Seyfarth & ACC Northeast Present 2026 Focus on Faith: Why Religious Discrimination and Accommodation Pose a Heightened Risk for Employers in 2026 and How You Can Prepare Right Now

About the Program

In 2026, religious discrimination claims post a significantly heightened risk for employers. The EEOC has declared religious accommodation and discrimination to be an area of focus in 2026, and the agency is already initiating high-profile claims. Private religious discrimination claims, and employee requests for religious accommodation, are being filed at a rapid clip. Religious and political interest firms are part of the picture, sometimes backed by donor funds. In this program we’ll bring your team up to date on the very latest in this rapidly evolving legal landscape. You’ll leave with actionable insights on the strategic investments your institution can make right now to mitigate risk and support employees of any (or no) religious beliefs.

We’ll discuss:

• How the law has changed substantially in recent years
• The administration’s priorities on religion
• Trends in accommodation requests
• What the Plaintiffs’ bar is doing in this area now
• Religious objections to pronoun use, LGBTQ+ programs and diversity initiatives
• Antisemitism, Islamophobia and discrimination against other minority religious groups
• Requests for faith-based employee resource or affinity groups
• Action steps you can take right now to protect your company

Speakers

Dawn Solowey, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Michael Steinberg, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Krista Green Pratt, VP, Chief Employment Counsel, Biogen