Welcome to the Employers' Legal Lounge podcast – a valuable resource for employers, risk managers, human resources professionals, employment attorneys, and colleagues to stay informed about the ever-evolving landscape of California employment compliance laws.
Tune in as Michael Sullivan & Associates attorney, Eric De Wames, and a rotating roster of guest experts discuss the most recent developments, emerging trends, and effective strategies within California's dynamic employment law environment. Each month, we dive deep into a specific topic to provide you with valuable insights and guidance for navigating the complex world of employment regulations in the Golden State.
If you have any questions, topic suggestions, or would like to be a guest on our show, please reach out to podcast host Eric De Wames at https://msa.news/contacteric
Podcast webpage: https://msa.news/podcast
Special Guest: Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier - Work Psychologist
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Legislative updates (SB 947, SB 951, AB 1883, AB 1331, AB 1803, AB 2495 & more)
✅ Artificial Intelligence
✅ Strategic HR Planning
✅ Lessons From “The Resilience Plan”
Links:
🔗 SHRM NorCal 2026 Conference: https://msa.news/shrm-norcal-26
🔗 Kern County SHRM 29th Annual Conference: https://kcshrm.org/events/
🔗 PIHRA CELU 2026 - 2027 Conferences: https://pihra.org/celu26-fall/
🔗 SHRM Northstate 2026 HR Summit: https://msa.news/shrm-ns-2026-summit
🔗 SCWC 2026 Annual Conference: https://msa.news/scwc2026
🔗 Free Worksheets from “The Resilience Plan”: https://msa.news/TRP-worksheets
25 Aug 2026
Episode 17: August 2026
Special Guest: John Bernatovicz (Founder - Willory | Author & Speaker)
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Legislative Updates (SB 7, SB 947, SB 951, AB 1941, AB 1803, SB 1149, AB 2495 & more)
✅ Getting Legal Help with Employment Issues
✅ Lessons From “HR Like a Boss”
✅ Services Offered by Willory
✅ HR Technology Platforms
✅ HR Like a Boss Podcast - Season 7
Links:
🔗 SHRM NorCal 2026 Conference: https://conference.shrm.org/norcal-conference
🔗 Kern County SHRM 29th Annual Conference: https://kcshrm.org/events/
🔗 PIHRA CELU 2026 - 2027 Conferences: https://pihra.org/celu26-fall/
🔗 Willory: https://willory.com/
🔗 HR Like a Boss (Podcast): https://willory.com/podcast/
🔗 HR Like a Boss (Book): https://msa.news/4qoVU5e
21 Apr 2026
Episode 16: April 2026
Special Guests: Joshua Stewart (Attorney - MS&A), Andy Covell (State Director - CalSHRM | Founder - Lion Tech Solutions), Cherrity Ricks (President - Kern County SHRM | Certification Director - CalSHRM | Compensation Manager - Western Management Group), and Nina Woodard (Board Secretary - SHRM Colorado | State Council Professional Development Director - CalSHRM | Board Member - Rise Up | Chair of the Board of Directors - Safe Place for Pets | President & Chief "N" Sights Officer - Nina E. Woodard & Associates)
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ CalSHRM 2026 California Legislative & HR Leadership Summit
✅ Proposed Legislation: SB 947, SB 1898, SB 951
✅ Caregiver Benefits
✅ Current Litigation Trends
✅ AI Use by Latest Generation of HR Professionals
✅ Balancing Empathy and Business Objectives
✅ The Role of Artificial Intelligence in HR
Links:
🔗 PIHRA's 2026 CAHR Conference: https://cahrconference.org/
🔗 SHRM California (CalSHRM): https://www.calshrm.org/
🔗 Professionals In Human Resources Assoc. (PIHRA): https://pihra.org/
10 Mar 2026
Episode 15: March 2026
Special Guests: Paul Falcone (Bestselling Author & Global Keynote Speaker | Principal - Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Consulting, LLC) and Patti Cuthill (VP of People & Culture - Verve Cloud | Southern California District Director - CalSHRM)
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Legislative Updates (SB 806 / AB 5, Bereavement Leaves, AI, Remote Work)
✅ Giving Professional Feedback
✅ Performance Reviews
✅ Disciplinary Actions
Links:
🔗 CalSHRM Legislative & HR Leadership Summit: https://msa.news/calshrm-4-15-26
🔗 CAHR Conference 2026: https://cahrconference.org/
🔗 Professionals in Human Resources Assoc. (PIHRA): https://pihra.org
🔗 Workplace Leadership Consulting, LLC: https://www.paulfalconehr.com
🔗 Books by Paul Falcone: https://www.paulfalconehr.com/books
10 Dec 2025
Episode 14: December 2025
Special Guests: Tara Fournier (Founder & Chief Executive Consultant, T4 HR | Deputy Director, SHRM CA | Past President, PIHRA) and Andy Covell (Founder, Lion Tech Solutions | State Director Elect, SHRM CA)
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Upcoming PIHRA & SHRM Events
