Join us for our annual spring seminar for public sector clients and friends, when we will address issues facing school districts, municipalities and other government agencies. The program begins with a plenary session covering a timely topic, followed by a choice of two breakout sessions allowing for issue discussion in a small setting.
When: May 17, 2019
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM EDT
Where: Hartford Marriott Downtown
200 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT
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Parking will be validated
Plenary Session:
Free Speech in the Public Sector Workplace: When Does it Go Too Far?
Presenters: Thomas B. Mooney and Jessica Richman Smith
How much have the free speech rules changed in the age of Twitter and ubiquitous social media? When do public officials create forums for public comment on their own Facebook pages? When do employees go too far on social media? Join Shipman & Goodwin attorneys Thomas Mooney and Jessica Richman Smith as they endeavor to answer these and other questions in this informative presentation focusing on free speech issues in the public sector workplace. This presentation will take the form of a lively debate in which Tom and Jessica will take opposite sides in responding to various workplace situations involving matters of free speech. The audience will then get to vote on whose answer is correct before the rules applicable to these situations are explained.
Breakout Sessions (choose two upon registration):
Annual Collective Bargaining Update
Presenters: Kevin M. Roy and Thadius L. Bochain
This breakout session will examine recent labor relations and arbitration decisions addressing public workplaces in Connecticut, and prepare your organization for negotiating and implementing your contracts. Presenters will discuss grievances, average salary settlements, insurance and pension trends and legal development influencing public sector collective bargaining.
DCF Reporting: Changes on the Horizon for Connecticut Public Schools?
Presenters: Natalia Sieira Millan and Lauren A. Cullen
With possible changes to DCF reporting on the legislative horizon, public schools do not want to miss this important discussion with insights from Shipman & Goodwin attorney Natalia Sieira Millan (former Assistant Agency Legal Director with the Connecticut DCF). Natalia will bring her unique insider knowledge to the presentation, and attendees will benefit from her behind-the-scenes look at DCF reporting obligations and best practices.
Independent Medical Examinations and the ADA Interactive Process
Presenters: Peter J. Murphy, Leander A. Dolphin and Gregory A. Jones
This session will examine workplace related independent medical examinations (IMEs), and their scope and use by employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Presenters will discuss when an IME is appropriate and current EEOC guidance. They will also provide a review of the process and employer accommodations for disability-related inquiries, including choice of medical practitioner(s) and contract language.
The Janus Decision: A Deep Dive for Employers
Presenters: Jarad M. Lucan and Ashley L. Marshall
After last year’s Supreme Court decision Janus v. AFSCME, we made a number of recommendations for actions employers should consider in complying with the decision and working with unions (see our recent webinar on the topic, here). This session will review the latest developments and take a deeper dive into the nuances of Janus. Presenters will explore situational hypotheticals and attendees will walk away better equipped to move forward in a post-Janus workplace.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE):
This CLE program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York CLE Board for a maximum of 3.5 credit hours in Professional Practice and is appropriate for both transitional and nontransitional attorneys.
Neither the Connecticut Judicial Branch nor the Commission on Minimum Continuing Legal Education approves or accredits CLE providers or activities. It is the opinion of this provider that this activity qualifies for up to 3.0 hours toward your annual CLE requirement in Connecticut, including 0 hours of ethics/professionalism.
*SHRM and HRCI credit is pending approval.