The Employment Law & HR Summit: Palo Alto
The Employment Law & HR Summit
Palo Alto | October 8, 2025
CA CLE Pending Approval
- Performance Management Evolution: Trends Shaping California Workplaces
- Individual Discrimination and Harassment Claims: What Every LA Employer Needs to Know
- Litigation-Proofing Your Workplace: PAGA, Audits & Compliance Strategies for California Employers
- Pay Transparency and Reporting Requirements: Navigating the New Landscape
- Wrongful Termination: Reducing Risks and Legal Pitfalls
- Training Mandates & Best Practices in Workplace Education
- Employee Mental Health and the Workplace: Employer Obligations and Best Practices
- Chief Legal Officer
- CHRO
- C-Suite Executives
- SVP Human Resources + Legal
- General Counsel
- Associate + Assistant General Counsel
- VP, Human Resources + Legal
- HR Director
- Senior Employment Counsel
- Corporate Counsel
- Counsel
Agenda
One-to-One Meetings begin. If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
The traditional annual performance review is becoming obsolete as California organizations adopt agile, technology-driven approaches to performance management. This panel will examine the shift toward continuous feedback, real-time goal alignment, and the use of AI-driven tools to improve productivity and engagement. Panelists will discuss strategies for implementing modern performance management systems, fostering open communication between employees and leadership, and aligning reviews with employee development goals. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to transform performance reviews into tools for growth, engagement, and retention while staying aligned with California’s progressive workplace culture.
This Panel Will Discuss:
- How to replace annual reviews with real-time feedback loops to improve performance.
- Exploring AI and performance management software to track progress, goals, and productivity effectively.
- Strategies to align performance evaluations with career growth.
- Fostering an open feedback culture that drives engagement, reduces bias, and improves retention.
With new regulations like California’s SB-553 allowing union representatives to seek restraining orders for workplace violence and stricter Title IX reforms imposing enhanced reporting requirements, the stakes have never been higher when it comes to workplace discrimination and harassment claims. This panel will provide actionable strategies to navigate evolving laws, mitigate risks, and foster inclusive workplace cultures, while drawing on lessons from recent high-profile cases.
This Panel Will Discuss:
- Trends in litigation, best practices for compliance and training, drafting clear and enforceable policy, and lessons learned from real-world cases.
- Recent State & Federal legislative updates and ordinances impacting discrimination and harassment claims in California (e.g., FEHA updates)
- Common pitfalls during investigations or litigation, such as mishandling internal complaints and best practices for managing retaliation risks during and after an internal investigation.
- Practical examples of effective conflict resolution in discrimination or harassment cases.
- The rise of claims related to remote work environments (e.g., virtual harassment) and addressing claims involving multiple protected categories
- Effective record-keeping to support defenses in claims and ensure compliance.
If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
California remains one of the most litigious and regulated employment environments in the U.S.—and nowhere is this more evident than in the rise of PAGA claims, class actions, and wage and hour enforcement. With overlapping rules and evolving employee protections, employers face mounting pressure to proactively close compliance gaps before they become legal liabilities. This panel merges two essential conversations: how to reduce litigation risk across your workforce, and how to defend against and prevent Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims. Legal and HR leaders will gain practical tools to strengthen policies, conduct targeted audits, and build defensible practices that protect both the company and its people.
This panel will explore:
- Common compliance pitfalls triggering PAGA claims, class actions, and wrongful termination suits—and how to avoid them
- How to conduct internal audits of wage & hour, classification, and policy enforcement to identify and correct risk areas
- Strategic defenses for responding to PAGA notices and minimizing exposure through documentation, mediation, or litigation
- The role of policy clarity, proactive training, and organizational culture in reducing legal risk and increasing compliance confidence
With California expanding pay data reporting under SB 1162 and potential 2025 updates to align with federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission initiatives, employers face heightened compliance challenges. This panel will equip HR and legal professionals with tools to navigate salary disclosures, pay data reporting obligations, and equity audits across jurisdictions. Attendees will learn how to address pay disparities proactively, develop compliant policies, and balance transparency with confidentiality while mitigating legal risks. Real-world insights and practical strategies will help organizations build equitable and transparent pay practices to foster trust and avoid costly violations.
This Panel Will Discuss:
- Managing multi-state compliance for pay transparency laws and clarifying pay range disclosure obligations to current employees
- Conducting internal audits and ensuring accurate collection or pay data segmented by gender, race, ethnicity, and job categories to identify and address pay disparities.
- Best practices for setting equitable pay structures that align with market standards.
- Managing employee expectations and addressing concerns about pay ranges.
