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32nd Annual

Labor and Employment Law Conference

Austin Jun 5-6, 2025 Austin Marriott South $745 Individual  |  $845 after May 21 $670 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum)  |  $770 after May 21 $596 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum)  |  $696 after May 21
Live Webcast Jun 5-6, 2025 $845 Individual $760 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) $676 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) $100 Add-on rate for in-person registrants
Register
Related products: Materials
RECEPTION SPONSORS
Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P.
Bracewell LLP
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Kemp Smith Law
Littler

Overview

UT Law CLE's 32nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference is the premier program on employment law practice in Texas. By bringing together leading members of the bar, personnel experts, and in-house counsel, the conference offers timely updates, emerging trends, and the variety of perspectives practitioners need. 

  • Register now

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

  • Day 1 June 5, 2025
  • Day 2 June 6, 2025
  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Thursday Morning, June 5, 2025
  • 7:30 am
    Austin Only
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:20 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Federal Employment Law Update
    Analyze recent U.S. Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit decisions, federal legislative developments, and administrative actions.

    Danielle K. Herring, Littler Mendelson P.C. - Houston, TX
    Elizabeth "BB" Sanford, The Sanford Firm - Dallas, TX

  • 9:15 am
    0.75 hr
    State Employment Law Update
    Examine employment-related developments under Texas state law, including a discussion of significant new Texas cases. Also, explore important trends developing in other states, and what they might mean for Texas.

    Clara "C. B." Burns, Kemp Smith LLP - El Paso, TX
    Walter L. Taylor, Taylor Law Firm - Colleyville, TX

  • 10:00 am
    15-Minute Break

  • 10:15 am
    0.75 hr
    Wage and Hour Update
    An overview of annual developments in the field of wage-and-hour law, including case law updates, regulatory changes, and more.

    Aaron Johnson, Fair Labor Law - Austin, TX
    Abel Martinez, H-E-B - San Antonio, TX

  • 11:00 am
    0.75 hr
    NLRB Update
    A detailed review of the numerous changes that affect unionized and non-unionized workers and employers that have occurred in the last 12 months under the National Labor Relations Act.

    John V. Jansonius, Jackson Walker LLP - Dallas, TX
    Rod Tanner, Tanner and Associates, PC - Fort Worth, TX

  • 11:45 am
    Austin Only
    Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)
    Included in registration.

  • Thursday Afternoon, June 5, 2025
    Presiding Officer:
    Robert E. Sheeder, Dallas, TX
  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:05 pm
    0.50 hr
    Outsmarting the Smartphone: Crucial Evidence Could Be In Your Back Pocket
    In the digital era, smartphones are not just communication devices; they've become repositories of vast amounts of personal and professional data ranging from texts and emails to photos and location history providing a comprehensive digital footprint of a user's life. Examine how we use smartphones, how they work, what data is stored on the phone, proper evidence handling methods, and mobile device forensic examinations and much more.

    Noel Kersh, Crowe LLP - The Woodlands, TX

  • 12:35 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 12:50 pm
    0.50 hr
    Employment Law Doctrine
    Take a closer look at some common employment case issues, including when a reason is not legitimate and using other instances of discrimination.

    Amanda Hernandez, AH LAW, PLLC - Houston, TX

  • 1:20 pm
    0.75 hr
    To Train or Not to Train
    When a failure to train can land an employer in hot water and the best way to go about it.

    Christopher Benoit, Benoit Legal, PLLC - El Paso, TX
    Jennifer M. Trulock, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP - Dallas, TX

  • 2:05 pm
    Austin Only
    15-Minute Break (in Austin)

  • Track A: Workforce Solutions
    Presiding Officer:
    Dennis P. Duffy, Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC - Houston, TX
  • SPECIAL NOTICE: Live Webcast Includes Workforce Solutions Only
    The live webcast includes the Workforce Solutions track but not the Litigation Strategies track. The materials for both tracks are available in the course materials, and approximately 6-8 weeks after the conference the Workforce Solutions video and Litigation Strategies audio will both be available in "Your Briefcase."