✅ Legislative Updates (SB 294, SB 513 & AB 692)
✅ Workplace Surveillance
✅ Employee Training
✅ I-9 Audits
✅ Employees vs. Independent Contractors
✅ Accommodations
Links:
🔗 California Employment Law Update - San Diego & Riverside: https://pihra.org/employment-law-update/
🔗 2026 California Legislative & HR Leadership Summit: https://msa.news/shrm-ca26
🔗 PIHRA HR Cruise: https://hrcruise.org/
🔗 T4 HR: https://www.t4-hr.com/
🔗 Lion Tech Solutions: https://lionstechsolutions.com/
9 Oct 2025
Episode 13: October 2025
Special Guests: Christine Rodman (CEO - Lynx Employer Resources LLC) and Monique Akanbi (Membership Initiatives Director - SHRM)
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Legislative Updates
✅ Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)
✅ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
✅ Workplace Surveillance
✅ Return to Work
✅ HR Industry Trends
Links:
🔗 California Employment Law Update (CELU) Conferences - https://pihra.org/employment-law-update
🔗 PAGA 2025 Legal Updates Webinar Recording - https://msa.news/9-23-25-paga (Passcode: DFgVK@F8)
🔗 2026 SHRM CA Legislative & HR Leadership Summit - https://msa.news/shrm-ca26
🔗 2026 HR Cruise by PIHRA - https://hrcruise.org
🔗 Lynx Employer Resources - https://lynx-er.com
20 Feb 2025
Episode 12: February 2025
Special Guest: Nathan Craig - President of Employee Benefits, Culture Insurance Group
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ 2025 legislative updates
✅ Trends in the benefit plan ecosystem
✅ Recent executive orders
✅ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
✅ Consumer privacy news
✅ Arbitration updates
✅ Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)
Links:
🔗 CalSHRM 2025 California Legislative & HR Leadership Summit: https://www.calshrm.org/about-1-2
🔗 CalSHRM 2025 Case Competition: Anything is Possible: https://msa.news/4hNsoky
🔗 CalSHRM Wildfire Resources: https://www.calshrm.org/about-1-3
🔗 SHRM Background Check Survey on LinkedIn: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RJY9GRZ
🔗 2025 California HR (CAHR) Conference: https://cahrconference.org/
23 Jan 2025
Episode 11: January 2025
Special Guests: Rafael Rivera: CEO, Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA) and Dana Mayhew: Founder, TDC Consults | Adjunct Faculty, Claremont Graduate University | Faculty, El Camino Group LLC | Instructor, UCLA Extension
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Wildfire relief resources
✅ PIHRA’s CELU Riverside conference
✅ PIHRA resources & upcoming events
✅ PIHRA College Relations Committee news
✅ Legislative advocacy updates
✅ Overview of 2025 employment laws
Links:
🔗 Ready LA County: https://msa.news/4h6Ob6p
🔗 DisasterAssistance.gov: https://www.disasterassistance.gov
🔗 Shelters Available for Communities Impacted by the Wildfires in Southern CA: https://msa.news/4ayUmxz
🔗 CA Dept. of Insurance - Mandatory One Year Moratorium on Non-Renewals: https://msa.news/3WznC1v
🔗 Wildfire Assistance for Small Businesses Available Through the Federal Small Business Administration (SBA): https://msa.news/4gbZB7G
🔗 Monitor Ongoing Fires: https://www.fire.ca.gov
🔗 Find Wildfire-Related Volunteer Opportunities: https://msa.news/4h7hNR3
🔗 List of Safe Ways to Donate: https://msa.news/3WxV2NX
🔗 SHRM Article - LA Wildfires Have Cost Some Workers Everything, Endanger Others: https://msa.news/40Nad8L
🔗 PIHRA’s Employer Tips for L.A. Wildfires webinar: https://msa.news/4hrz6fC
🔗 CalSHRM 2025 California Legislative & HR Leadership Summit: https://www.calshrm.org/about-1-2
25 Oct 2024
Episode 10: October 2024
Special Guests: Tara Fournier: President, PIHRA | Deputy State Director, CalSHRM | Interim Chief People & Culture Officer, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Susan Bowman: Sr. Human Resources Manager, Rite Aid | President-elect, PIHRA
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Employment Law Update: New Laws Passed for 2024-2025
✅ Compliance Updates for 2025 Handbooks
✅ PAGA Reform
✅ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Links:
🔗 Civil Rights Dept. Council: https://msa.news/3NE9mjf
🔗 Oct. 2024 CalSHRM Legislative Report: https://msa.news/3BVnjqp
🔗 2024 SD SHRM Annual Conference: https://msa.news/4dZ3A6E
🔗 2024 - 2025 California Employment Law Update (CELU) Conferences: https://msa.news/4hmKTwn
🔗 2025 CalSHRM California Legislative & HR Leadership Summit: https://www.calshrm.org
🔗 2025 California HR (CAHR) Conference: https://cahrconference.org
🔗 2025 SHRM Annual Conference: https://annual.shrm.org
30 Aug 2024
Episode 9: August 2024
Special Guest: Carrie Rostron, Workers’ Compensation and Risk Control Director at CMR Risk & Insurance Services.
