Legal Challenges in the Contract Food Service Management Industry (Presented by HospitalityLawyer.com)

Stephen Barth | HospitalityLawyer.com

Stephen Barth, author of Hospitality Law and coauthor of Restaurant Law Basics, is an attorney, the founder of HospitalityLawyer.com, the annual Hospitality Law Conference series, and the Global Travel Risk Summit Series. As a professor at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, University of Houston, he teaches courses in hospitality law and leadership. He is #3 on Global Guru’s Top 30 Hospitality Thought Leaders & Influencers for 2023. In addition to legal and travel risk mitigation insight, Stephen specializes in communicating the importance of Emotional Intelligence in leadership roles; and has provided valuable insight to many companies including The Methodist Hospital System, Wyndham Worldwide, Dine Equity, Business Travel News and Aramark. His fun, fast paced presentations provide practical information and solutions to enhance your personal and professional life.

Jordan B. Schwartz | Conn Maciel Carey LLP

Jordan B. Schwartz is a partner in Conn Maciel Carey’s Washington, DC office. Jordan advises employers on a wide range of complex employment-related issues and advises properties regarding all aspects of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He defends employers against claims of discrimination and harassment, misappropriation of trade secrets, and wage and hour violations. He also counsels employers on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship. His practice includes the following:

Title III of the ADA. Jordan represents property owners and managers against claims brought by patrons alleging lack of accessibility under Title III of the ADA. He routinely conducts on-site inspections of properties and modifies their policies and practices to ensure compliance with the ADA. He also specializes in ensuring that company websites comply with all applicable ADA requirements. Wage & Hour Law. Jordan has extensive experience advising on and defending against claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and hour laws, including issues involving minimum wage, calculation of overtime, misclassification of independent contractors, exempt status of employees, meal/rest breaks, tip pooling, automatic gratuities and service charges.

Non-compete Agreements and Trade Secrets. Jordan litigates claims of breach of non-compete agreements and non-solicitation agreements, as well as claims of misappropriation of trade secrets and unlawful possession of confidential information. He also drafts cease-and-desist letters, negotiates restrictive covenants, and advises clients on hiring employees subject to post-employment restrictive covenants. Harassment and Discrimination. Jordan defends employers accused of harassment, discrimination and retaliation based on race, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, and pregnancy. He also advises employers on the proper procedure for conducting internal investigations of discrimination and harassment claims.

Employment Counseling. In addition to his litigation practice, Jordan counsels clients on the full spectrum of employment issues, including hiring and termination, employment and separation agreements, executive employment and compensation matters, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues, employee handbooks and manuals, reduction-in-force programs, and compliance with the WARN Act. Jordan specializes in issues relating to drug testing and, in particular, helps employers craft appropriate workplace policies regarding employees’ use of medicinal and recreational marijuana. He also conducts training programs for his clients on harassment, discrimination, and diversity. Jordan practices across a range of different industries, and has extensive expertise in the hospitality, club, and retail industries. Jordan lives in the Washington, DC area and is an avid tennis player and golfer.

Andria Lure Ryan | Fisher & Phillips LLP

Andria Ryan is a partner in the Atlanta office and serves as co-chair of the Hospitality Industry Group. She represents employers in virtually every area of employment and labor law and received the Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Award for her pioneering and lasting contributions to the field of hospitality law.

Andria represents employers throughout the United States in defending employment discrimination and harassment cases as well as handling traditional labor matters such as unfair labor practices and union campaigns.

She spends much of her time counseling employers in day-to-day employment and labor decisions and educating employers about prevention and practical solutions to workplace problems.

She is a frequent speaker to industry groups and human resources professionals on such topics as avoiding harassment in the workplace, maintaining a union free workplace, avoiding discrimination claims, proper interviewing, and effective discipline and discharge techniques.

In 2007, she received the Chairman’s Award from the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association for her development of the Employment Compliance Guide for Colorado Hospitality Employers. She and Fisher Phillips have also been honored by the South Carolina Hospitality Association as Supplier of the Year – Stars of the Hospitality Industry Awards 1994-2015 and the Washington Lodging Association for valuable contributions by an Allied member. Andria is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Andria was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2023 by the Atlanta Pro Bono Partnership Association.

John P. Thomas | GrayRobinson, P.A.

John Thomas is a senior associate in the GrayRobinson Tampa office and serves as the operations manager of the firm’s Regulated Products Section. John excels at guiding clients through the dynamic alcohol beverage industry, providing guidance on laws governing the manufacturing, importation, distribution, marketing, sale, and consumption of beer, wine, distilled spirits, and other licensed beverages.

As operations manager for the Regulated Products Section, John develops, implements, and oversees strategies to streamline licensing, research, and technology. He also coordinates workflow among licensing specialists, ensuring each task is handled by the most appropriate and effective team for every client.

Session I – Alcohol Service Compliance & Liability in Live Event Venues | 12:00pm – 12:30pm

• Alcohol licensing requirements
• Compliance and operational risks
• Vendor and concessionaire oversight
• Dram shop liability exposure
• Responsible service best practices

Session II – Beyond the Baseline: ADA Accessibility Challenges in Large Venues and Modern Stadium Operations |12:30pm – 1:00pm

• Accessible seating & routes
• Amenities & guest services
• Ticketing & service animal policies
• Enforcement trends & risk mitigation

Break | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

Session III – Seasonal Labor & Contract Staffing in Hospitality: Legal Risks and Compliance Strategies | 1:10pm – 1:40pm

• Seasonal labor
• Third-party contractors
• Wage & hour
• Immigration compliance
• ICE audits