Ramon "Ray" D. Bissmeyer 

Organization: Dykema Gossett, PLLC

Biography: Ray Bissmeyer works closely with businesses of all types to keep some of their greatest assets—their employees—from becoming costly liabilities. Investing the time and effort needed to truly understand each employer's culture, operations, and industry, Ray crafts tailored strategies that are practical, preventive, and proactive in equal measure. Whether a client comes to him with a concern, question, or new claim, Ray responds swiftly yet thoughtfully, delivering a clear-eyed assessment of the risks and potential outcomes. Considering both the facts of an individual matter and the implications of how handling that matter affects the client's broader interests, Ray delivers consistent and sound employment counsel that makes him a valued partner to employers in a wide range of industries. Recognizing that employment-related claims are an unfortunate cost of doing business, Ray develops employment policies, procedures, and training programs that can keep those costs to a minimum. When incidents arise, he advises clients on how best to manage investigations and any advisable disciplinary or remedial actions. Ray knows that some employee claims, such as discrimination or harassment, involve sensitive and emotional allegations. In such cases, his counsel carefully balances those concerns with the need to focus on the claim's facts, law, and business impact. Ray also protects his clients' business interests by preparing and enforcing confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-competition provisions designed to survive judicial scrutiny. Ray is a seasoned litigator and skilled negotiator who defends his clients in all forums where employment claims arise, whether in state or federal court, before administrative agencies, or in mediation and arbitration. Prepared for the challenges of ever-changing laws and cultural norms, Ray positions his clients for stable, productive, and enduring employer-employee relations.  

Presentation: Who is Qualified to Work? Reasonable Accommodations Under the

ADA and PWFA

Client experiences and litigation reflect that clients, the EEOC and courts continue to struggle with what it means to be qualified to do a job and what accommodations might be reasonable.  In this session, we will remind everyone of the legal foundation for these issues, provide real-life examples of the difficulty of making required decisions and offer advice "from the trenches" to assist employers in navigating the quagmire of "reasonable accommodation" analysis under the ADA and PWFA.

Biography: Laura C. Emadi is an attorney based in San Antonio, Texas, who represents management in all areas of labor and employment law in both federal and state courts. She advises employers in all areas of labor and employment law and defends employers on matters involving workplace discrimination, harassment, wage and hour compliance, wrongful termination, and employment litigation. Her experience includes litigating claims brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and state law equivalents in numerous states around the country Before focusing her practice on employment and labor law, Laura began her legal career in personal injury law at a firm in Austin, Texas. She later returned to San Antonio in 2018, where she practiced commercial and business litigation, representing companies in contract disputes, business torts, and complex civil matters. Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia. After graduation, she moved to San Antonio and spent three years teaching middle school and high school math at a disciplinary school—an experience that strengthened her ability to problem-solve and advocate effectively for others. Laura earned her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. During law school, she served as a senior law clerk for the Travis County Attorney’s Office in its Criminal Appellate Division, gaining valuable courtroom and appellate experience

Presenting: After Ames: What HR Needs to Know About Discrimination Claims,

Hiring Decisions, and Defensible Documentation

After Ames, the practical takeaway is clear: Title VII protects all employees equally, including majority-group employees. This session explains what the decision means for discrimination complaints, hiring, promotions, DEI-adjacent decisions, and defensible documentation. It also addresses Justice Thomas’s critique of McDonnell Douglas and why consistent, job-related decision-making records matter more than ever.

Presenting: After Ames: What HR Needs to Know About Discrimination Claims,

Hiring Decisions, and Defensible Documentation

After Ames, the practical takeaway is clear: Title VII protects all employees equally, including majority-group employees. This session explains what the decision means for discrimination complaints, hiring, promotions, DEI-adjacent decisions, and defensible documentation. It also addresses Justice Thomas’s critique of McDonnell Douglas and why consistent, job-related decision-making records matter more than ever.

