US Employment Roundtable 2024

Join The Legal 500 and Jackson Lewis for a roundtable discussion focusing on the key interests and risks impacting today’s in-house counsel. You will discuss big-picture concerns, including trends in diversity, equity and inclusion practices, the integration of artificial intelligence in the workplace, pay equity and more – while also examining best practices for conducting internal investigations and ways to mitigate workplace misconduct, discrimination and abuse. This roundtable provides a collaborative platform for in-house counsel to share insights and strategies aimed at fostering a culture of excellence and accountability in their organizations.

Facilitators:

• Douglas Klein, office managing principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (New York City office)
• John Porta, principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (New York City office)
• Ana Shields, office managing principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (Long Island office)
• Mina Wood, principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (New York City office)

Speakers

Douglas Klein, office managing principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (New York City office)

Douglas J. Klein is office managing principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. As a strategic advisor and well-rounded workplace partner to management, Doug defends complex employment litigations, counsels on traditional labor matters, and provides day-to-day preventive support.

Doug has built close, long-term partnerships with employers of all sizes and at all stages of development. As relationship manager for a number of large national employers, Doug coordinates responsive, cost-effective legal services across practices throughout the U.S. and abroad through the Jackson Lewis L&E Global partnership. Doug also works with start-ups and early-stage companies to navigate multi-faceted workforce challenges amid rapid growth, and regularly provides labor and employment advice to private equity investors engaged in due diligence and M&A transactions. He takes particular satisfaction in sustaining and building relationships through multiple phases of a client’s lifecycle.

John Porta, principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (New York City office)

John J. Porta a principal in the New York City, New York, office and a client solutions leader of Jackson Lewis P.C. 

John is a strategic advisor who manages national, regional and local client relationships. He advises management teams on their most sensitive and important matters. In managing these relationships, he represents employers in all aspects of employment law, including transactional matters, litigation, arbitration, compliance advice and audits, executive and management training, and other employment related legal matters. John’s approach is to emphasize the primacy of achieving the client’s business goals by focusing on strategic counseling, negotiation and risk management.    

Ana Shields, office managing principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (Long Island office)

Ana C. Shields is the office managing principal of the Long Island, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She serves on the firm’s Board of Directors, is the leader of the firm’s Financial Services industry group, co-leader of Jackson Lewis’ Women’s Interest Network (WIN) resource group, and also is a member of the firm’s EPLI Leadership Steering Committee.

As a management side defense litigator, Ana frequently represents employers and management with respect to claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation and other alleged violations of labor and employment laws before federal and state courts, Arbitrators and administrative agencies. 
In addition to her significant litigation practice, Ana frequently is retained by management to conduct high level independent investigations of alleged workplace harassment by c-suite or senior level executives so employers can make the right decisions and mitigate risk.  Ana also conducts management training, including anti-harassment training, both to remedy alleged misconduct and to comply with state and local laws.

Mina Wood, principal, Jackson Lewis P.C. (New York City office)

Mina M. Wood is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice is focused on representing employers in all aspects of employment law, including employment litigation and counseling.

Mina’s employment litigation practice is focused on defending employers in a broad array of employment matters, including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and compensation disputes. An experienced litigator, Mina has successfully defended clients in numerous litigations, arbitration hearings, and administrative proceedings. She also counsels clients on a variety of workplace issues, and has extensive experience conducting investigations into workplace disputes.