9:00 – 10:00 am

10:15 – 11:15 am

11:15 am – 12:30 pm

12:30 – 2:00 pm

Managing with Empathy in the Workplace: Practical Tools for Supporting Employees Through Stress and Anxiety

Today’s workplaces can mirror an increasingly complex and stressful world. While performance remains a priority, employees also benefit from empathy and understanding, which are key drivers of morale, productivity, and retention.

This facilitated discussion with Clinical Psychotherapist Cory Schneider will offer practical and proactive strategies for recognizing employee stress, practicing active empathy, and providing effective support in the workplace without overstepping professional or legal boundaries. The discussion will also feature strategies for legally compliant approaches to supporting employees while mitigating workplace risk.

Mintz Presenters: Jennifer Rubin and Nikki Rivers

Featured Guest: Cory Schneider

Key 2026 California Compliance Developments and Multistate Considerations

In 2026, employers in California will continue to navigate one of the most active and complex employment law environments in the country. Ongoing legislative activity and regulatory change are driving new compliance obligations related to protected leave, wage and hour enforcement, pay transparency and data reporting, employee mobility, and workplace rights. 

This session will highlight the most significant California-specific compliance challenges shaping the year ahead and offer practical, actionable guidance for HR professionals and in-house counsel responsible for implementation and risk management. The discussion will also address how employers operating in California and beyond can manage multistate complexity while maintaining consistent policies and operational efficiency.

Mintz Presenters: Brendan Lowd, Kevin Kim, and Brody Zaugg

AI at Work: Employee Use, Operational Risk, and Practical Guardrails

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the employment landscape at a rapid pace, creating new compliance challenges, workforce management considerations, and legal risks for employers across industries. Our panelists will offer practical guidance on developing effective AI use policies, training employees on responsible AI practices, and navigating the emerging legal risks associated with AI-assisted work product and data confidentiality. The discussion will also address recent developments regarding privilege and AI-generated research, providing actionable insights for in-house counsel and HR professionals seeking to harness AI's potential while mitigating legal exposure.

Mintz Presenters: Paul Huston and John Koss