Presented in partnership with the Employers Association of the Northeast (EANE)
The Employment Law Summit is RI SHRM’s premier annual event for HR professionals, business leaders, and employers who want to stay ahead in today’s fast-changing legal landscape. This full-day program delivers timely updates on federal and state employment laws, compliance strategies, and practical guidance to help you protect your organization and support its growth.
Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of current, new, and pending legislation, equipping them to navigate complex workplace issues with confidence. The summit also offers invaluable networking opportunities and access to some of the region’s top legal and HR experts.
What to Expect:
- Federal & State Legislative Updates: Learn about the latest developments impacting your workplace.
- Expert-Led Sessions: Hear directly from thought leaders and practitioners who will share real-world strategies for compliance and risk management.
- Interactive Q&A: Get your most pressing employment law questions answered.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and expand your professional network.
Whether you’re an experienced HR professional or a business owner managing workplace compliance, this summit will provide the insights you need to stay informed, stay compliant, and stay ahead.
Employers who purchase a table receive a discounted rate. For details, contact Lisa Bernard at programs.rishrm@gmail.com.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Harbor Lights,
150 Gray Street
Warwick, RI 02889
Cost:
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Early Bird: $179
May 1 - 31, 2025
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Regular: $199
June 1 - Sept 28, 2025
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Late Registration: $219
Sept. 29 - Oct 10, 2025
Learn More about our Speakers
Mark Adams, Director of Compliance
Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE)
Mark leads EANE’s HR compliance operations, providing services to member companies and directing programs for affirmative action, background checking, and data surveys. A frequent writer and speaker throughout the region, Mark guides management-level and C-suite professionals on topical issues ranging from drug testing to FMLA to employee vs. independent contractor laws.
He is the primary editor and author of EANE’s e-alerts, keeping members in-the-know about pending legal and regulatory developments critical to the workplace. Mark is a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and the Western New England College School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 1992.
Francesco (Fran) DeLuca, Shareholder
Ogletree Deakins
Employers look to Fran to represent them in labor and employment disputes. He has litigated single-plaintiff discrimination and retaliation suits, wage-and-hour class and collective matters, high-stakes whistleblower cases, and unfair competition actions. He has represented clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other state and federal agencies. Regardless of the type of matter, Fran strives to develop creative strategies that mitigate risk and account for the client’s business objectives.
In addition to his litigation practice, Fran is a trusted advisor to employers across industries. He works with them to develop and update handbooks, policies, and agreements; respond to and investigate internal complaints; manage leaves of absence and accommodation requests; handle sensitive terminations; protect confidential information and trade secrets; and train their workforce on a variety of issues.
Stesha A. Emmanuel, Shareholder
Ogletree Deakins
Stesha A. Emmanuel is a Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, a premier international labor and employment law firm, and licensed to practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Her primary practice groups are Employment Law Litigation, Higher Education and Workplace Investigations. In particular, Stesha assists employers in a wide range of employment-related litigation matters including allegations of discrimination, harassment and wrongful terminations before state and federal courts, in addition to administrative agencies. Stesha also has extensive experience and regularly conducts internal investigations related to allegations of misconduct, race and sex discrimination, religious discrimination, national origin discrimination, failure to promote, retaliation, hostile work environment allegations and compliance violations. Stesha’s practice is also centered on her work with higher education institutions where she conducts investigations under Title VI, Title VII and Title IX. She also chairs Title IX adjudication panels.
Carly Beauvais Iafrate – Attorney,
Law Office of Carly Beauvais Iafrate, P.C.
Carly Iafrate is a Rhode Island attorney specializing in labor and employment law. For nearly 25 years, she has primarily represented public sector labor unions, associations of retired public employees and plaintiffs in employment discrimination matters. Carly has handled many such matters on behalf of clients in arbitration and administrative hearings, before the Rhode Island Superior and Supreme Courts, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She is also a member of the United States Supreme Court bar. Carly is an Adjunct Professor having taught Employment Discrimination and Labor Law at Roger Williams University School of Law and presently sits on the Law School’s Board of Directors. She has served on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Board of Bar Examiners since 2006 and served a five-year term on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Character & Fitness Committee. Prior to starting her law practice, she served as law clerk to now-retired Chief Justice Frank J. Williams. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts – Amherst and Roger Williams School of Law.
