32nd Annual Baird Holm LLP Labor Law Forum
Baird Holm LLP Labor Law Forum — Thursday, May 14, 2020
The 32nd Annual Baird Holm Labor Law Forum is the largest labor and employment seminar in the region, typically hosting nearly 1,000 attendees. It draws human resources professionals, business owners, executives and in-house legal counsel.
Forum Registration
The registration fee for non-clients is $250 per person on or prior to March 13, 2020. After March 13, 2020, the registration fee is $300 per person. Registration includes a full day of educational sessions, one 2020 Labor Law Forum session book, access to the Forum mobile app, and continental breakfast. Current Baird Holm LLP clients may attend the Forum at no charge. Lunch is NOT included with a paid or complimentary registration. You may purchase a boxed lunch the day of the event.
Current Baird Holm LLP clients may attend the Forum at no charge.
If you are a client, to ensure you are not charged, please enter the client code found on your Forum email invitation when registering online.
AGENDA
7:15 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. | Early Bird Sessions
2020 California Employment Law Update
Mark J. Goldsmith
Mark will review the California statutory changes that went into effect on January 1, 2020, the already-pending suits employers have filed to challenge those changes, and some of the other important peculiarities of California employment law.
Form I-9 Workshop
Amy Erlbacher-Anderson
Amy will lead you through a “practical workshop” to teach you how to complete and maintain the Form I-9. Among other things, she will review the numerous forms of employment authorizations HR professionals are likely to encounter and (we hope) discuss the newest version of the Form.
7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast & Registration
8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions
Richard E. Putnam and George E. Martin III
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Main Session 1
CYBER THREAT 2020: Your Employees are Still Your Weakest Link
Vickie B. Ahlers and Robert L. Kardell
Regardless of the industry sector or size of company, all businesses are targets for cyber criminals. The potential malware variants are endless and the threat vectors are constantly evolving. There is one constant in this space – cyber criminals are always waiting for your employees to make one bad move. In this session, Baird Holm attorney and former FBI Agent Bob Kardell will discuss the latest cyber threat trends and how companies continue to fall victim to cyberattacks. Vickie Ahlers will share strategies to not only empower your employees to understand the significance of cyber threats, but also how to implement specific rules and processes that will reduce your risk.
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Break
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Breakout Sessions 1
Employers Beware: NLRA Ignorance is Not a Defense
Mark McQueen
Perhaps more than any other major employment law, the National Labor Relations Act is sometimes counterintuitive. Mark will use real life scenarios that illustrate how uninformed employers make embarrassing and costly mistakes. Union and union free employers who attend will walk away with practical takeaways that can immediately reduce their exposure.
Employment Law at the Movies: Practical Takeaways for Employers from Hollywood.
Get Your Popcorn Ready!
Heidi A. Guttau and David P. Kennison
Using film clips, Heidi and Dewey will examine the elements of Title VII claims and provide employers with practical takeaways. No spoilers, just a focus on a variety of issues, including discrimination, harassment, discipline, and termination as seen on the silver screen. Our two superheroes will tell you what you need to know to live, and work, happily ever after. Two thumbs up!
Ignorance May Not Be Bliss: What You Should Know About OSHA, But Probably Don’t
R.J. (Randy) Stevenson
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration now routinely issues citations carrying penalties in the five-to-six-figure range. Are you prepared for a visit from OSHA? Do you know your rights during an inspection? What should you do if you receive citations? How can you mitigate the “hidden” costs of those citations? Get the answers to these and other relevant questions from a leading OSHA attorney.
Baby Got Back…to Work! An Employer’s Guide to Accommodating Pregnancy and Family Leave
Leigh Campbell Joyce
While new babies bring excitement for employees, they also bring unique challenges for employers and HR professionals. Leigh will address key concerns surrounding parental leave, including pregnancy accommodation requests, state and federal parental leave requirements, sex discrimination claims, and accommodations for breastfeeding mothers.
Moore On… Effectively and Efficiently Working with Outside Counsel
Scott S. Moore, Scott P. Moore, Brian D. Moore, with Jonathan R. Breuning moderating
Many human resources professionals work with outside labor and employment counsel on a regular, if not daily, basis. Our trio of Moores (Scott S. Moore, Scott P. Moore, and Brian D. Moore), led by Jon Breuning, will share their perspectives on how you can effectively utilize outside counsel to your best strategic advantage, control your budget, preserve the always important attorney-client and attorney work product privileges, and ultimately obtain the results you want.
