Events
Legal Considerations: Starting a Business and Asset Protection
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 2:00-3:30 PM
Live Event at Austin Central Library
Running a business has risks associated with it. There are simple steps business owners can take to protect their personal and business assets against those risks. This workshop will look at ways to protect assets through business formation decisions, trade secret protection, and appropriate legal documents. It is always better to make some protective decisions early on than to put out fires later.
Contract Basics for Business Owners
Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 10:00-11:30 AM
Live Online Event
Contracts protect businesses from all types of risks. Jennifer Ward will discuss concepts and vocabulary every business owner should know as they review and enter contracts.
Contract Basics for Business Owners
Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 10:00-11:30 AM
Live Online Event
Contracts protect businesses from all types of risks. Jennifer Ward will discuss concepts and vocabulary every business owner should know as they review and enter contracts.
Legal Considerations: Starting a Business and Asset Protection
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 from 1:30-3:00 PM
Live Online Event
Running a business has risks associated with it. There are simple steps business owners can take to protect their personal and business assets against those risks. This workshop will look at ways to protect assets through business formation decisions, trade secret protection, and appropriate legal documents. It is always better to make some protective decisions early on than to put out fires later.
Legal Considerations: Starting a Business and Asset Protection
Thursday May 4, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Live Online Event
Jennifer will show you ways to protect assets through business formation decisions, trade secret protection and appropriate legal documents. It is always better to make some protective decisions early on than to put out fires later.
Contract Basics for Business Owners
Thursday March 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Live Online Event
Jennifer will arm you with basic contract law practices so you can avoid common legal pitfalls. Ms. Ward will also discuss best practices for entering relationships with customers, vendors, employees, and other third parties. You will learn concepts and vocabulary that you should, as a small business owner, know as you review and enter contracts.
A Legal Primer for an HR Department of One
Thursday January 18, 2023 at 11:30 AM
McKenna Center in New Braunfels, Texas
A well-run HR department on-boards new hires, oversees complaints and leave request, and weighs in on terminations, all while conducting constant risk assessments and making recommendations to management regarding areas of exposure. This can be a heavy load to carry. Attorney Jennifer Ward will discuss some of the legal pitfalls of running an HR department solo. She will help you fine-tune your skills for identifying areas of risks and consulting legal counsel when appropriate.
Dealing With COVID: Preparing Our Workplaces Legally for What Is Ahead
Tuesday, February 8 at 12:00pm
Virtual Zoom meeting
Does it feel like you are facing moving targets when it comes to developing effective COVID protocols? You are not alone. We will review the current legal framework around COVID protections in the workplace. We will look at what happens if an organization does not implement any COVID protections at all. We will also examine what it means to go too far in restricting employees. By arming yourself with the legal rules in this area, you will be better equipped to prepare your workplace for managing COVID in the longterm.
Dealing With COVID - Preparing our workplaces legally for what is ahead and what we can expect
Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:30am
McKenna Event Center, 801 W. San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Ms. Ward will join the Hill Country Human Resource Management Association for a discussion on the ongoing impact of COVID in the workplace and how to prepare for the challenges ahead.
What to Expect When You Are an Expecting Architect
Thursday, May 6 at 1:00pm
AIA Women in Architecture (WiA) is hosting a Mothers in Architecture panel this May. WiA is focused on several different initiatives, all aimed at identifying and removing barriers for minority women at different milestones during their careers as architects. Ms. Ward will discuss women and mother's legal rights in the workplace.
Know Your Rights: Ramadan Charitable Giving Without Fear
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 pm via Facebook Live
In the wake of 9/11, aggressive law enforcement tactics like FBI interviews with donors and mosque surveillance has left fear and concerns in the American Muslim community with respect to charitable giving and fulfilling their religious obligations.
Join us to learn more and what you should be taking into consideration to mitigate risks involved in financing laws.
Addressing Your HR Covid Questions
Friday, February 12, 2021 - 1:30-2:30 pm via Zoom
The coronavirus pandemic has led to many changes in the workforce and the workplace. From COVID testing and vaccines to safety protocols and remote work policies, employers have had to grapple with many HR quandaries. Attorney Jennifer Ward will offer her thoughts on some common HR COVID questions.
Glad You Asked - Addressing Your HR Covid-19 Quandaries
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm via Zoom
Jennifer Ward will be speaking for the Hill Country Human Resource Management Association. Ms. Ward will address the top ten questions regarding HR Administrators COVID-19 quandaries that have crept into our workplaces.
Austin Pets Alive! Fundraiser
We absolutely love our furry friends and wanted to give back to our local community! Join us in raising money to purchase much needed supplies and goodies for all the animals at Austin Pets Alive! Whether you can give $1 or $50 you will be making a difference. We hope you will join us in supporting Austin Pets Alive! and their ongoing efforts to keep Austin a no-kill city. Check out some amazing things our donations can buy:
$5 - Harness, Leash, or Collar
$15 - Three rolls of delicious dog treats, therapeutic oils, or an interactive dog toy
$25 - Small kennel to transport kittens and puppies or flea control medication
$50 - Probiotics for cats and a warm snuggle pad
$100 - Syringe to feed baby kittens, cat toys, and 7lb bag of cat food
Contract Basics for Business Owners
Ms. Ward will be speaking for SCORE at a virtual event on October 23, 2020. Contracts protect businesses from all types of risks. Ms. Ward will discuss concepts and vocabulary every business owner should know as they review and enter contracts. She will arm you with basic contract law principles so you can avoid common legal pitfalls. Ms. Ward will also discuss best practices for entering relationships with customers, vendors, employees, and other third parties.
Starting a Business & Asset Protection
Ms. Ward will be speaking for SCORE at a virtual event on October 16, 2020. She will discuss steps business owners can take to protect assets through entity formation, trade secret protection, and appropriate legal documents to help minimize risk. It is always better to make some protective decisions early on than to put out fires later.
Starting a Business & Asset Protection
Ms. Ward will be speaking for SCORE at a virtual event on July 24, 2020. She will discuss steps business owners can take to protect assets through entity formation, trade secret protection, and appropriate legal documents to help minimize risk. It is always better to make some protective decisions early on than to put out fires later.
Ms. Ward will be speaking virtually for SCORE on June 26, 2020. She will discuss concepts and vocabulary every business owner should know as they review and enter contracts. She will arm you with basic contract law principles so you can avoid common legal pitfalls. Ms. Ward will also discuss best practices for entering relationships with customers, vendors, employees, and other third parties.
Best Practices to Avoid Problematic Terminations (CANCELED for public health safety reasons)
Jennifer D. Ward will speak in San Marcos for the Hill Country SHRM Chapter on April 9, 2020. She will discuss the biggest risk areas for terminations, documents you should use and save from job posting to separation as well as training to avoid complicated exits.
Ms. Ward will be speaking at the Westlake Chamber of Commerce Business Builder Lunch on February 11. She will be answering questions on a wide variety of employment law issues. Bring your questions and have them answered over a delicious lunch!
Tools For Success: Hiring Your First Employee
We are pleased to announce that principal attorney Jennifer Ward will be hosting a free Lunch & Learn event here at the office on January 9, 2020. Principal Attorney Jennifer Ward will discuss employment law issues every employer should be aware of and give you tips for avoiding common legal pitfalls.
Please note that this presentation is being offered for educational purposes only. Ms. Ward will not give legal advice on your specific situation, but she may provide a general overview of the law in response to questions. An attorney-client relationship will not be created at this event. Attendees who have additional questions should contact an attorney to assist them.
Eanes ISD board votes to continue Spanish immersion program after dozens of parents voice support
Speaking both as a leader of the Language Immersion Exploratory Committee for Eanes ISD and as the parent of a child enrolled in the language-immersion program, Ms. Ward expressed support of the program's continuation. Her statements along with a broader look at the December 10 meeting are featured in this article from Community Impact Newspaper.
Tools for Success: Employment Law Protections Every Employer Should Know About
We are pleased to announce that principal attorney Jennifer Ward will be hosting a free Lunch & Learn event here at the office on September 12, 2019. Ms. Ward will will discuss employment law issues to help employers protect their business and give tips for avoiding common legal pitfalls.
Please note that this presentation is being offered for educational purposes only. Ms. Ward will not give legal advice on your specific situation, but she may provide a general overview of the law in response to questions. An attorney-client relationship will not be created at this event. Attendees who have additional questions should contact an attorney to assist them.
Tools for Success: Trade Secret Protection for Small Businesses
We are pleased to announce that principal attorney Jennifer Ward will be hosting a free Lunch & Learn event here at the office on July 18, 2019. Mrs. Ward will give an overview of trade secret protections every small business owner should be aware of and give tips for avoiding common legal pitfalls.
Please note that this presentation is being offered for educational purposes only. Ms. Ward will not give legal advice on your specific situation, but she may provide a general overview of the law in response to questions. An attorney-client relationship will not be created at this event. Attendees who have additional questions should contact an attorney to assist them.
