Employment and Labor

AGENDA:

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Registration

• 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Lunch

• 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Program

Employers face numerous competitive challenges in today’s changing legal landscape.  In-house counsel need strategies to advise executives and protect invaluable assets including trade secrets, client relationships, and valuable employees.  This comprehensive program focuses on strategies that can be implemented including contractual and common law protections, fiduciary duties/duty of loyalty, and addressing group lift-outs/corporate raids from the hiring and departing employer’s perspective.

You will come away with tools to manage complex and contentious situations effectively and strategically, from on-boarding to off-boarding and beyond.  This lunch is ideal for in-house attorneys navigating the legal and operational challenges of protecting your company’s interests, avoiding litigation when hiring from competitors, and effectively pursuing litigation when necessary in the event of employee departures.

The discussion will be facilitated by Epstein Becker & Green's Erik Weibust who will be joined by Sean Fitzmichael Devlin, General Counsel of Pavion.

Chatham House Rules will govern the discussion, and CLE credit will be offered.

Register below.  Attendance is limited to ensure a good discussion.

AGENDA:

• 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Registration

• 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Lunch

• 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Program

Employers face numerous competitive challenges in today’s changing legal landscape.  In-house counsel need strategies to advise executives and protect invaluable assets including trade secrets, client relationships, and valuable employees.  This comprehensive program focuses on strategies that can be implemented including contractual and common law protections, fiduciary duties/duty of loyalty, and addressing group lift-outs/corporate raids from the hiring and departing employer’s perspective.

You will come away with tools to manage complex and contentious situations effectively and strategically, from on-boarding to off-boarding and beyond.  This lunch is ideal for in-house attorneys navigating the legal and operational challenges of protecting your company’s interests, avoiding litigation when hiring from competitors, and effectively pursuing litigation when necessary in the event of employee departures.

The discussion will be facilitated by Epstein Becker & Green's Erik Weibust who will be joined by Sean Fitzmichael Devlin, General Counsel of Pavion.

Chatham House Rules will govern the discussion, and CLE credit will be offered.

Register below.  Attendance is limited to ensure a good discussion.

In employment matters, the financial and reputational costs of an improperly executed termination can be significant. This session will provide an up-to-date review of how courts are awarding damages in wrongful dismissal cases, including issues surrounding reasonable notice periods, bad faith conduct, and punitive damages. We’ll discuss recent case law and how you can manage your legal risk while balancing your business needs.

Time (ET):

Lunch and Registration: 11:00 – 11:30am

Session and Lunch: 11:30am - 1:00 pm

 

ACC CLE
Legal Updates & Libations: 
Happy Hour and CLE
Non-Competes, Trump Shake-Ups, Class Actions, 
Unions, and DEI

 

Thursday, September 18^th 
1801 California Street, Suite 3400, Denver, CO 80202 

Members: No Charge | Non-Members: $10 
One (1) General CLE & One (1) DEI CLE Credit Approved. 

CLE: Located in Main Level of Building 3-5PM | Cocktail Reception: Suite #3400 5-7PM

Parking
Parking validations will be available for 1801 Building garage.

AGENDA  

Introduction and Brief Discussion on Restrictive Covenants in Colorado  (3:00 – 3:10)

• Speaker: Chuck Weese

Defending Class Actions in Federal Court (3:10- 3:30)

This session will highlight practical strategies for defending class actions in federal court, with a focus on leveraging pretrial procedures to narrow claims, defeat class certification, and limit class membership.  

• Speakers: Mairead Dolan and Rena Meisler

Unions and Emerging Trends (3:30-3:50)

This session will examine what’s happening at the National Labor Relations Board and will include a lively discussion about the uptick in unionization, emerging trends, tactics, and insights directly from the Acting General Counsel and current Board Members.  

• Speakers: Bronwyn Pepple and Gavin Jacobs

Trump’s Effect on Federal Agencies (3:50-4:10)

This session will discuss the effects on federal agencies of the new administration and new agency leadership, including a willingness to be more action-oriented and less hesitant, at least on issues that are important to the administration, and willingness to take risks and adopt new and untested legal interpretations and positions.

• Speakers: John Bernetich and Chuck Weese

 U.S. vs DEI (4:10-4:40)

“U.S. vs. DEI” will be a discussion on examining the current administration’s executive orders, agency actions, and litigation reshaping diversity, equity, and inclusion nationwide.

• Speakers: Liz Austin and Greg Tan

Guest Speaker: Q&A with U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Starnella with moderator Carlos Romo (4:40-5:00)
This session will be a candid Q&A and discussion covering topics such as DEI in the federal courts, related litigation, and the use of AI in the courtroom. 

