Title:
Webinar Date+Time:
ON DEMAND VIRTUAL EVENT - Originally recorded on June 16, 2026.
Description:
Employers are in a tough spot: They need policies and programs that attract top talent while facing a regulatory environment that is hostile to what the administration considers “illegal DEI.” A year and a half into Trump’s second term, anti-DEI enforcement by the EEOC, DOJ, and other agencies has surged through investigations, litigation, and warning letters directed at high-profile businesses, non-profits, law firms, and other organizations. These recent anti-DEI agency actions and a new executive order targeting DEI at federal contractors provide key insights into what employers should consider when structuring their hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation processes in addition to employee affinity group, mentorship, and other professional development programs to maximize their benefits while minimizing their potential exposure to legal or business risk.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the latest legal updates on DEI.
- Understand the current legal landscape surrounding DEI.
- Understand the features of workplace programs and policies that may increase their risk exposure to an enforcement action or a potentially viable employment discrimination claim.
- Learn what updates to look out for in DEI regulation.
Who would benefit from this program: Labor and Employment lawyers, In-House employment counsels, General Counsels, Human Resources professionals, Diversity and Inclusion professionals.
Register Now!
Speakers:
- Marissa Zalasky is a Senior Legal Analyst on Bloomberg Law’s Health, Employment, and Labor team, where she focuses on labor and employment law. She creates practical guidance and writes analysis pieces to help lawyers navigate complex labor and employment law issues including developing and auditing affinity group, mentorship, and other workplace programs in the evolving DEI regulatory landscape. Prior to joining Bloomberg Industry Group, she worked as an attorney in the labor and employment practice groups of large international law firms where she advised employers on workplace policies, programs, and trainings, represented employers in litigation, conducted investigations, provided anti-discrimination training, and counseled on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and DEI issues.
- Alyesha Asghar is a shareholder at Littler and Co-Chair of the firm’s EEO & Inclusion Practice Group. She brings deep employment litigation experience and an understanding of business to her role as a diversity consultant and employment attorney. She advises executives across industries on Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity programming and counsel that emphasizes recruitment, engagement, productivity, and retention. Her multicultural background and experience as an attorney and facilitator inform her training and legal advice, offering a multifaceted perspective on designing and implementing meaningful IE&D initiatives.
- Christopher “Edwin” Hopkins-Gillispie is Senior Director and Head of Employment Law at Lidl US, overseeing employment law, HR compliance, benefits and wellness, and employee relations. Previously a Labor & Employment attorney at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, he focused on employment counseling, compliance, and litigation involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. He is a staunch advocate for diversity and mentorship, serving on the Board of Directors for the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association and on the board of the Caravanserai Project, and co-chairing the LGBTQ+ affinity group for the ACC National Capital Region.
Credit:
Bloomberg Industry Group is an approved provider of CLE credits in all states.
Currently Approved:
AL, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KS, MN, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI
Reciprocal credit is granted:
AK, AR, AZ, CT, ND, NJ
Non-MCLE state:
DC, MA, MD, MI, SD
Attorney Self Applies for Approval: Approval of this course is at the discretion of each jurisdiction.
DE, GU, HI, IA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MO, MS, MT, NE, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, PR, RI, SC, UT, VT, WA, WV, WY, VI