Employment Law Changes Attorneys Need to Know FTC Ban, new Independent contractor rules, Cannabis use, pregnant workers, wage increases and more

Harriet E. Cooperman | Saul Ewing LLP

Harriet E. Cooperman is a partner in Saul Ewing LLP and past chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Group, where she focuses her practice on representing businesses, medical practices, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations in all aspects of labor and employment law and litigation. Ms. Cooperman received her B.S. degree from Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

On July 1, 2023, Governor Wes Moore appointed Ms. Cooperman to the newly created Public Employee Relations Board, which administers and enforces the State collective bargaining laws for state departments, colleges and universities, community colleges, and public schools. She was a member of the Maryland State Higher Education Labor Relations Board for 22 years and was the Board’s Chair from January 2020 through June 30, 2023, and its Vice Chair from 2002-2020. Ms. Cooperman has taught labor law and employment discrimination law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She also serves on the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Ms. Cooperman has been a member of the University of Maryland Medical Center Board of Directors since 2015 and is past Chair of the Board’s Nomination and Governance Committee.

Ms. Cooperman is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. She has been named as one the Top 100 Labor and Employment Lawyers in the United States by Lawdragon and Human Resources Executive each year since 2010 and in 2019 was inducted into the Hall of Fame. She also has consistently been named to The Best Lawyers in America list in the areas of Labor and Employment Law and Litigation and as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers in Employment Law” by Chambers USA. In 2020, The Daily Record honored Ms. Cooperman with the Maryland Leadership in Law Award, Lifetime Achievement. Ms. Cooperman is a former Chairperson of the Section on Labor and Employment Law of the Maryland State Bar Association, and former Chairperson of the Employer-Employee Relations Committee of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association.

Erik P. Pramschufer | Saul Ewing LLP

Erik Pramschufer’s practice focuses on labor and employment law, including workplace litigation, dispute resolution and counseling. He litigates and advises clients under federal, state, and local employment laws.

A successful trial attorney, Erik has experience defending clients against lawsuits and administrative claims related to wages, discrimination, and protected leaves of absence. Erik has also litigated restrictive covenants and trade secret cases across the country, both in the enforcement of covenants, and defending individuals and subsequent employers. His recent trial wins include defeating a federal sexual harassment case brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where the court found in favor of the client on all counts.

Outside the courtroom, Erik regularly advises clients in various industries on matters related to employment and human resource compliance. This often includes drafting employment policies, handbooks, and agreements for a wide array of employees, from tipped workers to white collar executives. Erik also provides anti-harassment and discrimination training to employees and managers.

In 2020, Erik was appointed to a three-year term to serve on the Labor & Employment Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association.

I. Cannabis Use | 11:00am – 11:20am

II. Wage Increases, including the DOL’s Rule on salary threshold for FLSA exemption and state minimum wage laws | 11:20am – 11:40am

III. EEOC’s Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace | 11:40am – 12:00pm

Break | 12:00pm – 12:10pm

IV. The Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act and EEOC regulations | 12:10pm – 12:30pm

V. Independent Contractor Rule Update | 12:30pm – 12:50pm

VI. OSHA Update | 12:50pm – 1:10pm

• Proposed rule to amend representatives of employers and employees regulation
• Expansion of injury and illness reporting requirements

Break | 1:10pm – 1:20pm

VII. NLRB Update | 1:20pm – 1:50pm

• New election rules
• Joint Employer Standard
• Handbook rules and discipline for employee misconduct related to protected concerted activity
• And any other surprises the NLRB issues between now and the program date

VIII. FTC’s Ban on Non-competes | 1:50pm – 2:20pm

• Update and status of litigation challenging the FTC’s rule
• Notice requirements