WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025

AI at the Crossroads – Managing Legal and Ethical Risks in Innovation

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence brings significant legal and ethical challenges as organizations must navigate complex risks, including regulatory compliance, intellectual property issues, data privacy concerns, and the ethical implications of automated decision-making. This interactive discussion will touch on identifying and addressing factors for consideration to balance AI responsibly.

Facilitators:

• Barbara Barron, MehaffyWeber (Houston, TX)
• Keely E. Duke, Duke Evett, PLLC (Boise, ID)
• Karen P. Randall, Connell Foley LLP (Roseland, NJ)

EMPLOYMENT TRACK: Mind Matters – Navigating Workplace Mental Health Compliance

As mental health awareness grows, so does the legal and regulatory expectations placed on employers. Ensuring compliance with labor and employment laws related to mental health is a multifaceted challenge for in-house lawyers. We will discusss navigating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and other state-level mental health protections. We will also discuss strategies for reasonable accommodations while maintaining business operations and mitigating litigation risks related to mental health discrimination or wrongful termination claims.

Facilitators:

• Aretta K. Bernard, Roetzel & Andress (Cleveland, OH)
• Jessica L. Dark, Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, L.L.P. (Oklahoma City, OK)

EMPLOYMENT TRACK: Digital Respect – Tackling Harassment in the Virtual Workplace

Remote and hybrid work models have reshaped workplace dynamics and created new challenges in maintaining a respectful and compliant work environment. Harrassment in digital spaces – ranging from inappropriate messaging to exclusion in virtual meetings – make labor and employment compliance complicated. This interactive discussion will share best practices for crafting and implementing policies that address digital misconduct as well as the debate of monitoring behavior on workplace platforms while respecting employee privacy. We will also discuss effective training an investigation strategies for in-house counsel.

Facilitators:

• Julie A. Proscia, Amundsen Davis LLC (Chicago, IL)
• Sheryl J. Willert, Williams Kastner (Seattle, WA)
• Lisa A. Zaccardelli, Hinckley Allen (Hartford, CT)

CORPORATE TRACK: Navigating the Complexity of M&A Across State and Country Borders

Growth opportunities often exist across state lines and country borders. These mergers and acquisitions bring complexity due to tax, regulatory and cultural factors. This session will discuss variations in corporate law and address key issues for consideration, such as taxation, reporting requirements, regulatory compliance issues, labor laws and international trade conflicts. In addition, we will discuss post-merger integration concerns such as data transfers, technology and cultural mergers.

Facilitators:

• Rene Mauricio Alva, EC Rubio (Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico)
• Douglas W. Clarke, Therrien Couture Joli-Coer L.L.P. (Montreal, QB, Canada)
• James D. Snyder, Klinedinst PC (San Diego, CA)

CORPORATE TRACK: Real-World Cyberattack Case Studies and Lessons Learned

Cyber threats are an ever-present risk in today’s digital landscape and provide challenges for general counsel to navigate the intersection of cybersecurity and legal responsibility. This interactive session will highlight recent data breaches and cyber incidents and discuss strategies for mitigating risk, including contract language, vendor management, and incident response planning.

Facilitators:

• Molly Arranz, Amundsen Davis LLC (Chicago, IL)
• David R. Elmore, Matson Driscoll & Damico (MDD) LLP (Atlanta, GA)
• Batya F. Forsyth, Hanson Bridgett LLP (San Francisco, CA)

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025

Balancing Collaboration and Conflict in the Boardroom

The relationship between General Counsel and the C-Suite is critical to an organization’s success. The C-Suite often prioritizes business agility and innovaction while the GC serves as the company’s legal conscience, thus creating a dynamic tension that can drive both growth and friction. This interactive session will explore the bridge between legal risk management and business objectives and discusss solutions for strategic alignment, effective communication and conflict resolution. Ultimately providing GCs with the tools they need to ensure their voice is both heard and valued in the boardroom.

Facilitators:

• Ami C. Dwyer, S-E-A, Limited (Glen Burnie, MD)
• Joseph S. Goode, Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC (Milwaukee, WI)
• J. Scott Searl, Baird Holm LLP (Omaha, NE)

Fast and Furious – The Five-Minute Drill

The clock is running! Hold on to your hat as we spend five minutes learning about hot topics.

• Must Know California Employment Laws – Sandra L. Rappaport, Hanson Bridgett LLP (San Francisco, CA)
• “Litigation Trends” for Corporate Counsel: Is the System Broken? – Bradley A. Wright, Roetzel & Andress (Cleveland, OH)
• A Financial Nuance in Cyber Claims – David R. Elmore, Matson Driscoll & Damico (MDD Forensic Accountants) LLP (Atlanta, GA)
• Under What Conditions Are You Personally Liable for Violations of FMLA – Jeffrey C. Hendrickson, Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, L.L.P. (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Is Your Company ‘Secretly’ Wiretapping Private Conversations? If You Have a Website or App, the Answer May Surprise You – Molly Arranz, Amundsen Davis (Chicago, IL)
• Winning the Case with Witness Preparation – Keely E. Duke, Duke Evett PLLC (Boise, ID)
• Changes in the Employment Landscape – Albert B. Randall, Jr., Franklin & Prokopik, P.C. (Baltimore, MD)
• Virtual Litigation: The New Normal – Bryan P. Couch, Connell Foley (Newark, NJ)
• Experts – The Roles, Value and Risks in Today’s Litigation Climate – Thomas W. Fee, Fee Smith & Sharp, L.L.P. (Dallas, TX)

Paper Trails and Digital Files – Mastering Document Retention to Mitigate Litigation

Whether physical or digital, improperly managed records can become a liability in the event of litigation, regulatory investigations or audits. GCs are on the hook to establish effective policies that not only comply with legal requirements but also proactively mitigate risks. Add in instant messaging, texting, and communicating through common applications, such as Band and WhatsApp, safeguarding sensitive information and deciding what information should be preserved is often complex.

Facilitators:

• • Krista Cammack, Wicker Smith (Orlando, FL)
  • Peter T. DeMasters, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC (Morgantown, WV)

Understanding the Value Proposition of USLAW NETWORK – A Special Update

This interactive session is devoted to updates and best practices of how the USLAW NETWORK can add value and exceed client expectations.

Facilitators:

• • Kenneth B. Wingate, Chair, USLAW NETWORK Board of Directors and Sweeney, Wingate & Barrow (Columbis, SC)