Phillips Lytle LLP to Host Seminar “What Government Contractors are Facing in 2016”

PHILLIPS LYTLE LLP TO HOST SEMINAR “WHAT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS ARE FACING IN 2016”

Buffalo, N.Y. – Phillips Lytle LLP, a premier regional law firm that is recognized nationally for its legal excellence, will host a seminar “What Government Contractors are Facing in 2016.” The event will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd at 1 p.m. at the firm’s One Canalside location in downtown Buffalo. Phillips Lytle Partners James R. Grasso and James Kevin Wholey, and Special Counsel John M. Falk will present.

The program will address the distinctive challenges government contractors are facing with respect to compliance with employment and labor laws generally, and specific new obligations and requirements imposed under the Obama Administration. This program will provide valuable insight and advice to government contractors to prepare and plan for these critical issues faced in 2016.

Mr. Falk and Mr. Wholey will present “New Regulatory and Legislative Developments in Washington that will Impact Government Contractors in the New Year.” This presentation will provide a general overview of regulatory and legislative changes that may affect government contractors and their compliance efforts. This presentation will discuss:

• Bid protests;
• The proposed rule on gifts for Executive Branch employees;
• Contracting with corporations that have a felony conviction or delinquent taxes;
• A proposed rule regarding reporting offset arrangements; and
• The cybersecurity plan for agencies and contractors issued by the White House.

Mr. Grasso and Mr. Wholey will cover the topic “The Changing Labor and Employment Landscape.” Government contractors face a unique set of labor and employment compliance rules and regulations. Since the current administration took office, government contractors have been burdened with numerous new rules regulating employment and more continue to be proposed, from an increase in the federally mandated minimum wage to mandatory paid sick time. This presentation will discuss:

• The “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” Executive Order requirements regarding paycheck transparency, limits on arbitration clauses and required notices to independent contracts;
• The Executive Order requiring contractors to provide paid sick leave as of January 2017;
• Executive Order 13665 restricting contractors’ ability to limit employee inquiries and discussions about pay;
• Executive Order 13672 prohibiting sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination; and
• New minimum wage requirements for contractors and the proposed rule to collect wage date.

Mr. Falk has extensive experience in the areas of national security, government contracts and international law. He has represented domestic and international clients in the defense, homeland security, bio-technology, telecommunications, and mining sectors – specializing in military, security, bio-defense and foreign military sales. Mr. Falk began his legal career in federal court litigation with a focus on federal procurement, maritime, intellectual property and unfair competition.

Mr. Wholey has broad experience at the intersection of federal government, national security and international business. His specific focus is on the legislative, policy and compliance issues involved in international investment, trade and business development. Through his federal government relations and operations practice, he assists clients with transnational compliance matters (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, EAR, ITAR, export licensing and involvement with various sanctions regimes), and works frequently with the Administration and Capitol Hill.

Mr. Grasso represents management in the private and public sectors in all aspects of labor and employment law. He counsels clients on workplace policies and practices and legal compliance issues, and represents employers in litigation concerning employment discrimination, harassment, wage and hour matters, wrongful termination, employment contract disputes, and confidentiality and non-compete agreements.