Employment Law Management: Hot Topics and Handbook Updates

Kasey M. Cappellano | Kutak Rock LLP

Kasey is an accomplished employment litigator and has successfully defended clients in federal and state courts, including Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Texas and Tennessee. Kasey has significant experience litigating cases, as well as obtaining summary judgement on discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims.

She has successfully defended employers against charges of discrimination, harassment and retaliation filed with federal, state and local administrative agencies as well as against charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board. Kasey also specializes in drafting, analyzing and litigating restrictive covenants related to employment and sales of businesses.

Employers turn to Kasey for counseling on day-to-day issues such as employee discipline, wage payment, drug testing, application of the ADA and the FMLA, termination, unemployment and workers’ compensation issues.

Meaghan M. Gandy | Kutak Rock LLP

Meaghan focuses her practice on employment litigation. She represents employers in all stages of employment litigation in state and federal courts as well as arbitration. She has a high degree of success in obtaining summary judgment, and has represented clients in courts across the country. Meaghan’s litigation experience includes matters asserted under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Equal Pay Act, as well as similar state laws.

Meaghan advises employers on day-to-day employment issues including employee discipline, paid time off, pregnancy accommodation issues, application of the ADA and FMLA, drug testing, background checks, record-keeping, sick pay requirements, state leave laws, employment terminations and severance packages. Meaghan also assists employers in conducting workplace investigations.

Meaghan focuses on drafting employment handbooks and policies for employers complaint with federal and state laws.

Before joining Kutak Rock, Meaghan served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kenneth C. Stephan, Judge of the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Robert J. Toth, II | Kutak Rock LLP

Rob Toth is a member of the firm’s Employment Litigation Group, where he provides comprehensive legal counsel to employers across a variety of industries. Rob represents clients in all aspects of employment-related litigation, including claims involving restrictive covenants, wage and hour disputes, defamation, discrimination, wrongful and constructive discharge, retaliation, and harassment.

In addition to his litigation practice, Rob assists employers with regulatory compliance and risk management. He has extensive experience drafting employment agreements, severance packages and workplace policies to ensure compliance with both local and federal employment laws.

Rob is also at the forefront of emerging issues involving artificial intelligence in the workplace. He advises employers on the legal risks of AI implementation, including compliance with evolving regulations and best practices. Rob has developed and implemented AI usage policies tailored to mitigate risk while enhancing workplace efficiency.

Laurel E. Stoncius | Kutak Rock LLP

Laurel Stoncius is an associate in the firm’s Employment Litigation Group, where she represents employers in a variety of matters. More specifically, Laurel provides advice and counseling to clients regarding risk management and compliance with myriad employment-related state and federal laws, including federal and state OSHA regulations. Laurel also assists in defending clients in employment claims, including wage and hour disputes as well as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and constructive discharge.

Additionally, Laurel leverages her experience in immigration law to help clients with any immigration related needs, including I-9 compliance and both employment-based and humanitarian immigration petitions.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, Laurel offers legal review of clients’ Spanish-language policies, contracts, and workplace procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and mitigate any potential risk associated with translation of complex legal language.

Jessica M. Anderson | Kutak Rock LLP

As a member of the Employment, Healthcare, and Business, Corporate and Securities practice groups, Jessica assists clients on a variety of matters. Her work includes business formation and transactions and advising employers on risk management and compliance with local, state and federal employment law. Jessica provides expertise in drafting formation documents, bylaws, various types of agreements including service and employment agreements, and workplace policies. She also has experience representing employers in responding to employment-related claims. Additionally, Jessica provides counseling to healthcare providers and systems on matters involving Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA and Part 2.

Prior to joining the firm, Jessica practiced municipal and school law for two years. She also has extensive experience working in local, state, and federal government and the nonprofit sector.

I. New updates for employee handbooks | 1:00pm – 1:15pm

II. Political speech in the workplace | 1:15pm – 1:30pm

III. Regulating off-duty conduct | 1:30pm – 1:45pm

IV. FMLA leave issues | 1:45pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

V. LGBTQIA and transgender employees in the workplace | 2:10pm – 2:30pm

VI. DEI plans | 2:30pm – 2:50pm

VII. The intersection of state and federal leave laws | 2:50pm – 3:10pm