Labor & Employment Regulatory Landscape: What’s Coming Next?

Sonya received a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. She is a member of the American Corporate Counsel Association, National Employment Law Council, Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and Corporate Counsel Women of Color. She was also previously Chairperson of the Labor and Employment Committee of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association. Sonya was a Senior Counsel for approximately ten years at National Grid working on a wide range of employment and labor issues from the hiring process through separation, including but not limited to representing the Company in mediation and litigation matters, proceedings before federal and state administrative agencies, counseling on various employee relations issues, policy development, and provided training to management on a number of employment/labor law developments. Prior to her role at National Grid, Sonya was a Senior Employment and Labor Law Associate at Arent Fox LLP and DLA Piper LLP. She is also a former law clerk to the late Honorable Clifford Scott Green, United States District Court, E.D. P.A.

Stephen is the vice president of legal, employment & corporate affairs for Fox Corporation, which produces and distributes content under brands including FOX News Media, FOX Sports, FOX Entertainment, FOX Television Stations and Tubi Media Group. Malone, who is based in New York, practiced as a labor and employment associate at Winston & Strawn and Proskauer Rose before moving in-house at NBCUniversal. There he focused on employment law counseling and pre-litigation issues for more than a decade and a half. At Fox, his portfolio now includes employment law as well as litigation, executive compensation and sustainability matters.

Carol Goodman is the co-chair of Herrick’s Litigation Department, chair of the firm’s Employment Practice and a member of the Firm's Executive Committee.

Carol advises public and private companies in all aspects of employment law throughout various industries such as government, sports, multi-media, real estate, finance, hospitality and the arts.

Carol defends employers and key employees against the full range of federal and state employment claims as well as landlords and property owners against discrimination in housing claims. Carol’s experience includes litigation at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts, arbitration venues, and before authorities such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR), the New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR), Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOP) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Carol designs, implements and conducts harassment and discrimination prevention training for companies, their Board of Directors, executives, managers and/or staff. With decades of experience litigating employment matters, Carol adds an element of reality to her live training sessions (conducted in-person or, more recently through virtual platforms) by using relevant real-life examples tailored to the specific industry and audience. Carol also regularly assists companies with establishing reporting mechanisms and conducting internal investigations.

Carol performs employment policy reviews for employers which include a full assessment to ensure that they are compliant with current laws and regulations, including with respect to new COVID-19 leave laws, parental and sick leave laws, proper classification under the Labor Law and FLSA, and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination regulations. Carol regularly develops, drafts, and provides guidance on compensation arrangements, severance packages, releases and exit incentive programs. Employers rely on Carol’s advice to see them through both the hiring process and individual and group terminations, mass layoffs and furloughs. Most recently, Carol counsels clients on implementing compliant COVID-19 safety plans, providing guidance and assistance in connection with re-entry to the workplace.