Are you ready to take your HR career to the Next Level? 

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Mentoring Program, designed to empower HR professionals through invaluable connections and insights. 

Whether you're an experienced mentor or a driven mentee, this program offers a unique opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed together. 

Who is eligible?

All active NHRA members are eligible to participate as a mentor or mentee at no additional cost. 

Program Kick-off in October: 

• Meet your Match and other members 
• Monthly Engagement Activities
• Commit 4 - 6 hours per month over the 6-month program (this includes monthly activities, but actual time commitment may vary by the mentor/mentee match)

Monthly meetings in The Bracket Room at the Holiday Inn.

Register now to become a mentor or mentee! 

Once we receive your registration, we will send a quick survey to ensure that we match you with the perfect mentor. 

If you are ready to take the next step in advancing your HR career, join us as we prepare to take the PHR/SPHR exam.  

To assist you in your preparation NHRA St. Louis offers a complimentary benefit for our members, the NHRA PHR/SPHR Study Group. Non-NHRA members may join for a fee. 

This is a structured support system and educational setting for those members who are interested in pursuing PHR and SPHR certification. Exams can be taken any date of the year.

This group will meet once a week on Thursday evenings starting September 3, 2026 from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm CST. 

This is an excellent forum for HR certification exam prep support, learning and motivation - all facilitated by seasoned HR professionals. 

Register below to join us! 

(NOTE: This event will be offered both in-person and online. Please select the ticket type that reflects how you will attend.)

Think business acumen is only for corporate HR? Think again. Join a Chief People Officer and Chief Financial Officer for a fast-paced, interactive session.

Using a real-world case study, they will answer 9 practical questions on how HR can speak the language of finance, confidently influence decisions, and build strategic cross-functional partnerships.

Whether in a for-profit or non-profit, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to optimize your role as a true HR business partner.

Learning Objectives (3-4 bullet points):

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

· Speak the language of finance

· Influence business decisions with confidence

· Build stronger, more strategic partnerships across functions

Paul Butler

Newleaf Training Development

Through Newleaf Training and Development, Paul has partnered with 332 HR teams across nine countries and 31 states to deliver staff training and leadership development solutions that foster sustainable organizational benefits.

Prior to launching Newleaf in 2006, Paul served as a Regional Finance Director for Marriott International and Hilton International, where he collaborated with excellent HR business partners. He first came to the U.S. as Director of Financial Services for Hilton Honors and is a member of CIMA and a CGMA.

An engaging and humorous speaker, Paul is committed to inspiring people with practical principles for professional and personal life. Originally from England, he became a U.S. citizen in 2024 alongside his wife, and they have two adult children.

Paul recently wrote his first book, Business Financial Intelligence—A Mindset and Skillset Few People Have and All Organizations Need, published by Scholars Gate.

Michuan Fleming

Chief People Officer, AbilityFirst

Michuan Fleming is a Chief Executive leader with more than 17 years of experience driving organizational excellence across nonprofit, corporate, manufacturing, and service sectors. As Chief People Officer at AbilityFirst, she leads strategic initiatives focused on people, risk management, safety, and organizational transformation.

Throughout her career, Michuan has partnered with executive teams and boards to align workforce strategy, operational performance, and mission-driven outcomes. Her expertise spans human resources, organizational development, compliance, change management, mergers and acquisitions, and leadership development. She holds SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and PHR certifications and is currently completing her MBA at the University of Arizona.

A wife and proud mother of four, Michuan is passionate about leadership both at work and at home. When she's not advancing organizational impact, she enjoys cheering on track and field and basketball athletes and is always eager to learn something new.

Carl Gayden

Chief Financial Officer, AbilityFirst

Carl D. Gayden is a financial executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across the nonprofit, public, private, higher education, and philanthropic sectors.

He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of AbilityFirst, where he leads financial strategy, operational performance, and long-term sustainability initiatives that advance the organization’s mission.

