9:30 – 10:20 am

10:25 – 11:40 am

12:10 – 1:00 pm

1:00 – 1:05 pm

1:05 – 2:20 pm

2:20 – 2:25 pm

2:25 – 3:25 pm

3:25 – 3:30 pm

Trump 2.0: One Year In — What Has Changed and What Comes Next

We are more than one year into the second Trump administration, and the employment law landscape has begun to take clearer shape.  Executive actions have translated into concrete shifts in agency enforcement priorities, regulatory approaches, and federal litigation strategy. At the same time, the courts have continued to redefine the scope of agency authority, adding another layer of complexity for employers operating across jurisdictions.

This session will examine what changes have occurred over the past year at key federal agencies, what employers need to know about the administration’s current views on DEI, how workforce enforcement priorities have evolved, and what trends are emerging in the courts. We will also discuss how employers should be recalibrating policies, compliance strategies, and risk assessments considering these developments.

Mintz Presenters: Corbin Carter, Tom Pagliarini, and Nikki Rivers

Key 2026 Massachusetts Compliance Developments and Multistate Considerations

In 2026, employers in Massachusetts will continue to operate in an active legislative environment and evolving regulatory landscape. Developments affecting protected leave, wage and hour compliance, pay data reporting, employee mobility, and other workplace obligations are reshaping day-to-day compliance responsibilities. This session will examine the most consequential compliance challenges shaping the year ahead and provide clear, practical guidance for HR professionals and in-house counsel responsible for policy execution and risk management. It will also account for how employers can manage through multistate complexity and risk without sacrificing operational consistency. 

Mintz Presenters: Natalie Groot, Drew Matzkin, Katy Droumbakis, and Savannah Wormley

Lunchtime Keynote: Psychology-Based Strategies for Better Workplace Communication

The workplace has become increasingly difficult to navigate, rife with opportunities for miscommunication and conflict. Generational differences, technological change, and growing political divides only enhance the possibility of friction between team members. Dr. Tessa West will unpack the psychology behind why we struggle to communicate effectively in challenging situations at work. She will then offer simple yet effective strategies for improving communication across different situations — from delivering candid feedback, managing personalities, and addressing interpersonal conflict before it escalates.

Attendees will leave with simple, actionable tools they can apply when navigating sensitive workplace interactions that impact team dynamics, employee performance, and organizational culture.

Speaker: Dr. Tessa West, New York University Professor of Psychology | Author of Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to Do About Them and Job Therapy: Finding Work That Works for You