Counseling Business Clients: Avoiding Pitfalls in Workplace Operations, Investigations, and Misconduct Claims

Jonathan Fraser Light | LightGabler LLP

Jonathan Fraser Light is a highly experienced workplace investigator, having led numerous sensitive and complex investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and employee misconduct across a wide range of industries. Known for his impartiality, thoroughness, and legal precision, Jonathan brings over 30 years of employment law expertise to his investigative work, ensuring that findings are both legally sound and practically actionable. As managing attorney at LightGabler, he also advises employers on compliance, litigation defense, and HR best practices. A dynamic speaker and trainer, Jonathan regularly educates business leaders and HR professionals on conducting effective investigations and navigating California’s evolving employment laws. He has earned repeated recognition from Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America for his outstanding work in labor and employment law.

Beyond frequently lecturing to business groups and civic organizations on employment issues, Jon serves the community where he lives and works as a member of the Ventura County Campaign Finance Ethics Commission, and a current or former board member of the Ventura County Bar Association (Past President), Volunteer Legal Services Association, Ventura County Taxpayers Association, the Ventura County Boy Scout Council (Past President), the Footworks Youth Ballet, and the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (Past Chair).

He is the author of two editions of the nationally acclaimed and award-winning book, The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball. He is a frequent and sought-after speaker on the history of baseball. Jon has been the Production Manager for the Footworks Youth Ballet, has coached girls’ softball in Camarillo, leads the Camarillo Academic Olympics SuperQuiz, and coaches the Newbury Park High School mock trial team. He is also a member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Shannon L. Kelly | GrayRobinson, P.A.

Providing strategic counsel on all aspects of labor, employment, and employee benefits law, from preventative advice and compliance counsel to litigation. Leveraging legal experience and a background in public relations to deliver comprehensive, business focused solutions.

Shannon Kelly is a seasoned attorney with nearly two decades of experience providing strategic counsel to employers on labor and employment law matters. Her practice encompasses assisting clients with compliance matters involving the range of federal and state employment laws, policy development and revision, internal and agency audits, employee benefit plan design and compliance, and harassment and discrimination investigations. With a strong focus on helping clients navigate complex issues under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act, Shannon ensures clients are well-positioned to manage these obligations effectively.

In addition to her work with private employers, Shannon represents higher education institutions, offering comprehensive counsel on employment law claims when litigation is inevitable. Her extensive litigation experience includes defending clients in cases under all federal and state employment statutes.

Before transitioning to law, Shannon built a strong foundation in nonprofit management and public relations and branding. This unique background enhances her ability to provide client-centered, well rounded counsel and guide clients through legal challenges while balancing both legal strategy and business objectives.

Session I – Conducting an Effective Workplace Investigation | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Range of conduct
• Grievance/complaint system
• Who should investigate?
• Factors affecting who should investigate
• Complaints of bias by investigators
• Where to investigate
• Should the employer separate or remove the key parties
• Preparation for interviews
• The investigation report
• Why document

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Workplace Investigations: Compliance-Driven Culture, Early Resolution, and Organizational Readiness | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Embedding investigation-readiness into compliance culture
• Designing preventative structures for high-risk environments
• Establishing trustworthy and legally compliant reporting mechanisms
• Using internal investigations data for continuous improvement
• Pre-investigation coaching, documentation, and documentation hygiene