Malinda A. Gaul

Organization: Gaul and Dumont

Biography: Malinda Gaul is the senior partner at Gaul and Dumont, an employment law firm primarily representing employees. Malinda is a Fellow with the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. 

She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers.  She is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and Sustaining Life Fellow of the San Antonio Bar Foundation.

During her career, Malinda has served as President of the Texas Employment Lawyers Association and Chair of the Labor and Employment Law and Women and the Law Sections of the State Bar of Texas.  She is on the boards of the American Association of University Women, San Antonio Youth Literacy, Merced Housing Texas, The Oakes Club, and the Equal Justice Center.

Presenting: What Employers Should and Should Not Do

Tips and tricks regarding handling employee issues from a long-time employee-side attorney.

Biography: Mayerland Harris is a seasoned and influential leader with more than three decades of combined Human Resources and store operations expertise in the grocery retail industry. As Head of Human Resources for Store Operations, she leads H-E-B’s Food/Drug HR teams, supporting all H-E-B Stores, including Mi Tienda and Joe V’s Smart Shop. Previously, as Group Vice President of Talent, Mayerland led the Human Resources Center of Excellence, overseeing enterprise-wide initiatives in compensation, talent acquisition, onboarding, leadership development, training, HR technology, people analytics, and employee connection—including the DEIB function. She also serves as an Executive Board Member for United Women.

A lifelong learner, Mayerland earned her undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin, her MBA from Texas A&M University, and her doctoral degree in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. Known for captivating audiences with authenticity and insight, she is a nationally sought-after speaker and respected voice in people-centric leadership and organizational strategy. Her creative approach, deep HR expertise, and gift for storytelling inspire audiences and spark lasting change.

Presenting: Turn Your Job into Joy™: Reconnecting Purpose and Meaning in the Work of HR

HR professionals and employment law practitioners serve at the intersection of people, business, and compliance. Every day, they navigate complex legal requirements, difficult workplace decisions, organizational change, and competing stakeholder expectations. In the midst of managing risk and ensuring compliance, it can be easy to lose sight of the profound impact this work has on employees, leaders, and organizations. This inspiring keynote will challenge attendees to reconnect with the purpose that drew them to the profession, recognize the influence they have in shaping workplace culture, and rediscover the meaning and fulfillment that can exist even during periods of uncertainty and change. Through engaging stories, practical insights, and personal reflection, participants will leave energized, inspired, and reminded that their work is about more than policies and regulations; it is about helping people and organizations thrive.

Matthew Myers 

Organization: Myers Immigration Law

Biography: Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as an expert in Immigration & Nationality Law, Matthew Myers has over a decade of experience practicing inbound U.S. and outbound global immigration law, with a focus on employment and investor immigration. He has been regularly recognized as a Top Attorney in Immigration Law by Austin Monthly Magazine, Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Immigration Law, and Super Lawyers and The Scene in S.A. Magazine as a Rising Star for Immigration Law.

Matthew served as the Chair of the State Bar of Texas Immigration & Nationality Law Section in 2020, after which he was appointed by the President of the State Bar of Texas to serve on the Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality, currently as Vice Chair. He is an active member of the San Antonio Bar Association as a past Chair of the International Law Section and board member of the Immigration & Nationality Law Section. Matthew also serves as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Liaison to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Laredo, TX, the largest U.S. land border Port of Entry.

Prior to starting Myers Immigration Law, Matthew handled a high volume of inbound U.S. and outbound global immigration matters, working with individuals, entrepreneurs, investors, startups, Fortune 100 companies, and high net worth individuals as an attorney with one of the largest international immigration law firms for the better part of a decade.

Before being admitted to the bar, Matthew interned with Catholic Charities of Dallas in their Immigration & Legal Services Department, Chief United States District Judge Orlando L. Garcia for the Western District of Texas, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Chief Counsel, including at the Texas Service Center in Dallas and Field Office in Irving, Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Spanish graduating magna cum laude from Austin College and his Juris Doctorate degree from Baylor Law School, where he received the distinction of Public Interest Fellow and was the first graduate of its Leadership Development program.

