PERFECT PITCH
Sponsored by
Selected outside counsel deliver a brief pitch to in-house lawyers and receive real-time feedback in a collaborative setting.
CONFERENCE WELCOME AND OPENING PLENARY
Sponsored by
a.btn-survey { margin-top: 30px; color: white; background-color: var(--e-global-color-primary); border-radius: 4px; display: block; width: max-content; font-size: 16px; padding: 12px 16px; } a.btn-survey:hover { opacity: 0.90; }
GENERAL SESSION 1
Employment Law Update
Our expert panelists will delve into recent legislative changes, significant court rulings, and emerging trends shaping the landscape of employment law at the federal level, as well as key developments at the state level. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge regarding compliance requirements, best practices for managing workplace issues, and strategies to mitigate legal risks. This session is essential for HR professionals, legal practitioners, and business leaders who need to stay informed about the evolving legal environment affecting employment practices.
Moderator:
- Shawntel Hebert Clark, Senior Counsel, Head of Global Labor & Employment, The Coca-Cola Company
Panelists:
- Eric Barnum, Partner, Baker Hostetler LLP
- Enrique Lemus, Partner, Jones Day
- Jamala McFadden, Managing Partner, The Employment Law Solution
Session Materials:
- PowerPoint Slides
- Employment Law Update (White Paper)
- Executive Power, DEI, and the Future of Anti-Discrimination Law
- NELC Employment Update White Paper EAL Insert
BREAK
GENERAL SESSION 2
Wage and Hour Trends and Developments
This panel will provide a comprehensive update on wage and hour developments impacting class and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act and key state laws. NELC’s panelists will examine recent federal and state legislative changes, significant court decisions, and emerging trends shaping litigation strategies nationwide. Attendees will gain practical insights into defense strategies, including best practices for challenging certification, managing hybrid FLSA and state law actions, and mitigating risk through proactive compliance.
Moderator:
- Megan Lawson, Director of Employment, ALO LLC
Panelists:
- Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Managing Partner, Krevolin & Horst LLC
- Angela Ramson, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
- Luis Santos, Office Managing Partner, FordHarrison
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyGENERAL SESSION 3
DEI developments since the 2025 Annual Conference
Since 2024, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has moved from being a largely aspirational focus to one of the most scrutinized areas of workplace culture and compliance. Evolving case law, shifting federal guidance, and changing political winds have reshaped what employers previously understood as legally compliant DEI policies and practices. Employers are now navigating an environment in which traditional DEI initiatives—such as hiring goals, leadership pipelines, training programs, and benefits—are being reassessed through a sharper legal lens, with agencies and courts paying closer attention to whether programs may unintentionally create new forms of discrimination.
At the same time, organizations continue to face undeniable business and workforce pressures to build inclusive cultures, address inequities, and compete for diverse talent. This session will explore how DEI has evolved in the labor and employment landscape since 2025, what recent legal and regulatory developments mean for employers in practice, and how in-house counsel, HR leaders, and business stakeholders can reevaluate their DEI strategies to remain both impactful and legally defensible going forward.
Moderator:
- Gerald Walden, Group VP - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, The Fresh Market Inc.
Panelists:
- Alex Garrison Barnett, Labor & Employment Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
- Shalanna Pirtle, Chief Talent and D&I Officer, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
- Dave Powell, Trial Lawyer & Founding Partner, Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow & Farbes
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
WELCOME RECEPTION
Sponsored by
NELC DINE AROUNDS
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Sponsored by
GENERAL SESSION 4
AI: How Employers and Employees Are Using Emerging Technology
This panel will examine how employers are leveraging AI tools for recruitment, productivity tracking, and workplace decision-making, as well as the newest trends shaping workplace technology. Our experts will address the legal and ethical challenges these innovations present, including bias and discrimination risks, data privacy concerns, and compliance with evolving regulations.
Attendees will gain practical insights into mitigating the risks of AI misuse, implementing responsible technology policies, and preparing for the future of work in an increasingly automated environment, including the evolving provision of legal services.
