Event Details

2024 SHRM Legislative & Legal Seminar Agenda

Friday, October 4, 2024

DPHHS – Department of Health and Human Services – 111 North Sanders St.

Helena MT

Register Here

MISSION: The Montana SHRM State Council mission is to support local Chapters in being highly successful in their assistance to members and others vested in the field; elevate the profession to the highest standards; and provide education, updates and connections among all Montana human resource professionals.     

MISSION: Helena SHRM builds memberships and provides a community to local human resource professionals, business professionals and academic institutions by providing training and leadership to increase awareness in the area of Human Resource Management.

Learning Objectives

9:00am      Opening Comments and introductions    Grover Wallace/Dawn Lambert State Legislative Director & Helena SHRM President

9:15am     Upcoming employment law updates       Amy Christensen – Attorney                       Christensen & Prezeau

10:30am                      Break

10:45am     MT Human Rights Updates & Trends Barry Ivanoff                                                                              Trainer/TER Coord. Bureau

11:45am                      Lunch provided

12:30pm   State Legislative update and Legislative Process       Representative Julie Dooling                          Montana House of Representatives           

1:00pm     Recruitment Challenges          Andy Shirtliff  Commissioner

2:00pm                        Human Resource Challenges for Montana                 TBD

2:30pm                        Conclusion of Seminar

Registration:

You can register on the Montana State SHRM web site:  https://montana.shrm.org/events/2024/10/2024-legislative-legal-seminar

SPEAKER BIO’S

Upcoming employment law updates

Amy Christensen – Christensen & Prezeau, PLLP

Amy D. Christensen is the managing partner of Christensen & Prezeau, PLLP. She has over twenty-five years of experience litigating cases in state and federal court involving employment matters, health care, and professional liability. She has also appeared on behalf of clients before numerous administrative agencies involving matters such as discrimination and retaliation, unemployment insurance, wage and hour, and professional licensing. In addition to her litigation practice, Amy advises a wide variety of large and small employers on legal matters related to performance management, termination, disability accommodation, workplace investigations, personnel policies, employment contracts, overtime compensation, and compliance with state and federal employment laws. Amy also regularly conducts workplace investigations for the public and private employers throughout the state. Prior to forming Christensen & Prezeau, Amy was the managing partner at Hughes, Kellner, Sullivan and Alke, PLLP, where she had worked for sixteen years.

Education

1992 - B.S., University of Notre Dame (high honors)
1997 - J.D., University of Colorado

Community Involvement

Co-Chair, Montana Labor and Employment Law Seminar
Board President, Helena Youth Soccer Association

Montana Human Rights Updates & Trends

Barry Ivanoff – Trainer/TER Coordinator State of MT Human Rights

Barry Ivanoff Human Rights Targeted Equitable Relief Coordinator bivanoff@mt.gov 406-655-6093 Barry Ivanoff was born in Chicago, IL, but grew up in the Cody, Wyoming. In 1989, he joined the Army and served 8 years before returning to Cody, where he worked as a police officer for a couple years. In 2000, Barry and his wife moved to Billings. After arriving in Billings, he worked as a Probation and Parole Office for 13 years, the last 5 of which he was a supervisor. In 2013, Barry began working for the Montana Human Rights Bureau as an investigator, which eventually led to his current position as the Trainer/TER (Targeted Equitible Relief) Coordinator for the Bureau. Barry loves working for the Bureau and is passionate about the work they do. Barry is married to an amazing lady and have an adult son, as well as three cats that seem to be the rulers the house.

State Legislative Update and Legislative process

Julie Dooling – Montana State House of Representatives. HD 70, Running for HD 84

Julie Dooling is a dedicated professional and public servant deeply rooted in the vibrant fabric of Montana. With a fervent belief that small businesses are the heartbeat of the state, Julie has dedicated her career to both financial stewardship and legislative advocacy for her community.

Julie joined the esteemed Sullivan Financial Group in 2010 and serves as a Registered Financial Assistant and Para-Planner. She is licensed with Series 7 & 63 FINRA credentials and in Montana Life and Disability Insurance. Before moving to Helena from the Flathead Valley in 2009, Julie honed her skills as Branch Manager at a title company in Bigfork and prior to that, was a Registered Sales Associate for an investment firm located in Kalispell.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Julie is deeply committed to public service. Representing House District 70 in the state legislature for the last 6 years, she is a fierce advocate for her constituents. Her legislative portfolio includes Chair of the House State Administration Committee in 2023 and Chair of the Joint Senate & House State Administration & Veterans’ Affairs Interim Committee (2023 – 2024). Other pivotal roles in committees such as the Agriculture Committee, Julie served as Vice-Chair during the 2021 session where her dedication to the state's farming and ranching communities shines through. She is also a member of the Transportation Committee, demonstrating her multifaceted approach to governance.

Julie's commitment to the community extends beyond the halls of the Capitol. As a former certified NRA Pistol Instructor and long-time Trap Shoot enthusiast, she is passionate about firearm safety and education. Julie dedicated many years to a thriving farm and ranch operation, a testament to her deep connection to Montana's agricultural heritage. The endeavors of the Ranch encompass the cultivation of malt barley, alfalfa hay, and the raising of Black Angus cattle, illustrating Julie's hands-on approach to preserving Montana's agricultural legacy. A fourth-generation Montanan, Julie's roots run deep in the state.

Julie's son, Tyler Simonson, currently serves in the Navy aboard the carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, and she understands the sacrifices and responsibilities inherent in both familial and national duty.

Julie Dooling embodies the essence of Montana – resilient, compassionate, and deeply committed to the prosperity of its people and landscapes. Through her multifaceted roles in finance, legislation, and community engagement, Julie continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of the Treasure State.

Recruitment Challenges

Andy Shirtliff - Helena Commissioner

Andy Shirtliff is a proud Montanan. He was born in Butte to a single mother from Anaconda. He was adopted and raised in Kalispell where he attended High School and Community College before graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana. Andy lives in Helena with his wife Laura, a Helena native and business owner, and her two sons, Peyton and Cooper, who both attend Capital High.

Two Montana governors have appointed Andy to advocate for Montana’s small businesses, advance economic development, and develop workforce strategies. During his time in the Governor’s office, Montana was ranked as the number one state in the nation to start a small business. Andy has lived and worked across our great state, having worked in all of Montana’s 56 counties. Currently, he works full-time for the people of Montana at the Department of Labor and Industry, Andy’s focus is on business engagement and finding solutions to our state’s workforce crisis.

Andy enjoys volunteering with organizations such as the Lewis & Clark Disaster Action Team of the American Red Cross of Montana, Habitat for Humanity, and the Helena Food Share. He has served on the boards and committees of organizations like the Montana Economic Developers Association, Helena Farmers Market, and Exploration Works, and he was the Chair of the Downtown Urban Renewal District Advisory Board for the City of Helena during the pandemic before stepping down to fulfill the Commission role.

Montana Human Resource challenges

TBD