How to Avoid Disciplinary Problems
2025-03-28 12:00 - 15:15 (America/New_York) | CBA Law Center, 538 Preston Ave., 3rd Floor, Meriden, CT, 06450, United States
Carmody Professional Ethics & Grievance partner Stephen Conover will present on “How to Avoid Disciplinary Problems” for the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA).
The program will cover various areas of ethics including the disciplinary process, the cases most likely to lead to bar discipline, beginning and ending the attorney-client relationship, conflicts of interest, and managing one’s Interest on Lawyers’ Trust (IOLTA) account.
Stephen will present alongside Suzanne B. Sutton of Cohen & Wolf PC, Jennifer Gagosz of the Connecticut Statewide Grievance Committee, Judicial Branch, and James F. Sullivan of Logan Vance Sullivan & Kores.
Register here.

Effective and Ethical Management of Client Funds
2025-04-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
At this webinar, Carmody litigator Tom Sansone will offer practical suggestions and strategies for avoiding common ethical pitfalls arising out of the management of clients’ funds. Learning effective habits for being good fiduciaries when it comes to taking care of clients’ money is critical in the legal profession, particularly when it comes to the “five commandments” for appropriate management of client funds in your possession. These strategies and tips are designed to lower the risk of falling into ethical traps and professional liability sinkholes.
Register here.

CLE Webinar: Retirement! Pros & Cons: Legal Issues
2025-04-30 16:00 - 17:30 | Virtual
Carmody Professional Ethics & Grievance partner Stephen Conover will present on the advantages and disadvantages of retirement for legal processionals for the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. The webinar will cover the decision to fully retire or practice in law beyond “normal” retirement age on a full-time or modified basis, (e.g. as a Mediator or Arbitrator) as well as the legal procedures to accomplish retirement.
This Continuing Legal Education program is appropriate for experienced attorneys, and has been approved for the following credits in accordance with the rule requirements of these states:
CT: 1.5 Skills Credit Hours
NY: 1.5 Skills Credit Hours
Register here.

The Nigerian Prince: Understanding Ethical Obligations and Managing Cyber Security Risk
2025-05-08 12:30 - 14:00 | Hybrid
Carmody Technology & Data Privacy partner Sherwin Yoder and Ethics partners Stephen Conover and Lindsay Reed will present on ethical obligations and managing cyber security risk for the Fairfield County Bar Association.
Key Topics:

Overview of Cyber Security Threats
Ethical and Legal Duties of Attorneys
Recent Case Law Developments
Managing Cyber Security Risk
Responding to a Cyber Security Breach

CLE credits are available for Connecticut and New York lawyers.
Register here.

Cybersecurity in Mediation: Secure the Data, Secure the Deal
2025-06-03 11:15 - 12:15 | The Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina, 49 America's Cup Ave, Newport, RI, 02840, United States
Carmody Technology & Data Privacy partner Sherwin Yoder and Alternative Dispute Resolution partner Hon. Douglas C. Mintz (Ret.) will speak on “Cybersecurity in Mediation: Secure the Data, Secure the Deal” for the American College of Civil Trial Mediators on June 3 at their 2025 Annual Conference.
For more information, click here.

HR Hotline Live: Avoiding Hiring Hazards
2025-06-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Hiring a new employee isn’t just about finding the right skills and experience—it’s also a legal minefield. From interview questions to background checks, missteps can lead to costly compliance issues.
Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino join CBIA’s HR counsel Diane Mokriski for this productive virtual event.
We’ll address key questions, including:

Do we need to provide written offer letters?
What types of arrests or convictions justify rescinding an offer?
What should we do if an applicant tests positive for marijuana?
Can we contact a candidate’s former employer without permission?
What interview questions could put us at legal risk?
Do wage ranges have to be included in job postings?

Register here.

Ethics: The Year in Review
2025-06-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT, United States
Presented by the Connecticut Bar Association, presenters including Carmody Professional Ethics partner Stephen Conover will discuss recent ethics-related rule changes, opinions and cases.
Click here for more information and to register.

