Brooks Pierce Attorneys Present Labor & Employment Webinar on Enforcement Priorities and Legal Updates

Brooks Pierce attorneys presented a labor and employment webinar on December 3 titled, “Labor and Employment Year in Review: Updates on Legal Trends and Enforcement Priorities.” The webinar provided an overview of legal trends and enforcement priorities from this past year and offer insight for employers going forward into the new year. The webinar was facilitated by partner Bryan Starrett.

The full session can be viewed here.

Elizabeth Troutman and Lauren Hoffman presented “Update on ‘Reverse Discrimination’ Case Law,” discussing the growing body of case law after the Students for Fair Admissions Supreme Court decision. Their presentation explored the decision’s impact on employers’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as compliance efforts under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. They also addressed related executive orders and federal agency actions in this area.

Jessi Thaller-Moran, Bryan Starrett and Vanessa Canuto presented “EEOC Enforcement,” examining the composition and function of the EEOC in 2025. They discussed the enforcement priorities of the agency and highlight potential areas of liability for employers, especially in the areas of religious discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Tricia Goodson, Erin Barker and Kemper Patton presented “New Year, Old Rules: Employee Misclassification Issues,” highlighting the current state of employee misclassification issues in 2025. The U.S. Department of Labor recently withdrew a proposed rule to increase the salary threshold for white-collar exempt employees. Then, it directed investigators to stop applying the 2024 independent contractor vs. employee test and apply old factors again. Meanwhile, courts continued awarding high-dollar damages to employees in misclassification lawsuits.

Brooks Pierce is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.