Total Credits: 6.0 MCLE
2024 Annual Labor & Employment Law Symposium
November 8, 2024
Kansas City | Polsinelli Law Firm
8:30-9 a.m. | Registration
9-9:50 a.m. | Judicial panel
Speakers: Hon. Gary D. Witt, Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, Kansas City; Hon. Adam L. Caine, 16th Judicial Circuit, Jackson County; Hon. Megan Benton, 6th Judicial Circuit, Platte County
9:50-10:05 a.m. | Break
10:05-10:55 a.m. | Spotting employment law issues in your (blank) case
This presentation provides a high-level overview of the key employment law issues that practitioners practicing in other substantive legal areas should be aware of, including topics such as discrimination, retaliation, medical leave, and whistleblower protections. It also provides brief discussions of hot button topics and current trends that may affect practitioners' work in other areas.
Speakers: Adam Pihana, Hall Ansley, P.C., Springfield; Timothy Ricker, Hall Ansley, P.C., Springfield
10:55-11:10 a.m. | Break
11:10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Wage and hour do's and don'ts
This session will cover the most common wage and hour pitfalls, as well as the corresponding claims that result when employers fail to follow the rules.
You will learn:
Speaker: Kyle Russell, Husch Blackwell, Kansas City
12-1 p.m. | Lunch (provided)
1-1:50 p.m. | Internal investigations
Hear from a mediator trained in conflict resolution and both a plaintiff and defense side lawyer on both the importance and nuances of conducting internal investigations.
You will learn:
Speakers: Michelle Minor, Minor Mediation, Topeka, KS; Kaitlin Gallen, Polsinelli PC, Kansas City; Raymond Dake, Siro Smith Dickson PC, Kansas City
1:50-2:05 p.m. | Break
2:05-2:55 p.m. | NLRB maintains stranglehold on American workplaces... Where we are and where we are headed
Dean and Colin will discuss the current state of the National Labor Relations Board after four years of the Biden-Harris administration. Dean and Colin will then discuss where they expect the Board to head in the next four years in light of the administration change. After that, they provide key legal updates on protected concerted activity, non-compete agreements, and what sort of damages the NLRB pursues currently.
Speakers: Dean Kpere-Daibo, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP, St. Louis; Colin Finnegan, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP, Kansas City
2:55-3:10 p.m. | Break
3:10-4 p.m. | Background checks and drug testing in employment
Speaker: LaceShionna (Lace) Cline, Littler Mendelson, Kansas City
4 p.m. | Adjourn
Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.
| 01 No Materials are Available for This Topic (34.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 02 Spotting Issues - Employment Law.pdf (2.4 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 03 Wage and Hour Dos and Don'ts - Missouri Bar Fall Symposium - 11.8.2025 (592.4 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 04 Internal Investigations -2024 Mo Bar L&E Symposium (674.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 05 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) update (1.9 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 06 Background Checks and Drug Testing PPT (3) (937.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| MCLE form (78.5 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| MOLAP Information (210.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Important Information for Attorneys Seeking Kansas Credit (102.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
Judge Benton obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from Emory University and her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. In 2021, she became an Associate Circuit Judge in Platte County. She became a Circuit Judge in 2023 and currently handles civil, probate, and criminal cases.
Judge Adam Caine was appointed by Governor Michael Parson April 20, 2020. At the time of his appointment, Judge Caine served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Missouri. He is a native of Eldon, Missouri and graduate of UMKC Law School and Missouri State University.
Raymond Dake is a partner at the law firm of Siro Smith Dickson PC in Kansas City, Missouri and represents plaintiffs in employment litigation matters, including discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and wage and hour issues, and personal injury litigation.
LaceShionna N. Cline focuses her practice on labor and employment matters. Lace has defended clients in a variety of matters involving employment litigation, casualty litigation, breach of contract, wrongful death, premises liability, and products liability. In addition to her practice, Lace teaches trial advocacy, as well as legal analysis, research, and communication as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Colin is a labor and employment attorney with experience in litigation and traditional labor matters. Colin zealously defends employers in claims involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Titles III and VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska state discrimination laws, and other related claims. His experience includes handling all aspects of litigation from the investigation phase through trial. Colin works with employers to create and implement a practical and effective strategy depending on the unique facts and circumstances of each case. In his practice, Colin also counsels clients in traditional labor matters, including union organizing campaigns, unfair labor practice charges, and union awareness training. Using his extensive knowledge of state and federal labor and employment laws, Colin routinely counsels employers on hiring and firing, drug testing, employment policies and handbooks, and proactive strategies for litigation avoidance.
