Best HR Practices: Reviewing the Impact of Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Track: Employment Law & Legislation
In what could be the largest employment discrimination case in U.S. history, the United States Supreme Court in Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is expected to give employers important guidance on fundamental human resources policies, practices and programs that will shape HR policy and practice for the future. The case, now brought as a class action on behalf of 500,000 female employees presents substantial risks to employers that their policies and practices can be challenged on a class or nationwide basis where liability and defense costs can be considerable. To minimize or eliminate those litigation risks, it is important for you to understand the Court's treatment and view of the HR practices at issue in the case, such as the manner and management of performance appraisals, diversity programs and training and compliance monitoring. Recognizing the significance of the Court's decision, SHRM filed a "friend of the court" brief with the U.S. Supreme Court. This session gives you the opportunity to hear from Camille A. Olson and Richard B. Lapp of Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, the attorneys who prepared SHRM's brief on this historic ruling.
Camille A. Olson
Camille is a trusted advisor to national companies facing high-profile legal, policy, and media challenges, especially in situations with significant reputational risk. She excels at helping clients navigate complex issues and turn abstract risks into actionable decisions. Camille is renowned for her expertise in crisis management and legal strategy, making her an invaluable asset to her clients.
A partner at Seyfarth, Camille co-chairs the National Complex Litigation practice group and leads the Complex Discrimination Litigation practice group. She is also a member of the firm’s National Labor and Employment Law Steering Committee. With nearly 30 years of experience, Camille has represented clients in employment discrimination, harassment, wage-and-hour disputes, and independent contractor matters across the country.
Camille’s distinguished trial record includes serving as lead defense trial counsel in high-stakes cases involving harassment, discrimination, and systemic policy violations. She has also worked as outside counsel to boards of directors and executive teams on sensitive internal investigations. Her sophisticated approach to litigation has led to numerous successful resolutions, often on the eve of trial or through creative motion practice.
In addition to her legal practice, Camille has regularly testified before the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, EEOC, and Department of Labor on key legislative issues. She has served as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity policy subcommittee since 2013, advocating for employer perspectives on critical employment laws.
Camille earned both her B.A., with Highest Honors, and her J.D. from the University of Michigan. As an undergraduate, she was awarded the Eita Krom Scholar distinction for her published thesis. Her extensive legal and policy contributions make her a sought-after speaker and a leading voice in the field of complex litigation.