2020 Business Immigration Update
Amy Erlbacher-Anderson, Kara E. Stockdale, Sharada A. Rajappa and Ashley K. Sayles
Employment-based immigration continues to evolve each year. This attorney/paralegal panel of Amy, Kara, Sharada, and Ashley will review recent changes in the world of business immigration and discuss best practices for employers seeking to recruit and hire foreign nationals.
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Break
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Breakout Sessions 2
Workers’ Compensation: A Guide to Administering Your Claims
Brian D. Moore
Claims for workers’ compensation benefits can be costly, difficult to manage, and detrimental to your culture, but they do not have to be. Brian will share practical tips for managing claims for workers’ compensation benefits aimed at limiting your exposure, handling questionable claims, and maintaining positive employee relations throughout.
Wage and Hour Trivia
Allison D. Balus and Michael J. Roccaforte
Test your knowledge of wage and hour laws in this quiz game featuring questions from the past year’s most significant FLSA cases and regulations. In this session, you will learn how to avoid common pitfalls in these important areas of the law. Survey says: this presentation will be a blast!
Wellness in the Workplace: From Standing Desks to Yoga Balls and Ping Pong to Putting Greens
David J. Kramer
David will review the sometimes subtle legal issues that can arise when employers try to integrate employee health, job satisfaction, and productivity.
Weed and Work: Hashing Out Marijuana Laws
Susan K. Tvrdy
The laws governing the use of recreational and medical marijuana across the country are rapidly changing. Susan will discuss developments in federal and state laws governing marijuana use, the impact these laws have on workplace drug testing and workplace accommodations, and future developments on the horizon.
Employer Surveillance Practices: I’ll Be Watching You
Kara E. Stockdale and Sara A. McCue
Whether it is “Facebook stalking” a job applicant, conducting surveillance of watercooler gossip, or tracking an employee’s movement, the opportunities to monitor employee behavior are seemingly endless. Kara and Sara will review the laws governing monitoring employees, and common pitfalls employers should avoid.
Employee Benefits: 2020 Legal Update
Gary N. Clatterbuck, Jeremy T. Christensen and Morgan L. Kreiser
The world of employee benefits is always changing. Our benefits team will provide you with a legal update on employee benefits “hot topics” and will offer their insights about what the future holds for employers.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch break
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Lunch & Learn
Kelli P. Lieurance, Mark McQueen, Kara E. Stockdale, R.J. (Randy) Stevenson, Heidi A. Guttau, with Leigh Campbell Joyce moderating
Our panel will field questions from the audience on any labor and/or employment law topic.
1:00 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. | Borsheim’s Address & Introduction
George E. Martin III
1:05 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Main Session 2
Employment Case Law Update: 99 Problems But the Bench Ain’t One
Kelli P. Lieurance
In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts issued several important employment-related decisions. In this fast-paced, entertaining presentation, Kelli will discuss the practical implications of these decisions and how employers should comply with them. Remember, it is better to learn from the mistakes of others than find yourself in the midst of an indefensible lawsuit!
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Break
2:00 p.m – 2:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions 3
Employers Beware: NLRA Ignorance is Not a Defense
Mark McQueen
Perhaps more than any other major employment law, the National Labor Relations Act is sometimes counterintuitive. Mark will use real life scenarios that illustrate how uninformed employers make embarrassing and costly mistakes. Union and union free employers who attend will walk away with practical takeaways that can immediately reduce their exposure.
Employment Law at the Movies: Practical Takeaways for Employers from Hollywood.
Get Your Popcorn Ready!
Heidi A. Guttau and David P. Kennison
Using film clips, Heidi and Dewey will examine the elements of Title VII claims and provide employers with practical takeaways. No spoilers, just a focus on a variety of issues, including discrimination, harassment, discipline, and termination as seen on the silver screen. Our two superheroes will tell you what you need to know to live, and work, happily ever after. Two thumbs up!
Ignorance May Not Be Bliss: What You Should Know About OSHA, But Probably Don’t
R.J. (Randy) Stevenson
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration now routinely issues citations carrying penalties in the five-to-six-figure range. Are you prepared for a visit from OSHA? Do you know your rights during an inspection? What should you do if you receive citations? How can you mitigate the “hidden” costs of those citations? Get the answers to these and other relevant questions from a leading OSHA attorney.
Baby Got Back…to Work! An Employer’s Guide to Accommodating Pregnancy and Family Leave
Leigh Campbell Joyce
While new babies bring excitement for employees, they also bring unique challenges for employers and HR professionals. Leigh will address key concerns surrounding parental leave, including pregnancy accommodation requests, state and federal parental leave requirements, sex discrimination claims, and accommodations for breastfeeding mothers.
