California Lawyers Association, Labor and Employment Law
Joint Conferences Hosted By CLA’s Labor And Employment Law Section to Provide Many Perspectives in July
July 2025
Connectivity. Diversity. Opportunity. These three powerful words describe California Lawyers Association’s (CLA) Labor and Employment Law Section’s joint 15th Annual Advanced Wage and Hour Conference and 41st Labor and Employment Law Annual Conference. Set for July 24-25, 2025, in Pasadena, California, this in-person event offers attendees two incredible days of analysis, updates, and engagement.
CLA’s section leaders and conference organizers admit that the event name might be a mouthful. It’s also a highly visible and meaningful chance for attorneys – with different specialties and perspectives, including plaintiff’s attorneys, management counsel, and neutrals – to gather from around the state to share viewpoints, stay current on legal matters, and reinforce the value of communication.
Wage and Hour Conference Chair, Leonard Sansanowicz, says the annual, joint conference is highly popular, because it helps to reinforce diversity and connectivity. “Attendance is important for a number of reasons,” he explains “Number one, lawyers need to stay current on best practices in the law. Number two, it’s a wonderful networking opportunity among a relatively small practice community. Number three, an in-person event helps reinforce the idea that you don’t need to do it alone.”
Andrea Kelly Smethurst, Co-Chair for the Labor and Employment Law Conference, agrees, saying the conferences offer many unique opportunities. “Our programming is designed to present different perspectives and viewpoints in different practice specialties. That doesn’t always happen. We want to ensure all of our panels feature varying discussion, so participants aren’t in an echo chamber, listening to only one side of an issue or concern.” She continues, “It’s also a great way to earn MCLE credits and engage directly with our speakers.”
Labor and Employment Law Conference Co-Chair, Emily Patajo, considers CLA’s Labor and Employment Law Section’s joint conferences their flagship event. “It’s just so valuable. We don’t simply target the surface. We do a deep dive into the legal issues. Our speakers and our attendees represent both sides. We are working to encourage civil discourse and to understand each other as human beings.”
Three judges from across the state will serve on a panel for the Annual Advanced Wage and Hour Conference, discussing complex cases. Another panel will discuss the ethical considerations of PAGA actions and settlements, which promises to be both informative and compelling. Also featured will be a session titled, “Data Analysis for Lawyers.” One plaintiff-side attorney and one management-side attorney will be joined by two data analysts to show how two sides with the same data sets can reach very different conclusions. “I’m really excited we are able to present these topics,” says Sansanowicz. “It’s okay that we don’t all see eye to eye. What’s important is to have a healthy exchange.”
The Labor and Employment Law Annual Conference will feature a judge’s panel on the biggest mistakes employment lawyers make. It also includes live mock depositions of a plaintiff, a discharge decision maker, and a human resources manager. Four plaintiff and management attorneys who are renowned for their deposition prowess, and with considerable experience, will show participants practical techniques which they can use immediately. Judge Samantha Jessner will deliver the keynote address. Judge Jessner served as the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2023 and 2024. She was the third woman, and first woman of color, to serve in that role in the nearly 150-year history of the Court.
“This is a great event to bring your associates,” says Kelly Smethurst. “They can learn from top level experts outside of their own firms.” She also notes that there will be many opportunities to socialize, reflecting back on the 2024 joint event. “I actually reconnected with a law school classmate that I hadn’t seen since graduation. CLA’s Labor and Employment Section wants to make sure we offer a great place to network formally, but also informally.”
“When we hold in-person events, people are able to let their guards down,” observes Patajo. “People who know each other are able to introduce their colleagues to people they don’t know in a professional, but relaxed atmosphere.”
“Our joint conferences event benefits everyone,” notes Sansanowicz. “Litigation is an adversarial construct. Lawyers by nature are highly competitive and controlling people. We have to be vigilant about not falling prey to being combative. We become better practitioners when we build working relationships with people from the other side.”
Patajo says that she is a member of CLA because she enjoys the opportunity to be part of a statewide organization. She is quick to share that she thinks the people on CLA’s Executive Committee are, “So smart and so involved. They care so much about the legal community, like I do, and my vision aligns with their mission.” She volunteered to co-chair the Labor and Employment Law Conference, because she believes, “It is important be involved inside and outside of my firm.”
Both Sansanowicz and Kelly Smethurst say that many volunteer hours were donated to plan for the two conferences. Each panel was carefully discussed, and the speakers mindfully selected to ensure everyone attending will learn something new and valuable. Sansanowicz says that the conference is, “trying to effectuate change.”
“I’m a member of CLA primarily to stay informed and up-to-date through programming, such as this,” says Kelly Smethurst. “I always take away practical knowledge. It’s necessary to have in-person conferences for professional reasons, but also to meet people.”
To ensure attendees have the opportunity to connect, both days will close with specially designated networking hours. The winner of the 2nd Annual Labor and Employment Law and Pro Bono Achievement Award will be announced during the first day’s networking hour. Organizers will facilitate discussion and opportunities for attendees to meet and mingle during the second day’s networking event,
The joint experience is being held at the Westin Pasadena and are expected to sell out. Participants may attend one day, or both. To learn more and register, please visit: https://calawyers.org/15th-annual-advanced-wage-and-hour-conference-and-41st-annual-labor-annual-conference/
Exhibitor space and sponsorship opportunities are also available. More information is available at: https://calawyers.org/labor-and-employment-law/2025-labor-annual-meeting-sponsorship-form/