Joseph (Joe) Beachboard is a nationally recognized employment lawyer who has been moderating the LEAP program for more than two decades. He has more than 30 years of experience representing management in a wide variety of employment and labor matters in perhaps the most challenging state in the nation for employers: California. He is a founding member of the Management Labor and Employment Roundtable (a LEAP sponsor) and regularly speaks before human resource and employer groups on cutting-edge employment law topics.

Dr. Dennis Davis holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in psychology, and is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of workplace violence, conflict resolution, sexual harassment and cultural diversity. Since 2008, he has served as Ogletree Deakins’ national director of client training. In that capacity, he develops and implements training programs designed to minimize the risks associated with inappropriate employee behavior. Dr. Davis is also a dynamic speaker and author of the well-received book Threats Pending, Fuses Burning: Managing Workplace Violence.

Jennifer Shaw is the founder of the Shaw Law Group and a well-respected expert in employment law for almost 30 years. Jennifer’s practical advice covers subjects such as wage-and-hour compliance, anti-discrimination and harassment policies and procedures, reasonable accommodation/leave of absence issues, DEI compliance, conflict resolution and mediation, and hiring/separation processes. She is a trusted advisor to in-house counsel, HR professionals and leadership across a broad spectrum of public- and private-sector employers.

Fred Plevin has more than 35 years of experience advising and representing California employers in all types of litigated employment disputes in state and federal court, including jury trials and appeals. His specialties include defense of employment discrimination, wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation, harassment and related claims, wage-and-hour class and representative actions, conducting and advising on workplace investigations, counseling of employers to minimize risk and comply with applicable laws, and training of management on issues of interest in the employment law area. Fred served as managing partner of Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton LLP from the firm’s founding in 1998 until 2020. On Jan. 1, 2023, Paul, Plevin merged with Quarles & Brady LLP, an AmLaw 200 firm with a national platform, where he serves as the managing partner of the San Diego office.