John Hagan with Hagan Law Group, LLC is bringing back our popular HR Legal Roundtable. This year we will utilize Zoom breakout rooms to allow each participant to move in groups from attorney to attorney to hear each one talk about employment-related issues. Attendees will hear about the latest legal issues, including COVID-19's impact, and in small groups will be able to ask questions.
The program is preapproved for 2.5 PDCs through SHRM and is pending 2.5 recertification credits through HRCI.
Additionally, as we have done in past months and in keeping with our mission's focus on enhancing our community, MCHRA has decided to donate all of this webinar's proceeds to Legal Aid of Northwest Texas. MCHRA is also going to donate to the SHRM Foundation the same amount that this month's virtual program raises for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, so your registration fees will go to help local people in need of legal assistance and will be doubled by MCHRA with that matching amount being sent to the SHRM Foundation. As always, we appreciate your support!
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS:
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Kacie Byrd – "Legal Implications of Company Culture"
Decker Jones, P.C.
As a rising star at Decker Jones, Kacie brings a fresh perspective with an eye for practical solutions to the team. Her remarkable professional, academic, and volunteer performance record demonstrates a proven dedication to excellence. After earning a Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) at the University of Texas at Dallas, Kacie graduated with honors from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. While attending law school, Kacie served on the editorial board for the International Law Review, President of the Corporate Law Association, and Faculty Research Fellow. Some of her achievements include winning best asset purchase agreement for the SMU Transactional LawMeet team, first place in the Board of Advocates Negotiations Competition, and being selected for the Dallas Women Lawyers Association Leadership Class. Additionally, Kacie served as a legal writing teaching assistant and an intern for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Kacie is passionate about serving the local community, and has volunteered with Buried Alive, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, and Meals on Wheels. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, board games, reading, and spending time with family.
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Andrea Paris – "FMLA Updates"
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Andrea Paris primarily practices in the area of labor and employment law. As part of her practice, Andrea regularly represents and counsels employers and organizations in state and federal employment litigation.
She has experience handling claims of sexual harassment; discrimination; unpaid wage and hour issues; worker misclassification; wrongful discharge; retaliation; breach of contract; breach of non-disclosure, non-competition, and non-solicitation agreements; misappropriation of trade secrets; and breach of fiduciary duties. Andrea has represented businesses and entities before the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in state and federal courts.
In addition to her litigation practice, Andrea counsels human resources professionals, in-house counsel, and clients in all aspects of employment law, including, hiring, retention, and termination of employees; reductions in force; internal investigations; pre-suit resolution of claims; on-the-job injuries and other workplace issues. Andrea also advises clients regarding the development, revision, and application of personnel policies and the protection of business interests through implementation and enforcement of non-disclosure, non-competition, and non-solicitation agreements.
Andrea regularly provides in-house training to clients, including their management, supervisory, and human resources personnel, regarding labor and employment issues. She has provided in-house training to educational entities and human resources associations regarding issues of sexual harassment, internal investigations, employee leaves of absence, disability discrimination, and employee background checks.
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Shannon Norris – “Internal Investigations”
Norris Law Firm
Shannon Norris has spent over two decades navigating the intricacies of employment law, business litigation, employee benefits, and corporate law. Business owners, executives, Human Resource professionals, and other attorneys consistently look to Shannon to resolve their complex business and employment disputes. His clientele covers a broad spectrum of employers, employees, and other professionals – from small businesses and individuals to Fortune 100 companies.
Mr. Norris began his career in 1993 at one of the world’s largest and most distinguished law firms, where he was a member of the Labor & Employment Law Section. In 2000, Shannon started his own practice; giving him the freedom and flexibility to provide highly experienced representation at rates that are competitive with large firms. It also ensures that Shannon is available at his clients’ convenience, and that each issue receives his individual attention.
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Rory Divin – “ADA Updates”
McDonald Sanders
Rory Divin is board certified in Labor and Employment Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. A shareholder and director with McDonald Sanders, he has more than 32 years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Rory has worked with numerous clients, including large and small companies, public organizations and individuals. He has developed considerable expertise in the field of employment and labor law and has extensive counseling and trial experience representing employers in Title VII, sexual harassment, age discrimination, ADA, wrongful termination, wage and hour, trade secret, unfair competition and non-competition matters.
During his tenure at McDonald Sanders, Rory has helped public and private employers develop effective employment policies and comply with labor and employment laws. He has also assisted employers in defending again against claims filed in state and all federal courts and before governmental agencies.
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Rachel Hale - “Performance Management”
Hagan Law Group, LLC
Rachel Hale’s practice focuses on Human Resources best practices and compliance. Rachel is a 20-year HR veteran and in addition to her practice of law, has worked as a Human Resources Professional with Texas Health Resources and American Airlines.
Rachel is a graduate of Texas A&M University School of Law where she was a member of the school's Arbitration Team and a Graduate Research Assistant, performing research in all areas of labor and employment law. She also holds a M.S. in Business and Human Relations. Rachel regularly speaks and provides training to HR and business professionals.
Rachel is a certified mediator and received a Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University. She has served as a Board member in various organizations including the Tarrant County Bar Association (TCBA) Women’s Section, Fort Worth Friends Who Tri, and currently serves as a Trustee for Fort Worth Christian School.
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John Hagan – “High Risk Situations”
Hagan Law Group, LLC
John Hagan is a trial lawyer Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and focuses primarily on employment law in the Firm's Allen office. He advises and defends corporate employers, both large and small, on employment disputes, including clients who have nonsubscribed to the Texas Workers' Compensation Act and those with unionized employees. He advises and defends corporate clients on commercial and insurance litigation issues.
Mr. Hagan also helps employers avoid and, if possible, resolve employment disputes before they ever reach litigation. He advises clients on a wide variety of employment issues arising under both state and federal law, including issues arising under applicable collective bargaining agreements. He will review company policies, procedures and handbooks for compliance with the law, and will suggest and implement appropriate revisions. Having enforced numerous arbitration agreements, he can also advise clients whether an arbitration policy would be appropriate for their business.
In the event litigation does arise, however, Mr. Hagan has considerable experience in both court and arbitration successfully defending employment claims. He has handled claims for discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge and sexual harassment under a variety of state and federal employment laws.
Mr. Hagan was named as a Texas SuperLawyer (Thomson Reuters) for six years in a row, 2011 - 2017.