PROGRAM TAKEAWAYS

• Federal Agencies and Court: Discussions on how organizations must prepare to defend against class actions in federal court, as well as how Trump created a new chapter in federal agencies, and how that could affect legal interpretations and positions. 
• Labor and Employment Landscape Is Evolving: Discussion on the rise in union activity and why it’s needed for employers to understand emerging labor trends and regulatory priorities.
• The New DEI: Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are facing increased legal and political challenges due to recent executive actions and litigation, signaling a need for organizations to reassess their DEI strategies in light of shifting federal priorities. 

As the workplace continues to evolve, so does the legal landscape governing it – and this fall, labor law is rewriting the syllabus.

We’re excited to invite you to Labor Law 2025 & Beyond, a timely and practical program co-hosted by ACC Northeast and Fisher & Phillips LLP. This session will serve as a back-to-school crash course for in-house counsel and HR leaders navigating today’s shifting labor law environment.

Expert panelists will cover the most significant legal developments and enforcement trends impacting employers in both union and non-union settings – from Cemex and Stericycle to the expansion of Section 7 rights and anticipated shifts in 2026.  Whether your goal is to stay union-free or ensure compliance in an organized workplace, this session is designed to help you stay one step ahead.

Topics will include:

• New organizing tactics and election procedures;
• Policy pitfalls under Stericycle and McLaren Macomb;
• Practical strategies for non-union employers;
• Enforcement priorities under a new administration;
• Actionable insights for legal and HR professionals.

There will be time for live Q&A and practical issue-spotting during our “Office Hours” session, and afterward, a networking reception will cap off the evening.

Register below.

ACC Houston CLE Webinar
Evolving Employer Obligations: “Lightning Round” Update for Corporate Counsel
Understanding the impact of new Texas legislation and evolving federal workplace laws.
August 19, 2025 | 12-1 pm CDT | 1.00 hrs CLE (TX)

About the Program

The legal landscape for employers is shifting rapidly in 2025, especially in Texas. From new state legislation to evolving federal workplace laws, organizations must stay agile to remain compliant and competitive. This program brings together legal experts to unpack the latest developments and offer practical strategies for navigating these changes with confidence.
Grounded in current legal trends and legislative updates, our speakers will explore how employers can proactively address current compliance challenges and mitigate risk. Attendees will gain actionable insights into adapting policies and practices across industries and sectors.
•    New Texas workplace laws on artificial intelligence, equal employment opportunity, confidentiality agreements, and more
•    Responding to ICE and FDNS site visits
•    Best practices for I-9 verification and reverification
•    ADA and PWFA accommodation updates and challenges
•    Religious accommodations post-Groff and EEOC guidance
•    Waiver of arbitration – new risks and implications
 

Have Questions?
 

To ensure we address the topics most relevant to your organization, please feel free to submit any questions you have ahead of the webinar. This will allow our speakers to provide tailored responses and insights during the session. Make sure to submit your questions during registration.

ACC Houston Annual Symposium
Friday, August 22, 2025 | 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
Junior League of Houston | 1811 Briar Oaks Lane | Houston TX 77027

This full day of CLE will provide 7.00 hours CLE and includes 1.25 hours Ethics Credits (TX).  

We will once again be supporting the Teachers Aid Program with the Houston Food Bank.  Please bring your back-to-school supplies or monetary donations to the registration table at check in for additional raffle tickets for our evening reception prizes.Tentative Schedule

Breakfast and Check-In: 8:00 am - 9:00 am

Session 1: 8:30 - 9:20 am
Gone in 60 Seconds: A Legal Pit Crew's Guide to Product Risk
Eversheds Sutherland

Session 2: 9:30 - 10:20 am
Negotiation Blind Spots: Identifying Cognitive Biases and Their Impact
Galloway

Session 3: 10:30 - 11:20 am
The Wrinkles of IP Monetization, Whether It Is a Threat or Opportunity
Baker Botts L.L.P.

Lunch service with Keynote Speaker: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm (Sponsored by Porter & Hedges)
Stephen L. Klineberg "Why Houston Matters: Perspectives on the American Future"

Session 4: 1:00 – 1:50 pm
All the Things I Wanted to Know but was Afraid to Ask
Gordon Arata

Session 5: 2:00 – 2:50 pm
Insights into Federal Regulations
Bracewell

Session 6: 3:00 - 3:50 pm
The Texas Business Courts' Impact
Steptoe

Session 7: 4:00 – 4:50 pm
Doing Right When Things Go Wrong: Ethical Considerations in Incident Response
Liskow

Reception and Raffle: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm (Sponsored by K&L Gates)