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ PAGA Reform
✅ SB 399
✅ Workers’ Comp Trends
✅ Workers’ Comp & HR Crossover
Links:
🔗 CAJPA (South Lake Tahoe – Sept.): https://msa.news/cajpa24
🔗 NorCal SHRM (S.F. – Sept.): https://msa.news/norcal-shrm24
🔗 PIHRA CELU (L.A. – Oct.): https://www.pihra.org/celu/
🔗 PIHRA CELU (O.C. – Nov.): https://www.pihra.org/celu/
🔗 CalSHRM (S.D. – Nov.): https://msa.news/calshrm-sd24
🔗 Eric & Carrie’s PAGA Webinar: https://msa.news/20240731paga (Passcode: Fa9by%9w)
🔗 CMR Risk & Insurance Services: https://cmrris.com/
🔗 Carrie Rostron’s LinkedIn Profile: https://msa.news/c-rostron
2 Jul 2024
Episode 8: July 2024
Special Guests: Andy Covell - Treasurer, SHRM San Diego | State Director Elect, CalSHRM | Co-founder, Lion Tech Solutions and Tara Fournier - President, Professionals in Human Resources Association | Deputy State Director, CalSHRM | Founder, T4 HR
Tune in as Michael Sullivan & Associates attorney, Eric De Wames, and a rotating roster of guest experts discuss the most recent developments, emerging trends, and effective strategies within California's dynamic employment law environment.
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ California PAGA Update
✅ AI Policies for Employers
✅ SHRM24 Annual Conference Highlights
14 Jun 2024
Episode 7: June 2024
Special Guest: Katy Busby, Director of Occupational Health & Safety at Bolthouse Fresh Foods
Tune in as Michael Sullivan & Associates attorney, Eric De Wames, and a rotating roster of guest experts discuss the most recent developments, emerging trends, and effective strategies within California's dynamic employment law environment.
Topics covered in this month’s podcast:
✅ Return to Work
✅ Artificial Intelligence (AI) Update
✅ Workers' Compensation/Employment Law Crossover
✅ Wage & Hour Case Law Update
25 Apr 2024
Episode 6: April 2024
Special Guests: Rafael Rivera - CEO, Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) and Stacey Gordon - Workplace Culture Consultant, Rework Work.
Events and links mentioned in this month’s podcast:
1️⃣ PIHRA’s 2024 CAHR Conference is happening 5/20 – 5/22! More info at https://cahrconference.org 2️⃣ SPECIAL OFFER FOR EMPLOYERS’ LEGAL LOUNGE LISTENERS! Register for the CAHR Conference between 4/25 – 5/8 and choose from a Margarita, Champagne, or Old-Fashioned complimentary cocktail kit using promo code MARGARITA, CHAMPAGNE, or OLDFASHIONED. Register at https://cahrconference.org 3️⃣ Join Michael Sullivan & Associates for a happy hour at PIHRA’s 2024 CAHR Conference on 5/21! Details at https://msa.news/cahr24happyhour 4️⃣ Both Eric and Stacey will be leading sessions on 5/21 at PIHRA’s 2024 CAHR Conference. Eric’s presentation on CA Employment Law will be at 11:30 AM and Stacey’s presentation on Inclusion, Equity & Diversity will be at 12:45 PM. 5️⃣ PIHRA Webinar: Navigating the New SB553 Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Requirements - https://msa.news/3UyIpSk 6️⃣ Join the 100K Conversations Campaign to create a more inclusive workplace - https://msa.news/4aK87Jc 7️⃣ Unconscious Inclusion: The Work Beyond the Workshop - https://msa.news/3UxQNSc 8️⃣ Building Beyond Bias: HR’s Solution to Exclusion - https://msa.news/3w8ihnQ
14 Mar 2024
Episode 5: March 2024
Special Guests: Tara Fournier (Chief People Officer, Enthusiast Gaming | President, Professionals in Human Resources Association | Deputy State Director, CA State Council for SHRM) and Christine Rodman (CEO, Lynx Employer Resources LLC | State Director, CA State Council for SHRM)
Tune in as Michael Sullivan & Associates attorney, Eric De Wames, and a rotating roster of guest experts discuss the most recent developments, emerging trends, and effective strategies within California's dynamic employment law environment. Each month, we dive deep into the most recent cases, legislation, and general trends to provide you with valuable insights and guidance for navigating the complex world of employment regulations in the Golden State.