Environmental Justice in Connecticut
2025-06-13 15:45 - 17:15 | Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT, United States
Presented by the Connecticut Bar Association, presenters including Carmody Professional Environmental partner Deborah Brancato, will discuss the history and current developments in Connecticut’s Environmental Justice law, including overview of Environmental Justice law implementation in CT, Environmental Justice and permitting processes, newest amendments to Environmental Justice law, including 2020 and 2023 expansions, current regulation development and CEEJAC (Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council) activities, considerations for the environmental practitioner.
We’ll address key issues such as:
• Connecticut’s Environmental Justice Law
• Implementation, permitting, and amendments
• Considerations for the environmental law practitioner
Click here for more information and to register.

Case Law Update
2025-06-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Cafe Amici, 1640 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT, 06517, United States
Come to learn about significant land use cases from the past year. Carmody Land Use associate Daniel Chapple will present a “Case Law Update” for the Connecticut Bar Association‘s upcoming Planning and Zoning Section Meeting.
Register now.

HR Legal Update and Networking Event
2025-06-25 15:00 - 18:00 | Hilton Garden Inn Wallingford/Meriden, 1181 Barnes Rd, Wallingford, CT, 06492, United States
With so many changes already underway at the federal level and proposed legislative changes pending at the Connecticut General Assembly, staying informed is more important than ever for Connecticut employers.
Join Carmody’s Labor & Employment team for an essential seminar tailored for HR professionals, business leaders, and in-house legal counsel. We’ll break down employment-related developments from the first six months of the Trump Administration and review updates from this year’s Connecticut legislative session, which is scheduled to end on June 4, 2025. We will discuss how these federal and state changes impact your workplace and review best practices for legal compliance.
After the presentation, we invite you to connect with us and your peers over cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and lively conversation.
Discussion topics will be based on the latest developments and are likely to include:

Navigating the legal landscape around EEO and DEI initiatives
Immigration law enforcement and compliance
Use of AI in the workplace
Changes to NRLB positions on employer contracts and severance agreements
Additional protections for workers
Other key state legislative updates

Seats are limited. Please secure your spot today and stay ahead of what’s coming in labor and employment law. We look forward to seeing you there.
SHRM and HRCI credits will be available.
Register now: click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Becky Lipnick (rlipnick@carmodylaw.com).

Expanded Connecticut Paid Sick Leave Requirements
2025-09-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino will be speaking on the Connecticut Paid Sick Leave law to the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Human Resources Council.
As many employers know, the Connecticut Paid Sick Leave law was significantly expanded effective January 1,2025 to cover more employers and employees, provide a faster paid sick leave accrual rate, and allow employees to take paid sick leave for more reasons (among other changes). The law currently applies to employers with 25 or more employees and effective January 1, 2026, the law will cover employers with 11 or more employees. This seminar will serve as a helpful guide for employers who must become compliant as of January 1, 2026, and a refresher for employers who are already covered.
Register here.

HR Hotline Live: Employee Terminations
2025-09-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Terminating workers can be one of the hardest parts of managing a business and its people. You hope to never have to do it, but it’s often impossible to avoid.
Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino will be speaking on the nuances of employee terminations with “HR Hotline Live” through the CBIA, hosted by HR Counsel Diane Mokriski.
Many employers are reluctant to fire poor performing employees because they fear an inevitable lawsuit. Others make spontaneous, emotional firing decisions, believing that Connecticut’s status as an “at-will state” will protect them from litigation. The truth lies somewhere in between.
In this webinar, HR professionals will hear how to make smart, well-informed decisions about the legal, strategic, and employee-relations considerations involved in every termination decision.
Attendees will learn:

What types of terminations are always illegal
Strategies for protecting a company against a claim of wrongful termination
Best practices for conducting the termination meeting or sending that final letter
What it really means to be an “at-will” employee

Register here.

What to Do If a Grievance Complaint Arrives
2025-10-15 11:45 - 14:00 | Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, 92 Eugene O’Neill Dr., New London, CT, 06320, United States
Carmody Professional Ethics partners Stephen Conover and Lindsay Reed will be presenting on Connecticut’s lawyer disciplinary process and considerations if a grievance complaint arrives for the New London County Bar Association.
Common questions to be addressed:

For complaints from clients, do I still represent the client and what about pending client matters?
For complaints from non-clients, what can I disclose about my client?
How should I respond to the accusations in the Grievance Complaint?