Presenting: Business Immigration, Form I-9 Audits and Raids under the Trump Administration

Learn about proactive business immigration strategies to expand your talent pool worldwide and how to prepare for increased Form I-9 audits and raids under the Trump Administration.

Biography: Leticia Aguilar is licensed to practice in Texas and regularly appears in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. Letty litigates cases and counsels employers across various industries, including construction, sports & entertainment, medical practices, engineering, manufacturers, home healthcare, and non-profits regarding workplace misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave, accommodations, non-competes, wage and hour, and personnel policy issues. Letty also provides extensive tailored training for companies regarding sexual harassment, ADA accommodations, and FMLA processes, and litigation avoidance practices. She strives to provide her clients with prompt, cost effective, quality counseling and representation, focusing her efforts on understanding and anticipating her clients’ business needs, and collaborating to develop impactful business solutions. A large portion of Letty’s practice is also dedicated to conducting complex workplace investigations and training human resources on conducting investigations. Letty is a member of the firm’s Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group.

Letty’s extensive workplace investigations experience includes: Investigating allegations of highly sensitive sexual harassment claims by female employees, Investigating claims of inappropriate behavior and racial discrimination by company leadership, Investigating allegations of an abusive and hostile work environment by company leadership, Investigating claims of mistreatment and discriminatory behavior by company employees and management, Investigating allegations of manipulation of the company time keeping records by management, Investigating allegations of sexual orientation discrimination by company leadership, Investigating allegations of unequal treatment of employees by company leadership, Investigating claims involving systemic discrimination, inequities, microaggressions, and misogyny by company employees and leadership Letty also provides training and guidance to HR personnel on best practices for conducting investigations. She has assisted clients in developing strategic action plans based on investigation findings.

Letty enjoys presenting on various employment topics for companies and other organizations. Letty served on the Board of Directors for San Antonio SHRM in 2022 and 2023. Letty is also proud to serve on the 2025 Board of Directors for the San Antonio’s Metro Chamber of Commerce and assists in the Chamber’s efforts to support the local business community and strengthen the City’s workforce.   

Presenting: Presenting: Are you OK? A Practical Approach to Mental Health in the Workplace

Presenting: Are you OK? A Practical Approach to Mental Health in the Workplace

Biography: Rebecca defends and prosecutes employment-related claims on behalf of employers of all sizes, across diverse industries, atthe administrative, state court, and federal court levels. She successfully navigates cases—ranging from simple, singleplaintiff discrimination claims to complicated, contentious multiparty disputes—from inception to final judgment or dismissal.

As a former law clerk in the United States District Courts for the

Western and Eastern Districts of Texas, Rebecca knows how

judges and their staff think, spots and efficiently analyzes the

important—yet often overlooked—issues, and persuasively

drafts and argues briefs for the court’s consideration.

In addition to litigation, Rebecca regularly counsels employers

on ways to mitigate risk. She advises employers on various

human resources issues, including requests for reasonable

accommodations and leave, hiring and terminations, wage and

hour matters, and employee competition and fiduciary duty

breaches. She also drafts and revises employment-related

agreements and workplace policies, procedures, and

handbooks and conducts internal investigations in response to

allegations of discrimination and misconduct. Recognizing the

importance of understanding her clients’ unique businesses and

needs, Rebecca partners with employers to provide prompt,

cost-effective, creative, and practical advice for effectively

handling even the most complex employment law-related

matter. To that end, Rebecca conducts training for management

and employees on best practices and policies, particularly with

the aim of avoiding litigation.

Rebecca is married to her high school sweetheart, and they

have a “spirited” toddler and two rescue dogs. She is a

passionate advocate for animal rescue and welfare and a proud

member of the Bexar County Women’s Bar and its inaugural

LEAD Academy class.

Presenting: Presenting: Are you OK? A Practical Approach to Mental Health in the Workplace