Employment Law & Regulations

Former U.S. Department of Justice attorney Michael Johnson has trained thousands of people on skills for detecting signs of deception and truthfulness, including presenting at dozens of conferences for human resource professionals and other busines executives.  

He has spoken at numerous conferences around the world for HR, legal, law enforcement, and other professionals.  He has provided numerous client-specific sessions for international organizations such as the United Nations (in New York, Congo, and Sierra Leone) and the World Bank, government agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Social Security Administration, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies such as Google and Northrup Grumman.

 As an attorney with the US Department of Justice, Michael was the lead attorney on one of DOJ’s first “pattern or practice” sexual harassment cases.  Michael has served as an expert witness in cases challenging the adequacy of employer’s investigation procedures. 

He is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School.

Former U.S. Department of Justice attorney Michael Johnson has trained thousands of people on skills for detecting signs of deception and truthfulness, including presenting at dozens of conferences for human resource professionals and other busines executives.  

He has spoken at numerous conferences around the world for HR, legal, law enforcement, and other professionals.  He has provided numerous client-specific sessions for international organizations such as the United Nations (in New York, Congo, and Sierra Leone) and the World Bank, government agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Social Security Administration, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies such as Google and Northrup Grumman.

 As an attorney with the US Department of Justice, Michael was the lead attorney on one of DOJ’s first “pattern or practice” sexual harassment cases.  Michael has served as an expert witness in cases challenging the adequacy of employer’s investigation procedures. 

He is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School.

Jeanne is CFP® and a CPFA with Strategic Retirement Partners. She serves as a retirement plan consultant and financial wellness educator for companies across the country. Jeanne’s goal is to simplify advice in an over-complicated, jargon-filled industry. She has been interviewed by national publications including Forbes Magazine, Time Magazine, USA Today, The New York Times, CNBC News, etc. She brings an energy and simplicity to complicated topics and is known for the original content she posts on social media. Topics range from personal finance to employer-sponsored plans. You can find her using the hashtag #401klady. Jeanne’s accessible way of providing virtual advice and engagement is creating a more collaborative platform for financial professionals to support each other and their clients in the digital age. She and her team live in Bowling Green Kentucky, but serve clients across the country.

Melissa Daley is an accomplished Systems Engineer and Systems Analyst, wielding a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems from Hampton University and a Masters in Technology Entrepreneurship from the esteemed University of Maryland. Her professional journey spans illustrious roles as a consultant, collaborating with distinguished entities like Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, and notable institutions including the State of Georgia Department of Human Resources, NGP VAN, DMI, and ICF.

In 2007, Melissa Daley embarked on a visionary journey, giving rise to iT Gets Better—a trailblazing 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Her mission: to empower and uplift young minds by bridging the digital divide through transformative Information Technology (IT) workshops and insightful consulting services. Melissa's brainchild swiftly evolved into a beacon of computer literacy for underrepresented communities.

Within a mere three months, iT Gets Better blossomed, becoming a nurturing hub for over 50 students throughout the Atlanta Metro Area. This rapid growth was a testament to Melissa's unwavering commitment and the pressing need she addressed.

The tumultuous tides of the 2009 recession presented challenges, prompting the sale of iT Gets Better's website to a fellow non-profit organization in 2010. Undeterred, Melissa Daley's resilience and expertise persevered.

In 2014, Melissa Daley founded Orca Intelligence, a minority, woman-owned organization that is a true reflection of intentionality, cultural awareness, and empowerment. Under Melissa's visionary leadership, Orca Intelligence has grown beyond a mere business entity to become a hub of digital innovation. The company is renowned for its impactful contributions in various sectors, including education, health administration, labor, and real estate. Melissa brings over two decades of rich experience in Information Technology to Orca Intelligence. Her deep knowledge and innovative approach have been instrumental in establishing the company. Orca Intelligence, since its inception, has been at the forefront of revolutionizing how software requirements are captured, analyzed, and managed. This breakthrough reflects Melissa's commitment to innovation and her deep understanding of the industry's needs.

Building upon this legacy of innovation, Melissa's 2021 brainchild, Swiftly, emerged—a cutting-edge AI solution poised to revolutionize the efficiency of the Software Development process, reaffirming her position at the vanguard of technological progress.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Melissa Daley remains an inspirational figure, ceaselessly driving positive change through her groundbreaking ventures and unyielding dedication to propelling IT accessibility and efficiency forward.

Attorney James P. (“Jim”) Reidy is a management-side labor and employment lawyer. He is a partner in the New England based law firm, Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, PA, where he is the Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment group. His practice focuses on prevention, training and compliance but he also handles matters when claims arise.