Previously, Carl served as Interim CFO of Beyond Impact (formerly Tides Advocacy), CFO of LA Family Housing, and Head of Finance and Operations at Snap Foundation. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at First 5 LA, the San Francisco Housing Authority, the University of San Francisco, and the University of California, Davis.

Known for building high-performing finance organizations, Carl combines analytical rigor with strong interpersonal leadership to drive sustainable results and strengthen accountability. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. He is married and has one son.

Additional Event Details

7:20 AM Registration & Networking

7:30 AM Breakfast & Introductions

7:45 AM Legal Update

8:00 AM -9:00 AM Program and Q&A

Cancellation & Credit Policy:

Please note that all program registrations are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future program of equal or lesser value, provided that the request is submitted prior to the scheduled event date. Credit requests made after the program date will not be honored. 

This event is pending for 1.25 credit hours for both HRCI & SHRM credits.

     

JOIN US ONLINE or IN-PERSON!

Energy Leadership

for the HR Professional &

the Teams You Support

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

AGENDA

5:30 PM IN-PERSON NETWORKING (dinner included)

6:00 PM VIRTUAL SESSION BEGINS

6:05 PM LEGAL UPDATES

6:15 PM PROGRAM

7:15 PM Q&A

7:30 PM IN-PERSON NETWORKING

8:00 PM PROGRAM CLOSE

SPEAKER

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Human Resource Management Certificate Program

Join our mailing list to stay informed about National Human Resources Association events and programs.

Purchase your tickets here!

Your resume may open the door, but your personal brand is what sets you apart.

Join us for The Pivot Point: Reimagining Your Resume, Brand & Influence, an engaging evening designed to help professionals at every stage of their careers strengthen their personal brand, elevate their professional presence, and create meaningful opportunities for growth.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear a short keynote address from Andrea Holland, Founder and Chief Lead Strategist of Andrea Holland Coaching to kick off the event. 

We're excited to introduce the six featured speakers: Alex Noonan, Intent (Jackie Sax & Allison Whiting) Jeff Koslofsky, Eric Vaughn, Kassy LaBorie, Ruth Sternberg, and Stephanie Armstrong will share distinct perspectives on Creating an Authentic Hook, Commanding the Room, and Digital Clarity Over Hype.

Need a new headshot? Be one of the first 50 to sign up and get a professional headshot by Matt Wittmeyer Photography!

Whether you’re actively seeking a new opportunity, growing within your current organization, or simply looking to invest in your professional development, you’ll leave with practical strategies to:

This collaborative event brings together five of Rochester’s leading professional organizations:

- National Human Resources Association (NHRA) Rochester

- Rochester Young Professionals (RYP)

- American Marketing Association (AMA) Rochester

- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Rochester

- Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Genesee Valley Chapter

Connect with professionals across industries, gain fresh perspectives, and discover how investing in your personal brand can positively impact both your personal and professional life.

Whether you’re just beginning your career or looking to make your next pivot, this is your opportunity to reimagine what’s possible.

What the C-Suite Wishes HR Knew

Join us for an honest conversation about influence, impact, and becoming a true executive partner.

What does the C-suite really need from HR?

HR leaders are being asked to do more than support the business—they are being asked to help shape its future. But what does a CEO, CFO, CTO, or CMO actually expect from an executive HR partner?

Join NHRA OC for an honest and insightful panel discussion featuring leaders from across the C-suite. Hear firsthand how executives evaluate HR’s impact, what they want from their HR partners, and how HR can connect workforce strategy to business performance.

We’ll explore the conversations that matter most, including AI and the future of work, productivity, workforce planning, organizational change, business growth, employee experience, and the data executives rely on to make decisions.

This is your opportunity to hear the C-suite perspective directly—and take away practical strategies for increasing your influence, credibility, and impact.

