2026 New Hampshire Employment Law Update
2026-05-05 08:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Castleton Banquet & Conference Center, 58 Enterprise Drive, Windham, NH, 03087
McLane Middleton’s annual New Hampshire Employment Law Update will be on May 5, 2026 at the Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, NH.
Join our employment attorneys as we discuss the latest trends in employment law. As always, we will share “news you can use,” along with presentations on topics affecting employers today.
Agenda:
8:00 a.m. – Registration
8:30 a.m. – News You Can Use: Court Decisions, Legislative Changes, and Federal Agency Updates
Presenters: Adam Hamel & Jennifer Parent
9:30 a.m. – Employee Benefits Update
Presenter: John Rich
Overview: This session will provide an update on new laws, administrative guidance and court decisions that impact retirement and other workplace benefit plans offered by New Hampshire employers.
10:00 a.m. – Break
10:15 a.m. – Managing Litigation Risks During Performance Management and Termination Decisions
Presenters: Jennifer Parent & Amanda Brahm
Overview: This session is designed for HR professionals and supervisors who are directly involved in managing performance, documenting concerns, and making termination decisions. We will discuss the most common litigation risks that arise from performance management—such as inconsistent documentation, poorly timed discipline, comparator issues, and retaliation claims—and how those risks are evaluated by courts and federal and state agencies. Participants will learn practical strategies for creating defensible performance records and coordinating HR and legal review at key decision points.
11:00 a.m. – Review of ADA Accommodations Best Practices
Presenters: Margaret (“Peg”) O’Brien & Brian Garrett
Overview: Latest developments from the EEOC and federal courts on reasonable accommodation issues and the importance of training supervisors on possible triggers to the interactive process, what supervisors and HR personnel should be trained to say and document in response to employee requests, practical developments on the meaning of the term “reasonable,” particular accommodation questions, such as remote work, whether/how much “leave” (including a repeated leave extension) is required, how this interplays with the FMLA, whether reduced workloads, a “fragrance or chemical free” environment, shift changes, or supervisor changes, are required, and whether discipline must be rescinded as an accommodation.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:45 p.m. – Immigration Law Update – Preparing for an I9 Audit or ICE Raid
Presenter: Andrea Hellrigel
Overview: Would your business be ready to respond to ICE or other government actions? Workplace immigration compliance and enforcement are under scrutiny now more than ever. This session provides HR professionals and business leaders with practical guidance on Form I-9 compliance, audits, inspections, and broader business immigration considerations. Participants will gain actionable strategies to avoid compliance pitfalls, respond effectively to ICE visits or government inquiries, and maintain secure lawful hiring practices while protecting employees and the organization.
1:15 p.m. – Federal and State Wage and Hour Compliance
Presenter: Margaret (“Peg”) O’Brien
Overview: The latest federal law guidance with respect to the white collar and other exemptions; new exemption and misclassification decisions including under the highly compensated and salary basis rules; remote work, off-the-clock, expense reimbursement and compensable time challenges; actual or constructive knowledge of time worked; and the explosion of new state laws on salary transparency; and the status of state and federal independent contractor tests and new developments involving independent contractors workers.
2:15 p.m. – Break
2:30 p.m. – FMLA Compliance and Best Practices for Multistate Employers
Presenters: Adam Hamel & Amanda Brahm
Overview: Keeping up with rapidly changing state leave laws can be a challenge. This session will examine FMLA compliance issues for multistate employers, with an emphasis on coordinating federal FMLA obligations with related state leave laws. We will address coverage and eligibility analyses, concurrent vs. non‑concurrent leave designation, notice and certification timing, intermittent leave tracking, reinstatement rights across jurisdictions, and challenging employee communications.
3:00 p.m. – Retaliation and Whistleblower Claims: Working through Fact Patterns
Presenters: Adam Hamel, Amanda Brahm, & Brian Garrett
Overview: Employers are seeing an uptick in retaliation and whistleblower claims. Identifying and responding correctly to protected activity can be a challenge and this session is designed to test your knowledge through real-life scenarios. Come ready to discuss!
4:00 p.m. – Q&A & Wrap-Up

Credits
McLane Middleton will be offering HRCI and SHRM credits for this event.

