37th Annual Employment Law Symposium

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Location

Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, Utah

Agenda

7 to 8 a.m. – Registration and Breakfast

8 to 8:20 a.m. – Welcome Remarks from SHRM and Parsons Behle & Latimer

·        10-minute break

Breakout 1: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

·        15-minute break

Breakout 2: 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

·        15-minute break

Breakout 3: 11 a.m. to noon

·        30-minute break

Keynote and Lunch: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. 

Continuing Education

Approved for four Utah CLE, SHRM PDC and HRCI recertification credit hours.

REGISTER HERE

Breakout 1 Sessions

Religion in the Workplace: Back in the Spotlight 

In June 2023, the Supreme Court issued the Groff v. Dejoy decision, making it more difficult for employers to deny requests for religious accommodations. When Trump took office in 2025, his newly appointed EEOC chair declared that her priorities would include “protecting workers from religious bias and harassment.” Because of these two developments, we expect to see more religion-based employment claims, and employers need to be up-to-speed on the law regarding religion in the workplace.

·        Presenters – Christina M. Jepson and Elena T. Vetter

Winning the Case Before it Starts: Investigations, Documents and Lawyers

Liz and Sean will discuss the tips to effectively investigate employee complaints of unlawful conduct, steps to take when a claim is made and when to involve a third-party investigator.

·        Presenters – Liz M. Mellem and Sean A. Monson

The Uses, Risks, and Benefits of AI for HR Managers

A recent SHRM survey showed that 26% of organizations use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to support HR-related activities. Of those organizations, nearly 90% only began using AI within the last two years. Kevin and Garrett will discuss best practices, legal risks and provide cautionary tales to help HR professionals navigate this rapidly evolving AI landscape.

·        Presenters – J. Kevin West and Garrett M. Kitamura 

Breakout 2 Sessions

Policy Evolution: Changing Your Company’s Policies to Keep Up With Changing Times

Mike and Paul will discuss best practices for analyzing and modifying your company’s policies, practices and procedures to ensure they comply with revised regulations, recently released court opinions and trends in the market.

·        Presenters – Michael Judd and Paul R. Smith

One Unlikely Rise, One Potential Demise: The Realities of Reverse Discrimination Claims and DE&I Initiatives in 2025

Upon her appointment as Acting EEOC Chair, Andrea Lucas released a statement promising to, among other things, “root[] out unlawful DEI-motivated race and sex discrimination” in American workplaces. What does that mean for your company, your diversity initiatives and the potential employment-law claims coming your way? Mark and Elena will discuss the changing legal landscape surrounding DE&I policies and review multiple recent court cases where plaintiffs’ claims hinged on instances of alleged reverse discrimination. Come prepared to learn about these newly-emerging (and quickly-evolving) legal issues—and leave with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities you may face navigating these questions in years to come. 

·        Mark D. Tolman and Elena T. Vetter

Wage and Hour: Hot Topics and Real-Life Examples of Employers Running Afoul of the Fair Labor Standards Act

Christina and Susan will review the tricker (and most often flubbed up!) wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act as well as walk through relevant case law and examples of employers getting it wrong so that you can get it right in your workplace.

·        Presenters – Christina M. Jepson and Susan Baird Motschiedler

Breakout 3 Sessions

The Next Right Thing: Choosing Your Path Through the ADA Mine Field

What is a disability? What is an essential function? How do I know if an accommodation is reasonable? Susan and Liz will guide you through the practical realities behind the ADA’s “buzzwords” and give you tips for navigating the interactive process. This session will include practical information on job descriptions and more.

·        Presenters – Liz M. Mellem and Susan Baird Motschiedler

I Have Seen This Movie Before . . . But I Am Not Sure How it Ends This Time 

The second Trump administration has brought swift and significant changes to the employment law landscape, including increased pressure on undocumented workers (and the employers who employ them) and dramatic changes in enforcement priorities, including protections of religion, prosecuting reverse discrimination and pursuing national origin claims based on an individual’s status as an American. Mike and Sean will discuss what we have seen so far and what we may see going forward. 

·        Presenters – Michael Judd and Sean A. Monson

Ask Us Anything (About Employment Law):

In this session, you can pick the brains of members of our employment team with your burning employment questions. The topics for this presentation will be whatever the audience requests. And the best part is, you’ll never receive a bill! You are welcome to ask our panelists questions from the prior breakout sessions you attended or whatever else is on your mind about employment law. But a little disclaimer: as with our other breakout sessions, this session is not legal advice, so the panelists will assume that all questions are purely hypothetical.   

·        Presenters – Michael Patrick O’Brien and Mark D. Tolman

Keynote and lunch:

Keynote speaker Emily M. Dickens, J.D. – Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary for SHRM

School House Rock: Civics, Policy, and Compliance for HR Professionals

Delve into the essential role of civics education in understanding and navigating the complex landscape of workplace policy and compliance. Emily M. Dickens, chief of staff, head of government affairs, and corporate secretary for SHRM underscores the importance of HR professionals being well-versed in governmental processes and legislative frameworks to effectively advocate for their organizations and employees. She provides a comprehensive overview of how civic knowledge can empower HR leaders to engage with policymakers, influence legislation and ensure their companies are compliant with ever-evolving laws and regulations.

Attendees will gain practical insights into aligning organizational policies with legal requirements and fostering a culture of compliance. Emily shares strategies for staying updated on legislative changes and best practices for implementing policies that reflect both legal mandates and organizational values. This session aims to equip HR professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intersection of civics, policy and compliance, ultimately enhancing their ability to lead and advocate within their organizations.