Category: Employment Law, Ethics, Harassment & Discrimination (H&D) Maine Category: Employment Law, Ethics, Harassment & Discrimination (H&D) Maine (show less)

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Credit Information: This program was presented live at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport and as a live webcast on May 7, 2026.  If you attended the live program or the live webcast you cannot earn self-study credits by watching it again.

SCHEDULE AND FACULTY

8:00 REGISTRATION AT THE HILTON GARDEN INN

8:30 THE MAINE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: SAME AS IT EVER WAS
While much has changed in the realm of human rights, the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA) remains intact. This session will include an overview of what’s happening at the Commission, trends in complaint filings, cases of note, and practice tips for handling cases at the Commission from intake to conciliation. Presenters will also discuss challenges to the Commission’s enforcement of the MHRA in the face of a changing legal landscape at the federal level.
Barbara A. Hirsch, Esq., Maine Human Rights Commission
Colin R. Hurd, Esq., Maine Human Rights Commission

9:30 BREAK

9:40 ETHICAL ISSUES WITH MULTIPLE REPRESENTATION CONFLICTS (1.0 ETHICS)
Lawyers often face ethical dilemmas when representing both a company and an individual employee (e.g., a manager). Rule 1.8(g) requires informed, written consent from each client before participating in aggregate settlements. We will also discuss a recent ABA opinion on representation of an organization separate from its constituents and other ethical scenarios lawyers need to consider.
Suzanne E. Thompson, Esq., Board of Overseers of the Bar
Mara R. King, Esq., Board of Overseers of the Bar

10:40 BREAK

10:50 HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND BULLYING: IMPACTS FOR LAWYERS AND LEGAL PRACTICE (1.0 H&D)
This seminar will focus on Maine’s mandatory harassment and discrimination education credit requirement but will expand the scope of the discussion. We will define the rules as they apply to lawyers, including law practices. Topics will include: application of the rules governing harassment, bullying, and discrimination, specifically Rule 8.4; defining and understanding what constitutes unlawful conduct based on protected characteristics; best practices in preventing and responding to harassment, bullying, and discrimination issues; and implementing effective policies.
Anne-Marie L. Storey, Esq., Bernstein Shur
Paige Eggleston, Esq., Bernstein Shur

11:50 LUNCH (INCLUDED)

12:50 TIPS FROM THE BENCH: JUDICIAL PERSPECTIVES ON DISCOVERY AND SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Drawing on experience from both the federal and state bench, Justice Michaela Murphy and Judge Stacey Neumann will discuss how attorneys can more effectively approach discovery disputes and summary judgment motions, offering practical advice on advocacy, briefing, and strategic considerations. Email any specific questions to cle@mainebar.org in advance so we can address the issues most useful to you.
Honorable Stacey D. Neumann, US District Court
Honorable Mary Michaela Murphy, Maine Superior Court

1:50 BREAK

2:00 SO MANY PUBLIC EMPLOYERS IN MAINE; SO MANY TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS & DEFENSES!
We will cover the fascinating landscape of public employers in Maine, ranging from small towns and water districts to the federal and state governments. We will also alert you to the special claims and defenses that apply to a government workplace including constitutional torts, procedural due process, and statutes of limitations as short as 15, 30, and 45 days.
David G. Webbert, Esq., Johnson, Webbert & Beard, LLP
Mark V. Franco, Esq., Drummond Woodsum

3:00 BREAK

3:10 LEGAL YEAR IN REVIEW
Annual survey of statutory and regulatory changes, court decisions, and new administrative guidance that impact our employment law practices.
Braden A. Beard, Esq., Johnson, Webbert & Beard, LLP
Lauren M. Ballback, Esq., Littler Mendelson, PC

4:10 ADJOURN

PROGRAM CHAIRS:
Steven J. Silver, Esq., Littler Mendelson PC
Martin P. Tartre, Esq., Employee Rights Group LLC