Speaking Engagements

Post-Employment Litigation Trends: The New Normal

Led by a team of Barnes & Thornburg attorneys and joined by Corporate In-house counsel from some of the country’s most successful companies, this seminar will present three panels on trending employment law issues and the litigation arising from these issues.

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Post-Employment Restrictive Covenants

Barnes & Thornburg will lead a panel discussion with in-house counsel regarding post-employment restrictive covenants (non-compete, non-solicit, non-disclosure). The panel will focus on practical advice and guidance as it explores current hot issues in restrictive covenant litigation and will address the following questions:

Is it wise or imprudent for companies to utilize these restrictions for their employees?
What problems do companies encounter when attempting to enforce these covenants?
Given that restrictive covenants are governed by state law, what are the best strategies for the national employer with operations throughout the country?
How does social media affect the enforcement of these restrictions?
Hear practical advice on these and other post-employment topics. (Written materials on these subjects also will be provided).

Hear practical advice on these and other post-employment topics. (Written materials on these subjects also will be provided).

Panelists:

Christine Esckilsen, Global Head of Human Capital and Assistant General Counsel, Piper, Jaffray & Co.
Michael Okerlund, Director - Legal, Arctic Cat
Dennis Orke, Vice President - Law and Chief Labor, Employment and Benefits Counsel, The Mosaic Company

Misappropriation of Trade Secrets

Barnes & Thornburg and a panel of in-house counsel and industry professionals will discuss complex issues surrounding companies’ protection of confidential, proprietary and trade secret data. The panel will explore the extraordinarily difficult problems created by the digitization of data and incredibly easy transfer of electronic information (think Pfc. Manning or Edward Snowden) and will address the following:

How can companies protect their confidential information against carelessness, misuse or theft?
How can companies ensure that employees they hire don’t infect their computer systems with competitors’ data?
How have changing technologies changed the game for ESI and trade secret protection?

Hear best practices and practical advice on these and other topics. (Written materials on these subjects also will be provided).

Panelists:

Mike Iwan, Senior Counsel, Alliant Techsystems
Paul Luehr, Managing Director, Stroz Friedberg
Brett Strand, Counsel, 3M

Fiduciary Duties and Common Law Claims

Barnes & Thornburg Partner Tina Syring will lead a panel discussion with in-house counsel regarding the common law claims invariably pled in connection with restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation; including breach of fiduciary duty, interference with contractual relations, and unjust enrichment; and will address the following:

Are companies out of luck if they do not have agreements containing restrictive covenants with their employees?
What claims are available in the absence of agreements?
If a company’s confidential data does not meet the statutory definition of “trade secret,” are there still opportunities for a company to protect its data?
What fiduciary duties do employees owe employers during and following their employment?

These and other questions will be explored by the panelists, with a focus on practical advice. (Written materials on these subjects also will be provided).

Panelists:

Patrick Reinken, Director of Legal Affairs and Risk Management, National Marrow Donor Program
David Lauth, Senior Associate General Counsel, Employment Law, UnitedHealth Group

When: March 13, 2014