The Modern Workplace

Our Chambers-ranked Labor & Employment team is known for frequently writing and speaking on various employment, workplace and labor-related topics and sharing insights with businesses in different industry sectors. This spring has been no different (and has flown by for us). Here are some highlights we want to make sure you don’t miss:

• On May 25, Partners Bridget Romero and Brian Woolley presented at the 34^th Annual Conference of the Heartland Labor and Employment Law Institute, held in the Kansas City area. Bridget co-presented a session on “COVID-19 and the Workplace: The Latest Updates.” Brian, who served as Institute Co-Chair, also acted as a moderator throughout the event, of which Lathrop GPM was also a sponsor.
• On May 24, at a similar conference in the Minneapolis area – the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute - Partner Megan Anderson co-presented a session on “LGBTQ+ Employee Rights – The Newest Developments.” Associate Caitlin Gehlen also attended this conference, and the firm was a sponsor.
• Partners Kathryn Nash and Bridget Romero joined fellow Employment Law Alliance (ELA) firms on May 20-22 at its Global Membership Conference in San Francisco. ELA is the world's largest network of labor and employment lawyers. Firms are invited to become ELA members only after a rigorous due-diligence process, including consultation with experienced in-house counsel, judges, government officials and industry leaders in each and every jurisdiction.
• On May 9, the Los Angeles Times published a Q&A featuring Partner Laura Reathaford and Counsel Caroline Sayers that covers the latest hot-button issues in the shifting labor and employment landscape. In “Conversation With the Experts: Labor & Employment,” Laura and Caroline share their insights and respective takes on the current state of labor legislation, the new rules of hiring and firing in the wake of the pandemic crisis, and various trends – such as the current labor shortages and shifting company cultures – facing employers today.
• We hosted two well-attended and successful in-person Employment & Labor Law seminars, one on April 12 in Kansas City/Overland Park and a second on May 4 in Minneapolis. These seminars were the first in-person Employment & Labor Law events the firm has hosted since our combination. Each event included plenary sessions covering the latest updates on employment, labor and immigration law; key takeaways from the California employment landscape; OFCCP changes; and privacy, cybersecurity and remote work. The seminars also featured multiple breakout sessions, covering topics from the COVID aftermath and remote work issues to the effective use of non-competes and confidentiality agreements, labor law developments, conducting workplace investigations, problematic wage and hour issues, and ADA and FMLA lessons. Each event closed with keynote speaker, James Robilotta, who spoke on the secrets to managing and retaining talent in today’s complex labor environment.
• Laura Reathaford was also quoted in an April 8^th Washington Post article, “Ask Help Desk: What Happens if You Refuse To Go Back to the Office?” In the article, Laura states, “It is important for employees to have discussions with their supervisors and raise any concerns before it gets to the point of leaving the job.”

LOOK FOR US!

As you can tell, we’re excited to be attending in person events again and reconnecting with clients and colleagues. Look for us at these upcoming events:

• On June 8, Megan Anderson will be presenting at a North Star SHRM meeting on “Managing Employee Performance to Promote Success and Mitigate Risks.” All North Star SHRM members are invited to attend at no cost.
• On June 15, Megan Anderson, Kathryn Nash and Emily Mawer will be presenting a Legal Update at MnCUPA-HR’s (Minnesota Chapter of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources) Virtual Spring Conference.
• On June 26, Kathryn Nash will be presenting at the NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Small Colleges & Universities Institute on Title IX issues. 
• On June 26-29, Kathryn Nash and Caitlin Gehlen are attending the NACUA (the National Association of College and University Attorneys) Annual Conference in Pittsburg, which Lathrop GPM is sponsoring. Data security and privacy Partner Tedrick Housh is also presenting a session on “Online Learning Is Remote, but the Compliance and Legal Issues Are Ever-Present”

ICYMI!

Chambers USA, the nationally recognized client guide of America’s top law firms and lawyers, released its 2022 edition today that includes Lathrop GPM among its prestigious rankings. Once again, the firm received honors in the Labor & Employment category for Minnesota and Missouri: Kansas City & Surrounds, with six out of our ten Labor & Employment partners receiving individual rankings.