Hear from the current chair of the Labor & Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Looking for a way to make sense of the unprecedented number of executive orders, rule changes and court decisions impacting the labor and employment law arena over the past year? This panel boils down the essentials--from DEI initiatives and the False Claims Act, to immigration to Title XII and more. Understand the most important changes impacting employers and take away practical advice to implement immediately, whether you’re an HR professional or plaintiff or defense counsel.

More and more organizations are using workplace AI tools to recruit and select candidates, manage employee performance, and for compensation and promotion. But do these tools subject individuals, candidates and employees to disparate impact, subjecting an employer to legal liability and reputational damage? In this session, explore the current federal, state and local laws and regulations requiring employers to ensure that their workplace AI tools are legally compliant. This session will also identify when and how to conduct a bias audit of a workplace AI tool, as well as what to do if the results of the audit are problematic.

Terminations and discipline related to social media use continue to be front and center in the news. Get tips for handling employee social media issues that arise in the workplace even when a post is made during nonworking hours. Delve into common scenarios that occur and get step-by-step guidance and factors to consider including, did the post disrupt the workplace, what is the topic of the post, are coworkers social media friends and more.

Get an overview of ESTA and the history behind this act. Understand the requirements for employers under the act and identify how other similar acts can impact multistate employers. Explore common employee misconceptions about ESTA and how it differs from other leaves like FMLA and ADA.

Explore the practical components of PTO policies in Michigan, including learning about the different approaches that are available. Evaluate the options to determine which will be most effective for your company and your workforces. Get best-practice examples for accrual, carryover, notice, documentation, and policy exceptions--along with red-flag language to avoid. Plus, review common PTO scenarios to ensure your policies anticipate future events.

Immigration enforcement is at an all-time high so understanding the new risks and potential for audits is key. From I-9 inspections and legal requirements for verification, to wage and hour compliance, get strategies to minimize employer risks in the workplace. Plus, take away best practices for responding to investigations and maximizing workforce protections.

Back to address all of today’s challenges, this practical review uses real case studies and audience voting on how to manage common risk factors, all in order to show how the newest court decisions, legislation, and rules may impact your human resources department. Get insight and analysis from top experts. Bring your questions and get them answered.

Walk through the life cycle of a discrimination lawsuit, from initial complaint to resolution. Drawing on real-world examples and lessons learned "from the trenches," understand each side’s strategic approach, and explore tips to avoid common pitfalls. Get best practices for investigating claims, gathering and presenting evidence, navigating discovery, trial tactics, and more.

Executive pay is in the news but can seem like a foreign language. From the process of setting pay to understanding public disclosures, this session will demystify the key components. Plus, get the fundamentals of equity and incentives, all the way through perquisites and severance benefits, giving you the tools to walk away feeling more conversant.

The headlines are boasting large numbers of companies returning to the office five days per week. Explore recent data on the state of those predictions, as well as tips on how to effectively manage a hybrid workforce. Understand how various structures affect employee engagement, as well as the key leadership skills needed for front line managers around deliverable-based performance management.

The essential crash course in labor law for employment lawyers and other nonlabor practitioners. Explore basic, but important concepts in labor law including the structure of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Understand the rights guaranteed to employees under the NLRA, common unfair labor practices, the duty to bargain in unionized workplaces, and the framework for representation petitions and elections conducted by the NLRB.

Curious about HR policy development? Join this session to explore the complexities of creating effective HR policies in organizations with diverse stakeholders, employee types, and work environments. Take away critical considerations and understand common pitfalls to avoid.

Updated for 2026, every attendee receives a free Legal Resource Guide. The guide discusses labor and employment law in plain English, outlines the different ways that a grievance can get decided, defines legal terminology like "summary disposition" and “summary judgment," and lists helpful resources and websites. Use this quick and easy reference guide during the institute and keep it handy to use throughout the year!