California Legal Symposium 2025

California Legal Symposium 2025

Cal-ISBOA is once again partnering with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW) to bring you legal updates important to independent school business officers and those with human resources responsibilities. Four curated topics will be presented by LCW attorneys along with a Q&A session to answer all of your questions. With two for one pricing, this is an excellent opportunity for teams, so consider bringing multiple staff members to ensure both your business and HR functions are well-supported. Don't miss this standout event of the year!

Thursday, November 6 Schedule

via Zoom

Register Here!

9:00 - 9:15am  Welcome & Opening Remarks

Grace Chan & Scarlett Vanyi

9:15 - 10:30am  Avoiding Legal Landmines: How Schools Can Step Safely

Monica Espejo & Brian Walter

Session Description: The legal landscape for California independent schools is constantly shifting, creating new challenges and potential pitfalls for school leaders. This session will address today’s most pressing areas of legal risk — employment practices and leave laws, contracts, off-campus activities, and the expanding role of artificial intelligence. Drawing on recent litigation trends and real-world case studies, we will highlight proactive strategies to anticipate risks, strengthen policies, avoid reputational harm and promote a culture of compliance. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with practical tools to navigate legal challenges with confidence and safeguard their schools for the future, consistent with the school’s mission and values.

10:30 - 10:45am Break

10:45 - 11:45am  The Future of Hiring is Here: Harnessing AI Responsibly in California Schools

Grace Chan & Julie Strom

Session Description: As artificial intelligence tools reshape the hiring landscape, California independent schools must balance innovation with compliance. This session explores how independent schools can harness AI to streamline the hiring process—while staying aligned with California and federal employment, privacy, and nondiscrimination laws. Learn best practices for implementing AI responsibly, mitigating risk, and ensuring your hiring process remains fair, transparent, and legally sound.

11:45- 12:45pm Lunch

12:45 - 2:00pm  Think You're Covered? Common Wage & Hour Pitfalls for California Private Schools

Elizabeth Arce & Stacy Velloff

Session Description: California Independent schools must navigate an increasingly complex wage and hour landscape, balancing compliance with the realities of school operations. This session will cover key risk areas — including misclassification of employees, meal and rest breaks, expense reimbursements, overnight trips, and other issues related to the payment of wages. Participants will leave with practical strategies to strengthen compliance practices, reduce exposure to claims, and better protect their schools against wage and hour liability.

2:00 - 2:15pm Break

2:15 - 3:15pm The Legal Horizon: Emerging Issues for California’s Independent Schools 

Michael Blacher & Hannah Dodge

Session Description: Staying current with legal developments is a constant challenge for California independent schools. Drawing on recent cases, new legislation, and evolving best practices, this interactive session will highlight key trends shaping the legal landscape both in California and nationally. School leaders will gain practical insights to anticipate risks, strengthen compliance, and make informed decisions that support effective school operations. They will leave with clear, actionable takeaways to enhance risk management strategies and position their schools for long-term success.

3:15 - 4:00pm Q & A and Closing Remarks

Michael Blacher & Scarlett Vanyi

Important notes:

• Your registration includes access to the symposium for two people.
• You will receive instructions to login to the Symposium one week prior to the event.
• Registrants will also receive access to the recordings. If you are not able to attend the live event, please register to receive the recording.
• An access code is only needed for LCW Consortium members, not Cal-ISBOA members. This is to ensure both parties receive the "member" price. The code is being sent by LCW to consortium members, check your inbox or reach out to your Consortium Coordinator.

Continuing Education credits (5.25 hours offered):
Each breakout session is intended to be eligible for and is pending approval for SHRM and HRCI continuing education credit. Participating attorneys are eligible for 5.25 hours of MCLE credit.