Hot Topics: Devs in Emp., Environ. Law & TN Law of Good Faith & Damages

Join ACC and Baker Donelson for a morning of Hot Topics: Updates on Developments in Employment Law, Environmental Law and Tennessee Law of Good Faith and Damages

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Conversation - 8:30 am - 9:00 am

CLE - 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Sessions:

#MeToo: New Era in Sexual Harassment, Media Frenzy (or Both) and Ramifications (Randy Patterson) - 40 min.

• During this portion of the program, we will examine the surges of sexual harassment and gender discrimination claims since the #MeToo Movement. We will discuss the foundation and possible causes of the #MeToo Movement and why it is occurring now. The session will also evaluate the current societal role of social media and its impact on the resurgence of sexual harassment and gender discrimination claims, as well as look at the responses of employers to the challenges of these claims and the magnification of those challenges through social media. In addition, we will review case studies that resulted in economically devastating results for the employers, which will lead into a discussion of damage awards in these kinds of cases, ending with an overview of new trends within the law and business practices.

Key Environmental Issues in Real Estate Transactions (Kacie Flynn McRee, Ashley Meredith Strittmatter) - 40 min.

• In the second part of the program, we will provide an overview of important environmental issues and how they impact real estate transactions. We will discuss common issues identified in Phase I and Phase II Environmental Assessments and walk through the process and benefits associated with Brownfield Agreements.

Good Faith, Bad Faith and Tennessee’s Damage Cap Litigation (George T. "Buck" Lewis) - 40 min.

• During the final segment, we will discuss the Lindenberg case in the Sixth Circuit declaring Tennessee’s punitive damages caps unconstitutional and the relationship of Lindenberg to Fito v. Wright Medical, a case Mr. Lewis handled successfully in the Sixth Circuit, as well as discuss the McClay case regarding the compensatory damage caps now pending in the Tennessee Supreme Court.