- Wednesday, October 20, 2010 — Peoria
- Thursday, October 21, 2010 — St. Louis
Afternoon Session 2C
The Virtual Workforce—Not Your Typical Workplace Anymore
Electronic communication and data storage have transformed our workforces. Employers are confronted with a growing body of “virtual employment law” that can produce surprising results. Beyond concerns for liability resulting from employee conduct, employers must also guard against employee claims of privacy, unequal treatment and retaliation for protected activities. This session will not only address these concerns, but will also offer answers to the questions that typically arise in the context of the “virtual workforce.”
About the St. Louis Speakers:James Paul, Shareholder, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C
James Paul is a shareholder with the national employment law firm of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. in its St. Louis office. Jim has extensive experience advising employers on all labor and human resource management issues. He regularly conducts training and presents seminars and workshops for human resource professionals, business owners and attorneys. Prior to his private practice of law, Jim served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable William Ray Price, Jr. of the Missouri Supreme Court and then as a Missouri Assistant Attorney General. As Assistant Attorney General, he represented the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Missouri Division of Labor Standards, and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights by enforcing state wage and hour laws, and discrimination laws. Jim received his law degree from Washington University and his undergraduate degrees, summa cum laude, in Labor Relations and Economics from Saint Louis University. Jim currently serves as the Management Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Family and Medical Leave Act Subcommittee. Super Lawyers named him in its “Top Employment and Labor Attorneys” lists for 2008-2010. He was also named to the 2010 and 2011 editions of The Best Lawyers in America as a top labor and employment lawyer.
Burt Garland, Shareholder, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C
Burt Garland is a shareholder with the law firm of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. in its St. Louis office. He practices all facets of labor and employment law. Mr. Garland’s employment practice includes representing clients in employment discrimination claims under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and the various state counterparts to these federal laws. He is involved in litigating employment discrimination claims as well as investigating and responding on behalf of management to employee claims before administrative agencies. Mr. Garland has appeared in federal and state courts and agencies throughout the country and is permanently admitted to practice law both in Missouri and Illinois. Mr. Garland’s labor law practice includes union avoidance, elections, objections to elections, collective bargaining, strikes and injunctions, arbitration, and unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Garland also regularly counsels and litigates issues relating to non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements. In addition to representing clients in federal and state court and before federal and state agencies, Mr. Garland’s practice includes advising clients on employment-related matters and drafting personnel policies, employment contracts, severance agreements, and employee handbooks.
About the Peoria Speaker:
J. Reed Roesler, Attorney, Davis & Campbell LLC. 
J. Reed Roesler graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1979. His practice is focused on the exclusive representation of businesses in the areas of labor and employment law, occupational safety & health, and related litigation. Mr. Roesler is an experienced practitioner before the U.S. and Illinois Departments of Labor, the EEOC and Illinois Human Rights Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Mr. Roesler has represented employers at every level of the state and federal court systems, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
