2025 Annual Employment Law Seminar | FBA Chicago Chapter

This is for those who wish to attend this event in-person.

Join us for the highly anticipated Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s Annual Employment Law Seminar, sponsored by JAMS, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. This dynamic program features four expert-led panels covering key developments in employment law, including Title VII's 60th anniversary, arbitration best practices, changes to the Chevron Doctrine, and updates on Seventh Circuit jury instructions. The seminar offers essential legal insights, practical strategies, and perspectives from top legal professionals.

Panelists include distinguished members of the judiciary, government representatives, in-house counsel, and private practitioners. In-person attendance is limited to the first 60 participants, with lunch included. Remote access will be available via Zoom for additional attendees. Registration includes access to all four panels from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by a cocktail reception from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Remote participants are also invited to attend the reception in person. Attendees will receive up to 4 hours of Illinois CLE credit (pending approval). Register now to secure your spot for this must-attend employment law event!

Session 1 | Title VII Turns 60: What’s Happening Now & What’s Next?

This session explores six decades of Title VII and its profound impact on employment law. Panelists will discuss the law’s evolving interpretations, key legal challenges, and emerging compliance issues. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how Title VII continues to shape the modern workplace and what lies ahead for employers and employees.

Moderator:

J. Bryan Wood, Founder, The Wood Law Office, LLC
With over 20 years of employment law experience, J. Bryan Wood has represented employees and employers in cases involving wage disputes, harassment, wrongful termination, and FMLA violations. He has secured millions of dollars for clients and advised businesses on compliance and litigation avoidance. His personal experiences with workplace injustices early in life sparked his passion for ensuring fair employment practices. Bryan is highly regarded in the legal community, holding the AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell and membership in leading legal associations, including NELA and the Federal Bar Association.

Speakers:

Tracy M. Billows, Co-Managing Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Tracy M. Billows advises employers nationwide on compliance and HR strategy, with a focus on litigation prevention and effective workplace policies. Her extensive experience includes conducting workplace investigations, guiding HR audits, and delivering legal training to management teams. She is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and several U.S. District Courts across the Midwest. Her proactive approach and deep legal expertise have established her as a trusted advisor in employment law matters.

Justin Mulaire, Assistant Regional Attorney, EEOC Chicago District Office
Justin Mulaire litigates federal employment discrimination cases for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Since joining the agency in 2005, he has played a critical role in enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws and advising EEOC leadership on high-level legal matters. A graduate of Princeton University and Columbia Law School, he previously clerked for a magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, gaining valuable insight into federal litigation and judicial processes.

Session 2 | The State of Arbitration and Best Practices for Making It Work for Everyone

This session highlights the latest developments in employment arbitration, focusing on crafting effective arbitration agreements, ensuring procedural fairness, and resolving disputes equitably. Panelists will provide valuable insights and best practices for balancing the needs of employees and employers in arbitration.

Moderator:

Anna Wermuth, Vice-Chair, Labor & Employment Department, Cozen O’Connor

Anna Wermuth is a highly regarded labor and employment attorney with over 20 years of experience representing employers in high-profile labor arbitrations and collective bargaining negotiations. As Vice-Chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, she has earned recognition for her innovative approaches and deep expertise, receiving accolades from Chambers USA, Lawdragon, and Crain’s Chicago Business.

Speakers:

Amit S. Bindra, Partner, The Prinz Law Firm, P.C.

Amit Bindra is an experienced employment attorney specializing in arbitration agreements, trade secret disputes, and non-compete enforcement. A key architect of Illinois’ 2021 Freedom to Work Act amendments, Amit has helped shape employment law reform. He regularly advises executives and businesses, earning recognition as a “Notable Rising Star in the Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business.

Suzanne E. Bish, Partner, Stowell & Friedman, Ltd.

Suzanne Bish represents employees in workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases, achieving landmark settlements, including a $160 million settlement in McReynolds v. Merrill Lynch. Suzanne prioritizes equitable solutions, leveraging her extensive arbitration expertise to help clients navigate complex disputes effectively.

Hon. Arlander Keys (Ret.), JAMS

Judge Arlander Keys brings nearly two decades of judicial experience to JAMS, specializing in employment law, civil rights, and class action disputes. As a former U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, he mediated over 2,000 cases and is widely respected for his ability to foster productive dialogue and equitable resolutions.

Hon. Sidney I. Schenkier (Ret.), JAMS

Judge Sidney Schenkier served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Illinois for over 20 years, presiding over numerous jury trials and mediating more than 2,000 cases, including employment disputes and class actions. Known for his commitment to the mediation process, Judge Schenkier emphasizes collaborative solutions tailored to the needs of each dispute.

Session 3 | The Demise of the Chevron Doctrine: What Impact on Employment Law?

This session explores the potential rollback of the Chevron Doctrine and its significant implications for labor law enforcement and administrative agency deference. Panelists will analyze how these changes could reshape employment law decision-making and regulatory frameworks, providing insights into the future of workplace compliance and enforcement.

Moderator:

M. Nieves Bolaños, Shareholder, Hawks Quindel S.C.

Maria de las Nieves Bolaños is a leading advocate for workers’ rights and employment justice. With extensive experience representing employees in wage and hour, discrimination, and retaliation cases, she has achieved exceptional results, including a $14 million settlement in a sexual harassment class action. Nieves serves as President of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and is actively involved in employment law education through national and local organizations. Her passion for defending workers’ rights stems from her early exposure to civil rights activism, making her a tireless advocate for fairness and equity in the workplace.

Speakers:

Angie Cowan Hamada, Regional Director, Region 13, National Labor Relations Board

Angie Cowan Hamada serves as Regional Director for Region 13 of the NLRB, where she oversees labor law enforcement and administrative processes. Previously, she represented unions and employees in labor and employment law matters as a shareholder at Allison, Slutsky & Kennedy. Angie also served as Commissioner and Chair of the Cook County Human Rights Commission and has been a contributor to The Developing Labor Law. She is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she earned a certificate in Labor and Employment Law.

Allison Powers, Partner, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP

Allison Powers specializes in guiding management through workplace challenges and defending clients in complex employment disputes, including discrimination and harassment cases. With over 15 years of experience, she has successfully litigated multi-plaintiff and class actions for Fortune-ranked corporations and other high-profile clients. In 2022, she was appointed Commissioner of the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission, demonstrating her commitment to ethical governance and workplace fairness.

James Speta, Elizabeth Froehling Horner Professor of Law, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

James Speta is a renowned scholar in administrative law, telecommunications, and antitrust, with a focus on market organization and regulatory frameworks. As a faculty member at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, he has held leadership roles, including Interim Dean, and has contributed extensively to research on platform markets, net neutrality, and the administrative state. A former clerk for Judge Harry T. Edwards on the D.C. Circuit and a practitioner at Sidley & Austin, Jim brings a wealth of experience to his academic and legal expertise.

Session 4: View from the Bench: Seventh Circuit Jury Instructions & Employment Law Hot Topics

This session offers exclusive judicial insights on proposed revisions to the Seventh Circuit’s Pattern Jury Instructions and critical emerging trends in employment law. Learn how judges interpret and apply employment law in evolving cases, and gain a deeper understanding of the judiciary’s perspective on workplace disputes.

Moderator:

Diane I. Smason, Attorney Advisor, Office of General Counsel, EEOC

Diane I. Smason is an Attorney Advisor to the EEOC General Counsel, with over 25 years of experience in employment discrimination law. She has held key roles at the EEOC, including Acting Chicago District Director, Chicago Deputy Director, and Supervisory Trial Attorney, where she litigated class and systemic cases under Title VII, the ADA, and the ADEA. Diane is a Council Member of the ABA’s Section of Labor and Employment Law, a Board Member of the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter, and a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Before joining the EEOC, she practiced labor and employment law at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal and clerked for the Hon. Bernard A. Friedman on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Speakers:

Hon. Virginia M. Kendall, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Judge Virginia M. Kendall, Chief Judge of the Northern District of Illinois, has been on the federal bench since 2006. A former federal prosecutor, she is a leading authority on human trafficking, judicial ethics, and child exploitation law. Judge Kendall is an adjunct professor at several prestigious law schools and the co-author of a treatise on child exploitation and trafficking. Her leadership roles in bar associations and judicial committees reflect her commitment to advancing justice, while her extensive domestic and international teaching has influenced countless legal professionals.

Hon. Manish S. Shah, U.S. District Judge, Northern District of Illinois

Judge Manish Shah has served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois since 2014. Before his appointment, he spent over a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago, where he served in leadership roles, including Chief of the Criminal Division. A graduate of Stanford University and the University of Chicago Law School, Judge Shah brings a wealth of experience in complex criminal and civil litigation. His judicial work is marked by fairness, a deep understanding of the law, and a commitment to resolving disputes with precision and clarity.