Startup Employment Law: Avoid Costly Mistakes Before They Happen

In this episode, Fenwick employment lawyer Sheeva Ghassemi joins us to discuss various aspects of employment law that all founders should know. From the legal risks and consequences of misclassifying workers to navigating employment laws with remote employees across multiple states, this episode is a must-listen for anyone hiring and growing a team.

We discuss:

• The difference between employees and contractors, and exempt vs non-exempt classifications

• How misclassifying workers can lead to major legal issues

• How to navigate employment laws with employees in multiple states

• PEOs, AORs, and EORs, oh my!

• What non-compete agreements are and when they are and aren’t enforceable

• How AI algorithms in hiring can introduce bias and discrimination

Meet the Guest

A standout in California’s labor and employment community, Sheeva Ghassemi has served as a trusted advisor to over a thousand companies (and counting) over her career. She advises companies on day-to-day employment matters, helps them navigate lawsuits filed by employees and guides them through employment issues in financings, mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings. Sheeva prides herself on being both a legal advisor and business partner to her clients, helping them weigh the legal risks against their business needs. She is often at the forefront of employment issues, including DEI, AI, and the gig economy.