Managing Risk in a Changing World
The Massachusetts Bar Association is presenting its 16th
Annual In-House Counsel Conference on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
at Bentley University, Waltham. This year, the theme of this popular program is “Managing Risk
in a Changing World.”
Today, information and misinformation circulate with increasing volume and
speed, impacting the reputations of organizations and their managers. Public and
private companies are exposed to increased scrutiny and accountability, and
there is less tolerance for certain business and individual misconduct. Ensuring
transparency and promoting a culture of compliance are key components to the
management of risk. In-house counsel must anticipate and manage new risks in
these changing times.
We are pleased that the keynote address will be delivered by Seth Stratton,
vice president and general counsel of MGM Springfield. The conference will
feature panels and other presentations regarding litigation cost containment and
management, employment law developments, and other topics of current interest to
in-house counsel.
In addition to Stratton's keynote address, attendees at this year's conference will hear
panel discussions concerning:
- Case management and litigation cost containment, including
recent initiatives of the Business Litigation Session to facilitate prompt
and efficient resolution of complex business disputes. The panel will also
address management of electronic discovery in the digital age.
- Controlling data security risks and
management of a data breach.
- Employment law developments, including: 1) The commonwealth's Paid Family
Leave Act and its requirements that go into effect in July 2019; 2) The
practical impact of legalization of recreational marijuana on drug testing in
the workplace; 3) Reasonable accommodation obligations under the commonwealth's
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; and 4) The wisdom (or not) of having employees
sign arbitration agreements waiving the right to file wage an hour claims.
- The 2018 Massachusetts Non-Compete Statute that carries forward many prior
common law principles and includes an array of new procedural requirements,
safeguards for employees, limits on who and what may be restricted, and new
standards for consideration for noncompetition agreements.
As has been our custom, we will also present, in
"lightening round" format, current developments of interest to in-house counsel,
including the Supreme Judicial Court's 2018 Merrimack College v. KpmG
LLP
decision. This decision regards the
application of the in pare delicto doctrine to corporations and other
business organizations.
This year’s conference is co-sponsored by the New
England Corporate Counsel Association Inc. Members of New England
Corporate Counsel Association, who are not MBA members, can enjoy a special
discounted rate of $80. To register, please contact the Massachusetts Bar Association
Member Service Center at (617) 338-0530.
A classic continental
breakfast will be served and a coffee break provided.