Moderator:
- Lauren Polk, Corporate Legal Counsel, Employment, Oracle
Panelists:
- Steve Chariyasatit, Vice President, Legal and Deputy General Counsel, Instacart
- Marjorie Soto-Garcia, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte
- Rebeca Lopez, Attorney Shareholder, Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Labor Law Update
Employers are facing anticipated changes in enforcement trends at the NLRB under the new presidential administration and board leadership. The expected shift from the prior administration will directly impact trends related to union organizing, enforcement actions, workplace rules, and interpretation of employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act. This breakout session will identify the anticipated challenges employers will face under the current administration and best practices for managing labor relations.
Moderator:
- Bill Stovall, Director of Labor & Employee Relations, Ingredion
Panelists:
- Dean Kpere-Daibo, Labor & Employment Equity Partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP
- Jewelle Johnson, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Chief Labor & Employment Counsel, Graphic Packaging International
- Brandon Shelton, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
LUNCH PROGRAM
The 2026 NELC Awards
Special Guest: Patrick Mulvaney
Southern Center for Human Rights
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Advanced Evidentiary Issues at Trial
What happens when the judge throws you for a loop and excludes your client’s key investigation report as hearsay? What do you do when you are at the lectern examining your witness and the witness suddenly freezes—all while the eyes of the judge and jury are on you? Every trial presents unexpected moments.
In this session, experienced trial attorneys will share lessons learned and practical strategies for overcoming the exclusion of critical evidence, navigating witness meltdowns, and managing other unforeseen obstacles at trial. Panelists will also discuss what in-house counsel should understand about evidence and admissibility so they are well prepared long before trial begins.
Moderator:
- Charlene Gedeus, Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Panelists:
- Gary Lafayette, Partner, Sanders Roberts LLP
- JT Wilson, Principal, Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAKOUT SESSION 4
What Employment Lawyers Need to Know About OSHA
Join our expert panel for an in-depth discussion on key OSHA issues impacting employers today. Panelists will explore OSHA standards and enforcement trends, identify common workplace hazards across industries, and share practical strategies for reducing risk and maintaining compliance. The session will also cover best practices for responding to employee complaints, government inspections, conducting investigations, and helping employers proactively manage safety obligations and mitigate potential liabilities.
Moderator:
- Barbara Dunlap,Chief Employment Counsel, Accertify, Inc.
Panelists:
- Phillip Bauknight, Employer Defense Partner, Fisher & Phillips LLP
- Tashwanda Pinchback Dixon, Partner, Balch & Bingham LLP
- Alka Ramchandani-Raj, Partner, Littler Mendelson P.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
GENERAL SESSION 5
Advanced Workplace Accommodation Strategies
Navigating the interactive process and the provision of workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and various other state and federal laws are some of the most challenging areas for employers to navigate. In this interactive session, the speakers will use real-life scenarios and hypotheticals to address complex accommodation issues including mental illness, remote work accommodations, intermittent and potentially indefinite leaves, and more, to provide best practices as well as realistic and business-savvy strategies for responding to difficult accommodation requests. Be prepared, the speakers will be soliciting input from attendees as they work through the different scenarios and solutions. Bring your questions and plan to participate.
Moderator:
- Kalisha Chorba, Associate General Counsel, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
Panelists:
- Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson, Partner, Robinson & Cole LLP
- Gerald Pauling, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- DeAndrea Washington, Partner, Spencer Fane
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
NEW MEMBER/FIRST TIME ATTENDEE RECEPTION
GENERAL RECEPTION
Sponsored by
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Sponsored by
HOT TOPIC / ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
At 9:30 a.m., the roundtable discussions will begin. There will be six small group discussions related to substantive labor & employment issues, as well as general topics on best practices. Each discussion will be led by two relatively new and promising NELC members – an in-house and an outside counsel. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in three of these small group discussions. This is not only a great way to become better informed about a topic of interest, but also enables you to engage with several of your fellow NELC members.
Roundtable Topics:
- Mediation strategies: Creative ideas for effective, efficient resolution of difficult cases.
- Mental Health in the Workplace: Supporting clients while protecting your own well-being. This topic addresses the dual challenge faced by employment practitioners: navigating mental-health-related workplace issues for clients while managing their own stress, burnout, and emotional load. Additional stresses for attendees/members of color in today’s society may also be explored (e.g., attacks on DEI, immigration/ICE issues).
