2026 Human Resources, Legal, and Compliance Update

Human resources and employment law continue to evolve rapidly and 2026 will be no exception. This annual update brings together experienced legal and HR professionals to help employers understand what’s changing, what’s coming, and how to stay compliant.

This session is designed for HR professionals, business owners, executives, managers, and anyone responsible for people operations.

• 2026 NYS Compliance “What’s New” Sprint
  The key New York State and federal updates your team needs for January — plus insight into what regulators are focusing on right now.
• Pay Practices That Hold Up
  Wage & hour essentials including employee classification, overtime, timekeeping, deductions, and wage notices/statements to help reduce costly missteps.
• Modern Hiring + Pay Transparency
  Practical guidance for job postings, offers, and documentation that supports pay equity and consistent, defensible decision-making.
• Leave & Accommodations Made Simple
  NY Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family Leave, and lactation and pregnancy/disability accommodations — how to administer them cleanly and consistently.
• Stronger Policies, Safer Workplace
  Harassment prevention, investigations and retaliation guardrails, cannabis and off-duty conduct considerations, plus a handbook refresh checklist with manager-ready takeaways.

8am - registration

8:30 - 9:30 presentation

9:30 - 10:00 Q&A

Margot Knab is a partner at Colligan Law LLP, a law firm serving entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses throughout Western New York. Colligan Law focuses on corporate and business law, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance.

A Buffalo native, Margot earned her J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she was awarded the Certificate in Corporate & Regulatory Compliance. During law school, she gained experience in legal operations and ethics & compliance roles at global organizations including Pratt & Whitney and BIC.

Margot is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut and is an active member of the New York State Bar Association and the Bar Association of Erie County.

Joe Saeli focuses Colligan Law on business and employment law, bringing a rare blend of legal and executive experience. Prior to private practice, Joe served as General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources at The Buffalo News.

Joe advises employers on employment law compliance, employee handbooks, investigations, discrimination claims, and employment agreements. He is also highly experienced in business formation, transactions, and professional practice acquisitions.

A certified Federal Court Mediator, Joe has mediated nearly 200 cases and has been widely recognized for his professional excellence, including:

• Buffalo Business First’s Legal Elite
• Upstate New York Super Lawyers
• Martindale-Hubbell “AV” Peer Review Rating

• Buffet-style breakfast
• Coffee, tea, and juices
• Educational presentation
• Live Q&A with legal experts
• Networking with local HR and business professionals

Not legal advice; confirm final policy and practice changes with licensed counsel.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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