5:00 PM Registration & Networking 5:45 PM Announcements & Introductions 6:00 PM Panel Discussion 7:00 PM Closing Remarks 7:10 PM Relationship Building & Connections

Location

The Park Club 650 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, Ca Valet Parking Included

Annual Sponsors

Influence and Advocacy for People-Centered Practices

HR professionals regularly find themselves in the middle of competing needs: employees want flexibility, managers need practical solutions, and organizations need consistency, fairness, and accountability.  The challenge is not simply creating better policies and practices.  It is understanding how those practices are actually experienced and building the influence needed to connect people-centered approaches to organizational outcomes.  

Join Jonathan Hulbert, CEO and Lead Facilitator with Roadmap 4 Change, for an interactive session where participants will explore how formal structures and informal relationships shape how work gets done, identify where policies and processes may create unintended barriers, and practice strategies for advocating for more effective people practices.  They will also examine how HR can balance fairness and consistency with the flexibility and judgment needed to respond to different people and situations.  

Participants will learn how to:

• Recognize how informal relationships and networks influence how work gets done, information travels, and change happens. 
• Identify when policies and processes may be creating unintended friction, workarounds, or consequences. 
• Examine how HR can balance fairness and consistency with the need for flexibility and judgment. 
• Build support for people-centered practices by connecting employee needs with organizational priorities and outcomes. 
• Strengthen their ability to influence leaders and other stakeholders, even when they do not have direct authority.  
  
  
  
  About our Speaker

(click logo for more info)

Corporate Sponsors

                       

         

The 5-R Framework: Building a High-Performance Culture of Trust for the World of Work Ahead

The workforce and the workplace HR professionals are helping companies manage today are dramatically different from just a few years ago – and what’s ahead in the near future. Baby-boomers are retiring in droves, and nearly half of Gen Z say they'd rather build their own business than work for someone else. Employers can't find the people they need at the same time millions of job seekers can't find work, and some economists are projecting massive unemployment in the early 2030s. Add to that, AI is rewriting, in real time, what work looks like and who does it.

In the middle of all this turmoil lies a huge opening for HR professionals: a chance to rise from the typical supporting role to the strategic center of how organizations build the teams they need for what comes next.

Taking advantage of that opportunity will require a more substantial and systemic approach to optimizing workforce performance. In this session, Les Landes will introduce the 5-R Framework: a model for boosting employee engagement and alignment built on five core dimensions — Relevance, Relationships, Roadmap, Routines, and Resources. Drawing on decades of successful client work, Les will show how HR professionals can use the 5-R Framework to help their organizations build the structure and the processes to withstand the test of turbulent times.

Learning Objectives: Attendees will …

• Understand why most employee engagement efforts fail to stick, and what distinguishes a true system from a one-off program.

• Learn the five dimensions of the 5-R Framework — Relevance, Relationships, Roadmap, Routines, and Resources — and how they work together to build a high-performance culture of trust.

• Explore the key factors for management credibility that build or break trust with employees, including a model for constructive accountability that lifts people up instead of beating them down.

• Discover how to build routine processes for continuous improvement that give every employee a substantial role in making the organization better every day.

• Gain a practical framework for positioning HR as a strategic partner in navigating the workforce trends reshaping how organizations attract, engage, and retain talent.

Background/Bio

Les Landes is President of Landes & Associates, a St. Louis-based management consulting firm specializing in employee engagement, communication, and performance improvement systems. For more than two decades, he has guided organizations in creating high-performance cultures of trust where people are inspired and supported to do their best work and be their best selves.

A Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Professional, Les equips clients with a proven, systematic approach to continuous improvement. He also offers a distinctive Culture Assessment instrument that shows clients the precise gap between their current and desired cultures, along with methods for closing the gaps.

He is a nationally recognized expert on employee engagement and the author of the business fable Getting to the Heart of Employee Engagement, along with more than 40 published articles in professional publications. Before founding Landes & Associates, he led corporate communication for one of the world's largest food companies, where he was responsible for corporate advertising, creative services, public and media relations, consumer affairs, and employee communication. He also played a key role in developing the company's quality management system.

Over the years, Les has helped organizations across many sectors – manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, non-profit and others – turn employee engagement from an aspiration into substantive measurable results.

