2026-27 Online Legal Summit Resource Board

When Issues Go Public: Legal Strategy in a Reputation-Driven World

Presented by: Logan Booth, Of Counsel, Litigation Department, Fisher Phillips

Resources:

• Recording
• Slidedeck
• PDF #1
• PDF #2
• Survey

Description:

In today's interconnected world, what is decided in the court of public opinion can be as, if not more, important than what is decided in a court of law. For that reason, when confronting a crisis, it is essential to simultaneously develop legal and public relations strategies that mitigate risk and achieve the organization's objective. This presentation will focus on how to leverage communications to advance legal strategies, as well as how to ensure that reputation is preserved throughout the lifecycle of dynamic legal disputes.

About the Presenter: Logan Booth

Logan Booth advises in matters involving data privacy and cybersecurity issues, high-stakes investigations, and business-critical reputational and crisis management matters.

Logan has significant experience representing clients through high-stakes reputational and crisis management issues. His work in this space is extensive, and includes counseling boards and executives through misconduct investigations, reductions in force, WARN Act compliance, unionization initiatives, and leadership transitions. Beyond the labor and employment realm, he has also advised clients through Congressional, federal agency, and state attorneys general investigations. Notably, Logan served at the principal crisis communications consultant for Norfolk Southern in the aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment, having deployed to Ohio to act as the company’s representative to media, regulators, and elected officials. He has also counseled both public and private educational institutions on data protection practices, civil and criminal enforcement actions, and personnel engagements. In addition to his reactive crisis communications experience, he is also well-versed in developing proactive plans for organizations, to include preparing playbooks, media training spokespeople, and leading preparedness and table-top training exercises.

In addition to his civilian career, Logan is an officer in the United States Navy Reserve, having served in both the intelligence and public affairs communities. He is a graduate of the Center for Information Warfare Training and Defense Information School.

Presented by: Russell Ford, Partner, Fisher Phillips

Resources:

• Recording
• Slidedeck
• Survey

Description:

This session will help schools understand how to use the immigration tools available to them to recruit and retain a global workforce, maintain compliance with immigration laws, and overcome teacher shortages by expanding their recruitment beyond U.S. borders.

About the Presenter: Russell Ford

Russell Ford helps employers across the country navigate the complex world of business immigration with clarity, creativity, and compassion. 

With more than two decades of experience, he teams with public and private employers – including universities, K-12 schools, nonprofit organizations, and multinational corporations – to develop and implement effective immigration policies that help them recruit, retain, and support top global talent.

Russell built his practice on a simple but powerful idea: great client service starts with great communication. He works closely with in-house counsel, human resources teams, and leadership to design practical strategies for global personnel movement, compliance, and sponsorship under all major nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories, including H-1B, J-1, O-1, NIW, and EB-1. His work often extends to advising on SEVIS programs, I-9 and E-Verify compliance, and Labor Condition Application (LCA) processes.

Clients value Russell’s approachable style, responsiveness, and ability to translate complex regulations into actionable guidance. Whether helping a university secure SEVIS designation, resolving an I-9 compliance challenge for a multi-campus system, or developing long-term workforce strategies for a global company, Russell brings practical solutions that protect organizations and empower their people.

A frequent advisor to higher education institutions, Russell is a core member of the firm’s Higher Education Practice Group and a trusted advisor to schools and universities nationwide.

Before joining Fisher Phillips, Russell practiced at major firms in Atlanta and New England and co-founded a boutique immigration firm in Portland, Maine, where he built a national practice serving clients in education and business. 

presented by Susan Guerette, Partner, Fisher Phillips LLC

Resources:

• Recording
• Slidedeck
• Survey

Description:

Schools frequently receive complaints from employees about various issues. How they respond to those complaints can affect the good will of their employees as well as their potential legal liability. This session will discuss how to conduct an effective investigation that will hold up in court as well as on campus.

Participants will learn the pitfalls associated with investigations, such as what to do with anonymous complaints, how to investigate issues relating to online activities and what to do if your employee shows up with their lawyer. Through case studies and interactive discussion we will review the challenges that can arise and how to deal with them effectively.

About the Presenter: Susan Guerette

Susan Guerette, a partner in the Philadelphia office, represents management in labor and employment matters, including discrimination claims and employee defection disputes. She specializes in litigating cases involving non-compete agreements, trade secrets, fiduciary duty, and related issues stemming from employee transitions between competitors.

Susan has litigated more than 400 employee defection and recruitment matters in over 30 different states, as well as numerous arbitration actions before arbitration panels (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Susan has extensive experience across industries such as securities brokerage, healthcare, tech, food manufacturing, and staffing.

A member of the firm’s Education Practice Group, Susan advises private schools on employee, student, and board matters. She also counsels employers on compliance, immigration, and employment policies, drafting severance and compensation agreements, and developing programs to minimize risks from employee movement.

Susan is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2011, and was included in International Employment Lawyers’ inaugural “Women Leaders” list in 2022.

presented by TBD

Resources:

• Slide Deck
• Recording
• Survey

Description:

More information is coming soon.

About the Presenters: 

Brian Garrett is a director and Chair of McLane Middleton's Education Practice Group.  Brian regularly counsels independent schools regarding crisis management and handling complex student, employee, and board governance issues.  He provides schools with practical legal advice with respect to student discipline matters, board of trustee duties, allegations of sexual assault and abuse, compliance document updates (such as enrollment agreements, student and employee handbooks, head of school agreements, and employee offer letters), student admissions and employee onboarding, best practices for domestic and international school trips, and fostering inclusive school communities.  He also guides schools with respect to investigations involving alleged interpersonal misconduct.

Amanda Brahm represents employers and educational institutions in legal matters involving students, employees, and school or workplace policies. Her practice includes litigating discrimination, contract, Title IX, ADA, and FMLA claims in state and federal court and defending charges before agencies such as CHRO, EEOC, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Amanda also helps schools and employers design and implement sexual misconduct and non-discrimination policies, provides training, and guides investigations and responses to reports of prohibited conduct. Drawing on her campus leadership roles in compliance, equity, and Title IX, plus a federal clerkship and a J.D. from Wake Forest, she offers practical, institution-savvy counsel.

presented by TBD

Resources:

• Slide Deck
• Recording
• Survey

Description:

More information coming soon.

About the Presenters:

Sarah Fay is the Managing Partner at Schwartz Hannum PC, a law firm that focuses on education, employment, and labor law. With experience representing educational institutions nationwide, Sarah is a trusted advisor to independent school leaders. She assists in the many facets of risk management for schools, including governance issues, student and employee disciplinary matters, and sexual abuse allegations, and the development of key compliance documents. Sarah is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. She is an American Bar Foundation Fellow and was honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a Top Woman of Law in 2023.

Phillipa Gage Lilienthal is Counsel at Schwartz Hannum PC, a firm which specializes in education, employment, and labor law. She advises clients on a variety of student, employee and governance-related matters including best practices in Board governance and risk management, as well as compliance issues such as handbooks and bylaws review. Pippa is a trusted advisor to heads of schools, presidents, board chairs, deans, business officers, and other independent school leaders. She is a cum laude graduate of Boston College Law School, a magna cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College and a Sidwell Friends School “lifer.”

presented by TBD

Resources:

• Slide Deck
• Recording
• Survey

Description:

More information coming soon.

About the Presenter: TBD

presented by TBD

Resources:

• Slide Deck
• Recording
• Survey

Description:

More information coming soon.

About the Presenter: TBD