The Legal Conference is presented entirely by a panel of experienced Employment & Labor Law attorneys.  While this conference is targeted to experienced HR practitioners, all are welcome.  Topics include "You Make the Call" and an open Q&A where our attorneys field and answer questions from our attendees.  

Session Description: Back by popular demand, this interactive legal panel puts you in the decision-maker’s seat. Each attorney will present a real-world HR scenario drawn from recent school district experiences. Attendees will review the facts, discuss options at their tables, and weigh in on how they'd respond. Then, the presenting attorney will walk through key legal considerations, potential risks, and recommended approaches. This session is fast-paced, practical, and a great opportunity to sharpen your legal instincts alongside your peers.

Session Speaker: Andrea Voelker & Holly Butler

Andrea Voelker: Andrea Voelker is the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Hudson School District and has been since July 2013. She’s a former law partner with Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci, S.C. and is experienced in public and private sector labor and employment law with a specialization in school law.   She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, the Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators (Board member) and the Wisconsin School Attorneys’ Association (Past President).  

 

 

Holly Butler: Holly Butler is the Director of Human Resources at the School District of New Richmond, a position she has held since October 2021.  With over 20 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, Holly brings extensive knowledge in administering FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation, and a broad range of human resources functions. She is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, and the Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators.

Session Description: From FMLA and ADA to Workers’ Comp and district-specific leave policies, managing employee absences can feel like navigating a maze. This session breaks down the legal requirements and shines a light on common misconceptions that trip up even seasoned HR professionals. Learn how to handle intermittent leave, overlapping protections, return-to-work issues, and documentation — all while keeping your district compliant and your operations running smoothly.

Session Speaker: Geoff Lacy, Attorney, Renning, Lewis, & Lacy

Geoffrey Lacy is a shareholder with Renning, Lewis & Lacy, S.C., where he serves as general counsel to public school districts and advises both public and private sector employers on a range of employment law matters, including labor relations, discrimination defense, FMLA, FLSA, and business immigration. Geoff’s practice focuses on helping school districts and municipalities navigate the complexities of compliance, from employment policies to federal immigration obligations. He is a past chair of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and a member of the Wisconsin School Attorneys Association and NSBA’s Council of School Attorneys. Geoff has been recognized by Best Lawyers® and Wisconsin Super Lawyers for his work in labor, employment, and immigration law.  

Session Description: From evolving guidance on DEI initiatives and gender identity protections to directives on AI, wage transparency, and workplace safety, recent federal executive orders are reshaping the compliance landscape for public schools. This session will highlight key executive actions impacting HR, including those tied to Title IX, federal contractor obligations, immigration benefits and enforcement, and civil rights enforcement. Learn what’s already in effect, what’s being challenged, and how your district can prepare for what’s next

Session Speaker: Brian Goodman, Attorney, Partner at Boardman Clark

Brian is partner at Boardman Clark and is a member of the firm’s School Law, Labor & Employment, and Municipal practice groups. Brian has experience guiding public and private sector employers through a variety of challenging legal situations including: employee separations, employee leaves of absences and accommodations, artificial intelligence and technology developments, and discrimination and respectful workplace issues. In addition, Brian has experience with a variety of public sector issues, including First Amendment rights, and compliance with open meetings and public record laws.

 

Session Description: Recent advancements in AI have generated a variety of legal issues for HR professionals.  Use of AI in the job application process raises potential discrimination issues.  Additionally, as AI technology advances, novel legal issues are likely to arise including the potential dangers of employees using AI to create poor work product, HR using AI to improperly draft employment documents, the risk of disclosing confidential information by using AI, and more.  At the same time, this presentation hopes to arm attendees with some tools for properly utilizing the vast potential of AI in the field of HR because, AI is here to stay.