Session
Decision Point: Live Employment Law Strategy for HR Leaders
Employment law rarely presents as a clean set of facts with an obvious “right” answer. It arrives in real time—an allegation that triggers an investigation, a leave request with missing information, an accommodation that affects operations, a pay practice that may not scale, or a termination decision where timing and documentation matter.
In this interactive, “choose your adventure” session, attendees will step into realistic workplace scenarios and decide what happens next. Using live polling and facilitated discussion, the audience will select the next move at key decision points, shaping how each situation unfolds.
A panel of employment-law attorneys will then break down each decision—highlighting legal risks, compliance obligations, documentation and communication considerations, and the strategic tradeoffs that can either reduce exposure or create it. The panel will also discuss how agencies and courts may evaluate the same set of facts depending on what HR does (or doesn’t do) at critical moments.
This is not a lecture. It’s a practical, application-focused experience designed to build stronger judgment under pressure. Participants will leave with clearer risk awareness, more structured decision-making tools, and greater confidence handling complex employment issues before they escalate.
Key Objectives
Spot and assess risk in the moment. Apply real-time issue-spotting to complex employment scenarios by identifying key legal risks, competing priorities, and likely downstream consequences of HR decisions. Choose defensible next steps. Use practical, repeatable decision frameworks to navigate workplace investigations, accommodations and leave matters, wage-and-hour concerns, and termination decisions with elevated legal exposure. Prevent escalation through proactive practices. Strengthen documentation, improve policy and process alignment, and reduce organizational exposure by implementing proactive strategies before concerns become agency charges or litigation.
Dan Herrington
Chief Administrative Officer at Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
Dan Herrington has served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas since December 2022. He joined the cooperatives after a 27-year career with a leading Arkansas law firm. A native of Palestine, Herrington completed his bachelor’s degree in business management at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and his law degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, where he graduated with high honors. Prior to joining the cooperatives, Herrington was a partner with Friday, Eldredge & Clark. His practice focused on all aspects of labor and employment law. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Bowen School of Law. He is a member of many professional, alumni and altruistic associations.
Cynthia Kolb
Member at Rose Law Firm
Cindy Kolb is a Member at Rose Law Firm in Little Rock after Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus joined Rose in 2023. Her practice focuses on employment law. She regularly speaks on employment law and HR-related topics for industry groups around the state. She was co-chair of the 2020 Arkansas Bar Association’s Annual Meeting and 2018 Mid-Year Meeting, and served as Chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the Arkansas Bar in 2012-2013. She served as the 2014 Chair of the ELLA Conference. She is also a member of SHRM ad 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.
Jane Kim
Partner at Wright Lindsey Jennings
Jane Kim, a Chicago-area native, has been practicing employment law at Wright Lindsey Jennings since 2007. She leads the WLJ Labor & Employment Team and formerly led the recruitment efforts for the firm’s new attorneys. Jane defends clients in state and federal court actions – including class and collective actions – involving civil rights, wage and hour, employment agreements, covenants not to compete and trade secrets claims. Jane regularly provides training on HR compliance and represents employers in state and federal government agency investigations. She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America©, Chambers USA and Mid-South Super Lawyers. Jane is a member of Arkansas Business’ “40 Under 40” class of 2018 and Soiree Magazine’s inaugural list of “Women to Watch.” She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock and was named to Arkansas Business’ “Arkansas 250” in 2023, recognizing the 250 most influential Arkansans in the business community.
Nathan Read
Partner at Mitchell Williams Law Firm
Nathan “Nate” Read is an accomplished employment attorney with substantial experience guiding employers through the intricacies of federal, state and local employment laws and regulations. Committed to helping clients cultivate compliant and positive workplace environments, he provides strategic counsel across a comprehensive array of employment law and regulatory matters. Collaborating with employers of various industries and sizes, he helps draft contracts, develop incentive compensation plans and prepare employee handbooks, codes of conduct and other policies and procedures that align with both regulatory compliance requirements and business objectives. Nate is dedicated to empowering clients with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the continually evolving business landscape with confidence. By fostering enduring, trust-based relationships, he ensures his clients receive counsel tailored to address both their immediate needs and long-term goals.
Michael Moore
Partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP
Michael S. Moore is a Partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP and head of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. He represents employers in discrimination and harassment litigation, wage-and-hour collective actions, OSHA matters, non-compete disputes, and FMLA issues, and he routinely provides employee and supervisor training. Mike has extensive experience before the EEOC, OSHA, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage-Hour Division, as well as in state and federal courts. A frequent speaker on employment law topics, he has been named “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America twice and is a Fellow of the American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. An advocate for recovery, Mike serves on the board of the Wolfe Street Foundation and previously served as chair of the Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP), supporting lawyer and judge well-being. Outside of work, he’s an avid cyclist who enjoys getting miles in on the Arkansas River Trail.