This seminar will be available both IN PERSON and VIRTUAL! Please register by using the button at the bottom of this page.
We look forward to seeing you!
2026 Employment and Employee Benefits Seminar Agenda
February 4th, 2026
8:00 – 8:30 AM – IN PERSON attendee arrival and breakfast!
8:30 – 9:30 AM –Employee Benefits Updates: by Jesse St.Cyr
In this one-hour legal update, Jesse St.Cyr will review key changes in Employee Benefits law, emerging regulatory trends, and their implications for plan administration. Attendees will gain clear, actionable information to support informed decision-making in a rapidly shifting landscape. The session will equip participants with timely insights they can immediately apply to strengthen compliance and reduce organizational risk.
9:30 – 10:30 AM – AI, Wages, and Enforcement Priorities: by David Woodard and Steve Rowe
In this one-hour employment law update, David Woodard and Steve Rowe will review key developments shaping employer compliance and risk management in 2026, focusing on the growing use of Artificial Intelligence in employment decisions and significant Wage and Hour enforcement changes. The session will address risks associated with employers’ use of AI to screen applicants, research employee issues, provide employment guidance, and draft contracts or separation agreements, including emerging concerns around deepfakes and evolving state and federal regulations. They will also examine major changes at the U.S. Department of Labor, including the re-establishment and expansion of the PAID program, the return of formal opinion letters, shifts in agency settlement practices, and the impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill†on the taxation of overtime and tips, as well as trends in state minimum wage laws and private FLSA settlements. Together, these updates will provide clear, practical insights employers can immediately apply to strengthen compliance, reduce organizational risk, and make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving employment law landscape.
10:30 – 11:30 AM – Immigration Requirements and DEI Challenges: by Susie Gibbons and Grace Pennerat
In this one-hour presentation, Susie Gibbons and Grace Pennerat will provide practical guidance on two key areas
of workforce compliance and risk management facing employers today. Grace will review the Form I-9 and E-Verify employment eligibility verification process and the H-1B visa program, outlining employer responsibilities under U.S. immigration laws, regulations, and agency guidance, along with best practices for documentation, timelines, and avoiding common compliance errors. Susie will then discuss the current status of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including emerging legal risks and challenges, recent actions by the Trump Administration, and practical considerations for organizations evaluating whether and how to maintain DEI initiatives. Together, the session will equip attendees with clear, actionable insights to navigate evolving regulatory expectations and make informed workforce decisions while reducing organizational risk.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Religious Discrimination and COVID-19 Workplace Developments: by Brett Carpenter and Adia Craig
In this one-hour legal update, Brett Carpenter and Adia Craig will review recent developments in religious discrimination law, including evolving standards under Title VII for the degree of harm an employee must experience to establish a discrimination claim. They will also discuss recent litigation involving COVID-19 vaccine mandates and requests for religious accommodations. These updates will provide employers with clear, practical guidance to navigate changing legal standards, respond effectively to accommodation requests, and reduce risk in an evolving workplace environment.
CREDIT INFORMATION: (PENDING)
- 4 hours of CLE credit
- 4 hours of SHRM
- 4 hours of HRCI
- 1 hours of CPE
Learning Objectives:
We aim to guide attendees in acquiring knowledge, assessing workplace dynamics, and developing strategies to ensure legal compliance and effective management of evolving workplace regulations and policies.
FREE – Group Internet-Based and Live Seminar
Business Law
Program Level: Basic
No Prerequisites – No Advanced Preparations Needed
*All questions relating to administrative policies, including complaints, should be sent to Alison Yellman at 704-342-5262 or
ayellman@poynerspruill.com. Poyner Spruill will attempt to address all complaints within two business days.
Poyner Spruill LLP is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry
