Littler Labor & Employment Podcast

In this episode of Littler Lounge, Claire and Nicole sit down with Littler attorney Shin-I Lowe for a grounded, yet eye-opening conversation about the realities of immigration enforcement in the workplace. From I-9 audits to the high-pressure uncertainty of ICE raids, the discussion explores how employers can distinguish between different types of enforcement actions – and why that distinction matters. The episode covers the legal nuances of subpoenas versus warrants, the importance of having a clear protocol in place, and how to recognize early warning signs that could trigger government scrutiny. It also dives into the role of E-Verify, the risks of misuse, and how interagency data sharing is shaping enforcement trends under current federal priorities. With practical insights and a few cautionary tales, this conversation underscores the value of preparation over panic – and highlights Littler's publicly available resources to help employers stay compliant and confident. https://www.littler.com/practices-industries/immigration-and-global-mobility

Welcome to Littler Lounge, the podcast where employment law meets happy hour energy. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something fizzy, and join us as we unwind with the sharpest minds in labor and employment law. This isn't your typical legal briefing – we're trading the boardroom for the breakroom to talk shop, share stories, and unpack the issues shaping the workplace today. In each episode, we tap into Littler's deep bench of thought leaders to explore the legal, cultural, and practical dimensions of work – from IE&D and immigration to AI and labor relations. It's smart, it's insightful, and yes, it's a little irreverent. Because when you bring together brilliant people who trust each other, the real conversations start to flow. Big firm. Big ideas. Zero stuffiness. In this episode, Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave unpack the results of Littler's 2025 Employer Survey, revealing what's top of mind for employers in today's rapidly shifting legal and cultural landscape. From the uncertain future of inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) programs and the chilling effect of increased immigration enforcement, to the whiplash in AI adoption and the evolving dynamics of labor relations, employers are navigating a complex web of concerns. Tune in as Claire and Nicole explore the tension between compliance and culture – and why many organizations are choosing to hold steady amid regulatory ambiguity.

Littler's Workplace Policy Institute takes a look back at the major policy and regulatory changes that have impacted employers during the first 100 days of President Trump's second administration and discusses what to expect moving forward.

Littler's Workplace Policy Institute examines the current state of employment law legislation in California and the specific laws employers will want to pay attention to now.

Littler attorneys discuss the Faster Labor Contracts Act and how it will potentially amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Kerry Notestine, Shawn Matthew Clark and Yvette Gatling discuss how actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are impacting private employers.

David Goldstein and Kelcy Palmer discuss various developments from the Trump Administration and the impact to federal contractors.

In the final episode of our podcast series “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Matthew Badrov and Stephen Shore discuss the complexities surrounding the construction industry in Canada and the basics of successorship.c

As part of Littler's “The First 100 Days” podcast series, Jim Paretti, Alex MacDonald and Bradford Kelley from Littler's Workplace Policy Institute discuss the major changes to the NLRB and the EEOC.

In the second episode of Littler's new “The First 100 Days” podcast series, Jorge Lopez and Elizabeth Whiting discuss the executive orders affecting immigration policy and compliance enforcement and the impact on companies who employ foreign workers.

In the fifth episode of a six-part podcast series “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Matthew Badrov and Stephen Shore discuss how strikes and lockouts are handled in Canada and which industries are prohibited from doing so.

This is the first episode of Littler's new “The First 100 Days” podcast series, where Littler attorneys breakdown the significant moves made by President Trump and how those are reshaping the landscape for businesses. In this episode, Jorge Lopez speaks with Sean McCrory about immigration compliance and enforcement, and how employers can be prepared.

Littler attorneys Stephen Shore and Matt Badrov discuss what to expect after a union is certified, how to prepare for and what is typically covered by a collective agreement, what to expect in a typical negotiation, and tips for achieving your goals at the bargaining table.

In the third episode of our six-part podcast series, “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Stephen Shore and Matt Badrov discuss the genesis of union drives, what employers can do in response, card-check certification, secret-ballot votes and automatic certification.

In the second episode of our six-part podcast series, “The Fundamentals of Canadian Labor Law,” Littler attorneys Stephen Shore and Matt Badrov discuss how to maintain a non-union workforce in Canada, through understanding why employees unionize, how to keep employees engaged, how to counteract union messaging and signs of union activity.

This is the first episode of a six-part podcast series providing an overview of labor Law in Canada. This podcast is designed for human resources executives, labor relations professionals, in-house counsel, and business leaders to gain a better understanding of labor law in Canada. In this episode, Littler attorneys Stephen Shore and Matt Badrov provide an overview and structure of Canadian labor law, including: the difference between federal and provincial labor law, the influence of the Wagner Act in Canada, the organization of labor laws across Canadian provinces, and more.

This podcast features an in-depth discussion with Littler attorneys Maura Mastrony and Jonathan Levine about recent decisions from the National Labor Relations Board that overturned decades of precedent and what employers might expect moving forward.