Tools for Success: Contract Basics for New Businesses
We are pleased to announce that principal attorney Jennifer Ward will be hosting a free Lunch & Learn event here at the office on May 9, 2019. Ms. Ward will discuss employment law issues every employer should be aware of and give you tips for avoiding common legal pitfalls.
Please note that this presentation is being offered for educational purposes only. Ms. Ward will not give legal advice on your specific situation, but she may provide a general overview of the law in response to questions. An attorney-client relationship will not be created at this event. Attendees who have additional questions should contact an attorney to assist them.
Tools For Success: Hiring Your First Employee
This Lunch and Learn event is aimed at new or soon-to-be employers. Principal Attorney Jennifer Ward will arm you with tools for success. She will discuss employment law issues every employer should be aware of and give you tips for avoiding common legal pitfalls.
Please note that this presentation is being offered for educational purposes only. Ms. Ward will not give legal advice on your specific situation, but she may provide a general overview of the law in response to questions. An attorney-client relationship will not be created at this event. Attendees who have additional questions should contact an attorney to assist them.
Vocabulary Words Every Lawyer Should Know
On Monday, March 5, 2019 Ms. Ward will be a panelist for a CLE hosted by the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association. The panel, moderated by Sarah Glaser, will include local attorneys specializing in the areas of employment law, criminal law, and general practice. Ms. Ward will define some of the terms she feels are essential to employment lawyers and offer tips and suggestions associated with those terms.
Legal Considerations in Hiring and Onboarding
On November 14, 2018 Ms. Ward will give a presentation at the Monthly meeting of the Austin Human Resource Management Association intended to provide a legal perspective to the hiring process. Ms. Ward will touch on up to date hiring practices, the use of social media, reminders on background checks, and how to set the right tone for a harassment-free work environment during onboarding.
Workplace Investigations Gone Wrong
Why do workplace investigations go bad? How can management attorneys keep an investigation on track. And how can plaintiff’s attorneys exploit a poorly planned investigation?
On November 7, 2018 experienced workplace investigators and attorneys Jennifer D. Ward and Natalie Lynch will walk us through a workplace investigation gone comically wrong. Topics will be framed by interactions with a (purely hypothetical) incompetent manager and will include:
Who should conduct the investigation
When to bring in a third-party investigator
What happens when HR and management are too intertwined
Managing attempts to control an investigation
Client management (and identifying the client).
This CLE will assist in our understanding of the investigatory process, common pitfalls encountered in investigations and how to hire and manage outside investigators.
The Basics of Employer/ Employee Rights and Liabilities
On January 23, 2018 Ms. Ward spoke at the offices of Industrious Austin. Industrious Austin is an exciting co-working space in the heart of downtown Austin. In this presentation Ms. Ward addressed the basics of employer-employee rights and liabilities, a presentation which aimed to inform those who are growing a business and possibly hiring their first employees.
Texas Self Storage Association Social Media in the Workplace Presentation
On October 19, 2017 Principal Attorney Jennifer Ward give a presentation on social media in the workplace at the Texas Self Storage Association's annual conference. In this presentation Ms. Ward explored both the benefits social media use can yield, as well as common pitfalls to be wary of.
Travis County #StrongerTogether Check Presentation
At Artfest 2017 the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy raised almost $16,000 to support local causes. Click here to see a video of Attorney Ward and other members of the Artfest board present Travis County #StrongerTogether with a check. This check went towards further supporting their work in public safety, victim support, and specialty court programs like the Travis County Veterans Court, and Family Drug Treatment Court/Parenting in Recovery.
Artfest
Ms. Ward was chairperson of the 2017 Artfest. ArtFest was an evening filled with local artists and musicians, as well as local dining vendors, put on by the 2017 Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy, a select group of community-minded Austin lawyers working in concert with the Austin Bar Foundation. Proceeds from this years’ ArtFest went toward benefitting two local organizations doing important work in Austin: The Arc of the Capital Area and Travis County Stronger Together.
Ms. Ward was interviewed by the Houston Public Media regarding a Whistleblower lawsuit with claims arising under the Texas Whistleblower Act, Texas common law, and the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Click here to listen to her interview and read the related article.
Protect Your Rights- Know the Law
Ms. Ward was a key presenter in the Protect Your Rights- Know the Law event given at Westbank Library. She gave an informative presentation entitled "Business Law: Starting and Operating a Small Business" in which she covered such topics as employee rights and asset protection.
