Ward and Smith Attorneys to Lead Employment Law Case Study at CFMA Carolinas

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Ward and Smith will play a leading role at the upcoming 2025 CFMA Carolinas Construction Conference, set for October 16–17 at the Grandover Resort, where construction and finance professionals from across the Southeast will gather for two days of education, networking, and insight into industry trends.

This year, two of the firm’s labor and employment attorneys, Ken Gray and Justin Hill, will headline a session on Friday morning titled “Interactive Case Study of Trending Employment Laws.”

“As our community grows, so does its need for health care,” said Laura Grill, president and CEO of East Alabama Health. “These expansion projects underscore our commitment to ensuring patients throughout our region have access to the highest level of care from the providers and caregivers they know and trust.”

A Hands-On Legal Learning Experience

Instead of a traditional lecture, Gray and Hill will guide attendees through a highly interactive session, putting participants in the role of decision-makers facing real-world workplace scenarios.

The case study format is designed to help construction leaders and managers navigate today’s rapidly evolving employment law environment. Participants will be asked to weigh in on fact patterns modeled on recent court decisions, applying current legal standards and examining how subtle differences in circumstances can change outcomes.

Key takeaways from the session include:

• Identifying emerging employment law issues affecting construction companies
• Understanding the risks employers face in personnel decisions amid new litigation trends
• Learning how similar cases may require different legal approaches based on nuanced facts

“This hour is meant to be practical and engaging,” Gray and Hill emphasized, “giving industry leaders tools they can apply immediately to protect their organizations.”

Broader Conference Agenda

The Ward and Smith session is just one of several thought-provoking presentations at this year’s CFMA Carolinas Construction Conference. The full agenda covers a wide range of issues shaping the future of construction and finance, including:

• Rules ≠ Right: When Compliance Isn’t Enough – exploring ethics, compliance, and gray areas in workplace decision-making.
• Fun at Work: Building Team Engagement – strategies for strengthening culture through collaboration and problem-solving.
• Cybersecurity Threats & Regulatory Trends – a timely look at evolving data privacy risks.
• Trump, Taxes & Tariffs: A Regulatory Update – analysis of shifting policies affecting the industry.
• U.S. Construction M&A Market Update – insights into merger and acquisition activity in the sector.
• Fraud in the Construction Industry – real-world case examples and prevention methods.
• Keynote: “Monetary Masala” – an economic forecast for 2025 delivered by noted economist Anirban Basu.

Professional Development Opportunity

In addition to thought leadership sessions, attendees will have ample time to network with peers, exchange ideas, and explore strategies for navigating today’s construction and finance landscape. Participants can also earn up to 12 CPE credits, making the conference both a learning and career development opportunity.

Event Details

Dates

‍October 16–17, 2025

Location

‍Grandover Resort & Conference Center | Greensboro, NC

Hosted by

‍Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) Carolinas Chapter

Registration is now open, with seats expected to fill quickly for one of the region’s most significant construction and finance events.

Originally reported by Ward And Smith P.A