Advertise on podcast: From Lawyer to Employer: A Shipman Podcast

Season 5 of From Lawyer to Employer kicks off with new host Sarah Niemiroski! In her debut episode, Sarah welcomes fellow Shipman attorney Peter Murphy to explore what employers can learn from religious vaccine exemption litigation - and why those lessons extend well beyond the pandemic. They discuss how the Supreme Court’s decision in Groff v. DeJoy changed the religious accommodation standard, common pitfalls involving blanket policies and inconsistent enforcement, and how to evaluate requests through a practical scheduling scenario. Tune in for guidance on exploring alternatives, documenting decisions, and helping managers respond thoughtfully and consistently.

Connecticut employers have just a few months to prepare for sweeping new workplace laws taking effect this fall. In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz is joined by Shipman attorney Sarah Niemiroski to break down the most significant employment law changes from the 2026 Connecticut legislative session. Together, they discuss new wage transparency requirements, expanded lactation accommodations, ADA notice obligations, restrictions on training repayment agreements, pay stub transparency rules, construction industry compliance updates, and Connecticut's new AI Responsibility and Transparency Act. They also share practical steps employers should be taking now to prepare for the October 1 effective date, and close the episode with an exciting announcement about the future of the podcast. Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, or in-house counsel, this episode provides the practical guidance you need to stay ahead of these important changes.

When a workplace issue arises, one of the first questions is who should handle the investigation - and whether it’s time to bring in outside counsel. In this episode, Shipman partners Dan Schwartz and Sarah Westby walk through the key considerations, from independence and scope to privilege and deliverables, helping employers make informed, strategic decisions when it matters most.

What happens when a Chief Human Resources Officer steps beyond traditional HR and takes on operations, facilities, communications, and more? In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Daniel Schwartz sits down with veteran HR leader Jeanine Reckdenwald to explore what it really takes to move from functional expertise to enterprise leadership. Jeanine shares how expanding her role reshaped the way she thinks about people, process, and performance—and why HR leaders are uniquely positioned to drive business outcomes across an organization. From overcoming the fear of stepping into unfamiliar territory to building financial fluency and aligning competing executive priorities, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone looking to grow their leadership impact. Key takeaways include: How HR decisions influence operations, finance, and customer experienceThe mindset shift from expert to enterprise leaderMetrics that matter when connecting people strategy to business resultsCommon pitfalls (and how to avoid them) when expanding your roleWhy strong teams and early wins are critical to successWhether you're in HR, leadership, or business operations, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how breaking out of silos can unlock meaningful results.

Generative AI is quickly becoming part of the legal toolkit but the ethical obligations of lawyers haven’t changed. In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz sits down with Shipman attorney Claire Pariano to explore how generative AI is reshaping legal practice and what in-house counsel need to know to stay compliant. For legal departments and organizations navigating AI adoption, Dan and Claire outline practical steps for building an AI governance framework - from risk classification and verification protocols to training and data security safeguards. The takeaway: AI can be a powerful tool, but lawyers remain responsible for the work product they produce.

Arbitration clauses are everywhere in today’s workplace — but are they right for your organization? In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz is joined by Shipman attorney Emily McDonough Souza to break down arbitration agreements in plain English. They explore the real pros and cons: speed, privacy, predictability, cost concerns, limited appeals, class action waivers, and recent court decisions that could impact enforceability. Whether you’re considering rolling out arbitration agreements or revisiting existing language, this episode offers practical guidance to help employers draft, implement, and manage arbitration provisions thoughtfully and avoid common (and costly) pitfalls.

Massachusetts continues to be one of the most active and technical states for employment law compliance. In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz is joined by Shipman partner Jared Lucan to break down the most important developments impacting employers with Massachusetts-based employees (or operations spanning both Massachusetts and Connecticut). They cover practical, real-world guidance on: Wage & hour compliance and common Wage Act pitfalls Independent contractor classification and the Massachusetts “ABC” test Non-compete restrictions, and why non-solicit/confidentiality agreements may be more reliable Paid Family & Medical Leave coordination and accommodation trends Compensation best practices and the growing momentum behind pay transparency If your organization hires, operates, or expands in Massachusetts, this episode provides concrete steps to help you reduce risk and stay ahead of rapidly evolving workplace rules.

In this seasonal episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz and Shipman partner Peter Murphy unpack the workplace risks that often accompany end-of-year celebrations - from alcohol service to harassment concerns to wage-and-hour pitfalls. They offer practical, proactive tips for planning inclusive, safe and genuinely fun events while keeping legal risk in check. Whether you're gearing up for your company’s celebration or revisiting your policies, this episode will help ensure your holiday party is festive, not fraught.

In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz sits down with Abby Booth to unpack highlights from Shipman’s annual Labor & Employment Seminar — from evolving federal and state developments to real-world compliance takeaways for employers. They cover the latest on I-9 audits, NLRB updates, harassment and retaliation trends, reductions in force, and key U.S. and Connecticut Supreme Court decisions shaping the workplace in 2025.

In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz sits down with Shipman partner Keegan Drenosky to unpack one of the most challenging and costly areas for employers — wage and hour compliance. From employee misclassification and overtime calculations to pay transparency and AI time tracking, they explore how evolving interpretations of the law continue to shape employer obligations in Connecticut and beyond.

In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, Shipman partner Dan Schwartz is joined by Sarah Niemiroski to unpack one of the most discussed sessions from Shipman’s recent Labor & Employment Fall Seminar — Leave Laws.Together, they break down the nuances of federal and Connecticut FMLA, paid sick leave, Connecticut Paid Leave, and the ADA, highlighting how these laws overlap and what employers need to do to stay compliant. From defining “affinity relationships” to managing intermittent leave and coordinating benefits, Dan and Sarah offer practical takeaways to help HR professionals, in-house counsel, and business leaders navigate the increasingly complex leave landscape in Connecticut.

In this season 4 kickoff of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz recaps the latest labor and employment law developments employers should be watching this fall—from shifting EEOC enforcement to severance negotiations, leave law updates, and more. Dan also welcomes behind-the-scenes producer Jess Mantzaris to preview Shipman & Goodwin’s upcoming Labor & Employment Fall Seminar at Hotel Marcel in New Haven, featuring hot-topic keynotes, breakout sessions on leave laws and wage and hour compliance, and valuable networking opportunities.

As the regulatory landscape shifts under the new administration, OSHA remains firmly in the spotlight. In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, Shipman attorney and host Dan Schwartz sits down with workplace-safety lawyer Sarah Kettenmann to break down what’s changed—and what hasn’t—when it comes to OSHA enforcement, inspections, and compliance. They dive into: The future of high-profile rules like heat illness prevention and PPE fit standards How OSHA is using data analytics to target inspections The rising role of state-specific OSHA regulations Cross-agency coordination with the EPA Practical steps employers should take this summer to stay ahead of audits, injuries, and penalties Whether you're in healthcare, manufacturing, education, or construction, this episode is packed with essential insights to keep your workforce safe—and your organization compliant.

In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz welcomes back Shipman's Claire Pariano for a thoughtful conversation on neurodiversity in the workplace. They explore what neurodiversity means, legal protections under the ADA and FMLA, common employer pitfalls, and practical steps organizations can take to create truly inclusive environments for neurodivergent employees. With insights into reasonable accommodations and inclusive hiring practices, this episode offers both legal guidance and a call for empathy and awareness.

In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz welcomes back acclaimed plaintiff-side employment attorney Nina Pirrotti for a frank discussion about where employers often go wrong and how to do better. From inconsistently enforced policies and botched investigations to poorly trained supervisors and missteps in handling accommodations, Nina shares real-life cautionary tales and practical advice. Whether you represent employers or employees, this episode offers invaluable insights into preventing workplace liability before it starts.