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Class actions remain at the forefront of in-house counsel’s concerns and top legal spend. In this program, highly recognized practitioners in class action litigation Joseph A. Apatov (McGlinchey Stafford PLLC) and Bethany G. Lukitsch (BakerHostetler) will discuss the significant and latest issues surrounding consumer class actions. Speakers will also provide the audience with practical strategies to mitigate class action risks.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) are continuously taking initiatives to improve each agency’s law enforcement, specifically against employee misclassification. Guided by their standards, the DOL and the NLRB aggressively enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) respectively to expand the scope of classifying joint employers while narrowing the scope of categorizing independent contractors. Join a panel of key thought leaders and distinguished professionals as they provide a comprehensive discussion of the latest enforcement trends in classifying employees. Speakers, among other things, will offer practical compliance strategies in this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

The flexible work arrangement has become a norm in the post-pandemic time, presenting hurdles among company decision-makers when it comes to employee classification. Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor can pose legal risks to employers including liability claims related to employment taxes, interest, and penalties. Join a panel of key thought leaders and professionals as they provide a comprehensive discussion of the existing regulations, emerging developments, and notable cases involving independent contractor misclassification. Speakers will also offer practical tips and compliance strategies to mitigate potential risks in this evolving legal landscape.

Conversations around generative artificial intelligence are dominating the social stratosphere. By simulating human cognitive thinking, generative AI can produce new types of text, imagery, audio, and synthetic data by using patterns and informational elements obtained from prior works. Because generative AI often relies on pools of data and third-party creations to create new content, there is a concern that generative AI may, whether intentionally or inadvertently, exploit copyright-protected content to develop purportedly original content. Organizations that leverage generative AI tools should be mindful of how the tools are used in a commercial context to mitigate the risk of infringing uses. Likewise, owners of intellectual property should be aware of how their works are used by generative AI models and the users of these tools, and timely action should be taken to defend intellectual property against infringement.

As business challenges and responsibilities for in-house grow, learning how to do more with less is even more important than ever. Identifying solutions to set up your small legal team for success requires managing and leveraging your resources effectively. Attend this session to better prepare for the unique challenges small legal departments face, and learn innovative ways to work effectively with a smaller team. Panelists will address how to better leverage the organization and how to best keep up with changing legal and compliance requirements. Leave this session with a better understanding of technology that can help your small legal department prevent potential problems, rather than fighting them after they arise.

As Gen Z and Gen Y take center stage in the workforce, organizations must adapt their strategies to effectively motivate, recruit, and retain these dynamic generations. Collaboration and consistent development are top of mind for many Gen Z but what else does your organization need to know to be better prepared for this new generation of talent? Join our panelists as they share the necessary tools and insights required to build a dynamic workplace that is both motivating to existing Gen Z employees but also enticing to the new wave of Gen Y talent.

This session will bring together regulators from various agencies across the governance landscape to discuss major agency updates that could impact your business.

Despite making strides to improve the workforce landscape for women, companies continue to show hesitancy surrounding conversations about pay transparency and the imbalance between genders. Join this lively discussion to discover solutions to help navigate these gaps, better understand transparency legislation and discuss what steps need to be taken in order to see real change in the push for equity and inclusivity.