April 23, 2012

Akerman Senterfitt's 17th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar attracted more than 600 business leaders, human resource professionals and lawyers last Thursday to the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Fla. The day-long event featured the latest in labor and employment issues including avoiding and defending retaliation and whistleblower claims; ways to avoid an FLSA lawsuit; the basics of labor & employment laws; understanding and avoiding sexual harassment liability; ADA employment compliance updates; changes in Florida's unemployment law; tips for drafting and presenting severance agreements; and the basics of immigration law. 

"The record attendance is a testament to the relevance and quality of the material our lawyers present at the Akerman Seminar," said James Bramnick, chair of the Akerman National Labor & Employment Practice Group. "Attendance continues to grow each year as many guests return again and again. We feel the value they get from the experience is due to our diligence in keeping clients and guests informed and ahead of the ever-evolving labor and employment law landscape." 

The event's two general session presentations, “Understanding and Avoiding Retaliation and Whistleblower” and “Ways to Avoid FLSA Lawsuits,” were followed by concurrent breakout sessions led by attorneys from Akerman’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. The breakout sessions included discussions on the following topics:

• The "ABC's" of Labor & Employment Laws: An Overview of Relevant Statutes/Regulations You Need to Know
• Understanding and Avoiding Sexual Harassment Liability
• ADA Employment Compliance Update: Practical Effects of the New Regulations
• Severance Agreement Survival Guide: Tips for Drafting and Presenting
• Immigration Law 101

In addition, the Honorable Alan O. Forst, Chairman of the Florida Unemployment Appeals Commission, led a session addressing the Florida Unemployment Appeals Process and Law.        

As an event wrap up, the Akerman Labor and Employment team hosted its own version of the Hollywood Squares called "Employment Law Squares" featuring Akerman lawyers seated in a life-size replication of the television game show's set. A handful of attendees were recruited as contestants, and members of the audience submitted some of the questions via Twitter.

Complete details of the Akerman Seminar including a list of speakers and discussion topics can be found at http://www.akerman.com/events/LELS12/overview.asp.

Ranked as one of the leading Labor & Employment law firms in Florida by Chambers USA and ranked as a leading immigration law firm in the U.S. by The Legal 500, the Akerman team includes lawyers who are Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by The Florida Bar as specialists in the field. Akerman represents employers throughout the U.S., in virtually every major industry and in connection with all aspects of labor relations and employment-related issues in the workplace, including labor and employment law compliance and litigation, workplace safety, immigration and non-compete/trade secret issues.   

About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2012) in number of lawyers and is the leading Florida firm. With 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, Akerman serves clients throughout the United States and overseas from Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Texas. More information can be found at www.akerman.com or www.twitter.com/akerman_law.