Seminars, Conferences and Training
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Arbitrator & Advocate Symposium
September 4 & 5, 2025
Presenters: George Crisci, Scott Dehart, and Jonathan J. Downes
George Crisci delivers the daily Opening Remarks and the Symposium Summary, and moderates multiple panel sessions throughout each day. On Friday, Scott Dehart will participate as a panelist on the session titled “Remedies and Vacating an Award”, scheduled from 12:30–1:30 PM, and Jonathan Downes will participate as a panelist on the session titled “Public Safety Issues”, scheduled from 2:30–3:30 PM.
Symposium Overview:
Attending this prominent gathering of labor advocates and arbitrators presents an invaluable opportunity for professionals in the field of labor relations. Participants will benefit from high-quality, balanced instruction on the latest and most significant issues in labor relations, ensuring they stay informed of current trends and challenges. This event also offers numerous networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with both advocates and neutrals, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and the exchange of diverse perspectives.
In addition, the program has been approved for accreditation by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 9.75 total CLE hours, including 0.75 hours dedicated to attorney professional conduct instruction. This makes it an excellent opportunity for professionals to enhance their skills while receiving continuing education credit.
Location: Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center
100 Green Meadow Drive South; Lewis Center, Ohio
Full Details, Schedule, and Registration
Labor and Employment Law Emerging and Current Issues
2025 Ohio GFOA ConferenceThursday, September 18, 2025 | 1:40pm
Presenter: Jonathan DownesLocation: Hilton Columbus at Easton
3900 Chagrin Dr., Columbus, OH 43219
Registration
SPBR Conference
Friday, October 3, 2025 | 8:45am – 4:00pmPresenter: Jonathan Downes9:00 – 10:00am
Managing... Up or Down... in Difficult, Fast-Changing Times?
In today’s fast-changing and politically sensitive environment, local, county, and state government HR professionals and leaders must skillfully navigate the dual challenge of managing up to elected officials and down to staff. This session explores how shifting federal and state laws, workplace discrimination protections, DEI mandates, contract language, and emerging political and cultural pressures are reshaping the HR landscape. Participants will examine how to respond to legal and policy changes, anticipate the impact of referendums and community sentiment, and lead with integrity and resilience while balancing compliance, inclusion, and operational stability in an increasingly complex public sector workforce.
10:00 – 10:30am
Social Media Twists & Tangles
As social media continues to blur the lines between personal expression and professional identity, government organizations face growing challenges in managing employee conduct and public perception online. This session explores the complexities of navigating social platforms in the public sector—where personal posts can have professional consequences. Attendees will gain practical strategies for updating social media policies, guiding staff behavior, protecting organizational reputation, and striking a balance between free expression and accountability. Learn how to maintain a professional digital presence while respecting individual rights in an always-connected world.
Location: Marriott - Dublin
5605 Blazer Parkway, Dublin, OH 43017
Full Conference Schedule and Registration
Legal Standards & Real-Life Applications
OACP: Use of ForceThursday, November 13, 2025 | 8:30am-3:30pm
Presenter: Jonathan DownesLocation: Genoa Township Police Department (Galena, Ohio)
Registration
ADA and FMLA Key Points and Updates
OACP ADA/FMLA
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 9am-4pm
Presenters: Mason P. Mackovjak and Jonathan J. Downes
This workshop is designed for Chiefs, County Sheriffs, upper command, administrative personnel, including human resources personnel, and law directors. It will provide the key points of the law: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and Title VII utilizing real-life law enforcement examples. Focus will be on the practical application in a department and the impact on the organization, including light duty, and collective bargaining agreements.
This workshop can be attended In-Person or via Live Stream
CLE Credits Applied For
Location: Genoa Township (Delaware) Police Department or Livestream
Registration
More Information
Zashin & Rich has a responsibility to our clients as well as other individuals interested in knowing more about workplace law. Each year, many of our attorneys speak and present at seminars and conferences in an effort to broaden an understanding of various aspects of workplace law that affects corporations, public sector entities, and private organizations.
These presentations can be tailored to each group and are often accompanied by supporting materials. These materials allow the learning process to continue long after the presentation. The firm's presentations are developed with two goals:
- Present information creating new avenues of thinking and new approaches to problem solving; and
- Discuss issues which may have caused confusion or created doubt about laws, ordinances, or specific court decisions.
Special relationships with practitioners in a wide range of professional services, including financial consulting, health care, accounting, and business development, allow the firm's attorneys to tailor its presentations.
The following is a partial list of seminar topics the firm has presented to corporations, professional organizations, and community groups:
- The Leave of Absence Puzzle: Fitting the Pieces Together
- Alternate Dispute Resolution: Taking a Fresh Look and Litigating Employment Based Claims
- Recent Developments in Ohio and Federal Employment Law
- Recent Developments under the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Sexual Harassment Education and Training
- How to Conduct an Internal Investigation
- Making the Most of Employer Rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Surprise! Responding Effectively to Visits from Federal and State Agencies
If you are interested in a seminar presentation or training seminar, please contact Stephen S. Zashin at 216-696-4441.