*By Invitation Only

*Lunch will be provided 11:30am – 1:45pm ET.

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*Open to all Attendees

The General Counsel, appointed by the President to a 4-year term, is independent from the Board and is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of unfair labor practice cases and for the general supervision of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) field offices in the processing of cases.

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Presented by Epstein Becker & Green P.C.

For over a decade, restaurants have established policies and procedures for responding to employee speech that is potentially harmful or negative to the brand.  The COVID-19 global pandemic, heightened emphasis on social justice in the wake of several high-profile killings by the police, and the landmark court decision on abortion rights, have added new layers of complication for restauranteurs to navigate, as they try to balance empathy for their workforce, with policy and legal compliance.  This panel will identify legal and practical factors that restaurants should consider when responding to employees’ social and political communications in the workplace.

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Presented by Fisher Phillips LLP

Restaurant employers face numerous potential wage & hour issues, from off-the-clock claims, meal & rest period claims, to claims of unpaid expenses, and claims for unpaid tips. Many of these claims are small and manageable. However, these claims are ripe to grow like warm bread in an oven. They morph into class and representative claims with large potential exposure to wages, penalties and attorneys fees. During this presentation, attendees will get the chance to discuss various wage & hour claims, hear strategies to quickly analyze small claims, and learn how to seize early opportunities to attack and resolve class/representative claims before they consume the restaurant that is under attack.

*All participants will meet in the hotel lobby.

Address: 3 Glenlake Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 303281

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*Open to all Attendees

Enjoy drinks and light fare as you reconnect with industry friends and network with your peers in the state-of-the-art headquarters building of Inspire Brands! Transportation will be provided to/from the event.

Located at 3 Glenlake Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 303281

*Transportation will also be provided.

*All participants will meet in the hotel lobby.

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*Open to all Attendees

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Presented by Littler Mendelson P.C.

In the more than 10 years since companies began engaging with the concept, the use of Artificial Intelligence to streamline and support hiring and related Human Resources processes has become mainstream. As we navigate the next wave of innovation taking place at the intersection of technology, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and human resource processes, several practical questions arise:

• What are the various product offerings in the marketplace, and what aspects of the employment lifecycle do they address?
• What strategic considerations should companies apply when selecting an A.I. product?
• Does using A.I. in the hiring process have a positive or negative impact on recruiting, including diversity and inclusion efforts?
• What legal risks does this class of tech tools engender?
• And most important, given the spate of A.I.-focused laws and regulations being proposed across the country: What waits around the bend, in terms of scrutiny, enforcement, legislation and litigation?

Littler experts will discuss key gaps in existing law and regulation, and provide informed predictions of the (A.I.-driven) future.

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Presented by Skadden LLP

In this panel discussion, Jennifer Bragg and Bill McConagha, both of whom served in FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, will discuss the impact of FDA regulation on restaurants and restaurant chains, including the Food Safety and Modernization Act, and the new FDA User Fee Legislation. They will also discuss FDA’s oversight regarding the ever-evolving, integrated supply chain – something that impacts restaurants daily business decisions.

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Presented by Sheppard Mullin LLP

Nora Stilestein and Shawn Fabian will provide an overview of key developments in California and Illinois wage and hour laws and provide an overview of “best practices” in response to the most recent state law changes.

The presentation will focus on issues specific to the restaurant industry, including sick pay, meal and rest periods, payment of wages, and updating written policies. 

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*Open to all Attendees

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*Open to all Attendees

Marvin Kaplan has served as a Member of the NLRB since August 10, 2017. On July 29, 2020, the Senate confirmed him for another term of five years expiring August 27, 2025. Previous to his appointment to the NLRB, Chairman Kaplan served as Chief Counsel to the Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, counsel for the House Committee on Oversight Government Reform and policy counsel for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He also worked at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor Management Standards and with the law firm McDowell, Rice, Smith & Buchanan. 

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Presented by Greenberg Traurig LLP

The pandemic and other factors have created seismic shifts in the restaurant world over the past 2 ½ years, changing how brands operate and navigate growth.  From virtual brands to ghost kitchens, cloud kitchens, food trailers and trucks, off-premise sales, alcohol to go, outdoor dining, new footprints, franchising, re-franchising, licensed brand extensions in CPG, joint ventures, celebrity affiliations, and management agreements, restaurants have more development options than ever.  Join Riley Lagesen, Landes Taylor and Kelsey Lam of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Restaurant Group to discuss the practical legal and business implications associated with this dizzying area of development options.   

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Presented by Jackson Lewis P.C.

With a Democratic majority on the National Labor Relations Board and an activist general counsel, President Biden is well positioned to become “the most pro-union president” labor has seen in some time. Public sentiment is strong, with two-thirds of Americans approving of labor unions, marking the highest reading since 1965. What does all this mean for employers? Join us and find out!

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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.

Location: Mezzanine Level, Westin Buckhead Atlanta

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

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Presented by Jenner & Block LLP

Companies, employees, and customers are increasingly looking for brands that share their values and that dedicate resources to causes that they believe in.

Panelists will discuss how restaurant companies and law firms can partner on pro bono legal matters that serve those in need while providing meaningful experiences for both in-house and outside counsel. The panelists will share stories of their own pro bono work, and offer a roadmap for how your team can get involved on a project that aligns with your mission — from high impact litigation to changing the life of an individual to supporting non-profits and small businesses that form the backbone of our communities.