  • 2:20 pm
    0.50 hr
    ​A Lawyers Guide to Executive Compensation
    What you need to know to get the best possible deal for your client, or at least how to prevent unwelcome surprises.

    Joseph Y. Ahmad, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX

  • 2:50 pm
    0.50 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    What Not to Say
    You can’t be too careful in today’s world of emails, texts, social media posts, recording devices, and shifting alliances. Recent cases provide cautionary tales, food for thought, and a bit of schadenfreude.

    Vianei Lopez Braun, Decker Jones, P.C. - Fort Worth, TX

  • 3:20 pm
    0.50 hr
    TRAPs and Other Lesser-Known Siblings of the Noncompete
    Insights into the world of non-compete alternatives (NDAs, TRAPs, Garden Leave, employee-retention plans, and more!).

    Ashley Tremain, Tremain Artaza, PLLC - Dallas, TX

  • 3:50 pm
    0.75 hr
    Employee Handbook Tips and Trends for 2025 and Beyond
    Employment law continuously evolves, so employers and counsel must routinely review and revise their handbooks to account for changes in the legal, political and societal landscape. Address developments that should be considered when drafting or revising employee handbooks for the modern workplace.

    Danielle Needham, Bell Flight - Fort Worth, TX

  • 4:35 pm
    Adjourn

  • Track B: Litigation Strategies
    Presiding Officer:
    Austin Kaplan, Kaplan Law Firm - Austin, TX

  • Austin Only
    SPECIAL NOTICE: Live Webcast Includes Workforce Solutions Only
    The live webcast includes the Workforce Solutions track but not the Litigation Strategies track. The materials for both tracks are available in the course materials, and approximately 6-8 weeks after the conference the Workforce Solutions video and Litigation Strategies audio will both be available in "Your Briefcase."

  • 2:20 pm
    Austin Only
    0.50 hr
    Rule 30(b)(6) Depositions: Procedure and Practice
    An overview of Rule 30(b)(6) deposition procedures and best practices in light of the most recent amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.  

    Andrew S. Golub, Dow Golub Remels & Gilbreath, PLLC - Houston, TX

  • 2:50 pm
    Austin Only
    1.00 hr
    Demonstrative: Trial, Cross Examination, and Voir Dire

    Mike Golden, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
    Kevin J. Terrazas, Terrazas PLLC - Austin, TX

  • 3:50 pm
    Austin Only
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    What’s Your Case Worth? Case Valuation from Both Sides of the “v”
    Survey valuations from the plaintiff and defense bars of hypothetical employment claims. In doing so, discuss the levers of case value and practical considerations when assessing a settlement value.

    Malinda A. Gaul, Gaul and Dumont - San Antonio, TX
    Michael Twomey, Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC - Houston, TX

  • 4:35 pm
    Austin Only
    Adjourn


  • Austin Only
    Networking Reception (4:35 p.m. – 5:35 p.m.)
    Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.
     
    Thank You to Our Sponsors!

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, June 6, 2025
    Presiding Officer:
    David T. Lopez, David T. Lopez & Assoc. - Houston, TX
  • 8:00 am
    Austin Only
    Conference Room Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Public Sector Update
    Hear the latest on matters affecting government employees, including developments in the First Amendment, due process, privacy, political patronage, and state law protections in the public workplace.

    Natalie G. DeLuca, Harris County Attorney's Office - Houston, TX
    Robert W. Schmidt, Robert W. Schmidt Law Firm - Austin, TX

  • 9:15 am
    0.75 hr
    Developments in Disability Discrimination Law
    A comprehensive review of significant regulatory and court developments under the Americans with Disabilities Act and insights into emerging disability issues.

    Amber K. Dodds, Bracewell LLP - San Antonio, TX
    Natalie Rougeux, Rougeux & Associates PLLC - New Braunfels, TX

  • 10:00 am
    15-Minute Break

  • 10:15 am
    0.75 hr
    Workplace Accommodations: In-Depth Review and Recent Developments
    A deep dive on state and federal caselaw requiring workplace accommodations for disability, religion, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. The speakers address hot-button issues related to requests to work from home and recent developments expanding employees' rights to reasonable accommodations.

