Perspectives on the Modern Workplace: 2026 Fall Employment Relations Seminar

Employment law is shifting quickly, and the risks are rarely obvious until they land on your desk. Join Porter Wright’s labor and employment attorneys for an insightful look at the latest issues shaping today’s workplace.

Attendees will explore:

• ERISA and benefits litigation trends
• Wage-and-hour compliance and worker classification
• The growing use of artificial intelligence in employment decisions
• Restrictive covenants and non-compete agreements
• Evolving developments in harassment and discrimination

Through realistic scenarios and practical guidance, our attorneys will show you how to spot risks early, respond to employee concerns with confidence, and strengthen the policies and practices your leadership teams rely on every day. You’ll leave with clear takeaways and a more solid footing for the year ahead.

The Evolving Rules of Workplace Culture: Harassment, Discrimination, and DEI Developments, Jenni Edwards, Jamie Repasky and Sarah Squillante, Porter Wright

Employers continue to face new challenges as courts, agencies, and policymakers scrutinize workplace harassment, discrimination, and DEI initiatives. This session will help HR professionals understand emerging trends, identify potential pitfalls, and take proactive steps to ensure their employment practices remain compliant. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for navigating evolving workplace expectations. The program will also address real-world considerations that arise when responding to employee complaints, conducting investigations, and managing workplace risk.

What Keeps ERISA Litigators Busy: Lessons for Today's Benefits and HR Decision-Makers, Michalea Delaveris and Jason Gerken, Porter Wright

The employee benefits world is already complex enough, and when you introduce plaintiffs’ lawyers into the mix, it gets even more complicated. This presentation will include a refresher on ERISA basics and highlight trends in benefits litigation, so that in-house counsel and HR professionals can chart a path that steers clear of common claims.

Navigating Tricky Topics in Employment Law: A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Guide, Jourdan Day, Kelsey Gee and Helen Sudhoff, Porter Wright

This interactive presentation will examine compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), proper classification of employees and independent contractors, emerging legal risks related to employers’ use of artificial intelligence, and the evolving landscape of restrictive covenants, including non-compete agreements. Through realistic workplace scenarios and guided discussion, attendees will work through complex employment situations and gain practical strategies for identifying risks, maintaining compliance, and confidently addressing these issues within their organizations.