Ethical Practice

Linda A. Seabrook joined Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) as General Counsel and Director of Legal Programs in November of 2015 where she leads a number of initiatives including Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center (Workplaces Respond). Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, Workplaces Respond provides training and technical assistance to employers, unions, federal agencies, and other workplace stakeholders to raise awareness about the impact of violence in the workplace, and develop and promote workplace practices that prevent as well as respond to violence, harassment, and stalking impacting workers and the workplace. Prior to joining FUTURES, Linda was a subject matter expert on victims’ rights for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), providing training and litigation assistance on victims’ issues to the United States Attorneys’ offices, and investigative and litigating components of DOJ. Ms. Seabrook came to DOJ from Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, where she focused on employment discrimination and sexual harassment cases, and occupational safety and health matters. Originally from Charleston, SC, Linda began her legal career at home as an Assistant Solicitor where she prosecuted intimate partner violence offenses enjoying a 100% conviction rate at trial. She received her B.A. from the University of Virginia, and obtained her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Matthew has practiced at Laner Muchin his entire career, joining the firm as an associate in 2011.  Matthew has an extensive employment litigation practice, defending lawsuits in federal and state courts, representing both private and public sector clients.  Matthew litigates cases involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, FMLA and ADA claims, Section 1983 and United States Constitutional claims, Illinois Whistleblower Act and common law retaliatory discharge claims, and common law claims, such as defamation, tortious interference with contract and civil conspiracy claims. 

Matthew has a concentrated wage and hour practice, which includes litigation of complex class and collective actions, representing employers in audits conducted by the United States and Illinois Departments of Labor and performing wage and hour compliance audits.  He also litigates and provides counseling on issues involving wage garnishment, overtime, minimum wage, bonuses, tips and commissions.

Additionally, Matthew has extensive trial experience in both bench and jury trials in federal and state court, which has included delivering opening statements and conducting direct and cross examinations of key witnesses. Matthew also counsels clients, on a near daily basis, on a broad range of employment issues.  Matthew represents clients across a broad range of industries, and he has extensive experience working with clients in the restaurant and hospitality industries.

Mark S. Fogel is currently a Director for Clifton Larson Allen’s National HR consulting practice. He is a former CHRO for Leviton, Marcum, and Success Academy Charter Schools, Mark has been the recipient of several national awards including SHRM’s Human Capital Leader of the Year in 2007, SHRM’s Innovation in a Down Economy in 2009, and HR Executive Magazine’s Honor Role in 2010. He has also been recognized as a 50 around 50 award recipient by Long Island Business News. Mark is also a part-time educator employed as a Senior Adjunct Professor of distinction at Adelphi University in their MBA program. Additionally, he facilitates the SHRM SCP/CP prep class for HR Jetpack. Mark has presented over two dozen times at SHRM and World at Work national, regional, and local conferences on a broad range of HR topics. Often Quoted in national media, Mark brings a refreshing point of view to every HR discussion.

Philip Gordon co-chairs the Privacy and Background Checks Practice Group of Littler Mendelson, the nation’s largest law firm representing only management in employment law matters.  He counsels employers on the full range of workplace privacy issues, including electronic monitoring; social media; “bring-your-own-device” programs; compliance with HIPAA; and security incident preparedness and response. He advises many U.S. multinationals on the application of non-U.S. data protection laws, including the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, on the handling and cross-border transfer of HR data.  Mr. Gordon received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his law degree from New York University School of Law.  

Ethics in the workplace is a serious matter, but talking about it doesn’t have to be “business as usual.” Chuck Gallagher learned a lesson about choices and consequences the hard way—but now he shares his experience so that others don’t have to. In his compelling presentations, Chuck starts by setting the scene with his own story… and ends by setting the stage for your organization’s ethical success.  You may have seen Chuck on CNN, CBS, Fox or NPR.  His business insights are sought after for his strong position on ethics. Chuck’s focus is business—but his passion is empowering others.

Dr. Jamie Velazquez is the Director of Staff Development for Crittenton Services for Children and Families, in Southern California.  With over a decade of adult education, training, and leadership development experience in higher education and in the non-profit sectors, she has led the development and implementation of robust training programs that meet the requirements of national standards, licensing, accreditation, and/or the various county, state, and federal contracts for the various agencies or institutions. A background in psychology, education, and leadership led to a passion for social justice, rooted in critical theory, which greatly impacted her endless journey toward cultural competency.

For over 20 years, Allison West has used her employment law background in delivering customized workplace training, conducting investigations, coaching executives/managers, serving as an expert witness, and specializing in conflict resolution and facilitated discussions to create more collaborative work environments. 

Allison is a top-rated speaker at the SHRM Annual Conference as well as other HR/diversity conferences, and is a national expert on harassment, discrimination and investigations. She has appeared on PBS, CBS This Morning and in O Magazine discussing workplace harassment issues. 

She is a member of the State Bar of California and holds her SHRM-SCP certification and AWI-CH (investigation) certificate.

Bert Alicea is a Licensed Psychologist with over 27 years of experience in the EAP field. Bert specializes in conducting trainings locally and on a national level on topics including harassment awareness; violence prevention; drug free workplace; DOT compliance training; and supervisor EAP awareness training. Bert also has a specialization with executive coaching; conflict mediation; and management and supervisor consultations in assisting with difficult workplace situations. Bert obtained a Masters of Arts in Industrial Psychology from West Chester University, West Chester, Pa., and he also has his Bachelors of Science in Psychology from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia. He is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) and a U.S. Department of Transportation qualified Substance Abuse Professional.