    Caitlin Boehne, Kaplan Law Firm - Albuquerque, NM
    Victoria Martin Phipps, Texas A&M University - College Station, TX

  • 11:00 am
    0.75 hr
    The First Amendment in the Workplace: Not Just for Public Employees Anymore
    A discussion of emerging uses of the First Amendment and statutes to assert free speech and other First Amendment rights for both employees and employers in the private sector.

    B. Lee Crawford Jr., Austin, TX
    Michael Z. Green, Texas A&M University School of Law - Fort Worth, TX
    Jim Sanford, Gillespie Sanford LLP - Dallas, TX

  • 11:45 am
    Austin Only
    Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)
    Included in registration.

  • Friday Afternoon, June 6, 2025
    Presiding Officer:
    Tom Nesbitt, Nesbitt Legal PLLC - Austin, TX
  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:05 pm
    0.50 hr
    Chevron Deference is Finally Gone. What Now?
    Discuss developments since the overturning of Chevron deference and what it means for your practice.

    Shafeeqa W. Giarratani, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. - Austin, TX

  • 12:35 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 12:50 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Fact Finder Chronicles: The Office Edition
    What might you discover when you delve deeply into an office's investigation into a discrimination or harassment complaint?  Ride along with plaintiff's counsel and an external investigator as they examine the forensics of the complaint process. Who is responsible for getting to the truth? What should be done with the truth? Come with us as we discuss what went right and what went wrong.

    Natalie Lynch, Treaty Oak Employers' Law Group - Austin, TX
    Kalandra N. Wheeler, Wiley Wheeler, P.C. - Houston, TX

  • 1:35 pm
    0.50 hr
    Retaliation Red Flags and Tips to Reduce Risk
    Why should I win, and how am I going to prove that?

    Mickey L. Washington, Washington & Associates, PLLC - Houston, TX

  • 2:05 pm
    1.00 hr ethics
    The Ethical Use of AI
    Explore the patchwork of state-level professional rules and advisories addressing the use of artificial intelligence by lawyers in the practice of law, as well as the rise of standing court orders addressing the use of AI in connection with material submitted to the court. Also touch on the ways in which lawyers are in fact using AI in the practice (and some of the ways they are not).

    Jason Boulette, Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. - Austin, TX

  • 3:05 pm
    Adjourn

  • Day 1 June 5, 2025
  • Day 2 June 6, 2025
Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Joseph Y. Ahmad

Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC
Houston, TX

Christopher Benoit

Benoit Legal, PLLC
El Paso, TX

Caitlin Boehne

Kaplan Law Firm
Albuquerque, NM

Jason Boulette

Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P.
Austin, TX

Vianei Lopez Braun

Decker Jones, P.C.
Fort Worth, TX

Clara "C. B." Burns

Kemp Smith LLP
El Paso, TX

B. Lee Crawford Jr.

Austin, TX

Natalie G. DeLuca

Harris County Attorney's Office
Houston, TX

Amber K. Dodds

Bracewell LLP
San Antonio, TX

Malinda A. Gaul

Gaul and Dumont
San Antonio, TX

Shafeeqa W. Giarratani

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Austin, TX

Mike Golden

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Andrew S. Golub

Dow Golub Remels & Gilbreath, PLLC
Houston, TX

Michael Z. Green

Texas A&M University School of Law
Fort Worth, TX

Amanda Hernandez

AH LAW, PLLC
Houston, TX

Danielle K. Herring

Littler Mendelson P.C.
Houston, TX

John V. Jansonius

Jackson Walker LLP
Dallas, TX

Aaron Johnson

Fair Labor Law
Austin, TX

Noel Kersh

Crowe LLP
The Woodlands, TX

Natalie Lynch

Treaty Oak Employers' Law Group
Austin, TX

Abel Martinez

H-E-B
San Antonio, TX

Danielle Needham

Bell Flight
Fort Worth, TX

Victoria Martin Phipps

Texas A&M University
College Station, TX

Natalie Rougeux

Rougeux & Associates PLLC
New Braunfels, TX

Elizabeth "BB" Sanford

The Sanford Firm
Dallas, TX

Jim Sanford

Gillespie Sanford LLP
Dallas, TX

Robert W. Schmidt

Robert W. Schmidt Law Firm
Austin, TX

Rod Tanner

Tanner and Associates, PC
Fort Worth, TX

Walter L. Taylor

Taylor Law Firm
Colleyville, TX

Kevin J. Terrazas

Terrazas PLLC
Austin, TX

Ashley Tremain

Tremain Artaza, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Jennifer M. Trulock

