Restaurant Law Center Board Meeting & Luncheon
*By Invitation Only
*By Invitation Only
Speakers: Lisa V. Gressel, Chair | Restaurant Law Center Board of Directors • General Counsel, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Speakers: Melisa Panagakos, Principal | Jackson Lewis P.C., Stephanie M. Cerasano, Office Managing Principal | Jackson Lewis P.C., Benjamin A. Tulis, Principal | Jackson Lewis P.C.
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Presented by Jackson Lewis P.C.
Speakers will address uniquely challenging ADA issues for restaurant employers on the federal, state, and local levels. For example, we will discuss best practices for accommodating service animals in the workplace, handling reduced-schedule requests, and addressing pregnancy-related limitations. We will highlight the latest EEOC guidance and caselaw in these areas.
Speakers: Anthony G. Hopp, Partner | Steptoe LLP
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Presented by Steptoe & Johnson LLP
The panel will discuss legal issues and recent related claims surrounding chemicals used in food packaging at restaurants that resist grease, oil, water, and heat, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short. This presentation will include a discussion on what is working as far as defense strategies and what is the future of food contact claims in the United States.
Speakers: Gabriel K. Gillett, Partner, Jenner & Block LLP, Andrew Merrick, Partner | Jenner & Block LLP, Stacy Howard, Senior Counsel, Commercial Litigation | McDonald's
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Presented by Jenner & Block LLP
As state and federal governments seemingly expand their reach with new laws and regulations, many in the restaurant industry may be wondering whether there are limits. Indeed, the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts have been wrestling recently with that same question. Gabriel Gillett will lead a discussion with industry leaders covering some of those recent cases, the scope of regulatory and legislative authority in various contexts, and opportunities for challenging government overreach. Among other things, the presenters will spotlight developments related to the major questions doctrine; interlocutory challenges to agency enforcement actions; the dormant commerce clause; and federal preemption of ordinances relating to the use of natural gas. They will also discuss potential challenges on the horizon—including related to California’s attempt to create a Fast Food Council, the SEC’s attempt to require disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions, and more.
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*Open to all Attendees
Enjoy drinks and light fare as you reconnect with industry friends and network with your peers
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*Open to all Attendees
Speakers: Alden J. Parker, Regional Managing Partner, Fisher Phillips LLP / Co-Chair, Hospitality Industry Group, Anita Adams, Chief Executive Officer | Black Bear Diner, Jot Condie, President & Chief Executive Officer | California Restaurant Association
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Presented by Fisher & Phillips LLP
California has long sent shock waves through the restaurant industry and monopolized legal departments’ litigation budgets. In the past few years, the issues facing restaurants have intensified with increased PAGA litigation and a hostile California Legislature’s targeting of restaurants. This program will provide attendees with the latest updates regarding California’s Private Attorney General Act (PAGA), the FAST Act, and California’s IWC Wage Orders.
Speakers: Paul DeCamp, Member of the Firm, Epstein Becker Green P.C., Kathleen A. Barrett, Member of the Firm, Epstein Becker Green P.C., Ethan Samson, EVP & Deputy General Counsel, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
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Presented by Epstein, Becker & Green P.C.
The panel will identify the wage and hour hotspots that restaurants should have on their radar right now, including the 80/20/30 tip credit, tip pools, off-the-clock work, and misclassification risks, and offer practical compliance considerations.
Speakers: Eli Freedberg, Shareholder | Littler Mendelson P.C., Michael Paglialonga, Of Counsel, Littler Mendelson P.C.
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Presented by Littler Mendelson P.C.
The panel will discuss recent labor and employment developments in New York City, New York state and beyond. The presentation will address recent New York City and New York state laws, including requirements to identify salary ranges on job applications and restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence tools in the hiring process. In addition, the panel will discuss NYC’s fair workweek laws and the spread of these “predictive scheduling” and “just cause” restrictions outside NYC as well as the status of the Restaurant Law Center’s challenge to portions of these NYC laws.
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*Open to all Attendees
Speakers: Denny Marie Post, Restaurant Industry Leader | Former CEO, Red Robin
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*Open to all Attendees
A creative leader and consumer-driven marketing and product expert, Denny Post specializes in food service business models and market entry strategies. She served as President and CEO at Red Robin, a chain of casual dining restaurants, and was the interim CEO of the Women’s FoodService Forum, an organization dedicated to advancing women leaders in the food industry.
She conceived, developed, and marketed best-selling products for a variety of restaurant enterprises including Pike Place Roast at Starbucks, Red’s Tavern Double and Finest Lines at Red Robin, Popcorn Chicken at KFC, and Chicken Fries at Burger King. Denny currently serves on four Boards of Directors: Travel + Leisure Co., Vital Farms, Bluestone Lane, and Libbey. In addition, she is Executive In Residence at GXG, and Senior Advisor for US Foodservice at plant-based The LiveKindly Collective.
Speakers: Neil A.F. Popović, Partner | Sheppard Mullin LLP, Michael Formica, Chief Legal Strategist | National Pork Producers Council
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Presented by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Many food and beverage companies rely on third party suppliers (who may in turn rely on third party suppliers) for ingredients they include in products they market based on representations made by the suppliers. What happens if the ingredients turn out not to be as represented? And more importantly, what can you do to protect your restaurant from claims based on the attributes of externally sourced ingredients.
Speakers: Riley Lagesen, Shareholder | Greenberg Traurig LLP, Landes Taylor, Shareholder | Greenberg Traurig LLP
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Presented by Greenberg Traurig LLP
The panel will discuss various growth contractual structures available to operators for brand expansion domestically and internationally. Session will cover key legal and business considerations associated with the structures, in addition to real time market insight insights.
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*Open to All Attendees
Share in some light hors d’oeuvres and libations before heading out to dinner for the evening.
All Attendees who registered with a Law Firm Partner promo code will receive e-communications from their respective law firm contacts regarding dinner details. For Attendees who registered without a promo code, the RLC will look for firms that have extra seats and are able to invite additional guests.
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*Open to all Attendees
Speakers: Meredith C. Slawe, Partner, Complex Litigation and Trials; Mass Torts, Insurance and Consumer Litigation | Skadden LLP, Michael W. McTigue, Jr., Partner, Complex Litigation and Trials; Mass Torts, Insurance and Consumer Litigation | Skadden LLP
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Presented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
This program will address emerging litigation and mass arbitrations involving consumer privacy, pricing and fees, marketing and promotions, labeling, and alleged consumer fraud. The speakers will also address the increased coordination among the private plaintiffs’ bar and regulators, including state Attorneys General around pricing, fees, and privacy issues. They will share practical tips on how to mitigate against the risk of significant threats and key defense strategies.
Speakers: Angelo I. Amador, Executive Director, Restaurant Law Center
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*Open to all Attendees
Reserve your spot for some play (and available instruction) on the pickleball courts at the nearby Phoenician Resort! Roundtrip transportation provided.
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*Open to all Attendees
Take some time and enjoy the courses at McCormick Ranch Golf Club!