Wednesday, January 24, 2024

1:00PM – 5:00PM
Reception: 5:00 PM – 6:30PM

4 hours of CLE approved

Including 1 hour of Diversity and Inclusion credit

Jones Day 

110 North Wacker Drive, #Suite 4800
Chicago, IL 60606

The Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association will hold its Annual Employment Law Seminar on January 24, 2024 from 1-5 p.m. with a reception to follow. This seminar will focus on hot topics and emerging issues affecting employer obligations and employee rights, such as the legal implications arising from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts in the workplace; how Artificial Intelligence is changing the workplace and practice of law, and the risks it poses regarding algorithmic discrimination; and the interplay of religious freedom and Title VII discrimination in the wake of a recent Supreme Court opinion.

As always, the seminar will also feature a Judge’s panel that will discuss best practices for preparing for and conducting successful settlement conferences. CLE will be available for the seminar participants.

Affirmative Action and DEI in the Workplace

This panel will discuss the current issues and legal implications arising from DEI efforts in the workplace, including whether employers can make affirmative efforts to increase and celebrate diversity without running afoul of the law after the Supreme Court’s opinions in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard College and Univ. of NC, and what risks they face if they were to abandon those efforts.

Moderator

• Maria de las Nieves Bolaños, Founding Partner, Fish Potter Bolanos, P.C.

Speakers

• Diane Smason, Attorney Advisor to EEOC General Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Chicago District Office

• Susan H. Rider, Partner, Scharf Banks Marmor LLC

• Stephanie Graham, General Counsel, Northwestern University

Artificial Intelligence: How is it Changing the Workforce and Practice of Law

This panel will discuss Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the law – what is it, the benefits and pitfalls for employers using AI in hiring practices and other human resource functions, regulations emerging to prevent algorithmic discrimination, as well as the benefits and risks of using AI in the practice of law.

Moderator

• Anna Wermuth,  Vice-Chair, Labor & Employment Department, Cozen O’Connor

Speakers

• Elizabeth B. McRee, Practice Leader, Labor & Employment, Jones Day

• J. Bryan Wood, Founder, The Wood Law Office, LLC

• Jasmine Fannell, Vice-President and Senior Legal Counsel, HSBC

Religious Accommodations, the Undue Hardship Analysis and the Impact on Other Title VII Rights

This panel will discuss the legal issues relating to religious accommodations in the workplace, including the undue hardship analysis, the impact of the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Groff v. DeJoy, the interaction with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the extent to which religious accommodations may affect other rights under Title VII, such as those of women and LGBTQIA+ workers.

Moderator

• Erin M. Franzblau, Partner, Smith Gambrell, Russell

Speakers

• Deborah Hamilton, Supervisory Trial Attorney, EEOC

• Jon Linas, Partner, Jones Day

• Cheryl Luce Fuga, Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Judges’ Panel: Settlement Conferences — Best Practices

This panel will feature several of the Northern District’s Magistrate Judges to discuss best practices for preparing for and conducting successful settlement conferences.

Moderator

• M. Megan O’Malley,  Founding Partner, O’Malley & Madden, P.C.

Speakers

• Hon. Beth W. Jantz

• Hon. Maria Valdez

• Hon. M. David Weisman