Level Up Your Legal Game: What HR Needs to Know Now-Attorney Panel
The future of HR is here and the rules of the game are changing. Join a powerhouse panel of employment attorneys for a fast-paced discussion on today’s most pressing HR & workplace legal topics. This session explores emerging trends, compliance challenges, employee relations issues, workplace investigations, policy changes, and legal risks shaping the modern workplace. Attendees will gain practical, actionable insights to stay ahead of evolving requirements and strengthen their HR strategies with confidence.
Key Objectives
1) Identify emerging HR and employment law trends impacting today’s workplace, including compliance, policy, and legal risk developments. 2)Gain practical strategies for addressing employee relations challenges, workplace investigations, and evolving regulatory requirements. 3) Equip HR leaders with actionable insights to strengthen decision-making, reduce risk, and confidently navigate ongoing workplace change.
Stuart Jackson
Attorney/Partner at Wright Lindsey Jennings
Stuart Jackson is one of the most highly regarded employment attorneys in Arkansas, whose focus as of late has been on defending businesses against various types of EEO claims, and giving advice to clients on day-to-day employment matters, including how to comply with Arkansas’s medical marijuana laws and the legal issues to address when utilizing AI in the workplace. Practicing in the employment law field for more than thirty years, Stuart also advises employers on day-to-day compliance with the various civil rights laws, develops personnel policies and handbooks, and crafts employment and severance agreements. Stuart is recognized by Chambers USA, Mid-South Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America®, having been named Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” in Little Rock four times in the last five years in various employment law categories. He is a frequent speaker and writer on employment law topics for HR-focused groups around the state.
Wayne Young
Attorney | Partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP
Wayne Young is a partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP, where he focuses on labor and employment law and advises organizations on workplace compliance, risk management, and evolving employment issues. He serves as General Counsel to the Arkansas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), working closely with HR professionals on the legal and practical challenges shaping today’s workforce. Wayne is recognized nationally by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America for his work in employment law and has been honored by both Arkansas SHRM and the Central Arkansas Human Resource Association for his legislative advocacy on behalf of the HR profession. With deep experience at the intersection of HR strategy and legal compliance, he brings practical insight into how organizations can responsibly integrate emerging technologies like AI while maintaining ethical standards, regulatory compliance, and a strong human-centered approach.
Cynthia Kolb
Member at Rose Law Firm
Cindy Kolb is an attorney at Rose Law Firm in Little Rock becoming a Member at Rose after Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, joined Rose Law Firm in October 2023. Her practice areas include employment law and insurance defense litigation. She regularly speaks on employment law and HR-related topics for industry groups around the state. Cindy was co-chair of the 2020 Arkansas Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, co-chaired the 2018 Mid-Year Meeting, and served as the Chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the Arkansas Bar Association in 2012-2013. Cindy served as the 2014 Chair of the Employment Law and Legislative Affairs (ELLA) Conference, hosted by the Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management State Council. She is also a member of the Central Arkansas Human Resources Association (CAHRA) and was chapter President in 2021. She previously served as VP of Communications, VP for Special Programs, and Chair of the CAHRA Managers Conference. She is a member of the Judge Henry Woods Inn of Court. Cindy also previously served on the Board of the Museum of Discovery. Cindy graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio and has been practicing law for 29 years.
Please Note: Speakers and topics are subject to change without notice.