Joshua Newville, Halunen Law

What are the biggest challenges you currently see in employment law?

One of the biggest challenges right now is the gap between how fast workplaces are evolving and how slowly the law keeps up. We’re seeing a wave of cases involving remote work, digital surveillance and cannabis-related employment policies — all areas where legal clarity is still developing. At the same time, enforcement of existing worker protections often depends on how aggressively agencies and courts are willing to act, and that can be inconsistent.

What are the biggest misconceptions about the field of employment law?

A lot of people think employment law is straightforward; that if something feels unfair, it must be illegal. But the truth is, much of what’s unjust in the workplace isn’t necessarily unlawful. We spend a lot of time explaining the difference between moral wrongs and legal violations. Another big misconception is that employees have the upper hand once they get a lawyer. In reality, these cases are tough. Power dynamics, forced arbitration clauses, and legal loopholes mean that even strong claims require strategic, relentless advocacy to have a shot.

Without revealing the names of a client, what is the most interesting case you’ve worked on lately?

One of the most memorable cases I’ve worked on involved a senior professional who blew the whistle at a high-growth company making bold public claims. He raised internal alarms about serious misrepresentations and compliance risks. Leadership didn’t take it well and stripped his role away piece by piece until he had no real choice but to walk. The case had high stakes, complex technical issues, and a client who showed rare courage. It was a clear reminder of why whistleblower protections aren’t just policy — they’re essential.

How do you manage work/life balance?

It’s definitely a work in progress. I try to be intentional about protecting time for the things that ground me, such as family, exercise and being outside. I also think it helps to reframe balance as something that happens over time, not necessarily every day.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

In college, I was a Top 40 radio DJ. I had a late-night slot with all the sound effects, countdowns, and questionable banter you’d expect.