**Please Note: Cancellations less than 3 days in advance or No Shows may result in a $50 charge. 

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Annual Sponsor: 

Contributing Sponsor: 

Managing Challenging Employee Behaviors: Practical Tools for HR Leaders

HR leaders regularly encounter employee behaviors that are difficult to manage, often rooted in stress, conflict, or challenging personal circumstances. This practical, trauma-informed session equips HR professionals with strategies to respond effectively while maintaining appropriate boundaries, accountability, and organizational standards. Participants will learn how to distinguish between behavior that requires support and behavior that requires intervention—and how to navigate challenging interactions with greater confidence and consistency.

After this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Identify common drivers of challenging employee behaviors in the workplace
• Apply practical communication and de-escalation strategies for HR leaders responding to complex or emotionally charged employee interactions
• Determine appropriate responses to challenging employee behaviors, balancing support and compassion with clear boundaries, accountability, and organizational policies 

Speaker:  Dr. Sadie Elisseou

Sadie Elisseou, MD (she/her) is a physician at Mass General Brigham, faculty at Harvard Medical School, and leading subject matter expert in trauma-informed care, a framework for supporting people through stress. Dr. Elisseou teaches clinical healthcare professionals how to provide top-quality care to patients who have lived through trauma. She also consults for companies that wish reduce burnout, develop human-centered leaders, and build resilient organizations. Learn more at www.sadie-elisseou.com. 

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Annual Sponsor: 

Contributing Sponsor: 

Surrender to Lead | The New Leadership Paradigm for an Unpredictable World

Speaker: Jessica Kriegel

Join our mailing list to stay informed about National Human Resources Association events and programs.

(NOTE: This event will be offered both in-person and online. Please select the ticket type that reflects how you will attend.)

This timely presentation will provide a clear overview of how the current administration’s immigration policies are affecting employers. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for managing compliance and immigration risks, supporting foreign employees, and adapting to a shifting regulatory environment while maintaining business continuity.

The seminar will cover:

· Immigration Overview: Terminology, Agencies & Legal Framework

· Recent Immigration Regulatory & Policy Changes

· Impact on Work Authorization & Visa Programs

· Preparing for ICE Raids, Subpoenas, & Enforcement Actions

· Liability & Fine Exposure: Unauthorized Employment, I-9 & E-Verify Compliance

Danielle Gotcher

Managing Partner, Global Immigration Partners

Danielle Gotcher is a seasoned immigration attorney with two decades of dedicated practice. Over the past 14 years, she has sharpened her expertise in immigration law, with a particular focus on employment-based immigration and employers' compliance obligations. Her deep understanding of visa classifications, labor certification processes, and regulatory requirements has made her a trusted advisor to employers, HR professionals, and business owners across various industries and across the country. Danielle’s comprehensive approach ensures that employers not only secure the necessary work authorizations for their international talent but also maintain full compliance with evolving immigration laws.

A graduate of Boston University, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, both awarded Magna cum Laude. Before joining GIP, Danielle’s practice focused on litigation, defending large retail chains, partnerships, insurance companies, employers, and professionals against liability claims. With her litigation background,

she has a unique perspective and experience in guiding employers and business owners on liability and compliance matters. As the managing partner of her firm for the last 14 years, Danielle has built long-standing relationships with human resources and legal departments nationwide.

Danielle has been invited to speak at numerous HR professional conferences and has been selected as an expert for panels and seminars at attorney conferences and continuing education courses. Danielle was born and raised in Southern California, and she lives in Thousand Oaks with her husband and daughter.

Additional Event Details

7:20 AM Registration & Networking

7:30 AM Breakfast & Introductions

7:45 AM Legal Update

8:00 AM -9:00 AM Program and Q&A

Cancellation & Credit Policy:

Please note that all program registrations are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future program of equal or lesser value, provided that the request is submitted prior to the scheduled event date. Credit requests made after the program date will not be honored. 

This event is pending for 1.25 credit hours for both HRCI & SHRM credits.

