Baird Holm’s 37th Annual Labor Law Forum

From 04/24/2025 7:15 am until 04/24/2025 4:50 pm

Baird Holm’s 37th Annual Labor Law Forum

You are invited to join us for the 37th Annual Baird Holm Labor Law Forum!
Our speakers will analyze current and emerging labor and employment issues, and provide our attendees with practical insights about how to successfully navigate them.

The 2025 Labor Law Forum is complimentary for Baird Holm’s clients. The registration fee for guests is $399 per person. This year our attorneys are offering over twenty distinct educational sessions from which you will have the choice of attending nine. Registration also includes access to the 2025 digital Forum book (containing the speakers’ written materials), access to the Forum mobile app (containing the speakers’ PowerPoints), and a continental breakfast. Lunch is not included with complimentary or paid registrations.

*This event will not be offered virtually this year. We are looking forward to seeing you in-person!

When:
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Breakfast & Registration: 7:00 – 8:15 a.m.
Early Bird Sessions: 7:15 – 8:00 a.m.
Main Event: 8:15 a.m. – 4:50 p.m.

Where:
CHI Health Center Omaha
455 N 10th St.
Omaha, NE 68102

Cost:
$399 for guests
Complimentary for clients

Hotel Information:
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Omaha.
To reserve a room, please click here or call1-800-HILTONS and ask for Baird Holm’s Labor Law Forum room block.
Rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Register:
NEW THIS YEAR: We have separate registration sites for clients and guests. Please be sure to choose the appropriate site to complete your registration.

CLIENT REGISTRATION:
Clients should click here to access the client registration site. To access this page, you must enter the client code provided in the email you received. The client code is the password that is needed to enter the secure client registration page.

GUEST REGISTRATION:
Guests and non-clients can register for the forum here.

If you have questions, please contact Kristen at kbelford@bairdholm.com.

Agenda

7:00 – 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast & Registration

7:15 – 8:00 a.m. | Early Bird Sessions

California Law Update
Mark J. Goldsmith
Mark will review the California statutory changes that took effect on January 1, 2025, notable recent decisions from the California courts, and some of the unique characteristics of California employment law.

What’s Next for DEI? Navigating the Status of DEI Programs and Language under Trump 2.0
Kelli P. Lieurance & Scott S. Moore
Within hours of returning to office, President Trump signed several Executive Orders targeting federal employer, federal contractor, and private employer Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. Scott and Kelli will walk through the Executive Orders, the anticipated consequences of such Orders for current DEI programs, and provide practical insight on what employers should do to mitigate risk.

I-9 Update
Kara E. Stockdale & Sapphire M. Andersen
Kara and Sapphire will discuss lessons learned from a recent I-9 audit, and provide a practical workshop focused on properly completing and maintaining the Form I-9. Kara and Sapphire will review common employer and employee Form I-9 mistakes and how to conduct internal reviews so that your I-9s are ready in the event of a visit from Homeland Security Investigations or ICE.

Changing a Toxic Workplace Culture: Lessons Learned from Confronting Personnel Problems to Improve Workplace Culture
Grant K. Dugdale
Personnel problems are often the root cause of toxic workplace culture, and employers must remedy the personnel problems to improve the workplace culture. Those personnel problems—ranging from non-discriminatory harassing behavior to employees who have difficulty communicating effectively—are oftentimes difficult to solve, however. This presentation will focus on lessons learned from three decades of helping employers resolve personnel problems that are the root causes of toxic workplace cultures through policy changes, training, counseling, and disciplinary action.

8:15 – 8:30 a.m. | MAIN 1 | Welcome & Introductions
Christopher R. Hedican & Kara E. Stockdale

8:30 – 9:20 a.m. | MAIN | The Latest Word: Where are We After the First 90 Days of the New Administration?
Panel of Baird Holm Attorneys
A slate of our Labor and Employment attorneys will provide you with a high level update of where things stand after the first 90 days of the new Trump Administration. The panelists will cover the hot labor and employment topics, many of which are ever-evolving. We anticipate discussing the status of DEI and affirmative action, immigration enforcement, the National Labor Relations Board, EEOC enforcement, and the latest topics impacting employers.

9:30 – 10:20 a.m. | Breakout Session 1

Earned Wage Access Products: What Your Business Needs to Know * This session is only offered once
Eli A. Rosenberg & Jeremy T. Christensen
This presentation will provide an overview of Earned Wage Access products and services, how they are being used by employers and employees today, and the risks and current regulatory landscape for these products.

