The Attorney’s Handbook Playbook: Adaptive Drafting Strategies, Critical Policies, Structural Choices, Risk Management, and Compliance (2026 Edition)
Chelsea's practice focuses on advising employers concerning various employment related issues, including compliance with California and federal anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and leave laws, and other human resources practices, as well as negotiating and documenting employment and severance agreements.
Eric Emanuelson, an Associate in Epstein Becker Green’s Washington, D.C. office, and a regular presenter of continuing legal education webinars. Eric counsels multi-state employers on all facets of employment law, with an eye towards minimizing risk and achieving optimal workplace outcomes.
2 hour CLE
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Program Summary
Session I – Balancing Compliance and Clarity in Employee Handbooks – Eric I. Emanuelson, Jr.
This session offers practical guidance on how to create a well-structured and effective employee handbook. It will cover key handbook provisions, highlight important policies that help protect the organization, and address common mistakes employers should avoid reducing legal exposure. Participants will learn approaches for drafting a handbook that aligns with an ever-changing legal environment while remaining clear, accessible, and engaging for employees.
Key topics to be discussed:
- How employee handbooks promote a respectful work environment while helping shield the organization
- Recommended approaches to organizing and formatting an effective handbook
- Critical policies that should be included, along with provisions that may create avoidable legal exposure
- Keeping your handbook compliant, including key legal developments that may require changes to your handbook for 2026
Session II – Handbook Provisions That Safeguard You and That Present Risks – Chelsea Hoffman
Most employers recognize that a well-crafted, accessible handbook—one that reflects the organization’s culture and values—is an essential tool. However, as employment laws continue to evolve, the question becomes how to use that handbook effectively to safeguard the business while clearly outlining employee expectations, duties, and benefits. This session will examine practical strategies for designing and maintaining a handbook that strikes the right balance—providing sufficient guidance and protection without creating unnecessary risk—so it supports a productive and compliant workplace.
Key topics to be discussed:
- Exploring areas of concern in 2025 and expected trends in 2026
- A handbook as a shield and a sword
- Uncovering gaps that are often missing or underestimated
- Eliminating provisions that create more risk than benefit
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: January 29, 2026
- 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm Eastern
- 12:00 pm – 2:10 pm Central
- 11:00 am – 1:10 pm Mountain
- 10:00 am – 12:10 pm Pacific
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
Chelsea Hoffman | Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Chelsea’s practice focuses on advising employers concerning various employment related issues, including compliance with California and federal anti-discrimination, anti-harassment and leave laws, and other human resources practices, as well as negotiating and documenting employment and severance agreements. Chelsea also counsels clients on their employment policies, and performs trainings on all aspects of employment conduct, including California-mandated sexual harassment training, discrimination training, and training on the interplay of the Americans with Disability Act with state and federal leave laws. In addition, Chelsea advises employers on hiring and termination decisions, including those where federal and state WARN requirements are triggered, and handling performance deficiencies and evaluations.
Eric Emanuelson | Epstein Becker Green
Eric Emanuelson, an Associate in Epstein Becker Green’s Washington, D.C. office, and a regular presenter of continuing legal education webinars. Eric counsels multi-state employers on all facets of employment law, with an eye towards minimizing risk and achieving optimal workplace outcomes.
Clients turn to him for assistance reviewing handbooks, compliance with equal pay laws, support for reductions in force, and information regarding the latest federal, state, and local employment law developments. In addition to day-to-day employment counseling, Eric leads workplace training programs on anti-harassment and workplace conduct, assists clients with internal investigations, and conducts employment-related due diligence for corporate transactions.
Agenda
Session I – Balancing Compliance and Clarity in Employee Handbooks | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
- How employee handbooks promote a respectful work environment while helping shield the organization
- Recommended approaches to organizing and formatting an effective handbook
- Critical policies that should be included, along with provisions that may create avoidable legal exposure
- Keeping your handbook compliant, including key legal developments that may require changes to your handbook for 2026
Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm
Session II – Handbook Provisions That Safeguard You and That Present Risks | 2:10pm – 3:10pm
- Exploring areas of concern in 2025 and expected trends in 2026
- A handbook as a shield and a sword
- Uncovering gaps that are often missing or underestimated
- Eliminating provisions that create more risk than benefit
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