Concurrent Session

Robert A. Boonin is a member of the national law firm of Dykema Gossett and is based in its Ann Arbor office. Rob is an honors graduate from The University of Michigan Law School, holds a Masters in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University, and a BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.  Practicing law for nearly 40 years, Rob has litigated employment law matters before federal and state courts across the nation, handles all forms of union matters for employers, and regularly counsels clients on such issues as discrimination, FMLA compliance, and wage and hour law. 

Rob is a recognized leader in his field.  For instance, he is: on the Chambers USA list of top employment law attorneys; listed as a Best Lawyer in Employment Law; repeatedly recognized as one of Michigan’s “Super Lawyers”; a Fellow and a Past-President of the Litigation Counsel of America; a Past Chair of  the national Wage and Hour Defense Institute; a Past Chair of the Michigan Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section; and a Fellow of the distinguished American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.  Rob also in an immediate past-chair of the American Bar Association’s Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee (which covers FLSA matters), and serves as an Editor of the most recognized authority on the FLSA, the Bloomberg BNA legal treatise – The Fair Labor Standards Act.

Jamie R. Rich represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law before state and federal agencies and in courts across the country. Jamie focuses much of her practice on traditional labor law, representing management in collective bargaining negotiations, arbitrations, and unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board. She helps clients navigate representation proceedings and union organizing drives. Jamie also maintains an active employment litigation practice, defending clients against harassment, discrimination, and retaliation lawsuits. She also regularly handles administrative charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state agencies.

Jamie maintains a strong counseling practice and she enjoys advising clients on day-to-day employment matters. She routinely consults with human resources professionals, executives, and board members regarding all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring and firing practices, employment contracts, enforceability of covenants not to compete, and reductions in force. She often advises foreign and out-of-state companies with a California presence on unique California-related employment issues. Jamie also Co-Chairs the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice’s Labor-Management Relations group.

Julie Doyle has devoted her career to elevating the human resources function in organizations by aligning the people strategy with the business strategy.  She has held the senior HR leadership role with organizations in many different industries. Her proven track record of driving business results through great human resources process, leading culture change, solving complex business challenges with the senior leaders and developing high-performing teams is appreciated by HRC clients.

Julie’s passion to elevate the human resources profession is evident by her volunteer roles leading local and state-level SHRM groups. She has served as the President of Greater Cincinnati HR Association, 2018 Ohio HR Conference Chair, and is currently serving as Ohio SHRM State Council Director.

Randy Anderson has a true passion for teaching the “how’s” and “why’s” of engaging, equipping, and empowering people in work and life. He teaches ideas and strategies that he learned from working for and managing in organizations ranging from 5 to 35,000 employees. Over the last 25 years, he has developed and taught these principles to tens of thousands of people in all sizes of organizations from front line to back office to upper management. Whether learning to improve your performance, or so you can train others to improve theirs, Randy will transform your thinking, your productivity, and your influence. 

As a senior human capital management (HCM) strategy consultant for UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group), Chas Fields helps organizations identify, assess, and maintain their human element, focusing specifically on how increasing employee efficiency while cultivating a differentiated employee experience can ultimately drive business success. As a change management practitioner, Fields is passionate about helping organizations deliver successful initiatives at any scale. Fields is also a host of the People Purpose Podcast of The Workforce Institute at UKG.  

Karen Michael is the President of Karen Michael, PLC, an employment law & HR consulting firm founded in 2008.  The firm specializes in management and employee training, workplace investigations, HR Consulting, and employment law advice for the public and private sector.

Karen is a former HR executive and employment attorney with almost three decades years of experience in law and HR. 

Karen writes a weekly labor law article for the Richmond Times Dispatch Business section, and regularly speaks at national and local events, including the national SHRM conference and EEOC’s EXCEl conference.

Karen is the author of “Stay Hired.” 

Greg Hare has been an employment lawyer at Ogletree Deakins his entire career, since 1991. He assists companies with human resources and employment-related litigation matters, including wrongful termination claims, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, employment contracts, trade secrets, and non-compete agreements. He advises clients on a wide range of human resources topics, such as drug testing, employee discipline and discharge, severance planning, independent contractor classifications, wage payment, family and medical leave, disability law, military leave, joint employment issues, affirmative action, and reductions in force. Mr. Hare also counsels clients on traditional labor relations and matters involving the National Labor Relations Board.

Lora Haines is a high-energy, world-class facilitator, keynote speaker, and instructional design expert. She has over twelve years of experience in learning and development at world-class organizations like Walt Disney, and has designed and developed several of JB Training’s most popular workshops. Lora knows a thing or two about how to keep the modern workforce engaged: she focused her Master’s thesis on effectively retaining high-performing early career professionals. While flashy perks may be intriguing initially, she believes that dynamic leadership, a strong culture, and plentiful career development opportunities are necessary to retain star employees for the long haul.

Lora is a certified coach who is passionate about helping professionals reach their highest career aspirations. When she isn’t facilitating workshops, she develops engaging curriculum and consults global organizations such as Microsoft, Eli Lilly, Subaru, Spectrum Reach, and Publicis Groupe. Outside of the training room, you can find Lora cruising around town on her bike, supporting local restaurants, and spending as much time as possible near the beach.

Dr. Christopher D. Lee is a retired HR executive having served as the CHRO for William & Mary, the Virginia Community College System, and Bates College. He is now a managing director with Storbeck Search. Chris has authored four books, including the SHRM-published Performance Conversations: How to Use Questions to Coach Employees, Improve Productivity, and Boost Confidence (Without Appraisals). He has consulted with over 100 clients in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa on HR related topics. He is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps Reserves.