Agenda / Content Covered

1. Processes, Procedures and Laws
   9:00 - 10:00, Alexander P. Berg
   1. Basic Stages of Employment Litigation
   2. Administrative Agency Claims and Pleadings
   3. Local and State Laws, Rules and Regulations
   4. FMLA, ADA and FLSA
   5. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
   6. State Benefit Laws
   7. EEOC, ESC, NLRB, DOL, State Regulatory Boards
2. How to Handle Top Employment Claims: Tips From the Experts
   10:15 - 11:15, Alexander P. Berg
   1. Handling Harassment Claims: #MeToo
   2. Discrimination Claims
   3. Wage and Hour Claims
   4. FMLA Claims/Leave Disputes
   5. Employer Retaliation and Whistleblower Cases
   6. Reviewing Recent Case Law
3. Conducting Internal Investigations and Handling Formal Complaints
   11:15 - 12:15, Bernadette Hunton
   1. Internal Complaint Process and Procedures (w/Sample Checklist)
   2. Documenting and Filing of the Complaint
   3. Preserving Attorney-Client Privilege and Work-Product Doctrine
   4. Conducting the Investigation
   5. How to Spot Investigation Cracks
   6. Analyzing Investigation Results
   7. Using Investigation Materials in Litigation: Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives
4. Handling Administrative Charges and EEOC Complaints: Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives
   1:15 - 2:15, Stephen B. Stern
   1. How to Prepare Position Statements
   2. Defending Administrative Charges
   3. Filing of the Charge with State/Federal Regulatory Boards
   4. Handling the EEOC Conciliation Process
   5. Responding to Charges
   6. EEOC Mediation Process
   7. How to Handle the Administrative Hearing
5. How to Win at Settlement, Mediation and Trial
   2:30 - 3:30, Michael Vogelsang Jr.
   1. Settlement of Claims
   2. Filing the Lawsuit
   3. Understanding the Mediation Process
   4. Investigating a Filed Lawsuit, Discovery and Evidence
   5. Preparing, Filing and Responding to the "Complaint"/Pleadings and Motions
   6. How to Win the Case at the Summary Judgment Stage
   7. Taking an Employment Case to Trial: Getting the Basics Down
   8. Trying the Case to a Judge vs. Jury
   9. Reviewing Recent Case Law
6. Upholding Ethical Standards
   3:30 - 4:30, Joyce E. Smithey
   1. Key Rules of Professional Conduct
   2. Confidentiality
   3. Privileged Communications
   4. Identifying and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

ALEXANDER P. BERG is an attorney with Littler Mendelson P.C. Mr. Berg focuses his management-side practice on issues arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964, the FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and ADEA, as well as state and local EEO and wage and hour statutes. He is admitted to practice law in Maryland, District of Columbia, U.S. District Court of Maryland, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Berg earned his bachelor's degree from Stanford University and his J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

BERNADETTE HUNTON is an attorney with the law firm of Kollman & Saucier, P.A., where she specializes as an independent investigator of workplace complaints for a wide range of employers. Her work includes investigation of Title IX complaints, as well as representation of higher educational institutions for the purposes of negotiating and resolving such claims when they arise. In addition to her work as an independent investigator, Ms. Hunton conducts both preventative and remedial training on a broad range of EEO issues. She received her B.S. degree, summa cum laude, from Towson University, followed by earning her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Her academic success earned her membership in the Heuisler Honor Society.

JOYCE E. SMITHEY is managing partner of Smithey Law Group. With 20 years of experience, Ms. Smithey focuses her practice exclusively in the areas of employment and labor law representing both employers and employees. She has taught seminars and law school courses on labor and employment law topics and has published extensively in the area. This includes authoring the fourth edition of Maryland Rules Commentary and contributing to the MSBA Maryland Employment Law Deskbook. She is also a regular contributor to The Employee Advocate, the newsletter of the Metropolitan Washington Employment and Labor Lawyers Association. Ms. Smithey earned her B.A. degree from Pepperdine University and her J.D. degree from Boston University School of Law.

STEPHEN B. STERN is a partner in the law firm of Kagan Stern Marinello & Beard, LLC, where he practices in the areas of employment law, insurance, and commercial litigation. Mr. Stern conducts training seminars and has been retained to advise on and/or conduct highly sensitive and complex investigations. He has successfully represented clients in federal and state courts and before federal, state, and local administrative agencies, including the EEOC, Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice. Mr. Stern graduated from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations and earned his J.D. degree from George Washington University Law School. He is admitted to practice in the courts of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In addition, Mr. Stern is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

MICHAEL VOGELSANG JR. is a principal at The Employment Law Group, P.C., where he handles cases that involve whistleblower retaliation, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, and other workplace claims. Mr. Vogelsang often represents federal employees and has filed complaints and appeals against several dozen government bodies ranging from the FBI to the Commerce Department to NASA. He appears regularly before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board, and has tried cases before a civil jury. Mr. Vogelsang is active in the LGBT community and has litigated sexual orientation discrimination cases in both state and federal court. In 2019, Super Lawyers recognized him as a Rising Star. Mr. Vogelsang earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from American University School of International Service; and his J.D. degree from American University, Washington College of Law. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar.