Numerous aspects of the modern workplace are evolving fast—and so are the legal risks.
In this episode, I get to speak with Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.—a nationally recognized employment litigator and author with 40 years in practice. A partner with Duane Morris in Chicago, he has defended some of the largest “bet-the-company” class actions in the U.S. and is known for helping employers anticipate and prevent large-scale litigation risks.
We talk about how remote work, ADA compliance, workforce reductions, arbitration, DEI policies, and AI tools are reshaping employment law.
We discuss:
▪️ How courts are redefining “essential functions” in the remote work era.
▪️ ADA compliance and running a defensible interactive process.
▪️ WARN Act risks in distributed and remote workforces.
▪️ Why RIFs require careful planning and statistical review.
▪️ Arbitration strategies post-Epic Systems—and where they fail.
▪️ Legal boundaries for DEI programs in a shifting landscape.
▪️ AI in hiring and performance management—and emerging compliance risks.
From policy design to litigation exposure, the message is clear: decisions must be documented, consistent, and defensible.
If you manage people, risk, or compliance, this episode offers practical guidance for navigating today’s complex employment landscape.
🙏 Special thanks to Jerry for taking the time to share his insights and experience with us. His energy and enthusiasm for the subject are inspiring.
To access a roadmap for navigating employment law complexities while building stronger, more productive workplaces, check out Jerry's book, 'The Employment Law Manual: A Practical Guide for Business Owners, Managers, and Executives'.
Tom Hagy
Host of The Emerging Litigation Podcast
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One Size Fits None in Modern Employment Law with Jerry Maatman
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