     

Join the National Human Resources Association (NHRA), Rochester Affiliate, for our 2nd annual HR Legal Lab in partnership with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP!

This one-of-a-kind, interactive learning experience brings HR professionals together with top labor and employment attorneys for a series of dynamic, workshop-style sessions designed to strengthen real-world skills and legal awareness across critical HR functions.

Participants will rank their top two choices from four hands-on sessions, each led by legal experts and designed around real-world case studies, real-time simulations, and collaborative discussion. While we will do our best to accommodate your preferences, final session assignments will be based on availability.

The topics for 2026 are:

• Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll (and Politics and Religion) at Work
• Investigator’s Workshop Part II: Advanced Workplace Investigations
• Managing the Managers: Preventing Risk Through Better Leadership
• Mental Health at Work: Navigating Accommodation and Leave Challenges

View the full session descriptions and our speakers below.

Whether you’re sharpening your compliance expertise, strengthening your investigation skills, or navigating complex legal issues in today’s volatile environment, this HR Legal Lab delivers high impact, practical training led by respected legal professionals - and gives you the chance to elevate your people operations playbook in a collaborative, real world setting.

This program is under review for Professional Development Credits (PDCs) by the Society for Human Resource Management and HR (General) recertification credit hours through HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

Itinerary:

7:30 - 8:10AM: Registration / Breakfast
8:10 - 8:30AM: Kickoff & Legal Landscape Updates
8:30 - 10:00AM: Session One
10:00 - 10:15AM: Network with Sponsors / Break
10:15 - 11:45AM: Session Two
11:45 - 12:00PM: Wrap Up

Meet Our Speakers & Learn More About Their Sessions:

Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll (and Politics and Religion) at Work

Today’s workplace is more complex than ever, with employee conduct issues often intersecting with personal beliefs, social media activity, substance use, political expression, and protected rights. Through real-world scenarios and group discussion, participants will explore where employers can draw the line, how to navigate competing workplace interests, and strategies for responding to sensitive situations consistently and legally. This interactive session will help HR professionals balance employee rights, workplace culture, and organizational risk in an increasingly polarized environment.

Speakers:

Luke P. Wright

Luke P. Wright is a Partner in Harter Secrest & Emery's Labor & Employment practice and regularly advises employers on complex workplace issues, including employee relations, accommodations, leaves of absence, and employment policies. He represents employers in labor and employment litigation and proceedings before state and federal agencies. Luke is recognized by Chambers USA for Labor & Employment and is a frequent speaker on workplace law topics.

Ciara W. Harrington

Ciara W. Harrington is an Associate in Harter Secrest & Emery's Labor & Employment practice. She advises employers on workplace matters, conducts legal research and analysis, and supports clients on a variety of employment-related issues. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Richard J. Arcara of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

Managing the Managers: Preventing Risk Through Better Leadership

Managers make countless employment decisions every day, and one poor decision can create significant legal and employee relations challenges...and make HR professionals’ lives miserable. In this interactive workshop, participants will examine common management missteps and how you, as an HR professional, can better train, coach, and support managers in making sound decisions that reduce risk, improve consistency, and strengthen workplace culture.

Speakers:

Amy L. Hemenway

Amy L. Hemenway is a Partner and Buffalo Office Leader at Harter Secrest & Emery. She counsels employers on labor and employment matters ranging from workplace investigations and employment policies to discrimination, wage and hour compliance, and labor relations. Amy regularly advises executives, managers, and HR professionals on mitigating workplace risk and achieving practical business solutions. She is recognized by Chambers USA in Labor & Employment and has been named Buffalo's "Lawyer of the Year" for Labor & Employment Litigation.

Matthew F. Meyers

Matthew F. Meyers is Counsel in Harter Secrest & Emery's Labor & Employment practice. He advises employers on workplace compliance, employment disputes, and litigation, helping organizations navigate evolving legal requirements while minimizing risk. Prior to joining the firm, Matt clerked in multiple state and federal courts, providing him with valuable insight into the judicial process and employment-related litigation.

