Reopening in California and the Post-Pandemic Workplace: Recent Developments and Emerging Challenges in Employment and Immigration

April 29, 2021 | Webinar | Duane Morris LLP

About the Program

As California emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, employers face new challenges. Join Duane Morris attorneys Lori Ocheltree, Lisa Spiegel, Michael Bernick and Anjuli Cargain as they discuss:

Reopening and Staying Open

• Important developments in vaccines, workplace safety, supplemental paid leave and other COVID-19 issues impacting your workplace reopening plans

The Post-Pandemic Economy

• Insights from a former director of California’s Economic Development Department

Emerging Workers’ Rights

• What’s new in predictable scheduling and equal pay

Drug Testing Dilemmas

• The latest in testing your workforce and what lies ahead

Maintaining a Contingent Workforce

• Strategies for using independent contractors after AB 5

Financial Incentives and Unemployment Reforms

• A discussion on small business relief grants, paycheck protection and the impact of unemployment reforms on employers

New Developments in Immigration

• Hot topics that impact your workplace

About the Speakers

Lori Ocheltree practices in the area of federal and California employment law and civil litigation. She provides preventive advice on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship and routinely drafts employee handbooks and agreements. Ms. Ocheltree also trains employees, supervisors and business owners on various aspects of employment law. As a trial lawyer, Ms. Ocheltree defends employers in both state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings, including the DFEH, EEOC, California Labor Commissioner and California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, from a wide range of claims.

Lisa Spiegel is the head of the firm's Immigration Law Group and concentrates on issues related to the employment of foreign nationals. She has been designated as a certified specialist in immigration and nationality law by the State Bar of California and is a past chair of the Northern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. In addition, Ms. Spiegel is president of the Board of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Michael Bernick practices in the area of employment and labor law. He advises employers on issues related to employer taxes, unemployment insurance and disability insurance. In recent years, he has worked with some of the nation’s major employers, staffing companies and industry associations. Mr. Bernick previously served for nearly five years as director of the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the 10,000-person state department of labor. As EDD director, he oversaw the administration of the state’s employer tax collection system, unemployment insurance system and disability insurance system.

Anjuli M. Cargain represents employers in all aspects of employment litigation involving claims for wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment, and wage-and-hour violations. She also provides advice and counsel on personnel policies and practices, employment and severance agreements and a variety of other employment issues.

About Duane Morris

Duane Morris’ nationally recognized Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration attorneys provide clients with a wide spectrum of global services—from timely advice on regulatory issues through litigation developments. With dozens of attorneys focusing on these integrated areas, we provide comprehensive analyses of workplace issues affecting our clients domestically and internationally. Our clients benefit from the integration of employment, labor, benefits and immigration services in order to meet the complexities of today's business environment.