Managing risk in the employment law circus isn’t always easy when the rules change like they are contortionists. The 41st Annual Employment Law Update will highlight recent changes to the law and how employers can most effectively stay on top of those changes. From updated wage-hour rules to harassment claims and the constant threat of data breaches – it is increasingly important that employers don’t get lost in the shuffle and can cope with the ever-changing legal environment. Attendees can also earn up to 6 credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and 6 PDCs toward the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCPA.

Program Schedule 
9:00 – 9:20 Opening Session — It’s Showtime
Attendees will learn what to expect during the day and get a summary of their workshop choices.

MORNING SESSIONS
9:30 – 10:30 | 10:45 – 11:45

Employment Law 101 — Step Right Up
Thomas C. Colclough, Director of Field Management Programs, EEOC
John M. Bredehoft
Randy C. Sparks
This workshop will provide essential baseline information on the most frequently encountered federal and Virginia employment laws. Attendees will learn legal and practical ways for employers to avoid potential liability and are encouraged to bring their most challenging questions.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy — Life Is a Circus
Joseph A. Dickinson
Nicole J. Harrell
Data privacy and cybersecurity need comprehensive protection against the constant threat of data breaches. It takes everyone to help protect the data that keeps a company running. This session will inform attendees on how to develop and implement effective internal and external data security policies.

Effective Employment Policies — Performances Daily
William M. Palmer
Sharon Kerk Reyes
New laws impose new policy requirements. This session will cover how to draft and update effective employment policies. We will cover which policies are required and which are strongly recommended, with an emphasis on laws recently enacted by the new administration.

12:45 – 1:30 After Lunch Session — Intermission
Attendees will have an hour break for lunch followed by an informative panel discussion on outrageous employment law cases. Top Gun plaintiff lawyer Jamie Shoemaker, national EEOC Director of Field Management Tom Colclough, and Randy Sparks will review cases

AFTERNOON SESSIONS
1:40 – 2:40 | 2:55 – 3:55 

Discipline & Discharge — Taming the Lions
Thomas C. Colclough, Director of Field Management Programs, EEOC
James H. Shoemaker, Partner, Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
Burt H. Whitt
A “Top Gun” lawyer for employees will be joined by a National Director from the EEOC to help employers avoid legal missteps in connection with discipline and discharge decisions. This session will focus on best practices to avoid EEOC claims and potential litigation. 

Wage and Hour — Buy Your Tickets Now
William M. Palmer
Randy C. Sparks
This session will discuss federal and Virginia wage-hour requirements with a special emphasis on the requirements for exempt employees.  Our presenters will provide advice on complying with increasingly complex legal requirements affecting how employees must be paid.

Hot Topics — The Show Must Go On
Laura G. Gross
Robert Q. Johnson
Neil S. Talegaonkar
2025 has brought us a number of hot topics in employment law. This session will look at the hottest topics in employment law from recent changes to what may be ahead.

CLOSING SESSION — The Final Act
4:00 – 4:30 
Take a bow for the final act. 

SPECIAL GUESTS

Thomas M. Colclough
Director of Field Management Programs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

James H. Shoemaker
Partner
Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein

REGISTER: Register here.

LOCATION: The program will be held virtually on October 22, 2025.

FEE: Our $375 registration fee includes seminar materials and a certificate of completion. The fee for each additional registrant from the same company is $355. We accept VISA, MasterCard and Discover, or checks payable to Kaufman & Canoles.

DEADLINE: The deadline to register is one week prior to the seminar date. A refund will be given for cancellations received one week prior to the seminar.