Prior to joining Constangy, Colin practiced at an AM100 law firm, representing clients in employment litigation and labor relations matters.
Kate Gallen helps clients meet their business goals while advising on a wide variety of workplace issues. Kate also defends employers in all types and at all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Polsinelli, Kate was a law clerk for the Honorable Mary Russell of the Supreme Court of Missouri.
Dean’s passion is assisting employers build the systems, cultures, and procedures to create an environment that allows employees to perform at their best while being their authentic selves in the workplace. He leverages his unique background as a Labor and Employment Attorney, a community advocate, and personal life experiences to address conflicts from all angles and create relationships that lead to lasting organizational change. For nearly a decade,
Dean has devoted his practice to representing employers in traditional labor matters, including providing labor guidance, defending unfair labor practice charges in front of the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), and defending alleged violations of collective bargaining agreements. Dean also has extensive experience providing supervisor training and representing employers in representation proceedings before the NLRB.
Michelle Minor has developed a well-deserved reputation as a skilled mediator within the employment arena. Her 25-year career in the corporate world has given her a unique perspective and insight as to the complex issues facing corporations today. She brings to the table professional experience related to sales, international business, corporate acquisitions/mergers, and vendor/supplier relations.
Michelle has extensive experience in employee relations, investigations, and EEOC issues. She has designed Dispute Resolution Programs for a number of clients to include municipalities and has conducted world-wide workplace investigations for a fortune 500 company.
Adam earned his law degree in 2007 from the University of Missouri-Columbia where he served on the Missouri Law Review. Adam began his career with Hall Ansley, P.C. immediately after law school and he has been zealously advocating for his clients ever since. His experience lies in civil trial practice, focusing in the areas of medical negligence, personal injury, employment law and consumer law. He possesses experience in all stages of litigation, including motion practice, discovery, and jury trials.
Adam is a shareholder with Hall Ansley, P.C., in Springfield, Missouri. He maintains a civil trial practice, litigating in the areas of employment law, medical negligence, personal injury, and civil rights claims.
Tim was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in the spring of 2006 from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science in History. He went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2009. During his time in law school, Tim served as an Articles Editor on the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Review and as a pro se writ clerk for the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. During law school, Tim also received Cali Excellence Awards for highest course grades in: Torts, Property II, Civil Procedure II, Evidence, and Constitutional Law II.
Tim is also a shareholder with Hall Ansley, P.C. Tim has been extensively involved in all stages of civil litigation and is particularly focused on the area of employment law (including discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, wrongful discharge, wage and hour, and § 1983 claims). In addition, he also extensively practices in the areas of medical negligence, personal injury, and municipal law.”
Kyle Russell is a partner at the Husch Blackwell firm's Kansas City office. He has 24 years' experience, including time both in-house and as outside counsel. He defends employers against all types of claims by employers, including wage and hour violations and claims for unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Hon. Gary Witt was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, in 2010. He was elected as chief judge for a two year term that began July 1, 2022. He received the Appellate Judicial Excellence Award in 2020. He was previously an associate circuit judge in Platte County from 1998 - 2010.
Before his judicial service, Judge Witt served as a state representative from 1991-1996. He was a shareholder with Witt, Hicklin & Witt, PC in Platte City.
Judge Witt earned his undergraduate degree from William Jewell College and his Juris Doctor from University of Missouri-Columbia.
Polsinelli Law Firm
900 W 48th Pl, Kansas City, MO 64112
Parking: Parking for Polsinelli visitors is located at the Plaza Vista parking garage directly under The Fontaine. Entrances to the garage are located directly beneath the hotel off of Roanoke Parkway (Northbound) and Belleview Avenue (Southbound) and visitors may enter or exit from either side. Please take a ticket from the automated kiosk and feel free to park in any visitor spaces on level P1. However, please remember that parking tickets must be presented at security on Level 1 or Reception on Level 9 for validation to avoid parking charges.
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Please also be advised that, pursuant to RSMo. 537.1005, effective Aug. 28, 2021, “under Missouri law, any individual entering the premises or engaging the services of the business waives all civil liability against the individual or entity for any damages based on inherent risks associated with an exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19, except for recklessness or willful misconduct.”
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