counsel, GRSM
  • John Soliman / Senior Counsel, GRSM
  • Will Skinner / Senior Counsel, GRSM
    • Please visit SpeakHappiness.com to learn more about Valerie Alexander’s work, and to receive her inspiring, insightful newsletter on Workplace Happiness & Inclusion, go to SpeakHappiness.com/Inclusion

    Questions? Please Contact:

    Joelle Underwood
    215.717.4015
    junderwood@grsm.com