Strategic Thinking Starts with HR
Meet the experts
Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR founder, civility partners
lisa M. Harris, partner, sheppard Mullin
lisa M. Harris, partner, sheppard Mullin
Session Description
Your employees disengage from this training the moment they learn they have to take it again. When it focuses on compliance, rules and corrective action instead of the behaviors that actually stop harm, it misses the mark. Reinvigorate this mandatory training and use it as an opportunity to create connection, upskill in upstandership, and tie it back to company culture.
Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR is the founder of Civility Partners, an OD firm that's assisted almost 300 clients globally in building better cultures. With 60+ LinkedIn Learning courses in 11 languages, 3M+ online learners, thousands of hours on stage in 15 countries, and features on CNN, NPR and others, she is the go-to expert on turning around toxic cultures and behavior. Her most recent book, Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies (Wiley's brand), is available with all major book retailers.
lisa M. Harris, partner, sheppard Mullin
lisa M. Harris, partner, sheppard Mullin
lisa M. Harris, partner, sheppard Mullin
Session Description
This session simplifies the complex web of California and federal leave laws into a practical framework HR professionals can apply immediately. Participants will learn how to administer leaves consistently, reduce compliance risk, and confidently manage challenging employee leave situations.
Participants will be able to:
• Distinguish between key California and federal leave laws, including how they overlap and interact
• Apply best practices for tracking, documenting, and administering employee leaves in California
• Analyze complex leave scenarios and determine appropriate HR actions to maintain compliance and reduce risk
Lisa Harris is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group serving Orange County and New York. She advises management on employment compliance, workplace investigations, and traditional labor matters, and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. With both outside and in-house counsel experience, she also contributes to ESG workplace strategy.
KEVIN BROWN, PARTNER, SNELL & WILBUR
lisa M. Harris, partner, sheppard Mullin
KEVIN BROWN, PARTNER, SNELL & WILBUR
Session Description
In this informative presentation, management-side employment attorney Kevin Brown will discuss single plaintiff and class action litigation trends, legislative and caselaw updates, as well as best practices to minimize the risk of litigation for employers. Attendees will come away with legal updates in California employment law we well as Cal/OSHA. Kevin will also provide practical tips for minimizing litigation risk that attendees can take back to their companies, as well as a checklist for when to consider reaching out to employment counsel based on real world examples.
Kevin Brown is a partner at Snell & Wilmer LLP in Labor & Employment. He advises employers on compliance, risk mitigation, policies, investigations, and OSHA/Cal-OSHA matters, and represents them in workplace disputes. A seasoned trainer and investigator, he’s a former military attorney and naval aviator who continues serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
astrid Servin , HR Director, CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION
astrid Servin , HR Director, CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION
KEVIN BROWN, PARTNER, SNELL & WILBUR
Session Description
This session provides a practical overview of developing and maintaining compliant employee handbooks for California employers. Participants will learn required and recommended policies, common compliance risks, and best practices to ensure handbooks effectively communicate expectations while aligning with California and federal employment laws.
Participants will be able to:
• Identify required California and federal policies that should be included in an employee handbook
• Evaluate common handbook provisions to determine compliance risks and inappropriate content
• Apply best practices for structuring and updating employee handbooks to support legal compliance and workplace clarity.
Astrid Servin is an experienced HR leader with over 25 years of driving organizational growth across public and private sectors, including retail and media. As HR Director at CEA, she helps organizations strengthen compliance and people practices. An active SHRM and PIHRA member, Astrid is passionate about aligning HR strategy with business success.
Michael C. Wales, II, Paychex
astrid Servin , HR Director, CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION
Marilyn Monahan, Monahan Law Office
Session Description
This session explores how HR professionals can benchmark the employee lifecycle to identify gaps, improve processes, and support organizational effectiveness. Participants will learn how to assess current systems, document workflows, and build a data-informed business case for changes that enhance employee experience and operational efficiency.
Participants will be able to:
• Identify key stages of the employee lifecycle and evaluate internal processes for improvement opportunities
• Document existing HR systems and workflows to support analysis and decision-making
• Develop a structured business case for process or system changes based on organizational needs
Michael C. Wales II brings 35 years of experience working with employers through ADP, Paychex, and Paycor. He has supported over 4,000 organizations in improving HR systems and workforce processes. Mike specializes in helping businesses evaluate their employee lifecycle and identify practical opportunities for operational and people-focused improvements.
Marilyn Monahan, Monahan Law Office
astrid Servin , HR Director, CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION
Marilyn Monahan, Monahan Law Office
Session Description
This session examines key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) and its impact on employer-sponsored benefit plans. Participants will gain an overview of regulatory changes affecting fully insured and self-funded plans, along with practical guidance for adapting plan administration, maintaining compliance, and preparing for evolving benefits-related legal requirements.
Participants will be able to:
• Identify major benefit plan provisions within the OBBB that affect employer-sponsored coverage
• Assess how regulatory changes influence fully insured and self-funded group health plans
• Recognize emerging compliance challenges and plan administration considerations under evolving benefits laws
Marilyn A. Monahan is owner of Monahan Law Office in San Marcos, California. She advises employers and consultants on compliance with employee benefits and insurance laws, including ACA, ERISA, CAA, HIPAA, and COBRA. Marilyn serves as an advisor to PIHRA’s Government Advocacy Team and as vice president of the PIHRA Foundation board.