Littler Shareholder Rachel Fendell Satinsky speaks with Pro Bono Committee Member Dave Haase regarding her work with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project over the years. As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is highlighting various pro bono efforts from around the firm. Our attorneys and professional staff demonstrate their commitment to pro bono by providing significant efforts to organizations in their communities.

Pro Bono Committee Member Jenny Schwendemann is joined by Associate Don Nguyen, Customer Success Senior Coordinator Megan Gunn, Director Christie Bhageloe (Veterans Consortium Discharge Upgrade Program) and Associate Corporate Counsel Kate Brown (Amazon) to discuss Littler's pro bono collaboration with Amazon in support of The Veterans Consortium. As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is highlighting various pro bono efforts from around the firm. Our attorneys and professional staff demonstrate their commitment to pro bono by providing significant efforts to organizations in their communities.

Littler attorneys Colette Kopon and August Johannsen join Pro Bono Committee Member Lavanga Wijekoon in discussing their participation in Littler's pro bono clinic, held in collaboration with the National Immigrant Justice Center, focused on assisting migrant families seeking asylum in the U.S. As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is highlighting various pro bono efforts from around the firm. Our attorneys and professional staff demonstrate their commitment to pro bono by providing significant efforts to organizations in their communities.

Attorneys Sarah Coats, Carly Compton, Christina Cordoza, Chris Johlie and Mark Flores share more about the nonpartisan election activities they have assisted with on a pro bono basis with Pro Bono Committee Member Breanne Martell. As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is highlighting various pro bono efforts from around the firm. Our attorneys and professional staff demonstrate their commitment to pro bono by providing significant efforts to organizations in their communities.

Immigration associates George Thompson and Deepti Orekondy discuss the nuances and intricacies of filing of an H-1B visa application, including H-1B Cap petitions, and how to help employers maintain H-1B compliance. This podcast delves into common pitfalls and strategic considerations for an employer filing an H-1B petition.

Littler's Lavanga Wijekoon speaks with Ellen Miller of the National Immigrant Justice Center, Jodi Ziesemer of the New York Legal Assistance Group and Laura Lunn of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network about the work being done across the country to help immigrants and their families who are in desperate need of immigration protections.

In our final Pro Bono Week podcast, Jenny Schwendemann discusses homelessness, one of the most significant humanitarian challenges many Americans face today, with Katie Meyer Scott and Carlton Martin of the National Homelessness Law Center. Our Littler attorneys demonstrate their pro bono commitment by providing significant pro bono efforts to community organizations. These services cover a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. Overall, the firm values, encourages and respects the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Littler has a partnership with a firm client through The Veterans Consortium that is focused on helping veterans. David Haase speaks with Littler attorneys Matthew Hank, Neil Alexander, Don Nguyen, Jake Thorn, and Director of The Veterans Consortium's Discharge Upgrade Program Christie Bhageloe about the work they've done through the consortium. Our Littler attorneys demonstrate their pro bono commitment by providing significant pro bono efforts to community organizations. These services cover a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. Overall, the firm values, encourages and respects the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Emily Linn talks with Breanne Martell about the amicus brief she assisted with to seek justice for a neurodiverse individual, Robert Leslie Roberson, who was convicted of murder based on science that has now been debunked. Our Littler attorneys demonstrate their pro bono commitment by providing significant pro bono efforts to community organizations. These services cover a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. Overall, the firm values, encourages and respects the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Jenny Schwendemann and Dan Kim share their experience with Lavanga Wijekoon about their collaborative efforts with assisting immigrants from Afghanistan. Our Littler attorneys demonstrate their pro bono commitment by providing significant pro bono efforts to community organizations. These services cover a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. Overall, the firm values, encourages and respects the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

This podcast episode is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of filing an H-1B petition and remaining compliant following an approval. The H-1B visa program is known for its competitiveness, intricate regulations, and fact-specific nature. Whether you're an employer looking to hire and maintain foreign talent or an H-1B applicant, our podcast explores the common pitfalls and crucial considerations you need to be aware of regarding the H-1B process. Littler's immigration attorneys guide you through the H-1B process, helping to ensure a smoother experience. Tune in for valuable insights and practical tips to help you navigate the world of H-1B visas with confidence.

In this podcast, attorneys Carissa Tyler and Angel Valverde, members of Littler's Immigration and Global Mobility Group, discuss alternative employment-based visa options for individuals who were not selected in the initial FY 2024 H-1B registration process (H-1B lottery). The visa categories discussed include H-1B cap exempt petitions, O-1s, L-1s, TNs, and other alternatives for foreign nationals.

An increasing number of employers, especially those in the tech industry, are conducting layoffs or reductions in force. What happens to foreign workers in these situations, whose work visas are often tied to their jobs? What options are available to foreign nationals who are in the process of obtaining permanent residency or are seeking to retain employment so as not to jeopardize their visa status? What notification requirements do employers have in these situations? In this podcast, Senior Counsel Tasneem Zaman and Associate Elizabeth Whiting with Littler's Immigration and Global Mobility Practice Group, answer these and other questions that arise when downsizing impacts an employer's immigration law obligations.