Immigration Worksite Enforcement: What to Do When (and Before) Federal Agencies Come Knocking
Scott S. Moore, Kara E. Stockdale, & Josh R. Baumann
Media attention on immigration enforcement seems to be at an all-time high. Is your organization ready for a visit from a federal agency? In this session, Scott, Kara, and Josh will review the various agencies that may visit your worksite related to immigration, including ICE, DOL, DOS, and USCIS’ Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) for employers of H-1B visa holders. Scott, Kara, and Josh will provide attendees with information about how to prepare for a visit from an immigration enforcement agency and what to expect from their visit.

Artificial Intelligence and the Workplace
Sara A. McCue & Robert L. Kardell
Artificial intelligence now impacts many workplace functions that were once human-driven, including everything from recruiting to payment of wages. While artificial intelligence affords great insights and efficiencies for employers, if not properly utilized, artificial intelligence creates significant legal risks and poses an ongoing threat to data security in the workplace. Join Sara and Bob as they discuss the landmines employers must navigate when using artificial intelligence.

Weeding’ Out Employment Concerns Arising From Medical Cannabis Laws (Iowa and Nebraska) and General Drug Policy Updates
Kiley N. Schmidt
Kiley will review employers’ and employees’ obligations under Nebraska’s new medical marijuana statute in order to avoid unforeseen consequences. She will also explore other states’ (including Iowa’s) application of similar statutes regarding medical marijuana and how that might influence Nebraska courts. Kiley will provide practical tips for updating employers’ drug policies in light of these recent developments.

Difficult Workplace Conversations: How to Prepare to Confidently & Effectively Execute
George E. Martin III
No one relishes difficult workplace conversations. But anyone who manages people will eventually have them, both with subordinates and colleagues, about their performance, workplace behaviors, future prospects, or other work-related matters. While no two difficult conversations are the same, George will provide practical tips for developing techniques to prepare for these conversations, while minimizing your legal risks.

Is Biden’s Pro-Union Legacy Soon to be Trumped?
Mark McQueen & David P. Kennison
This presentation will explain the legacy of what former President Biden fondly described as the “most pro-union Presidency in history.” The changes that occurred under the Biden Administration will be highlighted, along with their practical implications for both union and union free employers. This topic will also include a discussion on whether the Biden legacy will survive what will soon be a Trump appointed majority on the National Labor Relations Board.

10:30 –11:20 a.m. | Breakout Session 2

2025 Employee Benefits Update
Jeremy T. Christensen
After celebrating 50 years of ERISA in 2024, this year’s update will feature important SECURE 2.0 changes that became effective in 2025, recent case law trends related to employee benefits, and common compliance mistakes. Jeremy will offer an overview of these important topics to help employers attract and retain talent while avoiding compliance pitfalls.

New Generation of Accommodations in the Workplace
Sara A. McCue, Josh R. Baumann, & Sarah M. Huyck
Employer obligations related to workplace accommodations are ever growing, in many instances limiting the right of employers to demand the performance of essential job functions. Particularly in light of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision upending decades-long precedent on religious accommodations, employers are facing a multitude of new questions related to workplace accommodations. This session will consider an employer’s options when evaluating accommodation requests based upon disability, pregnancy, and religion, discuss the documentation which can be obtained under each law, and review employers’ obligations.

Managing Injured Workers
Brian D. Moore
When an employee is injured on the job, it can trigger an employer’s obligations under state and federal law, including the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act, OSHA, FMLA, and ADA. Brian will discuss employers’ legal obligations to their injured workers and strategies for managing injured workers’ leave, benefits, and performance issues.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent: How Documents Will Be Used Against You in a Court of Law
Scott P. Moore, Heidi A. Guttau, & Christopher R. Hedican
When it comes to litigation, documentation can make or break a case. Whether sending an email, a text message, or a letter, employers should be aware that any written communication to an employee might end up in front of a judge or jury someday. In this session, Scott, Heidi, and Chris will use real life examples to show audience members how documentation can be weaponized in litigation to distort the truth.

Balancing Competing Interests in Workplace Anti-Discrimination Policy and Practice
R.J. (Randy) Stevenson & Jimmie L. Pinkham III
This session will analyze the evolving legal landscape around discrimination laws and how some changes seemingly pit legitimate employer obligations against one another, such as respecting religious beliefs and providing workplace accommodations under the Groff standard versus having a zero-tolerance policy against LGBTQ+ bias.

Don’t Leave the Paperwork! Time Off Requests and Documentation
Sapphire M. Andersen
Between required leave and accommodations, employers navigate tricky questions when employees share the need for time off from work. Sapphire will explain legal considerations under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, key state laws addressing employee leave (including the new Nebraska paid sick time law), and reasonable accommodations when it comes to leave requests, certifications, and all things to do with documenting time off.

11:20 – 12:55 p.m. | Lunch break

11:40 – 12:40 p.m. Lunch Breakout Session

Lunch and Learn
Brian D. Moore, David P. Kennison, Kelli P. Lieurance, Heidi A. Guttau, Scott P. Moore, Kara E. Stockdale, & Jeremy T. Christensen
Grab your lunch and join our panel of attorneys as they take questions from Forum attendees.

1 Hour Legal Ethics CLE: Legal Ethics Viewed Through the Prism of Popular Television and Film
David J. Kramer
David will utilize humorous clips from popular television and film to engage in an interactive discussion on the ethical obligations of lawyers. He will provide examples of appropriate and inappropriate applications of the ethical rules demonstrating that there are often subtle, yet significant, ethical issues that arise even in the most routine client interactions.

12:55 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | MAIN 2 | Welcome Back
Kara E. Stockdale

1:00 – 1:50 p.m. | MAIN | Ripped from the Headlines: 2025 Employment Case Law Update
Kelli P. Lieurance
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued several important decisions impacting employers in the last year, as have other federal courts. In this fast-paced, entertaining presentation, Kelli will discuss the practical implications of these decisions for employers to best assure compliance. Remember, it’s better to learn from the mistakes of others than find yourself in the midst of an indefensible lawsuit.

2:00 – 2:50 p.m. | Breakout Session 3

Public Employers: From DOGE to the Fork In The Road – What Happens in Washington Seldom Stays in Washington * This session is only offered once
David J. Kramer & Jimmie L. Pinkham III
This presentation will provide an overview of recent government employment related actions taking place in Washington, DC with the goal of evaluating which reforms might make their way to the state and local level. Topics will include due process, severance buyouts, collective bargaining and much, much more.

Artificial Intelligence and the Workplace
Sara A. McCue & Robert L. Kardell
Artificial intelligence now impacts many workplace functions that were once human-driven, including everything from recruiting to payment of wages. While artificial intelligence affords great insights and efficiencies for employers, if not properly utilized, artificial intelligence creates significant legal risks and poses an ongoing threat to data security in the workplace. Join Sara and Bob as they discuss the landmines employers must navigate when using artificial intelligence.

3:00 – 3:50 p.m. | Breakout Session 4

Managing Injured Workers
Brian D. Moore
When an employee is injured on the job, it can trigger an employer’s obligations under state and federal law, including the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act, OSHA, FMLA, and ADA. Brian will discuss employers’ legal obligations to their injured workers and strategies for managing injured workers’ leave, benefits, and performance issues.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent: How Documents Will Be Used Against You in a Court of Law
Scott P. Moore, Heidi A. Guttau, & Christopher R. Hedican
When it comes to litigation, documentation can make or break a case. Whether sending an email, a text message or a letter, employers should be aware that any written communication to an employee might end up in front of a judge or jury someday. In this session, Scott, Heidi, and Chris will use real life examples to show audience members how documentation can be weaponized in litigation to distort the truth.

4:00 – 4:05 p.m. | MAIN 3 | Closing Remarks
Kara E. Stockdale

4:05 – 4:50 p.m. | MAIN | “Small Bites” with Allison D. Balus
Hannah Fischer Frey, Scott P. Moore, & R.J. (Randy) Stevenson with moderator Allison D. Balus
Allie will explore Nebraska’s new convenience of the employer rule for remote workers with Hannah Fischer Frey as well as discuss how to navigate mental health accommodations with Scott P. Moore. Finally, Allie and Randy Stevenson will also discuss the current status of non-compete agreements and what the future may hold.

Thank you to our 2025 Exhibitors!

Exhibitors:

Athletico Physical Therapy
Career Pathway
Fiduciary Advocates
HRAM
Ignite Nebraska
MyStaff
Omnify
OneSource The Background Check Company
Pando
Prime Capital Retirement
The Olson Group
The Reserves Network
The Work Lab
Today’s Benefits
Union Bank & Trust Retirement Plan Services
UNO College of Business Administration Executive MBA Program
UNO Executive and Professional Development Program
USI

If you have questions or would like to be an exhibitor or sponsor at the Forum, please contact Kristen at kbelford@bairdholm.com.

Continuing Education Credits:

This event is approved for the following continuing education credits:

NE CPE – 8 hours*
NE CLE – 7.5 hours*
IA CLE – 7.5 hours*
CO CLE – 9 hours
FL CLE – 9 hours*
KS CLE – 8 hours*
MO CLE – 9 hours*
UT CLE – 7.5 hours*

*1 hour of ethics is available if you attend the the lunch session Legal Ethics Viewed Through the Prism of Popular Television and Film.

This event is pending approval for the following continuing education credits:

MN CLE
ND CLE
WY CLE
CCB CEUs
HR General Recertification Credits through HRCI
HR Continuing Education Units by SHRM