2022 Public Sector Conference MCLE Bundle

The COVID-19 pandemic forced state administrative agencies to quickly pivot to virtual hearings, and it appears they likely will be an option post-pandemic. This panel of ALJs from three State agencies share experiences from two years in the virtual hearing room, including tips for presenting your case in the most effective way and how to avoid technical problems and other pitfalls of appearing virtually.

Speakers: Erich Shiners, Jeffrey Edwards, Amy Friedman Cecil, and Michael Starkey

This panel provides an overview of the new PEDD law and explores how recent precedent could apply in common circumstances. You will learn how the PEDD may change what you think you know about public sector labor law. This panel includes some interactive hypotheticals for you to ponder and discuss with your fellow practitioners.

Speakers: Joseph Eckhart, Susan Garea, and Jennifer Carbuccia

Public-safety labor reforms in California and throughout the country have sought to curb police misconduct, increase transparency, and limit use of force. Have all of these reform efforts achieved their goals? For any that have not, which of them were misguided ab initio and which were frustrated by obstacles such as due-process constraints, workplace culture, and existing statutory impediments? In reviewing these questions, the panel discusses what new reforms and challenges may be—or should be—next on the horizon.

Speakers: Yuval Miller, Rocky Lucia, Jenica Maldonado, and Barry Winograd

Experienced and dynamic speakers provide an overview of the year’s latest developments in California public sector labor and employment law. The review includes updates and insights on the most important court decisions, legislation and administrative decisions from the past year.

Speakers: Stephanie Joseph, Timothy G. Yeung, and Kerianne Ruth Steele

Panelists provide an overview of the determination and appeal process for a dispute over PERS benefits from their perspectives representing CalPERS and employees/members. They discuss the process for CalPERS making the determination, the timing and method for appealing the determination, and the steps involved in litigating an appeal. Panelists walk through the appeal and hearing process for cases involving final compensation calculations, membership classifications, and disability retirement entitlement cases. The panelists discuss the differences in litigating these disputes before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the CalPERS Board of Administration, Superior Court and Court of Appeal. Our panelists also discuss tricky issues related to how employee discipline and settlements impact eligibility to receive PERS benefits.

Speakers: John Shipley and Lina Ona Cockrell

Moderator: Katie Mola

Hear from mediators and arbitrators who discuss the journey they took from practicing law at firms and in-house to their current professions. They talk about how and why they made the decision to become a neutral; how quality of life concerns factored in to that decision; how they got their first gig as a neutral; and what advice they would give to other seasoned practitioners who want to do the same.

Speakers: Stephanie Joseph, Andrea Dooley, Angela Reddock-Wright, and Najeeb Khoury

Race and gender equity and diversity in public employment is a widely shared goal. Since the passage of Proposition 209 in 1996, California’s Constitution has prohibited public employers from granting preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color or national origin. In 2020, California voters rejected an initiative that would have repealed these prohibitions. What effective strategies can public agencies use to enhance workplace diversity and equity without running afoul of the constitutional constraints of Proposition 209?

Speakers: Asha Muldro, Miguel Neri, Elida Bautista, and David Avila

The landscape as to COVID19 vaccination requirements and related workplace accommodations are ever changing. This presentation discusses the most recent and relevant developments as to vaccinations and related accommodations in the public sector under the law in the workplace.

Speakers: Beth Wolf Mora, Wendy Musell, and Kate Pitzak