This program qualifies for two Ethics & Professionalism credits.
Lunch will be provided.
Register here.

The Lifecycle of a Practice: Ethical Responsibilities for Attorneys Regarding Moving Between Firms and Winding Down a Practice
2025-10-30 09:05 - 10:05 | Saint Clements Castle & Marina, 1931 Portland-Cobalt Rd, Portland, CT, 06480, United States
The rules of professional conduct impose obligations on attorneys regarding moving between firms during their careers and in winding down their practices at the end of their careers. Presented by the Connecticut Bar Association, Carmody Professional Ethics partner Stephen Conover will be part of a panel discussing an attorney’s ethical obligations during these points in an attorney’s career.
Register here.

Connecticut State Of The Market
2025-11-12 08:00 - 12:15 | DoubleTree by Hilton Stamford, 1 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT, 06902, United States
Land Use partner Lisa Feinberg will moderate a discussion by real estate and business leaders on the state of the market for the Connecticut real estate community. Topics will include the real estate trends and local updates, including city economic development agendas, how to work with municipalities, and financing for developments.
Click here for more information and to register.

Lawyers in Transition: Exiting the Practice
2025-12-03 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Carmody partner Stephen J. Conover will present to the Connecticut Bar Association on the ethical obligations and options for lawyers exiting the practice of law.
Lawyers will learn about:

The ethics obligations and responsibilities of lawyers considering retirement
The ethics obligations and responsibilities of lawyers considering selling their practice
Retirement options
Insurance considerations for retirement

Register now.

HR Hotline Live: Common Wage & Hour Issues
2025-12-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
From properly notifying employees about compensation and benefits to ensuring pay stubs and time tracking are accurate, every detail matters when complying with wage and hour laws—often one of the most challenging aspects of any manager’s job.
Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino will be speaking on the nuances of common wage and hour issues for the CBIA’s “HR Hotline Live” with Delmarina López.
Attendees will learn:

What’s legally required on payroll stubs and how to provide them
Tracking hours worked (and avoiding off-the-clock violations)
Managing meal breaks and preventing improper deductions
Handling PTO payouts and comp time correctly
Understanding regular rate calculations and what counts as “hours worked”

2025 Professionalism Boot Camp
2025-12-12 08:30 - 13:45 | CBA Law Center, 538 Preston Ave., 3rd Floor, Meriden, CT, 06450, United States
Carmody partner James K. Robertson Jr. will be moderating four hours of ethics education.
Lawyers will learn essential skills needed to practice professionally, effectively, and ethically, and hear about the following topics:

The dual identity of attorneys and lawyers – advocates in the courtroom and counselors in society, and how professionalism serves as a compass guiding both roles
Professionalism for the lifelong lawyer
What attorneys need to flourish with professionalism
Ethics and artificial intelligence

Register here.

Immigration Topics for Business Lawyers
2026-01-13 18:00 - 20:30 | The Elm City Club, 155 Elm Street, New Haven, CT, 06511
Immigration and Corporate & Business lawyer Johanna Bachmair will provide a high-level overview of key concepts in immigration law for business lawyers, including potential immigration impacts of corporate restructurings for the Connecticut Bar Association’s Business Law Section Meeting on January 13. The presentation will also provide practice pointers for adapting to recent developments under the Trump administration such as:

Preparing employers for ICE worksite raids and I-9 audits
Understanding recent changes to H-1Bs
Navigating expanded travel bans
Responding to the recent pause in USCIS adjudication of certain immigration matters

Register here.

Legal Ethics – Best Practices 2026: Best Practices Regarding Technology
2026-01-21 09:30 - 10:30 | Virtual
Professional Ethics & Grievance partner Stephen Conover co-presents on the best practices for attorneys regarding technology for Financial Poise and The National Law Review.
This presentation will help you ensure your law firm remains compliant with its ethical responsibilities while leveraging the latest tools for legal service delivery. It covers how rapidly changing technology impacts ethical obligations. It addresses the modern duty of Competence (ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1), especially exploring the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence and internet resources in your practice. A significant focus is placed on Rule 1.6 and the “Confidentiality of Information,” offering critical insights into preventing cyber fraud and securing data against breaches.
To watch the presentation recording, click here.

