HR Compliance & the Law in 2026
This session will explore the rapidly evolving employment landscape with a focus on pay transparency requirements, the legal implications of AI in hiring and employment decisions, and the unique compliance challenges facing small businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Employment law attorneys and HR compliance experts will share practical insights and real-world case studies illustrating how emerging regulations and enforcement trends are impacting organizations of all sizes. You will learn actionable strategies to help leaders proactively manage risk while maintaining operational flexibility.
We will be led by The Richards Group, a full-service insurance and financial services firm that provides comprehensive risk management, employee benefits and investment services just for you. Whether you are a business owner, HR professional, or manager, we hope you can join us for this engaging discussion that promises to bring you up to date with the hottest topics in HR and law in 2026!
For more information about The Richards Group and their range of services, visit www.therichardsgrp.com.
Meet the Speakers
Alexandra H. Clauss – AWI - HC
Downs, Rachlin Martin
aclauss@drm.com
Alexa advises companies on a variety of matters including labor relations, worker classification, performance management, terminations, accommodations, wage and hour laws, and leaves of absence. Alexa negotiates collective bargaining agreements, drafts and reviews executive employment agreements, employee handbooks, policies and agreements that protect businesses’ valuable assets.
Alexa specializes in Pay Transparency. Vermont's pay transparency requirements have made compensation discussions a routine part of recruiting. Employers with five or more employees generally must include pay ranges in job postings, increasing visibility into compensation practices and often highlighting internal pay equity concerns. While employers cannot generally ask about salary history, they may discuss candidates' salary expectations.
Jeremy S. Grant
Downs, Rachlin Martin
jgrant@drm.com
Jeremy Grant brings seasoned employment counsel and litigation experience to DRM’s Labor & Employment team, helping businesses manage risk and resolve disputes efficiently. He regularly advises employers on sensitive personnel matters, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, workplace investigations – with a strong emphasis on practical, preventative strategies designed to help avoid costly disputes.
Jeremy specializes in AI in Employment. AI is rapidly becoming embedded in recruiting, performance management, scheduling, and other HR processes. Even well-intentioned tools can create unintended bias, making it critical for employers to understand how AI-enabled systems make recommendations or decisions. Organizations should establish clear AI governance guidelines that define approved tools, required human oversight, data privacy expectations, and approval processes for new technology.
Kerin S. Stackpole, SPHR, Director
Paul, Frank & Collins
kstackpole@pfclaw.com
Kerin Stackpole leads the Employment + Labor Law Group. She provides practical and proactive advice to senior leaders and management teams regarding a wide range of labor and employment issues, including workforce planning; hiring and onboarding; FLSA analysis and classification; performance management; legal and recordkeeping compliance; leave management; employee engagement; policy development and implementation.
Kerin specializes in Vermont Regulations & Small Employers. Compliance challenges often increase as organizations grow because employment laws apply differently based on workforce size. Small employers should pay close attention to wage and hour practices, employee classification, and the management of remote and flexible work arrangements. As organizations expand, informal HR practices become riskier, making consistent approaches to hiring, compensation, leave administration, performance management, and employee relations increasingly important.
Susan C. Loynd, MA, SHRM-SCP (Moderator)
The Richards Group
sloynd@therichardsgrp.com
Susan Loynd will moderate the discussion, drawing on more than 30 years of HR and organizational consulting experience. As a strategic HR advisor, Susan partners with leaders to align people strategies with business goals, with expertise spanning compensation, talent strategy, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, employee engagement, and workforce planning. She will guide the conversation while helping the attorneys translate legal and compliance issues into practical actions that support attendees’ business performance and employee experiences.
Questions? If so, please contact to Molly Rand at mollyr@vbsr.org.