Speaking with Steph

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I will address the increasing age of today's workforce and what employers need to consider when working with these older employees.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How employers can navigate the growing presence of older workers while reducing legal risk.
• What employers should know about retirement policies and why mandatory retirement ages can create liability.
• When workplace decisions for older employees involving compensation, promotions, severance, or termination may create legal exposure.
• Why disability-related changes in performance or stamina require careful review and possible reasonable accommodations.
• Who should be involved when evaluating employment decisions affecting older workers, including legal counsel and insurance professionals.
• How Medicare coordination works when an employee aged 65 or older is covered under an employer health plan.

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals, experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about starting a new practice or business.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to build a strong legal and operational foundation for a new practice or business.

• What licenses, permits, registrations, and tax considerations may be needed at startup?

• When employers should have workers' compensation, disability, and unemployment coverage in place.

• Why employee classification, background checks, and onboarding policies must be handled carefully.

• Who should be involved in startup planning, including legal counsel, CPAs, insurance brokers, and wealth advisors.

• How HIPAA, harassment prevention, and other compliance training support workplace professionalism.

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals, an experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about the upcoming HIPAA updates set to take effect in 2026, which will introduce important new cybersecurity requirements for healthcare.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How HIPAA is being updated in 2026 to address rising cybersecurity risks driven by technology and AI.
• How certain cybersecurity language will now shift from recommendations to mandatory requirements for covered entities and their business associates.
• How annual compliance audits and enhanced risk management will become required to ensure ongoing alignment with the new rules.
• When the updated HIPAA rules are expected to take effect, with implementation beginning in mid-2026 and compliance deadlines extending into late 2026 and early 2027.
• Why providers should review their HIPAA policies, business associate agreements, cyber insurance policies, and IT management in order to reduce exposure to fines and breaches.
• What technical safeguards will be expected, including multi-factor authentication, encryption, and stronger controls over electronic protected health information.

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals, an experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about a significant update impacting healthcare providers and employers across the country: the evolving landscape of non-compete clauses and the latest changes proposed by the FTC and state legislatures.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the FTC's ongoing effort to limit non-competes continues to evolve, even after its broader ban was struck down.

• What the FTC is targeting now, including healthcare employers and staffing firms, and why those developments may affect smaller practices over time.

• Changes to non-competes in several states, including Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana, and Arkansas.

• Why New York's pending legislation could matter for workers earning under 500,000 and for all health-related professionals, regardless of compensation.

• How New Jersey's pending bill could eliminate non-compete provisions entirely, regardless of industry or pay level.

• What employers should do now, including reviewing agreements state by state and confirming that any remaining restrictions are reasonable and legally defensible.

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals, an experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about the booming med spa industry and the important legal considerations that come with operating one, especially in New York.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How med spa owners can mitigate risk by ensuring proper physician involvement, verifying product integrity, maintaining sanitary conditions, and tightening internal protocols.
• What New York law requires for procedures that break the skin barrier, including the need for a licensed physician to perform or supervise services that qualify as medical treatment.
• Why New York's Department of State is conducting statewide med spa inspections and what regulators are finding, from unlicensed individuals performing medical procedures to unsanitary conditions.
• What types of compliance failures are triggering fines, penalties, license suspensions, and revocations, including expired or suspected counterfeit Botox and other fillers, and improper handling of needles and devices.
• Why owners and licensed professionals should proactively consult counsel to review their structures, supervision, and compliance policies before inspections result in enforcement action.

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about some of the most important points employers should keep in mind as we move toward 2026.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How employers across industries must monitor employee use of AI tools for tasks like resume enhancement, interviews, or service delivery to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local anti‑discrimination laws.
• What updates are needed in employee manuals or consent forms to promote transparency on AI usage by staff for rendering services or by management for oversight.
• Why an interactive process for accommodations remains essential for remote employees, alongside mechanisms to confirm they can fulfill core position functions remotely.​
• How pay transparency laws increasingly allow employees to discuss compensation openly, potentially revealing disparities based on experience or other factors.
• How employers can mitigate risks of disruption, discrimination claims, or class actions by justifying pay differences and striving for equitable treatment among staff.

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical and dental professionals that continue to form her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I want to speak to you about a significant update affecting New York City employers and employees: the expansion of safe and sick leave.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How New York City's new safe and sick time law expands existing paid sick leave by adding 32 hours of unpaid safe and sick time for eligible employees.

• What types of workers are covered by the new requirement, including full‑time and part‑time W‑2 employees, and which categories (such as independent contractors) are excluded.​

• When employees may use this additional time, including during public disasters that close the place of business or their child's school or childcare provider.

• Why the new leave can be critical for employees involved in legal proceedings or actions related to subsistence benefits or housing for themselves, family members, or care recipients.

• How the definition of a caregiver is broadened, allowing individuals who provide ongoing care to a minor child or care recipient to use this time solely for caregiving responsibilities.

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on supporting healthcare professionals.

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/

This week, Stephanie Rodin chats with her guest, Jennifer Cohen. The two chat about the journey to partnership in the financial advisory industry, the essential steps and challenges involved in valuing healthcare practices, and the distinction between business and personal goodwill.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How valuation professionals analyze a medical or healthcare practice as a cash‑generating business, focusing on patient revenue, margins, systems, and fair market value rather than just simple "rules of thumb."

• What distinguishes business goodwill from personal goodwill in a medical practice, including how a physician's own reputation and patient relationships can materially affect value.

• Why timing matters and why sellers should ideally start working with valuation advisors four to six months before a contemplated sale, even if a specific buyer has not yet been identified.

• What distinguishes business goodwill from personal goodwill in a medical practice, including how a physician's own reputation and patient relationships can materially affect value.