QuantumCT x Connecticut Entrepreneurs Forum
2026-01-27 17:00 - 19:00 | Connecticut Innovations, The District, 470 James Street, Suite 8, New Haven, CT, 06513, United States
Connecticut’s innovation community is stepping into a new era of technological possibility — and quantum is rapidly becoming a defining part of that future. Join the Connecticut Entrepreneurs Forum and QuantumCT for an energizing conversation on how quantum technologies and AI are shaping new opportunities for startups, corporate innovation, and economic growth in our state.
Taking place at Connecticut Innovations in New Haven, this session brings together two leaders at the forefront of Connecticut’s emerging quantum economy:

Albert Green, President & CEO, QuantumCT
Gwen Cheni, Director, AI/Q Fund, Connecticut Innovations
Sherwin Yoder, Partner, Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP

Together, they will explore how quantum and AI are converging, what this means for entrepreneurs, and where the next investable opportunities are emerging.

January 2026 Human Resources Council Meeting
2026-01-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino will lead a virtual discussion on common wage and hour issues that employers face for the Waterbury Regional Chamber.
The presentation will address the “white collar” exemptions from overtime, what constitutes hours worked, meal breaks, properly calculating overtime, and other wage payment issues.
This program will be submitted for SHRM recertification credit.
Register here.

Legal Ethics - Best Practices On-demand Webinar
2026-02-26 09:00
The Faculty for this webinar includes:
Timothy Anzenberger, Partner at Adams and Reese LLP
Michael Downey, Lawyer at Downey Law Group LLC
Julie Jorgensen, Of Counsel at Spencer Fane, LLC
Stephen Conover, Partner at Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP
The discussion examines how states, such as Washington, are modifying rules to accommodate innovations like Limited License Legal Technicians (LLLTs), which in turn impact our understanding of Rule 5.3 (Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistance) and Rule 5.5 (Unauthorized Practice of Law). We also review recent disciplinary outcomes related to Rule 8.4 (Misconduct) to identify emerging trends in professional integrity. By utilizing resources like the Annotated Model Rules, this session ensures you are up-to-date on the “blueline” distinctions that define modern compliance.
This webinar was co-produced by The National Law Review and Financial Poise.
You can find the webinar here.

Legal Ethics - Best Practices 2026: How to Avoid Malpractice & Disciplinary Actions - General Do's and Don'ts
2026-03-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Professional Ethics & Grievance partner Stephen Conover will co-present in this webinar on practical risk-management strategies for practicing attorneys, basic practice pointers to avoid malpractice and disciplinary actions, and how to respond to claims of malpractice or unethical behavior if they arise.
Lawyers will learn how to:

Identify common malpractice and ethics risks in everyday practice and apply practical DOs and DON’Ts to prevent them in client representation, firm management, and professional communications
Apply key Model Rules governing the client-lawyer relationship (Rules 1.1–1.10, 1.13, 1.16) to reduce exposure to disciplinary complaints and malpractice claims through improved documentation, communication, and decision-making practices
Recognize ethical duties in dealing with non-clients (Rules 4.1–4.4) and avoid conduct that can trigger liability or professional sanctions in negotiations, investigations, and third-party communications
Implement effective supervision and practice-management safeguards under Rules 5.1–5.5, including managing lawyers, subordinate lawyers, nonlawyer assistance, and multijurisdictional practice concerns to minimize firm-wide risk and regulatory exposure
Respond appropriately to malpractice or disciplinary allegations, including understanding the role of malpractice insurance and the potential consequences of adverse judgments or discipline so you can protect your license, livelihood, and professional reputation

Click to view webinar.

