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Annual Wage and Hour Update

1.75 Hours MCLE

One plaintiff-side attorney and one management-side attorney will review the most influential wage and hour cases and statutes from the past year. The written materials alone will be a great reference. Not to be missed!

• Matthew Weber, Greenberg Traurig, LLP (defense)
• Adrianne De Castro, Desai Law Firm, P.C. (plaintiff)

Employment Law Year in Review

1.5 Hours MCLE

In this fast-paced presentation, Anthony J. Oncidi and Andrew H. Friedman will once again cover the top employment law cases from the past year, with an emphasis on the cases of greatest utility to employment law practitioners.

• Andrew H. Friedman, Helmer Friedman LLP
• Anthony J. Oncidi, Proskauer LLP

Judges Panel: Biggest Mistakes Employment Lawyers Make

1.25 Hours MCLE

Three judges with deep roots in employment law will share their insights about the strategies that lead to success—and the mistakes that could tank your case. From pleadings to discovery to summary judgment to trial, these judges have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. This is your opportunity to hear directly from judges who shape the outcomes of employment law cases! Don’t miss out on the chance to walk away with a fresh perspective, practical tips, and strategies that could change the way you approach your cases.

• Judge Rupert Byrdsong, Los Angeles County Superior Court
• Phil Horowitz, Law Offices of Phil Horowitz (moderator)
• Judge Virginia Keeny, Los Angeles County Superior Court
• Judge Theresa Traber, Los Angeles County Superior Court

Data Analysis for Lawyers

1.25 Hours MCLE

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. Learn the different factors that analysts look for, as well as the do’s and don’ts regarding attorney instructions.

• Charlie Platt, Bitscope Consulting, LLC (data expert)
• Rachel Terp, Terp Law (plaintiff)
• Tracy Wei Costantino, Littler (defense)
• Aaron Woolfson, Teleswitch (data expert)

Lights, Lawyers, Action: Mock Depositions Live

1 Hour MCLE

Sharpen your skills taking depositions in employment cases by watching four attorneys with decades of experience show you how they do it. You’ll watch powerful excerpts of live mock depositions of a plaintiff, a discharge decision maker, and a human resources manager. You’ll learn practical techniques you can put to use right away.

• Tanja L. Darrow, Littler Mendelson P.C.
• Dolores Y. Leal, Allred, Maroko & Goldberg LLP
• Thomas G. Mackey, Jackson Lewis P.C.
• Dan Stormer, Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai LLP
• Phil Horowitz, Law Offices of Phil Horowitz (moderator)

Leading from the Bench: A Judge’s Efforts to Eliminate Bias and Improve Access to Justice

0.75 Hours MCLE; 0.75 Elimination of Bias

Judge Samantha Jessner will deliver our 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. During her two-year term, Judge Jessner prioritized leading with courage, transparency, accountability, and empathy.

• Judge Samantha Jessner, Los Angeles Superior Court

Ethical Considerations of PAGA Actions and Settlements

1 Hour MCLE; 1 Legal Ethics

One plaintiff-side attorney and one management-side attorney will be joined by a neutral (retired judge) to discuss various ethical considerations in litigating PAGA cases and negotiating PAGA settlements.

• Rachiel Bien, Olivier & Schreiber, PC (moderator)
• Judge Abraham Khan (ret.), Signature Resolution (neutral)
• Andrew Livingston, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliff, LLP (defense)
• Lauren Teukolsky, Teukolsky Law, APC (plaintiff)

Hot Takes: Update on PAGA Post-Reform

1.0 Hour MCLE

A one-year review of the current state of PAGA litigation following the 2024 amendments. Speakers will provide plaintiff, management, and neutrals’ perspectives.

• Eric Distelburger, Paul Hastings, LLP (defense)
• Christine Kurek, Kurek Dispute Resolution (moderator) 
• Todd Ratshin, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency
• Cynthia Sandoval, Sandoval Mediation, P.C. (neutral)
• Kenneth Yoon, Yoon Law, APC (plaintiff)

Understanding Whistleblower-Reward Programs: Opportunities and Challenges for Both Sides of the Bar

1 Hour MCLE

Whistleblower-reward programs, which include laws like the False Claims Act (FCA) and “tip” programs run by several federal regulatory agencies, offer significant financial incentives to employees who report fraud and other unlawful conduct within their organizations. For lawyers representing employees, navigating these complex programs can be challenging. How do you spot a potential claim and assess its strength? Do whistleblower-reward laws and programs protect employees from retaliation, and how do retaliation claims interact with whistleblower cases that the government investigates? Are settlement agreements, NDAs, releases, and other agreements that impact the ability of an employee to report alleged misconduct enforceable? These complex whistleblower-reward laws and programs can be equally daunting for counsel for employers. What are best practices to address potential whistleblower concerns proactively, before they materialize? If an employer suspects an employee has filed an FCA lawsuit or provided information to the government, what should they do? What are the considerations around self-disclosing potential misconduct? This panel will offer practical guidance on how to advise both employees and employers about the risks, rewards, and processes involved in whistleblower-reward laws and programs, while avoiding common legal and ethical pitfalls.

• Tamara Freeze, Workplace Justice Advocates
• Wilmer Harris, Schonbrun Seplow Harris & Hoffman LLP
• Agustin Orozco, Crowell & Moring LLP
• Ari Yampolsky, Whistleblower Partners LLP

Best Practices for Litigating Employment Cases in Arbitration | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Concurrent Session)

1 Hour MCLE

As more employment cases are tried in arbitration, mastering the nuances of litigating in this forum has become essential for practitioners. This session offers a comprehensive exploration of best practices for effectively handling employment disputes in arbitration, from initial case assessment to final award. A panel consisting of an arbitrator and experienced employment litigators will guide attendees through key stages of the arbitration process, including navigating discovery and evidentiary challenges, preparing persuasive presentations, and managing cost-efficiency without compromising advocacy. Attendees will gain practical insights into arbitrator expectations and effective case strategy unique to arbitration. Whether representing employees or employers, this session equips counsel with the tools and strategies necessary to successfully advocate for clients in this increasingly prevalent setting.

• Judge Michael Solner
• Heather Vigil, Littler
• Toni Jaramilla, Toni Jaramilla, APC

Judges Panel

1 Hour MCLE

Three judges from across the state will provide their perspectives on complex cases. Gain valuable insights!

• Judge Somnath Raj Chatterjee, Alameda County Superior Court
• Judge Lauri Damrell, Sacramento County Superior Court
• Laboni Hoq, Hoq Law, APC (moderator)
• Judge Elaine Lu, Los Angeles County Superior Court