- Navigating the intersection of pay transparency, equal pay, and discrimination laws.
- Pay equity litigation trends —how businesses are being challenged in court and what it means for HR/legal teams
If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
Wrongful termination claims continue to present significant challenges for employers in California, where employee protections are among the strongest in the country. This panel will analyze the current legal framework, high-profile litigation trends, and common pitfalls employers encounter. Experts will share practical strategies to ensure compliant terminations, including the role of clear policies, effective documentation, and careful communication. Attendees will learn how to conduct thorough investigations, avoid retaliation claims, and implement fair procedures that align with California law, reducing exposure to litigation and fostering a culture of transparency.
This Panel Will Discuss:
- Understanding wrongful termination laws in California, including recent case law and legislative updates.
- Learning best practices for documentation to provide a defensible record for any termination decision.
- How to conduct termination meetings respectfully while minimizing legal risks.
- Drafting and implementing clear policies to ensure fairness, consistency, and legal compliance.
With new and expanded training requirements set to take effect in 2025, California employers must stay ahead to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks. From updated anti-harassment training mandates to workplace violence prevention under SB-553, the panel will delve into how organizations can create comprehensive and effective training programs. Panelists will explore strategies for implementing mandatory training seamlessly, leveraging technology for scalability, and ensuring engagement among employees at all levels. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to build robust, compliant programs that foster a safer, more inclusive workplace while avoiding costly penalties.
This Panel Will Discuss:
- Understanding new legislation on 2025 training mandates, including anti-harassment and workplace violence prevention requirements.
- Strategies for using Learning Management Systems (LMS) or other tools to scale and track training initiatives effectively.
- Techniques to make required training interactive, impactful, and culturally relevant for a diverse workforce.
- Steps to document and maintain records to meet legal standards and avoid liability.
As mental health concerns rise in the workplace, California employers must navigate overlapping obligations under ADA, FMLA, CFRA, FEHA—and increasingly, Workers’ Compensation. This session explores how employers can support psychological safety while protecting against legal exposure from mental health-related claims, accommodations, and stress-induced injuries. Panelists will share compliance strategies, policy best practices, and real-world approaches to building a resilient, healthy workplace culture. Attendees will also gain insight into how mental health issues are being interpreted under Workers’ Comp laws and how to proactively reduce both legal and human risk. By blending compliance and compassion, organizations can create workplaces where employees feel supported—and protected.
This Panel Will Discuss:
- Key legal requirements for mental health accommodations and documentation.
- How to manage mental health-related Workers’ Comp claims.
- Policies that reduce burnout, stress, and legal risk.
- Tools to support employee well-being and retention.
If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com
Rotating, 20-minute discussions hosted by a topic expert.
RT 1: Wage & Hour Watchouts: Avoiding Costly Compliance Mistakes
RT 2: Immigration Insights: Navigating Today’s Challenges
RT 3: Non-Competes Under Fire: What You Need to Know
RT 4: Litigation Landmines: How to Stay Out of the Courtroom
Sponsors
Spencer Fane LLP
At Spencer Fane, your business leaders work with our business leaders. We provide an unconventional approach to legal services geared toward protecting and advancing business and personal interests. Our clients are certain that their interests are our priority, because they work with leaders – leaders who work decisively, execute with purpose and understand the importance of flawless timing.
Spencer Fane has offices located in Phoenix, Arizona; Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado; Tampa, Florida; Overland Park, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; Las Vegas, Nevada; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; and Dallas, Houston, and Plano, Texas
Rogers Joseph O’Donnell
Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, PC is a litigation boutique founded in 1981 by a group of attorneys who believed — and continue to believe — that smaller is smarter. The firm’s relationships with clients, whether individual or corporate, are personal: trust builds from year to year as matters are smoothly managed and disputes are brought to a satisfactory resolution. Based in San Francisco and Washington D.C, the firm’s lawyers are known for their work involving labor and employment, complex commercial litigation, construction, government contracts, cybersecurity and privacy, retail industry trade regulation, attorney liability and conduct, environmental law, and white collar criminal defense, for clients throughout California and across the United States. For more information, visit rjo.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.
Venue
TBA
Palo Alto, CA
Pricing
| Register By | In House Counsel | Law Firms & Vendors |
|---|---|---|
| October 7th, 2025 | $0.00 | Contact info@centerforceusa.com |
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- Please note that speakers and topics were confirmed at the time of publishing, however, circumstances beyond the control of the organizers may necessitate substitutions, alterations or cancellations of the speakers and/or topics. As such, CenterForce reserves the right to alter or modify the advertised speakers and/or topics if necessary. Any substitutions or alterations will be updated on our web page as soon as possible.
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