2026 ELLU CONFERENCE

Employment + Labor
Law Update

Two days of practical legal guidance for HR professionals, corporate counsel, supervisors, and business owners. Presented by Catapult & Ogletree Deakins.

Presented in partnership with

Ogletree Deakins

Registration
$599
Per Member
Non-member $699
👨‍⚕️2-Day In-Person Conference
🍴Lunch Included
Your 2026 Faculty

Meet Your Presenters

Experienced employment attorneys from Ogletree Deakins, joined by Catapult HR advisors, lead every session with practical, real-world guidance.

Bob Sar, ELLU 2026 speaker
Bob Sar
Ogletree Deakins
Charlotte Smith, ELLU 2026 speaker
Charlotte Smith
Ogletree Deakins
Dalton Green, ELLU 2026 speaker
Dalton Green
Ogletree Deakins
Kevin Joyner, ELLU 2026 speaker
Kevin Joyner
Ogletree Deakins
Lauren Pless, ELLU 2026 speaker
Lauren Pless
Ogletree Deakins
Meredith Hamilton, ELLU 2026 speaker
Meredith Hamilton
Ogletree Deakins
Michael McKnight, ELLU 2026 speaker
Michael McKnight
Ogletree Deakins
Savannah Trimmer, ELLU 2026 speaker
Savannah Trimmer
Ogletree Deakins
Steve Smalley, ELLU 2026 speaker
Steve Smalley
Ogletree Deakins
Virginia Wooten, ELLU 2026 speaker
Virginia Wooten
Ogletree Deakins
Conference Agenda

Two Days. Thirteen Sessions.

The same expert-led program runs at both locations. Speakers are identical in Charlotte and Raleigh except where a Charlotte/Raleigh tag marks a difference.

Day 1
Thursday
Charlotte · Aug 6  |  Raleigh · Sep 1
8:00 – 8:45 AMRegistration, Breakfast & Networking
8:45 – 9:00 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks
9:00 – 9:30 AM

The Results Are In

Key Takeaways From Ogletree’s Client Benchmarking Survey

Discover the latest insights from Ogletree’s sixth annual employer benchmarking survey, focusing on critical areas such as hiring and retention, multistate challenges, AI adoption and more. You’ll learn valuable takeaways and actionable data and trends from employers navigating today’s complex workforce landscape.

Bob SarBob Sar
9:30 – 10:30 AM

Digital Footprints

The Intersection of Technology and Workplace Investigations

In today’s digital age, technology plays a key role in workplace investigations. We’ll explore how technology can offer significant advantages in efficiency and in collecting and analyzing evidence. Topics also include cybersecurity considerations, tips for identifying risks associated with the use of AI, social media issues, and the ethical and legal considerations of conducting workplace investigations.

Dalton GreenDalton Green
10:30 – 10:45 AMBreak
10:45 – 11:30 AM

From Audit to Raid

Managing Immigration Enforcement Risks at the Worksite

As companies navigate the rapidly evolving immigration landscape, HR professionals must stay informed about changes, compliance implications, and potential government encounters at worksites. You’ll hear practical guidance on handling I-9/E-Verify audits, USCIS site visits, and ICE encounters — equipping employers to manage government encounters and minimize risk.

CharlotteSteve SmalleySteve Smalley
RaleighADAndrew Drozdowski
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

I Knew You Were Trouble

Managing, Documenting, and Surviving the Challenging Employee

Problem employees can consume the time and resources of HR, destroy morale, and undermine the work environment — and when not properly handled, can turn into costly plaintiffs. This Taylor Swift–inspired session addresses how to deal with problem employees, including identifying types (the bully, the social butterfly) and strategies for improved communication, management, documentation, discipline, and pre-litigation planning.

Michael McKnightMichael McKnightCharlotte SmithCharlotte Smith
12:15 – 1:30 PMLunch
1:30 – 2:15 PM

Whistle While We Work

A Whistleblower Primer for HR Leaders

Whistleblower laws have broad application to public and private companies, and several offer large monetary rewards. The SEC, DOJ, and IRS, among other agencies, run reward programs, and private companies doing business with the government face potentially devastating False Claims Act exposure. We’ll discuss best practices for handling whistleblower complaints — which often arise in hotline calls, internal investigations, and exit interviews — and the pitfalls to avoid.

Bob SarBob Sar
2:15 – 2:30 PMBreak
2:30 – 3:15 PM

Smooth Transitions

Restrictive Covenants & Confidential Information in Onboarding and Offboarding

We’ll dive into practical measures for onboarding and offboarding, focusing on reviewing restrictive covenants and handling confidential information, and a comprehensive approach to mitigating the legal and business risks involved. We’ll also cover the circumstances when legal review by outside counsel or third-party forensic experts may be necessary.

Kevin JoynerKevin Joyner
3:15 – 4:00 PM

AI Legal Pulse

Essential Updates for Employers

AI is here to stay — and so are the federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This fast-paced update gives employers need-to-know developments in the AI space to stay current with technology, assess risk, avoid legal exposure, and prepare for the future.

Dalton GreenDalton Green
4:00 PMDay One Wrap-Up
Day 2
Friday
Charlotte · Aug 7  |  Raleigh · Sep 2
8:00 – 8:45 AMRegistration, Breakfast & Networking
8:45 – 9:00 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks
9:00 – 9:45 AM

Remote Work Accommodation Requests

Can You Get Employees Back in the Office?

How can employers comply with their obligations under the ADA and state laws while returning employees who request remote work back to on-site work? Focusing on real-world cases, we’ll provide an overview of the ADA reasonable-accommodation process and applicable legal standards, and examine cases where employers did (and did not) handle remote-work requests appropriately — and what they might have done better.

Michael McKnightMichael McKnightSavannah TrimmerSavannah Trimmer
9:45 – 10:30 AM

Disciplining Employees Who Have Filed Complaints

…Without Inviting Retaliation Claims

When an employee lodges a complaint or charge, employers may feel constrained — concerned that any disciplinary measure could be perceived as retaliatory. But filing a complaint does not render the employee infallible. We’ll offer practical, clear strategies for managing genuine performance and conduct problems while reducing legal risk, with key tips for documenting properly, navigating difficult discussions, and safeguarding your organization.

Kevin JoynerKevin JoynerCharlotte SmithCharlotte Smith
10:30 – 10:45 AMBreak
10:45 – 11:30 AM

“Leave” Nothing to Chance

Your Ultimate Checklist for Leaves, Accommodations, and Benefit-Plan Compliance

Join us for an engaging discussion where we unveil a comprehensive checklist for managing leaves, accommodations, and benefit plans. We’ll guide you through the essential steps for handling mandatory leave and accommodation obligations for disability, pregnancy, and religion, as well as federal and state family and medical leave laws.

Bob SarBob SarLauren PlessLauren Pless
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Party/Lawsuit in the USA

Managing Risks From Off-Site and Social Events

Although off-site company events may be infrequent, they can pose significant risks and legal challenges, underscoring the need for careful planning and adherence to relevant legal requirements. This session explores effective strategies for minimizing and managing the risks of off-site corporate events, including how to address employee misconduct and ensure compliance with often-overlooked wage-and-hour laws.

CharlotteVirginia WootenVirginia WootenMeredith HamiltonMeredith Hamilton
RaleighHFHaseeb Fatmi
12:15 – 1:30 PMLunch
1:30 – 2:30 PM

Annual Handbook Hoedown

Key Updates for Employers

Keeping up with the patchwork of federal, state, and local laws is a never-ending task. This session focuses on the employee-handbook updates to consider, along with best practices for ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. We’ll also cover benchmarking trends and the latest strategies for efficiently handling state supplements.

Savannah TrimmerSavannah TrimmerLauren PlessLauren Pless
2:30 – 3:30 PM

Stump the Pros

Live Panel — Ogletree Deakins Attorneys + Catapult Advisors

Bring your toughest questions. Our closing panel of Ogletree Deakins attorneys and Catapult HR advisors takes the stage for a fast, candid, audience-driven Q&A on the issues keeping you up at night.

ODOgletree Deakins Attorneys & Catapult Advisors
3:30 – 3:45 PMClosing Remarks
CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION

Two Locations.
One Powerful Conference.

Choose the date and city that works best for you. Both events deliver the same expert-led content, networking, and practical legal guidance.

CHARLOTTE, NC
August 6–7, 2026
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM both days
📍

Harris Conference Center
3216 CPCC Harris Campus Dr.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
PRICING
Member$599
Non-Member$699

REGISTER FOR CHARLOTTE →

RALEIGH, NC
September 1–2, 2026
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM both days
📍

The McKimmon Center
1101 Gorman St
Raleigh, North Carolina 27606
PRICING
Member$599
Non-Member$699

REGISTER FOR RALEIGH →

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

A Cost-Effective Way to Stay Compliant

Get specific, practical guidance from Ogletree Deakins’ experienced employment attorneys and Catapult HR experts — delivered in two action-packed days designed to keep your organization compliant and protected.

⚖️

Latest Legal Updates

Federal and multi-state employment law changes that impact your workplace.

🎯

Practical Strategies

Actionable insights you can implement immediately to reduce risk and protect your organization.

🤝

Networking

Connect with HR professionals, in-house counsel, and business leaders across the region.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Designed for Leaders Who Need to Stay Compliant

💼Human Resources Professionals
⚖️Corporate Counsel
👥Supervisors & Managers
🏢Business Owners

Reserve Your Seat

Seats fill quickly — reserve yours today to guarantee your spot.

Questions? Contact our Events Team
(866) 440-0302  |  meeting@letscatapult.org