He has more than 35 years of experience in the field and been a media resource on workplace law for media outlets including CNN, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Business Magazine, Bloomberg, NPR, The Associated Press, NPR Market Place, Buzz Feed, Law 360, Inc. Magazine, The HR Power Hour, HR Breakroom, SKI Magazine and HR Magazine as well as several local/regional publications.

In 2020 Jim was inducted as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. 

Chambers USA and New England Super Lawyers have ranked Jim in the Top Tier of management-side employment lawyers for each year of the last 15 years. Best Lawyers USA named Jim the 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Labor and Employment Law (Manchester, NH) and the NH Business Review named him one of the top 200 most influential business leaders in New Hampshire.

Jim has been a presenter regularly at SHRM’s Legal and Legislative Conference in Washington, DC as well as SHRM’s annual conferences.

Attorney James P. (“Jim”) Reidy is a management-side labor and employment lawyer. He is a partner in the New England based law firm, Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, PA, where he is the Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment group. His practice focuses on prevention, training and compliance but he also handles matters when claims arise.

He has more than 35 years of experience in the field and been a media resource on workplace law for media outlets including CNN, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Business Magazine, Bloomberg, NPR, The Associated Press, NPR Market Place, Buzz Feed, Law 360, Inc. Magazine, The HR Power Hour, HR Breakroom, SKI Magazine and HR Magazine as well as several local/regional publications.

In 2020 Jim was inducted as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. 

Chambers USA and New England Super Lawyers have ranked Jim in the Top Tier of management-side employment lawyers for each year of the last 15 years. Best Lawyers USA named Jim the 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Labor and Employment Law (Manchester, NH) and the NH Business Review named him one of the top 200 most influential business leaders in New Hampshire.

Jim has been a presenter regularly at SHRM’s Legal and Legislative Conference in Washington, DC as well as SHRM’s annual conferences.

William D. Wight is a partner in the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. offices and is the chair of the firm's International Employment Practice Group.  He counsels employers on various global employment, compensation and benefit issues related to employees abroad, as well as foreign nationals working in the U.S. and the employment of the U.S. permanent residents and citizens abroad.  Bill has worked with compliance issues related to hiring, retention and separation of employees in a multitude of jurisdictions.  His experience with global employment issues has helped him assist our clients with international operations on all sevel continents including Antarctica.  Bill has assisted clients with the implementation of strategic planning and policy development with respect to global HR practices and policies.  He has also assisted clients with the management of litigation and employment controversy matters in numerous international jurisdictions.  Bill has also counseled clients based outside the United States with the special considerations that are required when complying with U.S. employment and employee benefit rules and regulations. Bill is regularly involved with resolving questions related to privacy and data protection issues.  

William D. Wight is a partner in the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. offices and is the chair of the firm's International Employment Practice Group.  He counsels employers on various global employment, compensation and benefit issues related to employees abroad, as well as foreign nationals working in the U.S. and the employment of the U.S. permanent residents and citizens abroad.  Bill has worked with compliance issues related to hiring, retention and separation of employees in a multitude of jurisdictions.  His experience with global employment issues has helped him assist our clients with international operations on all sevel continents including Antarctica.  Bill has assisted clients with the implementation of strategic planning and policy development with respect to global HR practices and policies.  He has also assisted clients with the management of litigation and employment controversy matters in numerous international jurisdictions.  Bill has also counseled clients based outside the United States with the special considerations that are required when complying with U.S. employment and employee benefit rules and regulations. Bill is regularly involved with resolving questions related to privacy and data protection issues.  

Nicole is a Director, Benefits Compliance for the Baldwin Regulatory Compliance Collaborative.  She works with clients and colleagues to help educate them on the consequences of non-compliance, respecting regulatory issues arising under laws such as HIPAA, ACA, ERISA, and COBRA.  She participates in the developing of compliance communication strategies, provides training for client management teams and clients, and assists in the marketing, sales, and customer retention processes.  Nicole manages the BRCC Employee Benefits Mergers & Acquisitions Resource Center.

Nicole has 20 years of employee benefits compliance experience. She served as the H&W Compliance Officer for a large insurance broker and has also performed consulting and account management duties.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies, holds various state Health & Life Producer licenses and has earned multiple certifications in employee benefits compliance courses via industry educators.

Adam Rosenthal is an employment attorney and Partner at Sheppard Mullin based in California.  Adam represents a broad spectrum of companies before federal and state courts and arbitration forums.  In addition to his single plaintiff and class action litigation practice, Adam advises clients throughout the country on compliance matters.  Adam is one of the few attorneys on the SHRM Speakers Bureau.  This is the third year in a row Adam has been invited to lecture at the SHRM Annual Conference.  Adam is also the author of Managing Employees Without Fear: How to Follow the Law, Build a Positive Work Culture, and Avoid Getting Sued.  Adam received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his law degree from UC Davis.