HR Hotline Live: Pregnancy in the Workplace
2026-04-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Navigating federal and state pregnancy laws can be complex. From the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the ADA to Connecticut’s protections for pregnant and lactating employees and new parents, compliance is essential. Missteps can lead to costly discrimination claims and legal compliance is only part of the equation.
Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino will go beyond what the law requires to focus on how to implement policies that both protect your business and support employees.
Topics include:

Required workplace accommodations
Aligning maternity policies with Connecticut’s Paid Family Leave program
When pregnancy-related conditions are considered disabilities
Common compliance mistakes that lead to discrimination claims
Communicating with employees during and after pregnancy

Register here.

Is your business ready for Connecticut’s new AI and Data Privacy rules coming July 1, 2026?
2026-05-05 12:00 - 13:30 | Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, 92 Eugene O’Neill Dr., New London, CT, 06320, United States
Join Carmody Technology & Data Privacy lawyer Sherwin Yoder for a complimentary briefing on Connecticut’s new Artificial Intelligence and Data Privacy rules coming July 1, 2026. Lunch will be served.
Last-minute, little-noticed legislative amendments from the Connecticut 2025 legislative session will have outsized impacts on small and medium-sized Connecticut businesses beginning July 1, 2026.
Who should attend?

Leaders of consumer-facing businesses and their service providers
Businesses who collect data relating to children, consumer financial information or similarly sensitive data
Businesses who sell or trade consumer information
Businesses that utilize Artificial Intelligence solutions to create consumer profiles or to assist in decision making around a person’s suitability for lending, renting, hiring/promotion, and purchasing or receiving services

Learn how your company may be subject to these changes and what you can do now to get ahead of the coming compliance risks and obligations.
Register here.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.

The Future of Bridgeport: Aligning Investment, Development, and Community Impact
2026-05-12 12:00 - 14:30 | Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, 500 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT, United States
Join us for The Future of Bridgeport: Aligning Investment, Development, and Community Impact on Tuesday, May 12, 12 p.m., Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad Street Bridgeport, CT 06604.
To RSVP, email christian.a.templeman@morganstanley.com with name, title, organization and email of attendee/s. Space is limited. Lunch will be served.
Bridgeport is at a pivotal moment. From transformative community institutions like the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club to major investments in housing, infrastructure, and destination assets such as the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, real momentum is building. At the same time, shifting market conditions will influence how—and how quickly—that progress continues.
The Future of Bridgeport: Aligning Investment, Development, and Community Impact brings together leaders from development, finance, construction, and the nonprofit sector for a timely conversation about what it will take to convert momentum into lasting results.
Combining local perspectives with regional expertise, this luncheon will explore practical opportunities to strengthen collaboration, unlock investment, and help shape Bridgeport’s next chapter.

Is your business ready for Connecticut’s new AI and Data Privacy rules coming July 1, 2026?
2026-05-14 08:30 - 10:00 | Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, 195 Church Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, United States
Join Carmody Data Privacy lawyer Sherwin Yoder for a complimentary briefing on Connecticut’s new Artificial Intelligence and Data Privacy rules coming July 1, 2026. Last-minute, little-noticed legislative amendments from the Connecticut 2025 legislative session will have outsized impacts on small and medium-sized Connecticut businesses beginning July 1, 2026.

The New Reality of Immigration Enforcement: Strategic Solutions for Employers
2026-05-20 14:30 - 15:15 | Bristol Event Center, 112 Century Dr, Bristol, CT, 06010, United States
Carmody Immigration lawyers Lauren Hopwood and Johanna Bachmair will speak at the CBIA’s annual Human Resources Conference, closing out the event with an informative presentation on immigration compliance, including I-9 requirements and responding to ICE actions.
The CBIA Human Resources Conference equips hundreds of HR professionals with the clarity, tools, and foresight needed to manage risk and support their organizations.

May 2026 Human Resources Council Meeting
2026-05-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino will discuss the significant employment laws that were passed during the 2026 legislative session with the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Human Resources Council.
HR professionals will learn about new laws covering:

Mandatory lactation and breastfeeding accommodations
Wage range disclosure requirements for job advertisements
Prohibition of employment promissory notes
Additional prevailing wage requirements for contractors
Enhanced workers’ compensation benefits for certain employees assaulted at work

Register here.