Investigator’s Workshop Part II: Advanced Workplace Investigations

Ready to take your investigation skills to the next level? Building on the foundation of last years popular investigations workshop, this session will challenge participants with new and complex scenarios involving credibility determinations, conflicting witness accounts, anonymous complaints, and difficult documentation issues. Through guided exercises and collaborative problem-solving, attendees will sharpen their investigative instincts and gain practical tools for handling the gray areas that often arise in workplace investigations.

*Participation in last year’s session is not a pre-requisite.

Speakers:

Anna S. M. McCarthy

Anna S. M. McCarthy is a Partner in Harter Secrest & Emery's Labor & Employment practice. She advises employers on a wide range of workplace issues, including investigations, discrimination and harassment claims, employee relations, labor matters, and regulatory compliance. Anna is particularly experienced in conducting and advising on workplace investigations and representing employers before courts and administrative agencies.

Trini E. Ross

Trini E. Ross is a Partner at Harter Secrest & Emery and former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. With more than 30 years of experience, she advises organizations on internal and government investigations, regulatory matters, and complex workplace issues. Trini's extensive leadership experience within the Department of Justice provides a unique perspective on conducting sensitive investigations and managing high-stakes matters.

Mental Health at Work: Navigating Accommodation and Leave Challenges

As employers see increasing requests related to anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, and other mental health conditions, HR professionals must navigate complex legal obligations while supporting employee well-being. Using realistic workplace scenarios, this session will explore reasonable accommodations, the interactive process, leave considerations, performance concerns, and common compliance pitfalls under the ADA and other applicable laws. Participants will leave with practical strategies for addressing mental health issues confidently, compassionately, and in compliance with the law.

Speakers:

Lindsey N. Bober

Lindsey N. Bober is Counsel in Harter Secrest & Emery's Labor & Employment practice and a member of the firm's Higher Education team. She advises employers on leave management, accommodations, labor relations, workplace policies, and compliance matters. Lindsey is also a trained civil rights investigator and regularly assists clients with discrimination and harassment investigations.

Chloe J. MacDonald

Chloe J. MacDonald is a Senior Associate in Harter Secrest & Emery's Labor & Employment practice. She counsels employers on workplace policies, wage and hour compliance, employee discipline, discrimination and harassment issues, and employment disputes. Chloe also assists organizations in complying with federal, state, and local employment regulations and has experience supporting clients in administrative proceedings and litigation.

Thank you to our Diamond Sponsors: Brown & Brown & Edward Jones

Thank you to our Elite Sponsors: AP Professionals & Day Bright Financial

Thank you to our Impact Annual Sponsors: Bond Shoenick and King, Isolved, HR Works, and Summit Federal Credit Union

Thank you to our Breakfast Sponsor: WellNow

Additional sponsorships available, to learn more reach out to Brandyn Jacob (bjacob@pridestaff.com) or Jeff Fazio (jfazio@daybright.com).

Join us for our 29th Annual Benefit Auction!

Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6:00PM at Midvale Country Club

The National Human Resources Association (NHRA) has been developing HR professionals for over 70 years. Our Rochester Affiliate supports local charities to improve employment opportunities in the region. Thanks to generous business leaders, we have raised thousands of dollars for these causes.

For the 29th Annual Benefit Auction, we are pleased to be partnering with RochesterWorks to support their employment and training services provided to area job seekers and businesses through their three local career centers and one specialized youth employment center.

RochesterWorks is dedicated to strengthening the Greater Rochester community by connecting people to opportunity and businesses to talent. Through free employment, career development, and training services, RochesterWorks supports every job seeker—the parent, caregiver, student, veteran, entrepreneur, career changer, and emerging professional. RochesterWorks also provides workforce development, employee retention, and talent recruitment solutions to businesses of all sizes, from start-ups and family-owned companies to nonprofits and major employers. By connecting qualified workers with employers and expanding access to career opportunities, RochesterWorks plays a vital role in reducing unemployment, expanding economic opportunity, and strengthening the Greater Rochester economy.

