Events
2024 Public Sector Conference
May 10 @ 9:00 am – 6:30 pm
When: May 10, 2024
Where: Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Earn 6.50 Hours of MCLE Credit including 1.25 Hours of Elimination of Bias
This full-day, in-person conference is designed for attendees interested in the latest developments in California public sector labor and employment law. You’ll have the opportunity to attend several concurrent sessions featuring experienced speakers who will provide updates on court decisions, legislation, and administrative decisions from the past year, as well as other information and analysis critical to California public sector labor and employment lawyers. Immerse yourself in insightful discussions and gain practical knowledge from industry experts in the field.
Earn 6.50 Hours of MCLE Credit including 1.25 Hours of Elimination of Bias
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | [1] In One Year And Out The Other: Year In Review
1.5 Hours MCLE Credit
Experienced and dynamic speakers from the union and management perspectives will provide an overview of the year’s latest developments in California public sector labor and employment law, and share their often contrasting views on what those developments mean. The review will include updates and insights on the most important court decisions, legislation and administrative decisions from the past year.
Speakers:
- Tim Yeung, Sloan Sakai Yeung & Wong
- Kerianne Steele, Weinberg, Roger and Rosenfeld
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | [2] California Tort Claims and More: What You Need to Know Before You Sue the Government!
1.25 Hours MCLE Credit
Designed for litigators who sue and defend government entities, this panel will cover what needs to happen before a lawsuit is filed against a government entity. Seasoned practitioners from both sides of the aisle will share insights on how to navigate and utilize pre-filing requirements including tort claims, administrative exhaustion, governmental immunities, and more.
Speakers:
- David Norton, Porter Scott
- Clarissa Romero, Beeson Tayer & Bodine
Moderator: Latika Malkani, Siegel Lewitter Malkani
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | [3] The Changed Landscape After Police Reform Legislation: Perspectives from Labor, Management and POST
1.25 Hours MCLE Credit
Join our experienced panelists for a moderated overview and discussion of recent legislation affecting peace officer employment. The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training will provide an update on its efforts to implement the certification/decertification regime created by Senate Bill 2. A labor arbitrator will then moderate a discussion between attorneys representing peace officer unions and law enforcement agencies regarding the impacts of SB2, as well as other recent legislation regarding discovery of peace officer personnel records, reporting of bias claims by criminal defendants, and off-duty cannabis use.
Speakers:
- Toby Darden, Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
- Geoff Sheldon, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
- Michael Rains, Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver
Moderator: Yuval Miller, Arbitrator/Mediator
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM | [4] Emerging Issues in Religious Liberty in the Workplace.
1.25 MCLE Elimination of Bias
Religious discrimination and accommodation in the workplace have received increasing attention, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Groff v. DeJoy. The panel will address the current legal landscape, trends, and challenges for both employers and employees in traversing, at times, conflicting requirements and interests.
Speakers:
- James (Jim) Sonne, Stanford University / Religious Liberty Clinic
Moderator: Wendy Musell, Law Offices of Wendy Musell
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM | [5] Yes, No, Maybe So? – Applicability of the Labor Code to Public Entities
1.25 Hours MCLE Credit
This panel will provide an overview of the application of California wage and hour laws to public employees and employers. The panel will cover which laws explicitly include public employers, which exclude them and how to analyze statutes that are silent.
Speakers:
- Arthur Liou, Leonard Carder
- Katy Suttorp, Burke, Williams and Sorensen
Moderator: Melissa Johnson, Johnson Heeder
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM | [6] PERB – Social Movements in the Workplace
1.25 Hours MCLE Credit
Our panelists will discuss recent trends in PERB decisions and practice, focusing on cases impacting LGBTQ+ students and employees, and the display of flags/emblems in the workplace that support social movements.
Speakers:
- Terri Witherspoon, California Teachers Association
- Jennie Carbuccia, Sweetwater Union High School District
Moderator: Kim Procida, PERB
4:00 PM – 5:15 PM | [7] An Introduction to Public Employee Whistleblowers
1.25 Hours MCLE Credit
This panel will conduct an overview of whistleblower statutes that cover public employees at all levels. We will also discuss procedure, including administrative exhaustion. We will highlight particular cases to illustrate claims and defenses.
Speakers:
- Sonya Mehta, Siegel Yee Brunner & Mehta
- David Tyra, Kronick Moskovitz
Moderator: Yuri Kvichko; SEIU Local 100
4:00 PM – 5:15 PM | [8] The Right to Strike: Basic Civil Liberty or Threat to Larger Community Interests?
1.25 Hours MCLE Credit
This panel will provide a general overview of the right to strike in the public sector, injunctive relief and the PERB process, including negotiating line passes, and best practices for unions and employers.
Speakers:
- Daniel Rojas, Rothner, Segall & Greenstone
- Dan Trump, PERB
- Madeline Miller, Slone Sakai Yeung & Wong
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Networking Reception
Stick around to mingle and network with speakers and attendees at this informal gathering. Connect with conference speakers and attendees at our networking event. Enjoy light appetizers and an open bar.
Scholarship Opportunity Available!
The Labor and Employment Law Section of the California Lawyers Association is committed to encouraging the representation of persons of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, other underrepresented groups and those who work in the area of public service. As such, the Labor and Employment Law Section has committed to provide a scholarship to those persons who have traditionally been underrepresented in our field and/or working in public service in order to become familiar with the Labor and Employment Law Section. Learn more and apply today!
Registration Information
Early Bird Registration (Through May 3, 2024)
- $295 Section Member (with Lunch Box included)
- $395 Non-Section Member (with Lunch Box included)
Regular Registration (After May 3, 2024)
- $345 Section Member (with Lunch Box included)
- $445 Non-Section Member (with Lunch Box included)
Pre-Registration Deadline: The deadline to pre-register is May 3, 2024.
Cancellations/Refunds: Cancellations and requests for refunds must be received in writing no later than May 3, 2024 and are subject to a $25 service fee. Refunds will not be available after May 9, 2024.
Special Assistance: For special assistance, please call (916)-516-1748.
Questions: For registration information, call (916) 516-1757. Telephone registrations will not be accepted. For program content and/or Section information call (916) 516-1748.
This event may be recorded. By attending this event, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded, and to any use, by the CLA, of your likeness, voice, and name in any and all media including social media. If you do not want your name or photo to be used, please let us know in advance. We cannot, however, honor requests to opt out of the use of your image or voice if you choose to ask a question during one of the event sessions.
California Lawyers Association is an approved State Bar of California MCLE provider
Google Calendar We are committed to accessibility! Virtual events are equipped with closed captioning. To request an in-person accommodation, send us a note at accessibility@calawyers.com or contact us at 916-516-1760 for assistance.