- Road to partnership/building a business case: Exploring the skills and strategies necessary for advancing to partnership, including networking, financial metrics, client development, and leadership.
- AI Continued: Open forum to discuss how we are actually using AI in our L&E practices; practical tips for usage and how best to create search prompts; best practices for fact-checking AI answers.
- EEOC’s New Direction/Initiatives: This Round Table will discuss participants’ recent experience responding to EEOC administrative charges and requests for information in light of the agency’s recent areas of focus including “anti-American bias,” discrimination on the basis of religion, and “DEI-related discrimination.”
BREAK
GENERAL SESSION 6
The Legal Playbook for Workforce Restructuring and Organizational Change
This session brings together a panel of experienced attorneys for a comprehensive discussion on the complex legal landscape surrounding workforce restructuring. The session will address critical trends and legal requirements organizations must navigate when implementing a reduction in force (RIF) or voluntary exit plan. Key topics covered will include (i) best practices for managing reorganizations; (ii) compliance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; (iii) notification requirements for significant layoffs and closures; and (iv) understanding and mitigating potential legal risks of restructuring decisions. The panelists will also provide insights into how these compliance obligations shift in the context of a furlough, offering actionable guidance for HR professionals, legal counsel, and business leaders.
Moderator:
- Eniola Akinrinade, Senior Counsel L&E, Mars Science & Diagnostics
Panelists:
- Yvette Gatling, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson P.C.
- Miguel Pozo, Partner, Cozen O’Connor
- Monica Rodriguez, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyLUNCH
BREAK
GENERAL SESSION 7
Ethics
“Dear Dennis” Q&A Session with Mr. Ethics and FriendsModerator:
- Carolyn Lam, Managing Director - Customer Experience, Escalation, and Recovery, American Airlines
Panelists:
- Dennis Duffy, Director, Labor & Employment, Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC
- Nicholas Simpson, Partner, Jackson Lewis P.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyCLOSING PLENARY
CLOSING RECEPTION
Wi-Fi Access
Network: MarriottBonvoy_Conference
Password: NELC2025WiFi
Courtesy of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
PERFECT PITCH
Sponsored by
Selected outside counsel deliver a brief pitch to in-house lawyers and receive real-time feedback in a collaborative setting.
CONFERENCE WELCOME AND OPENING PLENARY
Sponsored by
a.btn-survey { margin-top: 30px; color: white; background-color: var(--e-global-color-primary); border-radius: 4px; display: block; width: max-content; font-size: 16px; padding: 12px 16px; } a.btn-survey:hover { opacity: 0.90; }
GENERAL SESSION 1
Employment Law Update
Our expert panelists will delve into recent legislative changes, significant court rulings, and emerging trends shaping the landscape of employment law at the federal level, as well as key developments at the state level. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge regarding compliance requirements, best practices for managing workplace issues, and strategies to mitigate legal risks. This session is essential for HR professionals, legal practitioners, and business leaders who need to stay informed about the evolving legal environment affecting employment practices.
Moderator:
- Shawntel Hebert Clark, Senior Counsel, Head of Global Labor & Employment, The Coca-Cola Company
Panelists:
- Eric Barnum, Partner, Baker Hostetler LLP
- Enrique Lemus, Partner, Jones Day
- Jamala McFadden, Managing Partner, The Employment Law Solution
Session Materials:
- PowerPoint Slides
- Employment Law Update (White Paper)
- Executive Power, DEI, and the Future of Anti-Discrimination Law
- NELC Employment Update White Paper EAL Insert
BREAK
GENERAL SESSION 2
Wage and Hour Trends and Developments
This panel will provide a comprehensive update on wage and hour developments impacting class and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act and key state laws. NELC’s panelists will examine recent federal and state legislative changes, significant court decisions, and emerging trends shaping litigation strategies nationwide. Attendees will gain practical insights into defense strategies, including best practices for challenging certification, managing hybrid FLSA and state law actions, and mitigating risk through proactive compliance.
