SHRM Learning Objective: 

This presentation will engage the audience in a review of practical strategies employers can utilize to help reduce exposure to employment law claims in the workplace. Hypotheticals will explore relatable everyday decisions that can impact a company’s risk and liability exposure, sometimes unknowingly, and how to minimize this risk. Questions and active audience participation is encouraged so come prepared.

SPEAKERS: 

Kristina Vaquera, Jackson Lewis P.C.

Speaker Bio:

Kristina H. Vaquera is the office managing principal and office litigation manager of the Norfolk, Virginia, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice focuses exclusively on labor and employment counseling and litigation. Kristina represents employers in federal and state court lawsuits and agency investigations and charges covering a wide range of statutes and subjects, including anti-discrimination and civil rights laws, wrongful termination claims, disability accommodation and access, wage and hour laws, covenants not to compete, leave of absence claims, negligent hire/retention, and breaches of fiduciary duty and contract, as well as traditional labor issues, including bargaining and negotiations. Kristina has litigated class and collective actions, including FLSA, FCRA, and discrimination class actions. She also represents clients in grievances, mediations, arbitrations, and charges before various national and state entities.

As part of Kristina’s counseling practice, she provides daily counseling and training to management to help employers avoid litigation. She assists clients with employment agreements, handbooks, background checks and drug testing issues, and disciplinary action. She represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Department of Labor, and numerous state agencies, such as the Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, Virginia Department of Housing Discrimination, and Virginia Worker’s Compensation Commission.

Kristina speaks extensively on various employment topics, including to the Virginia and Hampton Roads Society of Human Resource Managers, Virginia State Bar Labor and Employment Section, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Virginia Employment Commission, International Professional Managers Association, Virginia Government Contract Attorneys Association, Society of Designers and Architects, local chambers of commerce, Hampton Roads Industrial Liaison Group, PINK! Women Business Owners Conference, Public Media Business Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the Retail Association of Hampton Roads. She lives in Hampton Roads with her family.

Milena Radovic, Jackson Lewis, PC

Milena Radovic is an associate in the Norfolk, Virginia, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice focuses exclusively on workplace law, including employment litigation, workplace training, and preventative client counseling.

Milena defends employers against claims brought under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, and tort claims, including assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hire and retention, and wrongful discharge, in both federal and state courts, in arbitrations as well as before federal, state, and local administrative agencies. Milena also provides clients with employee handbook review and training on a wide variety of employment topics. Milena also frequently presents on employment law related topics to local organizations and associations. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, Milena was a prosecutor in the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney.  She now uses her prosecution experience to defend management charged with criminal offenses stemming from workplaces incidents.

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