Nicole LeFave, Vinay Patel and Garrick Chan share their experience with Jenny Schwendemann of working on a collaborative effort through the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Tomasz Rogala and Marcin Sanetra, Littler | PCS attorneys, and Lavanga Wijekoon discuss the legal assistance Littler's Poland attorneys have given Ukrainians fleeing the recent conflict there. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Mike Dissinger and Jenny Schwendemann tell the story of how Mike's love of dogs led him to start working with a pet rescue organization in Las Vegas (as well as taking home a new pup in the process). Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Renea Saade and Breanne Martell talk about an Alaska adoption case with a great outcome. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Jeronimo Simonovis and Lavanga Wijekoon discuss an asylum case before U.S. immigration authorities that Jeronimo won involving a woman and her 8-year-old son. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Before offering a foreign national a permanent position, an employer must demonstrate to the Department of Labor that it tested the market and could not find a U.S. worker to fill the role. How can an employer show it properly tested the U.S. labor market to satisfy the DOL's requirements under the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) process? In this podcast, Jorge Lopez, Littler Shareholder and Chair of the Global Mobility and Immigration Practice Group, and Tasneem Zaman, Special Counsel with the practice, discuss a recent decision issued by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) governing the types of newspaper advertisements that meet the DOL's requirements for announcing job openings.

Nancy Johnson and Kimberly Doud of Littler's Orlando office are back to discuss Florida's new law relating to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and its interplay with the status of federal requirements. Nancy and Kimberly discuss how employers in Florida can understand if they need to comply with the new law, what the opt-outs are, and how the new law interacts with the three existing federal mandates.

Nancy Johnson and Kimberly Doud of Littler's Orlando office are back to discuss the state of vaccine mandates in Florida including the impact of OSHA's announced ETS. Nancy and Kimberly discuss considerations for Florida employers given the ETS mandates and potential Florida legislative action related to vaccine mandates generally.

Now that OSHA has released its long-awaited Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) relating to the COVID-19 vaccine, join Littler for a discussion about how it will impact hospitality employers. Shareholders Alka Ramchandani-Raj, co-chair of Littler's Occupational Safety and Health Group, and Rachel Fendell Satinsky, discuss the OSHA ETS requirements and how hospitality employers can remain compliant.

Jenny Schwendemann and Gary Glaser discuss Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and Gary's work representing Off-Broadway theatres and producers. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

David Haase and Lavanga Wijekoon talk about cases referred from the National Immigrant Justice Center and Lavanga's work representing asylum seekers in the United States. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Breanne Martell and Nicole LeFave discuss Eight Million Stories and Nicole's appellate work in criminal law. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Michael McCabe, Matthew Hank, and Daniel Kim describe Matt and Dan's work with the Veterans Consortium defending claims for veterans. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Jennifer Schwendemann and Paul Sopher discuss the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) and their work to change laws and policies for racial justice. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

In this podcast, Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler's Orlando office discuss how the COVID crisis is affecting Florida employers now. After a brief hiatus and the workplace starting to “normalize,” the rise of the Delta variant particularly in Florida is creating new questions for employers continuing to navigate the path to a safe work environment. Kimberly and Nancy remind listeners of vaccination strategies, workplace safety tips and how to deal with the latest CDC guidance recommending, in places like Florida, masking indoors once again regardless of vaccination status.

In this episode, Littler shareholders Bruce Sarchet and Bob Long discuss a common feature of many American workplaces: the “Open Door” policy. But adopting such a policy is just the first step. Bruce and Bob discuss the actual application of these policies, providing examples where managers and supervisors not only actively listen to employees, but take concrete action based on what they hear, and working together with employees to create win-win solutions.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office are back to discuss recent developments in Florida – Florida’s new liability shield law relating to lawsuits claiming damages for COVID-related injuries, damages or death, and Florida’s latest executive order prohibiting state agencies from issuing “vaccine passports.” Kimberly and Nancy discuss the impact of these two state actions on employers in Florida and provide tips on what employers can do now in light of these actions.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss COVID-related updates affecting employers in Florida, including a notable executive order issued on March 10, 2021 by Governor DeSantis and recent federal OSHA announcements. Kim and Nancy also focus on the American Rescue Plan, addressing its provisions concerning unemployment insurance, employer-provided sick leave, and more.

In this podcast, Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office discuss OSHA’s role in enforcement of various COVID-related safety regulations. The conversation also includes some insight into what to expect should OSHA issue an emergency temporary standard by March 15, and some tips on how to prepare for what is likely to come.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office continue the discussion on COVID-19 vaccines. This episode covers employer concerns about employees voicing their vaccine opinions in the workplace and how to handle an anti-vaxxer movement. This conversation will help employers navigate the COVID-19 landscape to continue moving forward with each new day in America.

Kimberly Doud and Nancy Johnson of Littler’s Orlando office continue the discussion on COVID-19 vaccines, focusing this time on unionized workforces and answering a listener’s question regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in residential school settings. This conversation will help employers navigate the COVID-19 landscape to continue moving forward with each new day in America.