Moderator:
- Megan Lawson, Director of Employment, ALO LLC
Panelists:
- Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, Managing Partner, Krevolin & Horst LLC
- Angela Ramson, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
- Luis Santos, Office Managing Partner, FordHarrison
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyGENERAL SESSION 3
DEI developments since the 2025 Annual Conference
Since 2024, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has moved from being a largely aspirational focus to one of the most scrutinized areas of workplace culture and compliance. Evolving case law, shifting federal guidance, and changing political winds have reshaped what employers previously understood as legally compliant DEI policies and practices. Employers are now navigating an environment in which traditional DEI initiatives—such as hiring goals, leadership pipelines, training programs, and benefits—are being reassessed through a sharper legal lens, with agencies and courts paying closer attention to whether programs may unintentionally create new forms of discrimination.
At the same time, organizations continue to face undeniable business and workforce pressures to build inclusive cultures, address inequities, and compete for diverse talent. This session will explore how DEI has evolved in the labor and employment landscape since 2025, what recent legal and regulatory developments mean for employers in practice, and how in-house counsel, HR leaders, and business stakeholders can reevaluate their DEI strategies to remain both impactful and legally defensible going forward.
Moderator:
- Gerald Walden, Group VP - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, The Fresh Market Inc.
Panelists:
- Alex Garrison Barnett, Labor & Employment Partner, Alston & Bird LLP
- Shalanna Pirtle, Chief Talent and D&I Officer, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
- Dave Powell, Trial Lawyer & Founding Partner, Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow & Farbes
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
WELCOME RECEPTION
Sponsored by
NELC DINE AROUNDS
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Sponsored by
GENERAL SESSION 4
AI: How Employers and Employees Are Using Emerging Technology
This panel will examine how employers are leveraging AI tools for recruitment, productivity tracking, and workplace decision-making, as well as the newest trends shaping workplace technology. Our experts will address the legal and ethical challenges these innovations present, including bias and discrimination risks, data privacy concerns, and compliance with evolving regulations.
Attendees will gain practical insights into mitigating the risks of AI misuse, implementing responsible technology policies, and preparing for the future of work in an increasingly automated environment, including the evolving provision of legal services.
Moderator:
- Lauren Polk, Corporate Legal Counsel, Employment, Oracle
Panelists:
- Steve Chariyasatit, Vice President, Legal and Deputy General Counsel, Instacart
- Marjorie Soto-Garcia, Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte
- Rebeca Lopez, Attorney Shareholder, Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
Labor Law Update
Employers are facing anticipated changes in enforcement trends at the NLRB under the new presidential administration and board leadership. The expected shift from the prior administration will directly impact trends related to union organizing, enforcement actions, workplace rules, and interpretation of employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act. This breakout session will identify the anticipated challenges employers will face under the current administration and best practices for managing labor relations.
Moderator:
- Bill Stovall, Director of Labor & Employee Relations, Ingredion
Panelists:
- Dean Kpere-Daibo, Labor & Employment Equity Partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP
- Jewelle Johnson, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Chief Labor & Employment Counsel, Graphic Packaging International
- Brandon Shelton, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
LUNCH PROGRAM
The 2026 NELC Awards
Special Guest: Patrick Mulvaney
Southern Center for Human Rights
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
Advanced Evidentiary Issues at Trial
What happens when the judge throws you for a loop and excludes your client’s key investigation report as hearsay? What do you do when you are at the lectern examining your witness and the witness suddenly freezes—all while the eyes of the judge and jury are on you? Every trial presents unexpected moments.
In this session, experienced trial attorneys will share lessons learned and practical strategies for overcoming the exclusion of critical evidence, navigating witness meltdowns, and managing other unforeseen obstacles at trial. Panelists will also discuss what in-house counsel should understand about evidence and admissibility so they are well prepared long before trial begins.
Moderator:
- Charlene Gedeus, Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Panelists:
- Gary Lafayette, Partner, Sanders Roberts LLP
- JT Wilson, Principal, Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAKOUT SESSION 4
What Employment Lawyers Need to Know About OSHA
Join our expert panel for an in-depth discussion on key OSHA issues impacting employers today. Panelists will explore OSHA standards and enforcement trends, identify common workplace hazards across industries, and share practical strategies for reducing risk and maintaining compliance. The session will also cover best practices for responding to employee complaints, government inspections, conducting investigations, and helping employers proactively manage safety obligations and mitigate potential liabilities.
Moderator:
- Barbara Dunlap,Chief Employment Counsel, Accertify, Inc.