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Dallas, TX

Michael Twomey

Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC
Houston, TX

Mickey L. Washington

Washington & Associates, PLLC
Houston, TX

Kalandra N. Wheeler

Wiley Wheeler, P.C.
Houston, TX

Planning Committee

Amy Gibson—Chair

Gibson Wiley PLLC
Dallas, TX

Christopher Benoit

Benoit Legal, PLLC
El Paso, TX

Jason Boulette

Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P.
Austin, TX

Vianei Lopez Braun

Decker Jones, P.C.
Fort Worth, TX

Clara "C. B." Burns

Kemp Smith LLP
El Paso, TX

B. Lee Crawford Jr.

Austin, TX

Natalie G. DeLuca

Harris County Attorney's Office
Houston, TX

Dennis P. Duffy

Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC
Houston, TX

Michael W. Fox

Austin, TX

Malinda A. Gaul

Gaul and Dumont
San Antonio, TX

Shafeeqa W. Giarratani

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Austin, TX

Christopher H. Hahn

Dell Technologies
Round Rock, TX

Amanda Hernandez

AH LAW, PLLC
Houston, TX

Danielle K. Herring

Littler Mendelson P.C.
Houston, TX

Charles C. High Jr.

Kemp Smith LLP
El Paso, TX

Austin Kaplan

Kaplan Law Firm
Austin, TX

James H. Kizziar Jr.

Bracewell LLP
San Antonio, TX

David T. Lopez

David T. Lopez & Assoc.
Houston, TX

Abel Martinez

H-E-B
San Antonio, TX

Laura M. Merritt

Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P.
Austin, TX

Audrey E. Mross

Munck Wilson Mandala, LLP
Dallas, TX

Tom Nesbitt

Nesbitt Legal PLLC
Austin, TX

Victoria Martin Phipps

Texas A&M University
College Station, TX

Lakshmi Ramakrishnan

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Weslaco, TX

Elizabeth "BB" Sanford

The Sanford Firm
Dallas, TX

Jim Sanford

Gillespie Sanford LLP
Dallas, TX

Robert W. Schmidt

Robert W. Schmidt Law Firm
Austin, TX

Robert E. Sheeder

Dallas, TX

Rod Tanner

Tanner and Associates, PC
Fort Worth, TX

Walter L. Taylor

Taylor Law Firm
Colleyville, TX

Jennifer M. Trulock

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Dallas, TX

Mickey L. Washington

Washington & Associates, PLLC
Houston, TX

Kalandra N. Wheeler

Wiley Wheeler, P.C.
Houston, TX

Key Dates

Austin – Jun 5-6, 2025 – Austin Marriott South
Live Webcast – Jun 5-6, 2025
Register now
  • Austin
  • Live Webcast
Individual
Last day for $645.00 Early Bird pricing: Jan 31, 2025
Last day for $745.00 Regular pricing: May 21, 2025

$845.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $570.50 Early Bird pricing: Jan 31, 2025
Last day for $670.50 Regular pricing: May 21, 2025

$770.50 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $496.00 Early Bird pricing: Jan 31, 2025
Last day for $596.00 Regular pricing: May 21, 2025

$696.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): May 30, 2025

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Jun 2, 2025
Individual
Last day for $745.00 Early Bird pricing: Jan 31, 2025
Last day for $845.00 Regular pricing: May 21, 2025

$845.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $660.50 Early Bird pricing: Jan 31, 2025
Last day for $760.50 Regular pricing: May 21, 2025

