Materials

2025 Live Conference coming up Jun 5 in Austin. Info and registration »
2025 Materials expected available 3-5 weeks from conference date.

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. 

Essential Employment Law is a one-day live webinar HR program led by employment law experts and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to disparate treatment issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more.  This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers.

UT Law CLE's 31st 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. Topics will include:   NLRB: An Inside the Beltway Perspective on Federal Labor Policy What's Weird About Texas Yet Another Acrimonious Election Year: The Challenge of Political Talk at Work (and On Social Media) The New World of Pregnancy Accommodations It Says What? Retaliation: Still the Most Attractive Claim for Plaintiffs and Most Complicated for Defendants What’s It Going to Take: Settlement Value/Monetizing Your Case Groff v. DeJoy: A Year Later and Other Emerging Issues in Religious Accommodation AI: Promising and Problematic  Ethics: Officer of the Court Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law CLE's 30th 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.

Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more.  This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers.

UT Law CLE's 29th 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.   This year’s program features:   Updates on the latest federal and state employment case law and legislative developments, including disability issues under the ADA, changes under the NRLB, wage and hour enforcement, the public sector, trade secrets and non-competes, and more. Workplace issues and developments facing employees and employers on remote working arrangements, whistleblower cases, sexual harassment claims, developing an inclusive culture, and emotional support animals in the workplace. An examination of the complex framework that employers must navigate and obligations they must meet in A Deep Dive on Accommodations. ESG and Employment Lawyers, learn about the latest in social and governance reporting metrics and the resulting impact on litigation. Multiple networking opportunities with program faculty and fellow practitioners, including the Thursday Evening Reception.  Following the conference, attendees will receive a free, on-demand eSupplement that will bring their total available hours to 15.00, including 3.00 hours of ethics.  

Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts Connie Cornell and Katrina Grider, and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more.  This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers. INSTRUCTORS Connie L. Cornell, PHR is a founding partner of Cornell Smith Mierl Brutocao Burton, LLP, an Austin labor and employment law firm, representing employers and management through advice, training, and litigation defense. Ms. Cornell is Board Certified in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the national HR Certification Institute. Katrina Grider is the Associate Director for Curriculum, Training, and Education for the Revolving Funds Division at the EEOC. She directs and oversees the development, content, and delivery of the EEOC’s fee-based training and education programs for public and private sector employers; manages training activities provided by the EEOC Training Institute; and establishes and maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders to identify training needs and develop appropriate training and education to meet such needs. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

UT Law CLE's 28th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference is the premier program on employment law practice in Texas. By virtually bringing together leading members of the bar, personnel experts, and in-house counsel, the conference offers the timely updates, emerging trends, and the variety of perspectives practitioners need.   2021 highlights include:   Updates on the latest federal and state employment case law and legislative developments, including disability issues under the ADA, changes under the NRLB, wage and hour enforcement, the public sector, #MeToo, and more. Workplace issues and developments facing employees and employers on workforce reductions, diversity and inclusion initiatives, pay equity, whistleblower cases, and a reshaped workforce due to the pandemic. Taking Stock of the New Supreme Court with Professor Stephen Vladeck of The University of Texas School of Law. A two-part presentation series focused on Virtual Advocacy. Learn the best methods for virtually conducting depositions and investigations, and gain tips for virtually participating in hearings, trials, and arbitrations. 2.75 hours of ethics, including the always essential presentation on Ethics for Employment Lawyers.   Following the webcast, attendees will receive a free, on-demand eSupplement that will bring their total available hours to 15.00, including 3.00 hours of ethics.

Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts Connie Cornell and Katrina Grider, and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more.  This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers. INSTRUCTORS Connie L. Cornell, PHR is a founding partner of Cornell Smith Mierl Brutocao Burton, LLP, an Austin labor and employment law firm, representing employers and management through advice, training, and litigation defense. Ms. Cornell is Board Certified in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the national HR Certification Institute. Katrina Grider is Of Counsel in the Houston office of Ogletree Deakins with over thirty years of extensive experience from both management and enforcement perspectives. Ms. Grider represents employers in state and federal courts, as well as in proceedings before the Texas Workforce Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor. In addition, Ms. Grider conducts training for managers, supervisors, and employees. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

UT Law CLE's Labor and Employment Law Conference is the premier program on employment law practice in Texas. By virtually bringing together leading members of the bar, personnel experts, and in-house counsel, the conference offers the timely updates, emerging trends, and the variety of perspectives practitioners need. 2020 highlights include: Updates on the latest federal and state employment case law and legislative developments, including disability issues under the ADA, changes under the NLRA, wage and hour enforcement, religion in the workplace, and more. Workplace issues facing employees and employers on whistleblower cases, navigating the TWC/EEOC process, diversity initiatives, mental health, pay equity, and political activism. Focused presentation series on workforce solutions (featuring discussion of the internal investigations and sick leave ordinances) and litigation strategies (featuring discussion of effective arbitrations and preparing witnesses). 3.25 hours of ethics, including presentations on The Ethics of Civility, Ethics in Age of Digital Transactions, and Ethics for Employment Lawyers. Following the webcast, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE hours for the year.

Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts, and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more. This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers.

UT Law's 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 the timely updates, emerging trends, and the variety of perspectives practitioners need. 2019 highlights include: Perspective on Navigating the EEOC from both sides of the bar – and the EEOC Analysis of the standards for determining Contingent Workers and Joint Employment Discussion of Emerging Local Regulations and the Multistate Employer Focused presentation series on litigation strategies and workforce solutions Updates on federal and state law, including developments at the NRLB New this year – networking reception on Thursday evening Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 MCLE hours for the year.

Cyber intrusions—data breaches, hacking, ransomware, and other threats—continue to make headlines and affect companies and organizations of all sizes. Essential Cybersecurity Law is a one-day, extensive program designed to walk through key phases and legal issues relating to breach preparedness and response. Hear directly from top government officials, get the latest updates on regulatory actions and litigation, and gain detailed and practical guidance for implementing internal controls and responding to a data breach. Topics include:  Civil Litigation and Regulatory Update Cybersecurity Regulation and Enforcement Incidence Response and Breach Disclosure Cybersecurity Insurance Legal Implications of Ephemeral Data Blockchain Technology, Smart Contracts, and Data Protection Third Party Vendor Management The In-House Perspective on Managing Current Threats and Challenges If you are a practitioner, in-house counsel, or board member undertaking cybersecurity issues for your organization, this one-day course is for you.

Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts Connie Cornell and Katrina Grider, and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more.  This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers. INSTRUCTORS Connie L. Cornell, PHR is a founding partner of Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP, an Austin labor and employment law firm. Ms. Cornell is Board Certified in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the national Society for Human Resource Management. Katrina Grider is Of Counsel in the Houston office of Ogletree Deakins with over thirty years of extensive experience from both management and enforcement perspectives. Ms. Grider represents employers in state and federal courts, as well as in proceedings before the Texas Workforce Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor. In addition, Ms. Grider conducts training for managers, supervisors, and employees. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

After 25 years, UT Law's Labor and Employment Law Conference is more relevant than ever. With two days of timely updates and emerging trends in employment law from leading members of the bar and personnel experts, the conference has earned the reputation as the premier program on employment law practice in Texas. This year’s highlights include: Exploration of The Boundaries of Employee Free Speech with discussion of the rights of employees to express their views and the competing rights of public and private employers to respond. Insight into unconscious bias in the workplace, including how it may influence workplace decisions and interactions, and the latest approaches and legal implications for addressing it. Examination of current activity involving Leaves of Absence Under the FMLA and ADA, including tactics for pushing back on suspected leave abuse. What Is It Worth? An analysis of how lawyers on each side of the docket value the settlement of cases and how to compare in terms of valuation for standard employment law situations. Focused presentation series on litigation strategies (featuring discussion of expert witnesses and anti-SLAPP concerns) and workforce solutions (featuring discussion of the onboarding process and preventing workplace violence). The latest federal and state employment case law and legislative developments, including disability issues under the ADA, guidance under the NLRA, and more. At the conclusion of the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eCourse containing an additional hour of ethics to ensure attendees can earn their required 15.0/3.0 MCLE hours for the year.

Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts Vianei Lopez Braun and Connie Cornell, and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more.  This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers. INSTRUCTORS Vianei Lopez Braun has been representing employers for more than 25 years, providing practical advice on employment law compliance and avoiding litigation. Vianei’s diverse experience includes representing large publicly traded companies, governmental entities, small to mid-sized businesses, as well as individual professionals and executives. Connie L. Cornell, PHR is a founding partner of Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP, an Austin labor and employment law firm. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the national Society for Human Resource Management.

Data breaches are increasingly inevitable—and potentially devastating—to companies of all sizes. Essential Cybersecurity Law is a one-day, extensive program designed to walk through key phases and legal issues relating to breach preparedness and response. Hear directly from top officials at HHSC, DOJ, and the SEC, get the latest updates on regulatory actions and litigation, and gain detailed and practical guidance for implementing internal controls and responding to a data breach. Topics include:  Cybersecurity Regulation and Enforcement, including HIPAA Compliance and HHS Enforcement Litigation Update Internal Controls and Compliance Incidence Response and Breach Disclosure Cybersecurity Insurance Privacy and Data Security in an Increasingly Globalized World The In-House Perspective on Managing Cybersecurity If you are a practitioner, in-house counsel, or board member undertaking cybersecurity issues for your organization, this one-day course is for you.

The 24th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference offers two days of timely updates and emerging trends in employment law from leading members of the employment law bench and bar along with HR and personnel experts. Highlights include: Welcome Folks, to the Trump Administration: What the First 100 Days Mean for Employers and Employees, with Laura M. Merritt, Boulette Golden & Marin, L.L.P. A deep dive into the principle of pay equity, how it is reflected in statute, and the legal and practical concerns in complying with those statutes William T. (Tommy) Simmons of the Texas Workforce Commission examining important hidden hazards in handling wage payment, unemployment claim, and unemployment tax issues at TWC General counsel perspectives on how to efficiently and effectively interact with in-house counsel, including interactions regarding litigation, company policies, and labor law requirements Focused presentation series on litigation strategies (featuring updates on discovery and social media) and workforce solutions (featuring updates on LGBTQ issues and background checks) The latest federal and state employment case law and legislative developments, including disability issues under the ADA, guidance under the NLRA, and more

Essential Non-Compete and Trade Secret Law: A Practical Guide to Talent Management is a one-day program led by experts in drafting and litigating of non-compete and non-disclosure agreements.The program is extensive, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview and offering practical tips on how to avoid disputes where you can, and how to effectively resolve them when you cannot. The program also offers local insight into unique practice quirks in each city, ensuring attendees know what to expect from their local adjudicators. This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers, and anyone in need of a refresher on this ever-changing area of law. Attendees are also encouraged to come a day early for Thursday's Essential Employment program for a comprehensive overview of employment law.

Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts Connie Cornell and Michael W. Fox, designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment laws. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA, changes in employment law impacting compliance efforts, and more.  This practical course provides detailed written materials and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers. Stay on for Friday's follow-up program: Essential Non-Competes and Non-Disclosures INSTRUCTORS Connie L. Cornell, PHR is a founding partner of Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP, an Austin labor and employment law firm. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the national Society for Human Resource Management.   Michael W. Fox is a shareholder in the Austin office of Ogletree Deakins, a national labor and employment law firm. He has represented employers in employment law matters for more than 35 years, is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.