Podcast webpage: https://msa.news/podcast
25 Jan 2024
Episode 4: January 2024
Special Guest: Michael W. Sullivan - General Managing Partner at Michael Sullivan & Associates
This month Eric and his special guest, MS&A General Managing Partner Michael Sullivan, discuss current trends in workers’ compensation and employment law, as well as the emerging use of artificial intelligence in the legal field.
Do you have questions about a topic covered in our podcast? If so, visit our Q&A page on Slido at https://msa.news/askeric.
If you have a topic suggestion, or would like to be a guest on our show, reach out to podcast host Eric De Wames at https://msa.news/contacteric.
Podcast webpage: https://msa.news/podcast
27 Dec 2023
Episode 3: December 2023
Special Guests: Kimberly Pease (Partner/Chief Operations Officer at Maryman & Associates) and Tara Fournier (President, Professionals in Human Resources Association)
Welcome to the Employers' Legal Lounge podcast – a valuable resource for employers, risk managers, human resources professionals, employment attorneys, and colleagues to stay informed about the ever-evolving landscape of California employment compliance laws.
Tune in as Michael Sullivan & Associates attorney, Eric De Wames, and a rotating roster of guest experts discuss the most recent developments, emerging trends, and effective strategies within California's dynamic employment law environment. Each month, we dive deep into a specific topic to provide you with valuable insights and guidance for navigating the complex world of employment regulations in the Golden State.
Do you have questions about a topic covered in our podcast? If so, visit our Q&A page on Slido at https://msa.news/askeric.
If you have any questions, topic suggestions, or would like to be a guest on our show, reach out to podcast host Eric De Wames at https://msa.news/contacteric.
Podcast webpage: https://msa.news/podcast
21 Nov 2023
Episode 2: November 2023
Special Guest: Christine Rodman - CEO Lynx HR Consulting, incoming State Council Director for SHRM
Welcome to the Employers' Legal Lounge podcast – a valuable resource for employers, risk managers, human resources professionals, employment attorneys, and colleagues to stay informed about the ever-evolving landscape of California employment compliance laws.
Tune in as Michael Sullivan & Associates attorney, Eric De Wames, and a rotating roster of guest experts discuss the most recent developments, emerging trends, and effective strategies within California's dynamic employment law environment. Each month, we dive deep into a specific topic to provide you with valuable insights and guidance for navigating the complex world of employment regulations in the Golden State.
Do you have questions about a topic covered in our podcast? If so, visit our Q&A page on Slido at https://msa.news/askeric.
If you have any questions, topic suggestions, or would like to be a guest on our show, reach out to podcast host Eric De Wames at https://msa.news/contacteric.
Podcast webpage: https://msa.news/podcast
17 Oct 2023
Episode 1: October 2023
Special Guest: Tara Fournier
Welcome to the Employers' Legal Lounge podcast – a valuable resource for employers, risk managers, human resources professionals, employment attorneys, and colleagues to stay informed about the ever-evolving landscape of California employment compliance laws.
Tune in as Michael Sullivan & Associates attorney, Eric De Wames, and a rotating roster of guest experts discuss the most recent developments, emerging trends, and effective strategies within California's dynamic employment law environment. Each month, we dive deep into a specific topic to provide you with valuable insights and guidance for navigating the complex world of employment regulations in the Golden State.
Do you have questions about a topic covered in our podcast? If so, visit our Q&A page on Slido at https://msa.news/askeric.
If you have any questions, topic suggestions, or would like to be a guest on our show, reach out to podcast host Eric De Wames at https://msa.news/contacteric.
Podcast webpage: https://msa.news/podcast
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11 ratings
Spotify
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6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
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