Cost:
$199.00
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and electronic copies of materials.

Navigating the Current Market: Economic Outlook and Insights
2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:30 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
As markets continue to navigate economic uncertainty and shifting policy dynamics, staying informed is critical.
Join guest speaker, Ellen Hazen from F.L. Putnam, who will offer a timely overview of current market conditions highlighting recent economic developments, market performance, and factors influencing investor sentiment.
Gain practical insights into how today’s economic environment may impact future market opportunities and risks. Ellen will provide perspective on the current state of the global and U.S. markets, key economic indicators influencing investment decisions, and emerging trends shaping the remainder of the year.
This session will help attendees better understand today’s market environment and consider what it may mean for portfolios moving forward.

What's Her Story with Susan Martore-Baker
2026-05-28 17:30 - 19:30 | One Hundred Club, 100 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801
What’s Her Story is a networking series designed to connect business owners and executives through the power of shared experience. Join Susan Martore Baker, President of Cambridge Trust New Hampshire, as she sits down with McLane Middleton attorney Jennifer Parent for a candid conversation about her career path, leadership lessons, and professional growth. Susan will share insights and inspiration shaped by her work helping individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and municipalities clarify their goals and build lasting financial success.

2026 NH Mergers & Acquisitions Conference
2026-06-04 09:00 - 15:00 | Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
McLane Middleton and the New Hampshire Society of CPAs are excited to partner once again and host the New Hampshire Mergers & Acquisitions Conference on June 4 at Jimmy’s Jazz Club in Portsmouth.
This conference returns for its second year, bringing together leading legal, tax, finance, and business experts from diverse industries to explore the evolving M&A landscape. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s conference will feature dynamic panel discussions on innovative strategies and offer unparalleled opportunities for professional networking. Panelists will share actionable insights, in-depth analysis, and proven strategies to help you thrive in today’s competitive M&A market. Join us for this premier event and gain the knowledge and connections you need to navigate the ever-changing world of mergers and acquisitions with confidence.

AGENDA:

8:30 a.m. – Registration and Welcome
9:05 a.m. – State of the Market: Key M&A Trends
9:45 a.m. – Powering the Deal: Financing Strategies in M&A Transactions
10:30 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m. – Preparing for Liquidity Before the Deal Starts
11:30 a.m. – Understanding Key Tax Structures in M&A Transactions
12:30 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. – Aligning Buyer and Seller: Managing Each Phase of the M&A Lifecycle
3:00 p.m. – Networking Reception

COST:
$399 (Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, reception, electronic copies of materials, CPA and CLE credits.)

2026 Massachusetts Employment Update
2026-09-24 08:00 - 12:30 | Danversport, 161 Elliott Street, Danvers, 01923, United States
McLane Middleton’s annual Massachusetts Employment Law Update will take place on September 24, 2026 at the Danversport in Danvers, MA.

A formal agenda will be shared in the coming months.
Cost:
Early Bird – $125.00 (thru June 30, 2026)
Regular Rate – $150.00 (beginning July 1, 2026)
Registration includes continental breakfast, electronic copies of materials, and credits.

2026 Seacoast Employment Update
2026-09-30 08:00 - 12:30 | The Venue at Portwalk Place, 22 Portwalk Place, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
McLane Middleton’s annual Seacoast Employment Law Update will be on September 30, 2026 at Portwalk Place in Portsmouth, NH.
Join our employment attorneys as we discuss the latest trends in employment law. As always, we will share “news you can use,” along with presentations on topics affecting employers today.
A formal agenda will be shared in the coming months.

Cost:
Early Bird – $125.00 (Thru June 30, 2026)
Regular Rate – $150.00 (Beginning July 1, 2026)
Registration includes continental breakfast, electronic copies of materials, and credits.
