2026 Conference Agenda

2026 Annual Employment Law Seminar

AGENDA

7:45 am to 8:30 am: Registration and Breakfast

8:30 am to 8:45 am: Opening Remarks
Presented by Amanda A. Manukian, Esq., Senior Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, Bernadette M. O’Brien, Esq., SPHR, Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Alden J. Parker, Esq., Sacramento Regional Partner at Fisher Phillips, LLP

8:45 am to 12:00 pm: Morning Sessions

8:45 am to 10:00 am: “2026 California Employment Law Legislative and Caselaw Update”
Presented by Bernadette M. O’Brien, Esq., SPHR, Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Alden J. Parker, Esq., Sacramento Regional Partner at Fisher Phillips, LLP

10:00 am to 10:15 am: Morning Break

10:15 am to 11:45 am: “The Challenges of Federalism in Employment Law Continues Into 2026“
Presented by ADR Services Mediator, Phyllis W. Cheng, Esq., Attorney, Mediator, and Former Director of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”)

11:45 am to 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm: Afternoon Breakout Sessions #1

  1. “How Minutes Will Continue to Cost Employers Millions in 2026 – Wage and Hour Update (Including a PAGA Reform Update and the Latest on Meal and Rest Break Requirements)”
    Presented by Eric E. Ostling, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Christopher Alvarez, Esq., Partner at Fisher Phillips, LLP

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Caselaw and Legislative Update
    • PAGA Reform Update – Is It Working to Reduce Penalties?
    • How Meal and Rest Break Violations Result in Significant Damages
    • Why Costly Class Actions and PAGA Claims Will Continue on in 2026 
    • Risk Mitigation Strategies
  1. “AI in the Workplace: Key Compliance Considerations and Risks Associated with AI“
    Presented by Alden J. Parker, Esq., Sacramento Regional Partner at Fisher Phillips, LLP, and Co-Speaker from Fisher Phillips TBA

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Overview of AI Use in the Workplace
    • Legal and Regulatory Compliance
    • Bias, Fairness and Discrimination Risks
    • Privacy and Data Protection
    • Transparency and Notice Obligations
    • Human Oversight and Accountability
    • Vendor Management and Due Diligence
  1. “From WC Claim to Costly Employment Law Claim: Spotting and Preventing Employment Law Exposure in WC Claims”
    Presented by Daniel R. Brown, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, Michael Purqurian, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Kyle R. Uebelhardt, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Why Work Comp Claims Can Trigger Employment Law Risk
    • Red Flags in Work Comp Claims (e.g. 132a Claim, Psych Claim, Wage and Hour Violations)
    • Best Practices for Investigation and Documentation
    • Managing Accommodations (Interactive Process) and Return-to-Work
    • Integration/Coordination of HR and Work Comp Practices/Policies/Procedures
  1. “The Challenges of Accommodating Work Restrictions, Medical Conditions, and Disabilities”
    Presented by Amanda A. Manukian, Esq., Senior Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Co-Speaker from Fisher Phillips TBA

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Common WC Work Restrictions for Applicants
    • Most Challenging WC Work Restrictions for Employers
    • Accommodation vs. Modified or Light Duty
    • Multiple Medical Reports with Different Recommendations-Which One Applies
    • Interactive Process/FEHA Obligations
  1. “Substance Abuse in the Workplace: The Challenges of Managing Risk, Compliance, and Employee Support”
    Presented by John B. Floyd, Esq., Senior Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, Tim E. Simmen, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, William T. Okamoto, Esq., Associate at Fisher Phillips, LLP, and Joseph Paulino, Chief of Police for the San Bernardino City Unified School District Police Department

    The presentation will include information on:
    • California Employment Law Compliance Considerations
    • Rehabilitation Leave Obligations
    • Compliant Drug-Free Workplace Policies
    • Medical Marijuana and the Workplace
    • Documentation and Consistent Enforcement

2:30 pm to 2:45 pm: Afternoon Break

2:45 pm to 4:15 pm: Afternoon Breakout Sessions #2

  1. “California Leave Law Update: Best Practices for HR Professionals, with a Focus on the Overlap Between FMLA, CFRA, and PDL”
    Presented by Bernadette M. O’Brien, Esq., SPHR, Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and James Lodenquai, Human Resources Director for Vallarta Supermarkets

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Caselaw and Legislative Update
    • 5 Key HR Compliance Obligations for 5 Common Leave Laws
    • Mastering the Interplay Between FMLA, CFRA, and PDL
    • Intermittent Leave Challenges
    • FMLA/CFRA/PDL Exhaustion and Extended Medical Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the FEHA-Employer Obligations
  1. “Ethical Dilemmas in Employment Law, Work Comp and General Liability Cases”
    Presented by John B. Floyd, Esq., Senior Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, Co-Speaker from Fisher Phillips TBA, and Jean Cha, Esq. of Cha Law Ethics

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
    • Honesty and Accuracy in Reporting and Documentation
    • Confidentiality and Privacy Obligations
    • Fairness and Consistency in Decision-Making
    • Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest
  1. “Effective Workplace Investigations: Best Practices for HR”
    Presented by Amanda A. Manukian, Esq., Senior Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, Hannah Sweiss, Esq., Partner at Fisher Phillips, LLP, and Jan-Erick M. Baquiran, Esq., Associate at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP

    Presentation will include information on:
    • How Proper Investigations Help Protect an Employer from Costly Litigation
    • Defining the Scope and Objectives of an Investigation in WC and Employment Law
    • Protocols for Gathering Evidence
    • Interviewing Witnesses
    • Documentation and Recordkeeping
    • Analysis and Decision-Making/Remedial Measures
  1. “Key Strategies for Defending Complex Stress Claims”
    Presented by John M. Langevin, Esq., Senior Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, Louisa M. Graw, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Phuong N. Nguyen, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Early Identification on Psych Claim Components
    • Conducting a Thorough Investigation
    • Medical Management and Evaluation
    • Causation and Legal Defenses
    • Strategic Use of Surveillance and Social Media in Defense of the Claim
  1. “WC Caselaw Update/Key Defense Strategies in 2026 for Complex Litigation”
    Presented by Michael G. McConville, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, Carey Guynes, Esq., Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Michael Kuyumjian, Esq., Pasadena Managing Attorney at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP

    Presentation will include information on:
    • Key Decisions Affecting Compensability Standards
    • Implications of the DiFusco v. Hands On Spa on Insurance/Excess Insurance Disclosure
    • Cumulative Trauma and Repetitive Stress Injuries Defense Strategies
    • Apportionment in Complex WC Claims
    • Psyche Claims: Work-Related Stress v. Personal Stress
    • Remote Work Injuries

4:15 pm to 4:30pm: Afternoon Refreshment Break

4:30 pm to 5:00 pm: HR Family Feud: Watch as Skilled HR Administrators Challenge WC and Employment Law Attorney Experts on Key Compliance Questions

5:00 pm to 5:15 pm: Closing Remarks and Raffle
Presented by Bernadette M. O’Brien, Esq., SPHR, Partner at Floyd Skeren Manukian Langevin, LLP, and Alden J. Parker, Esq., Sacramento Regional Partner at Fisher Phillips, LLP

“Cocktail Hour” to follow after the Closing Remarks

Skip to content