2026 Employment Law Update
🔹 Why You Can’t Afford to Miss the Annual Employment Law Update
In today’s environment, employment law is not just an HR issue—it’s a business risk issue.
The rules are changing faster than ever. From wage and hour compliance to leave laws, workplace investigations, and emerging risks like AI in hiring, what worked last year may already be outdated. And the reality is this: most organizations don’t get into trouble because they intended to do the wrong thing—they get into trouble because they didn’t know what changed.
That’s why our Annual Employment Law Update is one of the most important investments you can make in your business this year.
This session is designed for HR professionals, leaders, and business owners who want to stay ahead—not just compliant. We break down complex legal updates into real-world, practical guidance you can immediately apply to your organization. More importantly, we connect the dots between legal compliance and business impact—because every decision you make around your people has legal implications.
You’ll walk away with clarity on what’s changing, what it means for your organization, and what actions you need to take now to protect your business and lead with confidence.
Because at the end of the day, the organizations that win are not the ones reacting to legal issues—they’re the ones who are prepared for them.
AGENDA
9:00 am Registration/Networking
9:45 am Welcome Message, Sponsor Introductions
10:00 am Session 1 – EEOC Religious Discrimination, Pregnancy and Disability with AI Sprinkled In
Helen Holden, Partner - Spencer Fane
Helen helps businesses understand how successfully navigating the alphabet soup of federal and state employment laws can positively impact company culture. Helen brings over 20 years of experience to her focus on management-side employment law, which is evident in the practical advice and training she provides to management on human resource issues. Helen’s clients include companies in diverse industry sectors, including construction, real estate, manufacturing, technology, health care, distribution, and the retail and service sectors.
When disputes arise, Helen is a strong advocate for the employer’s interests, without losing sight of the larger issues impacting the business. She regularly represents employers in agency proceedings involving allegations of discrimination or harassment, and has successfully defended employers in lawsuits brought in both state and federal courts.
11:00 am Break - network with your fellow attendees and vendors
11:15 am Session 2 – AI Hiring Technology & Bias
Jeff Toppel, Partner - BianchiBrandt
Jeff Toppel is widely recognized as a leading practitioner in labor and employment law, representing employers of all sizes in a wide variety of industries. Jeff works with his clients to provide timely and proactive advice on maintaining an issue-free workplace.
In addition to providing advice and counsel to employers on compliance with the growing myriad of employment laws, Jeff defends employers before various state and federal agencies, and before courts throughout the U.S. Over the past several years, Jeff has represented numerous employers before the National Labor Relations Board and has developed a deep knowledge in the expanding area of protected, concerted activities in the union and non-union workplaces.
12:15 pm Lunch/networking/vendors
1:00 pm Session 3 – What to expect in 2027 plus wacky cases!!
Joe Clees, Founding Shareholder - Ogletree Deakins
Joe is a highly respected legal expert in the field with years of experience in employment law. His in-depth knowledge and practical insights make complex legal concepts easy to understand and apply in real-world HR scenarios. Business leaders and HR professionals will benefit from his clear explanations of the latest regulatory changes, case law updates, and best practices for minimizing legal risks in the workplace. Joe's engaging and informative sessions empower leaders and HR professionals to proactively address employment law issues, ensuring compliance and enhancing their organization's HR strategies. You must attend for the wacky cases alone!
2:00 pm Raffle Prizes
2:30 pm Event ends
3.25 Business/General Credit Hours pending through HRCI