Are you interested in Sponsoring this fantastic event?

Career Champion Sponsor $2,500 

• Exclusive opportunity to speak at the event – limited to one/industry
• Dedicated social media post
• Company name and logo on event materials and social media blasts
• 6 tickets to the auction

Pathway Sponsor $1,250 

• Company name and logo on event materials and social media blasts
• 4 tickets to the auction

Connection Sponsor $550 

• Company name and logo on event materials and social media blasts
• 2 tickets to the auction

Don’t forget about Tax Deductions! (check with your accounting professional)

To learn more or secure your sponsorship, contact Janine Corea (corea@hrworks-inc.com) or Jamie Frank (jfrank@hrworks-inc.com).

Join our mailing list to stay informed about National Human Resources Association events and programs.

Employment Law Update 2027: What California Employers Need to Know

(NOTE: This event will be offered both in-person and online. Please select the ticket type that reflects how you will attend.)

California employment laws continue to evolve, bringing new requirements and compliance considerations for employers. Join us for an overview of key new laws and legal developments taking effect in 2027.

Ryan Haws of EmployLaw Group and Laura Withrow of Withrow Employment Law, PC will highlight what California employers need to know, including important changes affecting workplace policies and practices, and practical steps employers can take to prepare for the year ahead.

The seminar will cover:

· 2027 new legislation

· 2026 cases and administrative guidance

· Handbook updates for 2027

· Critical arbitration updates (AB 2155)

· PAGA updates

· Critical AI guidance

· Meal period waiver compliance

· DLSE/DOL & CRD/EEOC guidance

· Minimum wage increases (local and state)

· IRS mileage rates for 2026 & 2027

· And much, much more!

Ryan Haws EmployLaw Group LLP	Laura Withrow Withrow Employment Law, P.C.

Ryan is the co-founder of EmployLaw Group LLP. For over fifteen years, Ryan has helped California businesses confidently navigate workplace compliance and employee issues—first as a litigator, now as a

trusted advisor. He has partnered with hundreds of organizations, from startups to established enterprises, to craft clear policies, minimize risk, and resolve complex employment matters efficiently. Ryan’s approach is rooted in strategy, transparency, and practical solutions, keeping clients informed and aligned with their business goals. His legal commentary has been featured in business publications, and he’s been recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times and Los Angeles Business Journal. A Ventura County native, Ryan earned his law degree from Loyola Law School and regularly speaks at HR and employer events across California. Outside of work, he enjoys surfing, coaching youth sports, and volunteering in his community. Oh yeah and you’ll hear him cheering for the Dodgers for a while now, Go Blue!

Laura is the founder of Withrow Employment Law. With 28 years of litigation experience, Laura helps business owners and managers navigate the complexities of California employment law encompassing all aspects of employment law, including litigation defense, representation of employers in hearings before administrative agencies, management training, and counseling employers on compliance issues relating to employment agreements, commission plans, hiring, firings and other personnel matters. She’s been named a Super Lawyer for eight consecutive years and is known for her practical, cost-effective approach. Laura earned her law degree from USC where she was a 3-year recipient of the Douglas Simon Memorial Scholarship. She’s a frequent speaker for several HR and business organizations, a published author in Citations magazine which is a publication of the Ventura County Bar Association, and a volunteer Settlement Officer for Resolve Law Los Angeles. Outside of work, Laura and her daughters actively serve local philanthropies through the National Charity League.

Additional Event Details

7:20 AM Registration & Networking

7:30 - 11:00 AM Program and Q&A

Cancellation & Credit Policy:

Please note that all program registrations are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future program of equal or lesser value, provided that the request is submitted prior to the scheduled event date. Credit requests made after the program date will not be honored. 

This event is pending for 3.25 credit hours for both HRCI & SHRM credits.

              

Annual Holiday Party

Join our mailing list to stay informed about National Human Resources Association events and programs.