Patricia Lyons-Bousquet, Founder and Principal Consultant
CompLyons HR Consulting, LLC
Patty provides practical, people-centered HR and compensation solutions to small and mid-sized businesses. With over 30 years of HR experience, Patricia is known for her ability to translate complex HR principles and best practices into actionable guidance that helps employers stay compliant and confident. Her firm specializes in policy development, employee relations, HR audits, and compensation consulting—with a focus on accessibility and flexibility for growing businesses. Patricia is a trusted advisor to clients across New England and beyond and is a proud graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. She brings a strong working knowledge of employment law, paired with real-world HR expertise.
Chip Muller, Esq.
Founding Partner, Muller Law
Attorney Muller is the founder of Muller Law, LLC, focusing on employment law, business law, and litigation. Chip is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law where he was article and notes editor of the First Amendment Law Review, and a member of the trial team. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 2007 and is also licensed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and multiple federal courts, including the First Circuit Court of Appeals where he secured a significant decision.
Chip has first-chaired numerous jury trials and arbitrations, achieving victories in every plaintiff-side trial he has led. Chip also advises companies how to avoid litigation risk in the first place.
In addition to his litigation practice, Chip frequently teaches employment law and trial advocacy, including at national conferences, and has served as Chair of the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Employment Law Committee. He is a contributing author to A Practical Guide to Employment Law in Rhode Island and a member of both the National Employment Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association’s Employment Law Section.
Will Ruggiero, Labor and Employment Attorney
Ogletree Deakins
Based in Stamford, Connecticut, Will Ruggiero is a trusted advisor to employers nationwide, guiding them through the full spectrum of labor and employment law challenges. He dedicates his practice exclusively to representing employers, earning a reputation for responsiveness, strategic insight, and the ability to handle complex and sensitive workplace matters. Will has extensive experience defending employers in court and arbitration against claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour violations, and misappropriation of trade secrets, as well as representing clients in administrative proceedings before agencies such as the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the New York State Division of Human Rights, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In addition to his litigation work, Will partners with employers on compliance, personnel management, employee leave, and disability accommodation issues, delivering practical, business-focused solutions. Will has been ranked in Chambers USA since 2024 as a leading lawyer for business in Labor & Employment Law and was named a Connecticut Super Lawyer in 2024 and 2025, following his recognition as a Connecticut Rising Star from 2015 through 2021.
Felicia Sullivan, Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment
PPL Corporation
Pamela Thornton, Director of Strategic HR Services
Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE)
Pam Thornton is a dynamic HR leader, speaker, and strategist with over 30 years of experience spanning private industry and the nonprofit sector. Her early career included leadership roles at nationally recognized companies like LEGO Systems, Inc. and K2 Sports, where she managed HR operations for teams of over 200 employees nationwide, driving initiatives in performance management, employee engagement, and organizational development.
Since 2014, she has been a cornerstone of the Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE) holding various roles on the HR Team. Pam serves on the Leadership Team and plays a key role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction. She leads EANE’s HR team, mentors staff, and partners closely with member organizations to deliver customized HR solutions that support their success.
A well-regarded speaker and facilitator, Pam is known for delivering engaging sessions on HR innovation, leadership development, compliance, and workforce strategy. Her most requested topics include empowering next-generation leaders, building a magnetic employee value proposition, and reimagining talent recruitment and retention.
Pam holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Strategic Human Resources from Bay Path University. She is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and a certified trainer with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Pam is also an Executive Board Member and Director of Membership for RI SHRM and a past president of the Human Resource Management Association of Western New England.
