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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is a corporate law firm with over 230 attorneys serving clients in nine offices throughout Michigan. Among the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner works in virtually all areas of business law.

Michigan Law Firm - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

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Frederik Meijer Gardens &amp; Sculpture Park Huizenga Grand Room 1000 E Beltline Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Please join Warner’s employee benefits and labor and employment attorneys for the 2025 HR Seminar, hosted on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in the Huizenga Grand Room of the Frederik Meijer Gardens &amp; Sculpture Park. This full day of presentations will focus on a variety of topics spanning law changes and current trends impacting the employee benefits and labor and employment landscape.

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8:00 – 8:30 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Employee Benefits Legal Update <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/justin-w-stemple/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Justin Stemple</a> and <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/stephanie-h-grant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Grant</a> This legal update will discuss recent developments and trends impacting retirement plans and health and welfare plans. Topics include updates on employee benefits litigation, arbitration of employee benefits claims, cybersecurity for employee benefits plans and regulatory actions taken and withdrawn.

9:35 – 10:35 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Feeling SECURE Yet? Key Updates and Insights on SECURE Act Changes for Retirement Plans <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/heidi-a-lyon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heidi Lyon</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/jennifer-a-watkins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jennifer Watkins</a> and <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/brandon-p-cross/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brandon Cross</a> This presentation will cover key provisions of the SECURE Acts, focusing on new guidance, upcoming requirements and optional changes for retirement plan sponsors and fiduciaries. We’ll also discuss industry insights and practical steps to implement these changes, avoid compliance pitfalls and ensure smooth plan operations. Whether you manage a 401(k) or another retirement plan, this session will help you stay on track with SECURE legislation updates and explore opportunities to optimize plan design.

10:35 – 10:45 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

10:45 – 11:45 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fiduciary Responsibility Panel Discussion: Navigating Retirement and Health + Welfare Moderator: <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/justin-w-stemple/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Justin Stemple</a> Panel: <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/heidi-a-lyon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heidi Lyon</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/jennifer-a-watkins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jennifer Watkins</a>, <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/stephanie-h-grant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Grant</a> and <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/nadia-selim-little/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nadia Little</a> This panel discussion will address the critical responsibilities and obligations of those overseeing retirement plans and health and welfare plans. Panelists will delve into fiduciary roles, emphasizing the duty to act in the best interests of plan participants and beneficiaries while navigating evolving risks from new legislation, litigation, innovative plan designs and the challenges of rising health care costs and retirement security. This session will offer practical guidance to help fiduciaries effectively manage their plans and protect themselves from legal exposure.

11:45 – 12:45 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp;

12:45 – 1:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Law Shanty/Immigration <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/steve-palazzolo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve Palazzolo</a> and <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/sarah-r-bileti/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah Bileti</a> In this session, we will drop in on the Law Shanty where Steve Palazzolo will welcome guest Sarah Bileti to explore the latest developments in immigration law and their impact on employers and HR professionals. With rapid changes in global talent markets and evolving regulatory frameworks, staying up to date is critical for compliance and maintaining a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining international talent. This discussion will focus on navigating the latest immigration policy changes and their practical implications, implementing robust compliance measures and leveraging strategic hiring practices to attract and retain top global talent.

1:35 – 2:20 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Managing Medical Leave Issues <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/allyson-r-terpsma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Allyson Terpsma</a> and <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/joseph-b-rockwell/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joe Rockwell</a> This session will provide insights into managing employee health-related leave requests, ensuring a fair and transparent process and maintaining legal compliance. We will discuss not only legal requirements, but best practices under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and other applicable laws.

2:20 – 2:35 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

2:35 – 3:20 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Internal Investigations: Determining Fact from Fiction <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/deandre-harris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DeAndre’ Harris</a> and <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/anne-steen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anne Steen</a> Internal investigations can be useful tools for mitigating liability and dealing with workplace issues – if they’re done right. This session will provide a detailed exploration of internal investigations, and the legal pitfalls associated with them. Participants will gain a solid understanding of best practices for conducting internal investigations as applied to various issues in the workplace such as misconduct, workplace safety incidents and other aspects of employment.

3:25 – 4:10 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Update on the Changing Workplace Landscape <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/jonathan-p-kok/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jonathan Kok</a> and <a href="https://www.wnj.com/people/abigail-j-cote/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abigail Coté</a> 2025 has been a year of change, particularly as it pertains to the workforce. With the recent change in administration, employers have experienced drastic shifts in EEOC and Labor Board priorities, views on DEI programming and beyond. This session will walk through these changes, provide a thorough review of the complex legal developments that have impacted employers thus far and address the likely challenges and opportunities these developments may bring.

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Full-Day Program:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

$150 WNJ Clients&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $200 Non-Clients

Half-Day Program:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

$100 WNJ Clients&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $150 Non-Clients

Multi-Attendee Discount: If three or more people from the same organization attend, you may receive a 15% registration discount. Be sure to enter “WNJ-HR-2025” as the promotional code to receive the discount.

Cancellations are non-refundable after May 6, 2025.

Lunch and materials are included with every registration. Program materials are provided online one day in advance of the seminar.

Parking is complimentary at Frederik Meijer Gardens &amp; Sculpture Park.

Guests are allowed complimentary admission to open exhibits and garden areas the day of the seminar.

Continuing Education Credits

This program has been approved for 5.50 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

This program qualifies for SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) which relate to the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge™ (SHRM BoCK).

Senior Counsel

Sarah R. Bileti

Associate

Abigail J. “Abby” Cote

Brandon P. “Bran” Cross

Stephanie H. Grant

Partner

DeAndre’ Harris

Jonathan P. “Jon” Kok

Nadia Selim Little

Heidi A. Lyon

Steve Palazzolo

Joseph B. “Joe” Rockwell

Anne Steen

Justin W. Stemple

Allyson Terpsma

Jennifer A. Watkins

Employee Benefits

Labor and Employment

Warner 2025 HR Seminar In-Person Event

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