Panelists:
- Phillip Bauknight, Employer Defense Partner, Fisher & Phillips LLP
- Tashwanda Pinchback Dixon, Partner, Balch & Bingham LLP
- Alka Ramchandani-Raj, Partner, Littler Mendelson P.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
GENERAL SESSION 5
Advanced Workplace Accommodation Strategies
Navigating the interactive process and the provision of workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and various other state and federal laws are some of the most challenging areas for employers to navigate. In this interactive session, the speakers will use real-life scenarios and hypotheticals to address complex accommodation issues including mental illness, remote work accommodations, intermittent and potentially indefinite leaves, and more, to provide best practices as well as realistic and business-savvy strategies for responding to difficult accommodation requests. Be prepared, the speakers will be soliciting input from attendees as they work through the different scenarios and solutions. Bring your questions and plan to participate.
Moderator:
- Kalisha Chorba, Associate General Counsel, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
Panelists:
- Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson, Partner, Robinson & Cole LLP
- Gerald Pauling, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- DeAndrea Washington, Partner, Spencer Fane
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyBREAK
NEW MEMBER/FIRST TIME ATTENDEE RECEPTION
GENERAL RECEPTION
Sponsored by
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Sponsored by
HOT TOPIC / ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
At 9:30 a.m., the roundtable discussions will begin. There will be six small group discussions related to substantive labor & employment issues, as well as general topics on best practices. Each discussion will be led by two relatively new and promising NELC members – an in-house and an outside counsel. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in three of these small group discussions. This is not only a great way to become better informed about a topic of interest, but also enables you to engage with several of your fellow NELC members.
Roundtable Topics:
- Mediation strategies: Creative ideas for effective, efficient resolution of difficult cases.
- Mental Health in the Workplace: Supporting clients while protecting your own well-being. This topic addresses the dual challenge faced by employment practitioners: navigating mental-health-related workplace issues for clients while managing their own stress, burnout, and emotional load. Additional stresses for attendees/members of color in today’s society may also be explored (e.g., attacks on DEI, immigration/ICE issues).
- Road to partnership/building a business case: Exploring the skills and strategies necessary for advancing to partnership, including networking, financial metrics, client development, and leadership.
- AI Continued: Open forum to discuss how we are actually using AI in our L&E practices; practical tips for usage and how best to create search prompts; best practices for fact-checking AI answers.
- EEOC’s New Direction/Initiatives: This Round Table will discuss participants’ recent experience responding to EEOC administrative charges and requests for information in light of the agency’s recent areas of focus including “anti-American bias,” discrimination on the basis of religion, and “DEI-related discrimination.”
BREAK
GENERAL SESSION 6
The Legal Playbook for Workforce Restructuring and Organizational Change
This session brings together a panel of experienced attorneys for a comprehensive discussion on the complex legal landscape surrounding workforce restructuring. The session will address critical trends and legal requirements organizations must navigate when implementing a reduction in force (RIF) or voluntary exit plan. Key topics covered will include (i) best practices for managing reorganizations; (ii) compliance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; (iii) notification requirements for significant layoffs and closures; and (iv) understanding and mitigating potential legal risks of restructuring decisions. The panelists will also provide insights into how these compliance obligations shift in the context of a furlough, offering actionable guidance for HR professionals, legal counsel, and business leaders.
Moderator:
- Eniola Akinrinade, Senior Counsel L&E, Mars Science & Diagnostics
Panelists:
- Yvette Gatling, Shareholder, Littler Mendelson P.C.
- Miguel Pozo, Partner, Cozen O’Connor
- Monica Rodriguez, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyLUNCH
BREAK
GENERAL SESSION 7
Ethics
“Dear Dennis” Q&A Session with Mr. Ethics and FriendsModerator:
- Carolyn Lam, Managing Director - Customer Experience, Escalation, and Recovery, American Airlines
Panelists:
- Dennis Duffy, Director, Labor & Employment, Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC
- Nicholas Simpson, Partner, Jackson Lewis P.C.
Session Materials:
📝 Session SurveyCLOSING PLENARY
CLOSING RECEPTION
Wi-Fi Access
Network: MarriottBonvoy_Conference
Password: NELC2025WiFi
Courtesy of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC