15th Annual

Employment Law Symposium

Presented by

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin

In-Person or Livestream
November 17, 2021
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: Farmer & the Seahorse
10996 Torreyana Road
San Diego, CA 92121
Why Attend?

Join Us for the 2021 Employment Law Symposium

Why Should You Attend?

Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin’s annual Employment Law Symposium is the place to learn about the upcoming employment laws, defense strategies, and emerging trends.  

This in-person and livestreamed conference is a unique blend of information gathering, professional development, and employment law education that includes actionable insights you can use today. It will also provide opportunities to connect with and learn from established and experienced employment law attorneys in California.

"The entire Pettit Kohn team was very friendly and approachable. Enjoyed that you all engaged the participants."
2018 Symposium Attendee
"Provided a lot of value since I’m a small business owner with no professional HR training."
2018 Symposium Attendee
"It was the best seminar of the year. Everything spot on."
2019 Symposium Attendee
"Great event with current, practical and useful information."
2019 Symposium Attendee
"The range of topics covered, the visuals, and the presenters themselves were all first-rate."
2020 Symposium Attendee

What Will You Get Out of It?

  • Educational Live Sessions

This live event at Farmer & the Seahorse offers unique and compelling learning presentations led by industry leaders offering a breadth of education, including best practices, current strategies, updates on new HR laws, trends, and tips to stay ahead of the employment law curve. Live Q & A session is available to make sure your most pressing employment law and HR questions are answered. 

  • HRCI | SHRM | MCLE Credits

Earn up to 4.5 learning credits towards SHRM and HRCI recertification. Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin is also approved by the State Bar of California to provide Continuing Legal Education credits (MCLE Provider Number:  13919).

Certification Seals for Website
  • Resource Booklet

Each attendee will receive a comprehensive resource booklet that includes PowerPoint slides from each presentation plus additional source materials outlining the current statutory and regulatory changes.

  • Professional Connections

Access to established and experienced California employment law attorneys with opportunities to connect with these legal subject matter experts. Breakfast, lunch, and a hosted networking reception for in-person attendees provides additional opportunities to have your questions answered.

  • Interactive Q & A Sessions

Opportunities for question and answer make it much easier to get your individual questions answered by our top legal experts. Please note: This Symposium offers guidance only and does not serve as or replace legal advice.

  • Opportunity Drawings

Attendees will have an opportunity to win prizes including:  $300 Donation to a Charity of Your Choice, Harassment Prevention Training, Employee Handbook Audit, and a Complimentary Registration for our 16th Annual Employment Law Symposium.

Register Now

the 2021 Employment Law Symposium

PROGRAM & ATTORNEYS

Morning Sessions

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Welcome &
Introduction

Rachel Albert, Esq.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

About the Speaker

Rachel E. Albert, Esq. is an associate in Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC’s Los Angeles office. Her practice focuses on employment and labor counseling and litigation. She represents a diverse spectrum of California employers, helping them  manage the day-to-day issues arising in the employment context, craft and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance, and navigate the litigation process.  Rachel earned her J.D. degree at the Pepperdine University School of Law, graduating cum laude. She is also a graduate of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law – Mediating the Litigated Case™ program. She is licensed to practice before all courts in the State of California.

Details
2021 California
Wage & Hour Update

Jennifer Lutz, Esq. & Rio Schwarting, Esq.

2021 California Wage & Hour Update

Presentation Summary:

California’s wage and hour laws are among the most stringent in the nation. This presentation will provide an overview of key changes in the wage and hour arena over the past year as well as new legislation that will go into effect next year.  We will review compliance obligations for companies doing business in California, and discuss the practical impact of these new laws and best practices for avoiding employment-related claims.

3 Learning Objectives:

(1) Examine recent legislation and case law that affect wage and hour issues at both the state and federal level; (2) Discuss strategies for California to help ensure legal compliance and avoid unwanted litigation; (3) Anticipate the areas of law that will see changes in the coming year and discuss the implications of those potential changes.

About the Speakers

Jennifer N. Lutz, Esq. is a founding shareholder and co-chair of Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC’s employment and labor group, where she focuses her practice in employment litigation and counseling.  Ms. Lutz successfully represents California employers involving issues of discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, defamation, and both individual and class action wage and hour claims.  In addition, Jennifer is a speaker and author on issues such as wage and hour law, employee privacy, and leaves of absence.  She also provides advice and training to employers on a full range of employment law issues, including drafting employment policies and procedures, terminations, and discipline.  Ms. Lutz earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona and J.D. degree from the University of Arizona College of Law. She has been recognized by San Diego Super Lawyers® each year since 2011 and was honored as one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in San Diego in 2020. Recently, the San Diego Business Journal included Ms. Lutz in their 2021 listing of “Women of Influence in Law.” Best Lawyers in America has also recognized her for her work in both Employment Law – Management and Labor and Employment Litigation.

Rio Schwarting, Esq. is an associate in the San Diego office and represents large and small corporate clients against claims involving premises liability, product liability, and personal injury. She also handles a wide range of employment matters and focuses on the defense of employers in all aspects of employment litigation.  Ms. Schwarting is active in the San Diego legal community, as a member of the California Women Lawyers and serving as the Law Student Outreach Committee Co-Chair for Lawyers Club of San Diego.

Details
COVID-19 & Remote/ Hybrid Employees

Shannon Finley, Esq.

Remote & Hybrid Workforces in the Wake of COVID-19

Presentation Summary:

This presentation will address the most recent developments concerning employment law and COVID-19.  Additionally, this discussion will include best practices for managing a remote or hybrid workforce. It will touch on key risks, liability issues, and evolving trends businesses should consider when reopening their organizations in this new hybrid work environment. 

3 Learning Objectives:

(1) Review the current status of COVID-19 requirements; (2) Discuss pitfalls to avoid for employees working remotely; (3) Provide best practices for remote/hybrid employee management.

About the Speaker

Shannon R. Finley, Esq. is a shareholder in the firm’s San Diego office and focuses her practice on employment law, representing California employers in disputes ranging from single plaintiff wrongful termination cases to complex class actions, and everything in between. In addition to defending employers in litigation, Ms. Finley provides guidance to employers, advising on best practices to avoid lawsuits before they arise. She is a speaker and author on issues including best hiring practices, wage and hour law, discrimination, leaves of absence, and social media. Ms. Finley was recognized by the San Diego Business Journal in their 2020 listing of “Leaders in Law” and their 2021 listing of “Women of Influence in Law”. She was also recognized as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, a Rising Star by San Diego Super Lawyers®, and she received the C. Hugh Friedman New Lawyer Award from Lawyers Club of San Diego for her leadership and professionalism in the Legal Community.

Details
Arbitration
Agreements

Christine Dixon, Esq.

Arbitrating Claims by Employees: We're Still Talking About It

Presentation Summary:

Arbitration agreements have become one of many components of the employer-employee relationship. This program will discuss what constitutes an enforceable arbitration agreement, the pros and cons of arbitrating employment disputes compared with litigating in court, and California’s ongoing attempts to limit arbitration agreements in the employment context. This session will also address how to implement arbitration in your organization.

3 Learning Objectives:

(1) Identify situations in which arbitration is preferable to litigation; (2) Review recent cases and statutes that have changed the landscape of arbitration; and (3) Discuss tips for what to include in arbitration agreements and when to enforce such agreements.

About the Speaker

Christine Dixon, Esq. represents large and small corporate clients and handles a wide range of employment matters focusing on the defense of employers in all aspects of employment litigation.  Christine has been recognized as one of San Diego Super Lawyers® Rising Stars in 2021 and was also honored as San Diego Defense Lawyers’ Outstanding New Lawyer in 2015.  Most recently, she was recognized by Best Lawyers in America in their 2022 listing of Ones of to Watch for her work in Litigation – Labor and Employment.  Ms. Dixon currently serves on the San Diego Defense Lawyers Board of Directors as Vice President.

Details

Afternoon Sessions

1:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Devil's Advocate: Thinking
Like a Plaintiff

Ryan Nell, Esq.

"Devil's Advocate": Thinking Like a Plaintiff

Presentation Summary:

When faced with the prospect of litigation, employers tend to think like, well, employers.  They view their policies, actions, and responses through a defensive lens, making inferences that logically favor their interpretations of law and fact.  While doing so is a natural starting point and helps craft a defense to claims, employers are also well served to spend some time “thinking like a plaintiff.”  In this presentation, we will play devil’s advocate, presenting a series of common employment disputes and looking at the ways in which “facts” can be viewed through different lenses, depending on whether they are being used to attack or defend.  In doing so, we can discuss various strategies for creating policies and best practices aimed at controlling the narrative of a litigious employee before it even starts.

3 Learning Objectives:

(1) Understand how plaintiffs’ attorneys utilize facts and allegations to build their cases; (2) Develop strategies aimed at better overcoming novel tactics; and (3) Discuss manners in which policies and practices can be honed to leave employers less vulnerable to attack in the first place.

About the Speaker

Ryan H. Nell, Esq. is a shareholder in Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC’s San Diego office. He represents California employers statewide in both counseling and comprehensive litigation support. With the ever-changing landscape of California and federal employment law, Ryan prides himself on assisting clients in staying ahead of the curve in an effort to avoid legal trouble before it arises. He has extensive experience representing clients in harassment, retaliation, and discrimination matters, as well as large-scale wage and hour lawsuits. Ryan speaks regularly on a wide range of topics aimed at assisting California employers in the avoidance of legal trouble before it arises, and his work in the field has led to his recognition as a Rising Star by San Diego Super Lawyers®. Additionally, Ryan was included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for his work in Labor and Employment Law – Management.

Details
2021 California Harassment,
Discrimination, & Retaliation Update

Thomas Ingrassia, Esq. & Christine Robles, Esq.

2021 California Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Update

Presentation Summary:

Particularly in light of today’s social climate, each year sees a new wave of legislation and litigation that further clarifies the grounds upon which the state prohibits and attempts to prevent harassment, retaliation, and discrimination.  This year has been no different. This presentation will discuss the latest updates in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation law as applicable to California employers, and will discuss strategies for avoiding running afoul of applicable law.    

3 Learning Objectives:

(1) Provide an update on the past year’s developments in harassment, retaliation, and discrimination law at both the state and federal level; (2) Discuss strategies that California employers can utilize to help ensure legal compliance and avoidance of unwanted litigation; (3) Anticipate the areas of law that may see changes in the coming year and briefly discuss the implications of those potential changes.

About the Speakers

Thomas S. Ingrassia, Esq. is a founding shareholder and co-chair of Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC’s employment and labor group. He represents a diverse spectrum of business entities and defends all forms of employment litigation before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Tom is a widely-acclaimed speaker who is frequently invited to provide employment practices and employee management training. He has been selected for inclusion in San Diego Super Lawyers® every year since 2008 and was recognized as one of San Diego’s Top 50 Attorneys in 2020, 2017, and 2016. The San Diego Business Journal listed Mr. Ingrassia as a 2020 “Leader in Law”. He has also been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2013 and has received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards.  Most recently, he was recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in San Diego for Employment Law Management.

Christine A. Robles, Esq. is an associate in the firm’s San Diego office, where she represents corporate clients in a variety of employment and labor litigation matters. Christine’s practice focuses on litigating and defending clients in wage and hour, harassment, retaliation, and discrimination disputes. Christine is admitted to practice in the State of California and the United States District Court for the Southern, Central, Northern, and Eastern Districts of California. Ms. Robles is active in the San Diego legal community as a member of the Lawyers Club of San Diego and the Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego.

Details
Leaves of
Absence

Tristan Mullis, Esq.

All You Need is Leave: Navigating California Leave Requirements and Avoiding Lawsuits

Presentation Summary:

Managing California’s numerous leave laws can get confusing – particularly since required and optional leaves can overlap with each other. This session will provide an update on the latest developments under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and federal and California disability laws and COVID-19 related provisions.

3 Learning Objectives:

(1) Outline the various grounds for protected leave under state and federal law, as well as the applicability of laws to different employers; (2) Learn best practices and actionable steps to avoid some common HR mistakes; (3) Strategize how best to handle employee leave issues that fall outside of the confines of the law, but still warrant appropriate care and treatment.

About the Speaker

Tristan A. Mullis, Esq. is a shareholder and leader in Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin PC’s Los Angeles office and a leader in the employment and labor group.  He represents California employers in the defense of claims involving issues of workplace discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations.  He has secured successful outcomes for clients at trial, mediation, and through dispositive motions and works with employers to implement policies and practices to maximize personnel while reducing the risk of future claims. Tristan speaks regularly to various groups on a wide range of employment law topics including COVID-19. 

Details

Q&A Lightning Round

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Q&A Panel with Employment Team Shareholders
Join the Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin experts in this interactive session as they answer and discuss your pressing HR questions in greater detail. During this panel, you will be able to ask questions and get the answers you need from experienced employment law attorneys.
Thomas Ingrassia, Esq.

Jennifer Lutz, Esq.

Tristan Mullis, Esq.

Ryan Nell, Esq.

Shannon Finley, Esq.

Register Now

Pricing & Registration

In-Person

Early Bird

by 10/25/21

$250

Regular

by 11/16/21

$275

Livestream

Early Bird

by 10/25/21

$99

Regular

by 11/16/21

$129

Special rates available for groups of 3 or more. See registration page for pricing.

Registration closed

FAQs

The venue is located at Farmer & the Seahorse, 10996 Torreyana Road, San Diego, CA 92121

All registrants will receive an email with a link to the Livestream and a Personal Access Code a few days before the Symposium. Use this link and access code to view the Livestream.

To access the livestream via this website, go to www.hrlawevent.com, click on the Live Stream link in the navigation bar, and enter your Personal Access Code. On the day of the Symposium, you will be able to access the live stream via this website page.

If you have any questions on the day of the Symposium, please call our Symposium Help Desk at (858) 755-8500.

Please also note:  This Symposium offers guidance only and does not serve as or replace legal advice.

For the best viewing experience, we recommend internet speed of at least 5 Mbps. Stream can be viewed on any of the following devices:

  • Desktop computer or laptop with at least an Intel i5 with 8GB of RAM 
  • Updated Apple desktop, iMac, or MacBook
  • Chromebook
  • Any smartphone 4 years or newer. It is recommended that smartphones be connected to wifi vs. cellular.

Yes, you can earn up to 4.5 SHRM, HRCI, and MCLE credits at this year’s virtual conference.

After the symposium, an email will be sent to each attendee providing the HRCI, SHRM, and MCLE credit information.

Yes. All live sessions will be recorded. After the Symposium, recordings will be posted on the website, www.hrlawevent.com.

For full refund eligibility, cancellations must be received one business day prior to the event.  Refunds will not be granted for no-shows.  All substitutions must be emailed to events@pettitkohn.com by 11/15/21.  We are unable to accommodate split registrations.

Yes. Please make checks payable to Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin and write “2021 Employment Law Symposium” in the memo line. Please complete the registration form here and mail the completed form and checks to 11622 El Camino Real, Ste 300, San Diego, CA 92130. 

We understand there are many factors that will influence your decision to attend either In-Person or via Livestream.  If you register for Livestream viewing and decide later that you are ready to attend in person or vice versa, please email us at events@pettitkohn.com by Monday 11/15.  Please understand that guest capacity will be limited to 50% to allow for social distancing.  If we are at capacity when you submit your request, we will do our best to accommodate you.   

You may email events@pettitkohn.com.

COVID-19 Safety PrOTOCOL

At the 15th Annual Employment Law Symposium, the safety and well-being of the attendees, our team, and the venue employees is a top priority for both Pettit Kohn Ingrassia Lutz & Dolin and the Farmer & the Seahorse.  The Farmer & the Seahorse staff will be wearing masks at all times and will be providing the safest environment for onsite attendees under current CDC guidelines.  Guest capacity will be limited to 50% to allow for social distancing. Pettit Kohn and Farmer & the Seahorse will continue to monitor the COVID-19 environment in addition to the recommended guidelines and will communicate adjustments to the onsite policies and procedures as we approach the live event date.

Thank you for your assistance in providing a safe event experience for all guests.
Please email events@pettitkohn.com with additional questions.
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