$760.50 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $576.00 Early Bird pricing: Jan 31, 2025
Last day for $676.00 Regular pricing: May 21, 2025

$676.00 for registrations received after this time

Add-on
Last day for $100.00 Regular pricing: May 21, 2025

$100.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): May 30, 2025

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Jun 2, 2025

Venue

speaker

Austin Marriott South

4415 S Interstate 35
Austin, TX 78744-1802
512-441-7900
Map

Accommodations

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a special rate of $199 per night at Austin Marriott South for event attendees. Discounted rate is available until May 14, or until the room block is exhausted, whichever comes first. Book your room online here.
 

Parking Information

Complimentary Garage and ground level parking.

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

  • Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. logo
    Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P.
    Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. is an award-winning Austin-based employment and litigation law firm focused on employment and business litigation, counseling, compliance, and corporate immigration services for employers in Texas in a broad range of industries. Well known for our experience, pragmatism, and judgment, Boulette Golden & Marin attorneys deliver the results of a large law firm with the responsiveness and efficiency of a smaller firm.
    www.boulettegolden.com
  • Bracewell LLP logo
    Bracewell LLP
    At Bracewell, leading lawyers and advocates work creatively and efficiently so our clients can achieve exceptional success. For over 75 years, we have focused on delivering superb service and sophisticated insight. Our highly regarded labor and employment lawyers advise clients on a range of workplace matters, which has earned us the reputation as a top practice in Chambers USA and Legal 500 US. We represent public and private employers across a wide breadth of industries, such as energy, hospitality, manufacturing, education, financial services, healthcare, staffing, media and technology. Our lawyers also handle industry-specific issues regarding employment and labor matters in the energy sector, including security clearance and NERC background checks. 
    bracewell.com
  • Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP logo
    Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
    Bradley is a national law firm with a reputation for skilled legal work, exceptional client service, and impeccable integrity. We provide business clients around the world with a full suite of legal services in dozens of industries and practice areas.

    With 13 offices located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, we have an extensive geographic base to represent clients on a regional, national, and international basis. We frequently serve as national coordinating counsel, regional counsel, and statewide counsel for clients in various industries.

    Although Bradley is a large law firm with more than 700 attorneys, our clients still enjoy the personal attention, responsiveness, and deep relationships they would expect from a boutique firm. Our attorneys combine legal experience and knowledge with a sophisticated understanding of industries to find practical, strategic solutions specifically tailored to our clients’ business operations. Bradley lawyers use their talents, judgment, work ethic, and experience to go above and beyond expectations to help clients meet their goals.
    www.bradley.com
  • Kemp Smith Law logo
    Kemp Smith Law
    Founded in 1866, Kemp Smith has 159 years of experience serving our clients, communities, and profession.  With offices in El Paso, TX, Austin, TX, and Las Cruces, NM, Kemp Smith is the second oldest firm in Texas and the largest firm in El Paso.  Attorneys in each of our firm’s areas of practice are experienced professionals who will be as dedicated to your business as you are. We continually strive to surpass clients’ expectations through responsiveness, competence, and integrity.  Our attorneys have deep experience over a broad range of sophisticated legal matters.
    www.kempsmith.com
  • Littler logo
    Littler
    At Littler, we understand that workplace issues can’t wait. With access to more than 1,800 employment attorneys in over 100 offices around the world, our clients don’t have to. We aim to go beyond best practices, creating solutions that help clients navigate a complex business world. What’s distinct about our approach? With deep experience and resources that are local, everywhere, we are fully focused on your business. With a diverse team of the brightest minds, we foster a culture that celebrates original thinking. And with powerful proprietary technology, we disrupt the status quo – delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers not just for what’s happening today, but for what’s likely to happen tomorrow. Since 1942, our firm has harnessed these strengths to offer fresh perspectives on each matter we advise, litigate, mediate, and negotiate. Because at Littler, we’re fueled by ingenuity and inspired by you. For more information, visit littler.com.
    www.littler.com
Download Sponsor Details Become a Sponsor
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Email UT Law CLE for more information on sponsoring an event.

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