Moore On… Effectively and Efficiently Working with Outside Counsel
Scott S. Moore, Scott P. Moore, Brian D. Moore, with Jonathan R. Breuning moderating
Many human resources professionals work with outside labor and employment counsel on a regular, if not daily, basis. Our trio of Moores (Scott S. Moore, Scott P. Moore, and Brian D. Moore), led by Jon Breuning, will share their perspectives on how you can effectively utilize outside counsel to your best strategic advantage, control your budget, preserve the always important attorney-client and attorney work product privileges, and ultimately obtain the results you want.
Paralegal Panel: From Snapshots to Snapchats – How To Manage Key Evidence In The Modern World
Kimberly A. Brown, Casey L. Ochs, Kristine P. Krupka, Leia R. Hildebrand, with Allison D. Balus moderating
When it comes to managing documentary and electronic evidence, our paralegals have seen it all. Led by Allison Balus, the panel will discuss preserving evidence, costly mistakes you should avoid, and best practices for ensuring you have the evidence you need…when you need it!
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Break
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions 4
Workers’ Compensation: A Guide to Administering Your Claims
Brian D. Moore
Claims for workers’ compensation benefits can be costly, difficult to manage, and detrimental to your culture, but they do not have to be. Brian will share practical tips for managing claims for workers’ compensation benefits aimed at limiting your exposure, handling questionable claims, and maintaining positive employee relations throughout.
Wage and Hour Trivia
Allison D. Balus and Michael J. Roccaforte
Test your knowledge of wage and hour laws in this quiz game featuring questions from the past year’s most significant FLSA cases and regulations. In this session, you will learn how to avoid common pitfalls in these important areas of the law. Survey says: this presentation will be a blast!
Wellness in the Workplace: From Standing Desks to Yoga Balls and Ping Pong to Putting Greens
David J. Kramer
David will review the sometimes subtle legal issues that can arise when employers try to integrate employee health, job satisfaction, and productivity.
Weed and Work: Hashing Out Marijuana Laws
Susan K. Tvrdy
The laws governing the use of recreational and medical marijuana across the country are rapidly changing. Susan will discuss developments in federal and state laws governing marijuana use, the impact these laws have on workplace drug testing and workplace accommodations, and future developments on the horizon.
Employer Surveillance Practices: I’ll Be Watching You
Kara E. Stockdale and Sara A. McCue
Whether it is “Facebook stalking” a job applicant, conducting surveillance of watercooler gossip, or tracking an employee’s movement, the opportunities to monitor employee behavior are seemingly endless. Kara and Sara will review the laws governing monitoring employees, and common pitfalls employers should avoid.
Change in Control – Labor and Employment Law Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions
Scott S. Moore
A change in control over the management of employees to a different corporate structure, whether by asset purchase, stock purchase, leasing of employees or other corporate modification brings with it unique challenges. Due diligence is only the start. Shifts in liability, insurance, successor liability, assignments, foreign workers, and collective bargaining are just a few hurdles which must be faced. In this session, Scott will explore the challenges during a change in control, managing the risk and bringing about a smooth transition.
4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Main Session 3
Americans with Disabilities Act: 2020 Legal Update
Scott P. Moore and Sara A. McCue
The Americans with Disabilities Act continues its reign as the most complex employment law that you regularly encounter when managing employees. Scott and Sara will cover recent court decisions, recent trends, and practical tips for remaining one step ahead.
4:45 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. | Closing Remarks
George E. Martin III
This forum is pending approval for the following continuing education credits:
- IA CLE
- KS CLE
- NE MCLE
- ND CLE
- NE CPE
- CO CLE, MO CLE, WY CLE, MN CLE, UT CLE, VA CLE
- HR Continuing Education Units by SHRM
- HR General Recertification Credits through HRCI
Book Sponsor:
- Borsheims Fine Jewelry & Gifts
Breakfast Sponsor:
- Click here for information on how to become the Breakfast Sponsor.
AM Breakout Sponsor:
- Click here for information on how to become the AM Breakout Sponsor.
PM Breakout Sponsor:
- Click here for information on how to become the PM Breakout Sponsor.
Morning Break Sponsor:
- Marcotte
Afternoon Break Sponsor:
- One Source The Background Check Company
Exhibitors:
- University of Nebraska Omaha – Dept. of Gerontology
- Athletico Excel Physical Therapy
- Union Bank & Trust
- Celebrity Staff
- Tailored Kneads LLC
- First National Bank
- Aureus Group
- HRAM
Hotel Accommodations
Discounted hotel rooms are available at the following:
Hilton Omaha
1001 Cass St
Omaha, NE 68102
Room rate is $189 per night. Book online here or use the group code BHL when calling 1-800-Hiltons.
Courtyard Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area
101 South 10th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Room rate is $179 per night. Book online here.