2026 Top 10 Employers' Mistakes that Spark Lawsuits and Navigating AI Risks

This informative session will explore the ten most common employment mistakes that expose employers to costly lawsuits, government investigations, and employee claims. Drawing from real-world situations frequently encountered by HR professionals and employment attorneys, we'll discuss common pitfalls involving hiring, wage and hour compliance, employee classification, harassment prevention, documentation, performance management, leaves of absence, terminations, retaliation, and inconsistent policy enforcement. Attendees will gain practical strategies to identify risks before they become legal issues and learn best practices to help protect their organizations while fostering a fair and compliant workplace.
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the workplace, but many employers are uncertain about how to use it responsibly and legally. This session will provide an overview of how AI is being used in recruiting, hiring, performance management, employee communications, policy development, and other HR functions. We will discuss the potential benefits of AI, as well as the legal and ethical considerations surrounding bias, discrimination, privacy, data security, wage and hour compliance, and employee monitoring. Participants will also learn practical guidelines for implementing AI tools while maintaining compliance with employment laws and preserving the human judgment that remains essential in effective workforce management.
Speaker:

James F. Rumm, Esq. is a founding Partner of Kennedy McCarthy & Rumm, LLP and has spent most of his 20+ year legal career defending and advising employers. His practice is dedicated to representing employers and business owners exclusively, including the defense of wage and hour class actions, Private Attorney Generals Act (PAGA) claims, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation claims, and other complex employment litigation. James has successfully argued before the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
James was admitted to the California State Bar in 2003. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1998, and his juris doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2002.
James is a frequent speaker and member of many legal organizations including the Orange County Bar Association and a board member of the Robert A. Banyard American Inn of Court.
This employer seminar is provided for educational and informational purposes only; it does not constitute endorsement of the curriculum or speakers by the Marin Sonoma Employer Advisory Council (MSEAC).  Aside from staff designated to represent the MSEAC, we assume no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the materials provided during this event.
 
Who Should Attend

• Business owners.
• Employee benefits managers.
• Human resource managers.
• Office managers.
• Personnel staff.
• CPAs, CFOs, and treasurers.