Charla interviews Terri L. Pastori, a founding member of Pastori | Krans, PLLC in Concord, NH, about shifts in employment law following January 2025 executive orders. Terri is a seasoned attorney and litigator focusing on employment law and business litigation. Known for her strategic thinking and trusted counsel, Terri helps clients proactively mitigate legal risk, resolve complex employment issues as they arise, and, if necessary, resolve disputes in state and federal courts, at the Human Rights Commission, or before other administrative agencies. Because she represents both individuals and management in employment matters, Terri brings a balanced perspective to workplace disputes and compliance issues. Whether drafting employment and separation agreements, navigating non-compete and restrictive covenants, crafting handbooks and policies, or in litigation, her creative approach is invaluable. She has counseled and steadily assisted clients with the full spectrum of employment issues for over 25 years, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour matters. She is regularly called upon to conduct or advise on internal and governmental investigations. In addition to her legal practice, Terri is deeply committed to service in the legal profession and in her community. She serves on the Board of Waypoint, is a founding Board Member of the Derry Homegrown Farm and Artisan Market, and past chairperson of the Derry Economic Development Advisory Committee. Terri is an active member of the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Committee on Cooperation with the Courts, and past, long-serving member of the New Hampshire Board of Bar Examiners. She has taught Employment Law as an adjunct faculty member at the University of New Hampshire School of Law. She is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law and Business Litigation Law Sections, the Association of Workplace Investigators, Society for Human Resource Management, and the Human Resources Association of Greater Concord. She is a graduate of the MCAD Certified Train-the-Trainer Programs for Preventing Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace and Conducting Internal Discrimination Complaint Investigations and is on the MCAD approved list of trainers for remediation. Terri is a frequent speaker on employment law topics and is often called upon by the media to comment on developments in the field. Terri is the recipient of numerous professional distinctions, including Best Lawyers and Forbes Best-in-State. She is one of the few attorneys who has been recognized as a “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in the area of Employment Law for both individuals and management in New Hampshire. Before opening her own firm, Terri practiced at leading firms in New Hampshire and Boston, handling complex, high-stakes litigation. Terri earned her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, serving on the law review and graduating first in her class. Terri is admitted to practice law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts state and federal courts. In this episode Terri describes increased employer and employee uncertainty, especially for organizations reliant on federal funding, and notes a harder job market and more separation agreements. They discuss new federal contractor DEI affirmations, EEOC pronouncements and social-media solicitation of claims by white males, and a perceived pivot toward targeting “DEI-related discrimination.” Terri reviews an EEOC lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast over a women-only leadership retreat and explains concerns for employers with affinity groups, ERGs, and targeted leadership programs, referencing July 2025 DOJ guidance on training. They also cover the EEOC’s rescission of Biden-era harassment and gender-identity guidance, emphasizing guidance is not law and state agencies remain important. Terri advises employers to act cautiously, be inclusive, and document employment decisions. More on Terri at https://www.pastorikrans.com/ Contact Charla at https://www.charlastevensconsulting.com/ Topics 01:06 Terri’s Career and Practice 02:15 Why Employment Law Feels Different 03:37 Executive Orders and Workplace Uncertainty 05:37 Federal Funding and DEI Scramble 07:32 EEOC Targets DEI Programs 09:40 Social Media and Reverse Discrimination Claims 13:44 Backlash and Legal Limits of DEI 16:36 Coca-Cola Women’s Retreat Lawsuit 20:27 Affinity Groups and Training Risks 26:34 Rescinded Guidance on Gender Identity 30:27 State Agencies and Filing Strategy 32:31 Practical Advice for Employers 35:17 Closing Thoughts and Thanks
