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.