Ask the legal experts: Revisiting COVID-19, paid leave and the ADA
May 20, 2021
In this event organized by Human Resource Executive (HRE), three leaders in employment law joined HRE’s Senior Benefits Editor, Kathryn Mayer, to discuss top-of-mind issues facing employers in the spring of 2021.
Watch on demand as Tamika Newson and Daris Freeman of Unum’s employment law group and Jeff Nowak of Littler Mendelson explore:
- The latest developments in paid leave — and what may be coming in the future
- Leave, hybrid workforces and the blurring of state lines
- How employers are adapting their corporate leave programs
- Key ADA considerations as workplaces reopen
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Featured speakers
Jeff Nowak
Shareholder, Littler Mendelson
Jeff Nowak is a shareholder for Littler Mendelson, P.C., the world’s largest employment practice representing employers. He is a recognized leader on FMLA and ADA issues, helping employers develop comprehensive strategies to achieve compliance with employee leave and accommodation issues. He is also the author of the highly regarded FMLA Insights blog, which has earned him entry into the ABA Journal’s Blogger Hall of Fame. Nowak is a highly sought-after speaker on FMLA/ADA issues, most notably serving on the faculty of the National Employment Law Institute (NELI) and a frequent speaker for the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC).
Tamika Newson
Assistant Vice President and Legal Counsel, Unum's Employment Law Group
Tamika Newson joined Unum after 22 years of employment-law counseling and litigation as a partner in several large law firms. Prior to joining Unum, she litigated employment matters nationwide. Tamika advises Human Resources on all employment-related legal issues, with particular emphasis on FMLA, ADA, leaves of absence, wage/hour compliance, military leaves, restrictive covenants and employee-relations issues. She also provides daily legal support to Unum's Leave Management Center and its ADA Services Center. Tamika received her BA from DePauw University and her JD from Hamline University School of Law (now Mitchell Hamline). She is a certified trainer for CE credit and is a frequent national speaker on FMLA and ADA. She has been selected as a “Best Lawyer in America” in the area of employment law every year from 2013 to 2019.
Daris Freeman
Assistant Vice President, Legal Counsel, Unum's employment law group
As Assistant Vice President, Legal Counsel for Unum, Daris’ primary responsibility is to support Unum’s Absence Management Center which administers FMLA, paid leave, ADA and over 200 complementary state laws. Daris partners with the operation and their clients to develop compliant solutions for their unique absence management challenges. Most recently, her time has been dedicated to the paid leave landscape, implementing solutions for customers and working with state agencies on development of their programs.
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If you need legal advice on a particular situation, please contact your own attorney.