One Size Fits None in Modern Employment Law with Jerry Maatman
Concepts: Employment Law; DEI; Wage and Hour
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'.
I hope you enjoy the conversation! If so, give us a rating!
If you have comments, ideas, or wish to participate, please drop me a note at Editor@LitigationConferences.com.
Tom Hagy
Litigation Enthusiast and
Host of the Emerging Litigation Podcast
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It's possible it could make this man smile. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
A prolific author, speaker, and media commentator, he is also the host of the Class Action Weekly Wire podcast. Mr. Maatman earned his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Washington and Lee University.