Constangy is a proud sponsor of the 2024 Employment Law & Workplace Policy Conference, hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (ILSHRM). This annual virtual event is taking place on December 11th from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
ILSHRM's Employment Law & Workplace Policy Conference provides HR professionals and business owners with valuable educational and networking opportunities that will help them prepare their organizations for changes in the employment law landscape. This year's event features programming on hot topics in employment law, presented by Constangy attorneys Elysia Analo, Laura Balson, Guillermo Escobedo, Dean Kpere-Daibo, Ashley Orler, Melissa Sachs, and Dana Thrasher. Attendees will be eligible to receive 5.0 hours of SHRM and HRCI credit, including 1.0 hours of business credit.
Below is a tentative schedule:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
|
8:30 – 9:30 AM |
Session 1- Election Aftermath: Navigating Policy Shifts and Workforce Changes in 2025 Dean Kpere-Daibo |
|
9:40 – 10:40 AM |
Session 2- Navigating 2025: Illinois’ New Employment Laws and What They Mean for HR Laura Balson, Ashley Orler, Elysia Analo |
|
10:50-11:50 AM |
Session 3- Employee Benefits Revolution: Key Issues and Trends for HR in 2025 Dana Thrasher |
|
11:50 AM – 12:30 PM |
Lunch Break |
|
12:30 – 1:30 PM |
Session 4- HR in the Age of AI: Protecting Employee Rights and Ensuring Security Ashley Orler, Melissa Sachs |
|
1:40 – 2:40 PM |
Session 5- Compassionate Exits: Effective Layoff and Termination Strategies for 2025 Laura Balson, Guillermo Escobedo |
|
2:40 – 2:45 PM |
Close |
To learn more about the 2024 ILSHRM Employment Law & Workplace Policy Conference, click here.
Elysia Analo is Senior Counsel in Constangy's Chicago office. She represents and advises employers in all aspects of employment law, including litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. Elysia also counsels clients on day-to-day employment decisions, such as employee discipline, terminations, and disability accommodations.
Laura Balson is the managing partner of Constangy's Chicago office and co-chair of the Whistleblower & Retaliation Practice Group. She advises employers across various industries on risk management and conducts employment practice audits. Laura also represents employers before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts, including appellate cases before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Guillermo Escobedo is a partner and head of Constangy's San Diego office. He is a seasoned litigator with extensive experience defending claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour disputes. Guillermo also advises employers on best practices to avoid legal issues, providing training on harassment prevention and effective management.
Dean Kpere-Daibo is a partner and co-chair of the Labor Relations Practice Group, based in Constangy's Kansas City and St. Louis offices. He represents management in all areas of labor and employment law, including defending against unfair labor practice charges and alleged violations of collective bargaining agreements. Dean also provides supervisor training and represents employers in representation proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.
Ashley Orler is a partner in Constangy's Chicago office. She provides legal counsel to employers on a wide range of labor and employment issues, including compliance and litigation. Ashley represents clients before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts, focusing on defending against employment-related claims.
Melissa Sachs is a partner and member of the Constangy Cyber Team, based in the Philadelphia office. She focuses on privacy law, providing both incident response and proactive compliance advisory services. Melissa manages responses to data privacy and security incidents, including ransomware attacks and network intrusions, and guides clients through compliance with consumer notification and regulatory reporting obligations.
Dana Thrasher is a partner and chair of the Employee Benefits practice group located in Constangy's Birmingham office. She focuses on employee benefits and executive compensation, assisting employers with plan design, compliance, and administration. Dana advises clients on health and welfare plans, retirement plans, and executive compensation arrangements.