Fee: Member -$110 | Non-Member - $140 (Includes light morning snacks and full lunch)
Earn HRCI and SHRM credits (total of 3 CE)
(8:45AM-9:45AM) Employee Benefits Legal Panel: Navigating Today’s Challenges
Employee benefits continue to be one of the most heavily regulated and rapidly evolving areas of HR. Whether attendees are HR generalists, benefits administrators, or organizational leaders, this discussion will provide actionable takeaways to help minimize risk, remain compliant, and confidently navigate the complex legal landscape of employee benefits.
The panel will address topics including:
Benefits compliance risks employers may not realize they have and issues becoming more prevalent
Examples of how small benefits mistakes can become significant legal problems
Fiduciary responsibilities for self-funded plans
Legal risks related to prescription drug data and PBM oversight
Mental Health Parity compliance
AI use in benefits administration and related privacy concerns
Speakers: Jim Gregson (Client Executive)
Karen Schwartz (President, Washington), IMA
(10:00AM-11:00AM) Wage and Hour Class Actions
This session will explore Washington employers’ exposure to wage-and-hour class actions, including common claims, potentially significant penalties, and the cost of defending a case. Using rest-break compliance as a practical example, Josh will outline steps employers can take to align workplace practices with legal requirements and reduce class-action risk. Attendees will learn how to recognize common risk areas, why small violations can become costly, what compliance looks like, and ways to reduce risk.
Speaker: Josh Brittingham, Carney Badley Spellman, P.S.
Joshua Brittingham helps employers prevent, manage, and resolve high-exposure labor and employment disputes. He counsels management on compliance and risk mitigation and defends employers in complex litigation, class actions, and labor relations matters before courts and administrative agencies.
Josh represents private and public employers across a wide range of industries in matters arising under federal, state, and local employment and labor laws. His practice focuses on disputes and decisions that carry enterprise-level risk, including wage and hour class actions, discrimination and retaliation claims, wrongful discharge, and union-related matters. He regularly advises employers on how early decisions—at the policy, investigation, and response stage—can shape litigation outcomes.
(11:15AM-12:15PM) New Legislation / Employment Law Update
This session will cover some of the most significant recent changes affecting employers with Washington employees, including the state’s ban on noncompete agreements, new obligations when federal agencies audit Form I-9s, expanded Paid Family and Medical Leave job protections, and other timely developments. Brittney will focus on what has changed, what remains unsettled, and practical steps employers should be taking now.
Speaker: Brittney Rivers, Dickinson Wright
Brittney Rivers represents clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters, with a focus on employment and business disputes. She also provides clients with practical advice on employment and business issues, such as employment and contractor agreements, restrictive covenants including non-competition and non-solicitation clauses, executive compensation, wage and hour issues, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave, agency investigations, breach of contract, and separation agreements.