The Legal Lowdown: 3 Attorneys on HR, Executive Orders, and State & Federal Law
AK LEGAL UPDATE (Half-Day)
AK Paid Sick Leave, Executive Orders, and Legislative updates
Navigating today’s evolving legal landscape is a challenge for HR professionals and organizational leaders alike. As new legislation, executive orders, and the dynamic interplay between state and federal law continue to reshape workplace compliance, staying informed is more critical than ever.
Join us for an in-person half-day session where three seasoned attorneys will break down the latest legal developments affecting HR practices. They will provide practical, actionable insights on how to interpret and implement emerging regulations while balancing the unique demands of your organizational culture.
Whether you’re a veteran in HR or just starting out, this session will equip you with the essential knowledge and tools needed to confidently navigate the complexities of modern employment law and drive strategic compliance across your organization.
Date: May 22, 2025
Location: BP Energy Center (BPEC), 1014 Energy Ct Anchorage, AK 99508 United States
1:00 PM – Registration & Networking Opens: Attendees can begin networking, share announcements, and exchange insights while registering.
1:15 PM – Program Kick-Off: ASHRM updates and introductory remarks set the stage for the event.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Lawyer Presentations: Three guest lawyers will deliver presentations throughout the afternoon. Each session is expected to last approximately one hour.
Lawyer Presentation Sessions:
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Session 1 (AK Paid Sick Leave with Renea Saade) : Begins 1:30 PM (duration ~1 hour)
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Break/Networking: 2:35–2:45 PM
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Session 2 (Navigating HR in the current administration with Liz Hodes): Begins 2:45 PM (duration ~1 hour)
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Break/Networking: Approximately 3:45-3:55 PM
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Session 3 (Legislative updates with Martha Tansik): Begins 3:55 PM (duration ~1 hour)
5:00 PM – Adjourn: Closing remarks from the ASHRM President mark the end of the program.
Additional Program Segments
Objectives:
1. Analyze Legislative Impacts: Evaluate the implications of emerging employment laws, including the AK Paid Sick Leave Act, on organizational compliance and workplace culture.
2. Examine Executive Influence: Critically assess the role of executive orders in shaping HR practices under the current administration and identify strategies for adapting policy frameworks.
3. Integrate Multilevel Legal Insights: Synthesize updates from state and federal law to develop comprehensive, actionable strategies that ensure legal compliance and strategic HR management.
Bio for Renea Saade
Renea is a legal and HR professional with more than 25 years of experience working in house and in private law firm practice. She provides practical advice, assistance with workplace investigations, and on-site training for her clients on the various topics including (preventing harassment and discrimination in the workplace and other trainings pursuant to a conciliation or settlement agreement), wage/hour compliance, leave laws, performance reviews and hiring/firing. Over the course of her career, Renea has assisted employers with various labor and employment law matters, including drafting, revising, and enforcing their employee manuals, non-compete/non-solicitation agreements, and employment contracts. While in private practice, she regularly appeared before federal and state courts and defended employers against lawsuits and represents their interests in agency audits and investigations, including, but not limited to, those performed by the EEOC, state and municipal human/equal rights commissions, U.S. Department of Labor and state labor agencies.
Renea has also served as a court approved arbitrator and mediator. She has volunteered as a volunteer mediator for Alaska’s Third Judicial District Court and a Pro Bono Mediator for the EEOC.
Renea has served as a Board Member for several local non-profits and current serves as a volunteer instructor for various SHRM chapters.
Bio for Liz Hodes
Elizabeth (Liz) Hodes works with Alaska's diverse group of employers on maintaining positive and productive workplace environments. She helps clients address employment issues before they occur, providing advice and counsel on all types of personnel matters—including leaves of absence, wage and hour, and harassment prevention—and conducting investigations when necessary. Liz also specializes in executive-level employment matters, advising boards through complex leadership challenges and transitions. While her goal is to avoid costly disputes, when litigation does arise, Liz ardently defends her clients from employment claims across the spectrum, from discrimination to noncompete issues and everything between. Although she often works with clients towards early and efficient case resolution, her experience in trial, arbitration, and appeals before the Alaska Supreme Court proves valuable at all stages of litigation.
For her corporate clients, Liz litigates disputes related to corporate governance, contracts, unfair trade practices, and other issues. She also has experience representing unionized employers, advising them on maintaining labor peace. Liz has represented healthcare entities, oil and gas companies, financial services companies, utility providers, broadcast companies, and a variety of other businesses. Given that many of her clients are in industries where privacy and security are of pivotal importance, Liz has expertise working to protect confidentiality and related interests.
Liz Hodes is a Partner at the Alaska office of Davis Wright Tremaine.
Bio for Martha Tansik
Martha Tansik’s primary practice is workers’ compensation defense/subrogation, but she also serves as General Counsel for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Alaska. Martha holds specialized Medicare Set-Aside Consultant Certified (MSCC) and Certified Medicare Secondary Payer Professional (CMSP) certifications enabling her to advise clients on Medicare compliance. She is a member of the National Alliance of Medicare Set-Aside Planners (NAMSAP). Her BA is from The American University in International Studies and Latin American development. She received her JD from Seattle University. Martha sits on the Board of Directors of AWAIC.
Continuing education credit: 3.5 PDC
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Serving Southcentral Alaska since 1974
