Event Details

Christian Antokowiak, Shareholder with the Pittsburgh based firm of Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney, is nationally sought after for his experience in aggressively defending multi-state class and collective actions impacting business of all sizes. In addition to representing Fortune 200 clients, he also serves small and medium-sized businesses throughout the country as their de facto general counsel. Christian has handled many employment claims in the Energy Sector and ADA cases with accessibility issues.

Christian is on the Board of Directors for the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association. In addition, he is a member of the Federal Labor Standards Legislation with the American Bar Association, the Labor Relations Policy Committee, and the Wage, Hour & Leave Subcommittee through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Time: 7:30am  – 8:15 a.m. – Networking/Breakfast

          8:15 – 9:30 a.m.– Business Meeting/Speaker 

Employment related lawsuits are complicated and represent a significant business risk. In fact recent statistics show they are the fastest growing type of civil case in the United States and no company is immune:

• 75% of all litigation against companies today involve employment law disputes
• Over 40% of these lawsuits are filed against smaller employers (15-100 employees)
• 6 out of 10 employees have faced an employee lawsuit within the last 5 years

These statistics can easily lead to the conclusion that the decks are stacked against employers. However, there are practical steps that employers can take to mitigate risk in a meaningful manner.

Objectives:   

Review recent trends in labor & employment law including wage and hour, harassment and paid/unpaid leave

Provide an understanding of where the law is trending

Provide a roadmap to avoid litigation

Take away practical action items to implement to minimize litigation risk