Event Details

Employment Law for HR:

A Deep Dive into Recent Case Law and Legislative Developments

Presented By:

Michael Church & Alice Reithman

Pierson Ferdinand, Employment, Labor, and Benefits

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4.0 PDC pending approval through SHRM

4.0 General Credit pending approval through HRCI

Date: June 4, 2026 - 8:30AM to 12:30PM
Location: Emerald Queen Casino | 2920 E R St, Tacoma, WA 98404

Session Summary:

Join Washington employment law attorneys Michael Church and Alice Riethman for a fast-paced, engaging three-hour workshop designed to equip HR professionals with the knowledge they need to navigate today's evolving legal landscape. Michael and Alice will open with a comprehensive case law update, highlighting the most significant recent decisions from Washington State and across the country that directly affect HR practice.

The workshop will then turn to the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session, where attendees will gain a thorough understanding of the key legislative changes impacting employers this year. To close out the session, your Puget Sound SHRM team will host a live Q&A with Michael and Alice, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the issues that matter most to the HR profession.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

•  Identify recent court decisions from Washington State and nationwide that carry significant implications for HR policies and practices.
• Understand the key employment-related legislation enacted during the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session and how it affects employer obligations.
• Assess potential compliance risks arising from new legal developments and determine practical steps to address them.
• Apply insights from real-world case law to strengthen workplace policies, procedures, and decision-making.

Speaker Bios:

Michael has extensive experience representing employers in all aspects of employment law with a focus on complex and high-stakes litigation. Michael has particular skill in wage and hour class/collective actions, workplace investigations, unfair competition claims, trade secrets, as well as class actions relating to other employment-related matters. Michael is admitted to practice before all Washington State Courts, the U.S. District Courts for Eastern and Western Districts of Washington, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Alice brings a diverse background in employment litigation, representing both employees and employers, and prior experience in human resources. For clients in Washington and New Mexico, this means real-world employer advice on the most critical topics in employment, practical compliance assistance in navigating employment laws, and workplace training that is tailored to each organization’s unique needs.

Thank you to our chapter's 2026 sponsors!