• Why the fair market value (hypothetical buyer and seller) differs from synergistic value tied to a specific buyer, and how this shift affects negotiations with hospitals, PE groups, or junior partners.

Jennifer Cohen is a Partner in the firm's Valuation Advisory Services Practice and has nearly 15 years of experience preparing business valuations for healthcare organizations, privately held companies, family limited partnerships, real estate holding partnerships, stock options, intangible assets such as royalty assets, patents and trademarks and other income generating assets in broad industries including healthcare, service, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution industries.

Jennifer prepares valuations for a variety of purposes, including financial reporting, estate and tax planning, matrimonial and shareholder disputes, transactional and other litigious purposes.

Her extensive experience includes:

Value privately held companies, family limited partnerships, real estate holding partnerships, stock options, intangible assets such as royalty assets, patents and trademarks and other income-generating assets in a broad variety of industries including restaurants and hospitality, technology, healthcare, cannabis, and other service, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution industries. Prepare business valuations for a variety of purposes including financial reporting, estate and tax planning, matrimonial and shareholder disputes and other litigious purposes.

Prepare engagements in accordance with FASB ASC topics ASC 805 (business combinations), ASC 718 (equity-based compensation) and ASC 820 (fair value measurements) and IRS 409a compliance. Review externally prepared valuations by third party specialists as part of the fair value audit review process. EDUCATION & LICENSES Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, Muhlenberg College, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Candidate of the American Society of Appraisers

Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cohen-40935425/

This week, Stephanie Rodin talks with her guest, Lauren Lynch. They discuss the evolution of marketing in the legal world, the challenges of balancing creativity with compliance, and the importance of cultivating a strong organizational culture.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How internal compliance and technology safeguards work together, Lauren details protocols for automatic disclaimers on firm websites and educational outreach to ensure all attorneys understand and meet ever-changing regulatory requirements.

• What sets legal marketing apart from other industries, including strict compliance with state-specific advertising regulations and the critical need to balance creativity with legal and ethical obligations in every marketing initiative.

• When law firm marketing evolved from print ads and directory listings to digital-first strategies, Lauren shares the shift to content, thought leadership, and brand storytelling, along with the growing impact of data analytics and AI on practice growth.

• Why aligning branding, website, and social media messaging matters, and the importance of regular year-end audits to review whether digital strategies, SEO efforts, and referrals are delivering measurable results for practices and firms.

• How AI is used responsibly in legal marketing, including for drafting and organization, but always reviewed for accuracy, compliance, and a human touch to maintain credibility and proper disclosure in all client-facing communications.

Lauren Lynch

With over 20 years of experience in the legal services industry, Lauren Lynch serves as Mandelbaum Barrett PC's Chief Marketing & Culture Officer. She is a dynamic leader passionate about organizational culture, employee engagement, and strategic marketing. In her role, Lauren seamlessly bridges two essential roles—enhancing employee experience and driving impactful marketing strategies for the firm's 100+ attorneys across 35+ practice areas.

Lauren believes that a law firm's greatest marketing asset is its people. She champions workplace morale, team building, and professional satisfaction, ensuring that employees—both attorneys and staff—feel valued and engaged. Her initiatives have played a pivotal role in Mandelbaum Barrett PC being recognized as a New Jersey Best Place to Work and a Top Workplace by NJ Biz.

On the marketing front, Lauren leads a high-performing team that crafts compelling content, develops practice area marketing plans, and enhances the firm's brand presence through multi-faceted brand strategies. She also plays a key role in the firm's social media strategy, managing campaigns to increase engagement and expand the firm's digital presence. She collaborates with leadership to maintain consistent messaging that aligns with the firm's core values, while overseeing client engagement strategies.

A driving force behind Mandelbaum Barrett's community outreach, Lauren spearheads charitable initiatives that bring together attorneys and staff to give back. She is committed to fostering a workplace where excellence, collaboration, and well-being thrive—because she truly believes that work/life balance is attainable, even in the legal profession.

In 2024, Lauren was named a Leading Woman in Business by NJ Biz. She holds a B.A. in Marketing and Journalism from Rider University and a M.A. in Communications.

• Social media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenllynch/

Hi! I'm Stephanie Rodin, host of the Speaking with Steph podcast. In this episode, I address the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the modern workplace and on hiring practices. As AI is increasingly used to draft written work, refine application materials, and support other aspects of the job search, employers are confronting new challenges and opportunities in evaluating candidates and assessing the authenticity of their qualifications.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in the hiring process, including resume enhancement and interview preparation, posing both challenges and opportunities for employers in evaluating candidates.

• What cybersecurity measures employers should have in place to safeguard their operations, including up-to-date IT systems, cyber liability policies, and computer restrictions, particularly when onboarding new employees.

• When conducting interviews, why in-person meetings remain the gold standard to assess candidates authentically, and practical tips for detecting AI-assisted answers or outside help during remote interviews.​

• Despite AI's many benefits, vigilance is critical to prevent hiring individuals who lack proper qualifications or could negatively impact business operations due to insufficient skills or experience.

• How a thorough and personalized interview process protects your organization and promotes responsible use of technology in recruitment.

Bio:

Stephanie Rodin is a partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC, a full-service law firm that has been serving clients since 1930. With decades of collective experience, the firm takes a collaborative and proactive approach to legal counsel, advocating for clients with care, attention, and dedication.

Before joining the firm, Stephanie was the founder and principal of Rodin Legal, P.C., and has been practicing law since 2000. Throughout her career, she has focused extensively on

sunnorting healthcare professionals

Having grown up in a family of medical and dental practitioners, Stephanie was immersed in the healthcare world from an early age. This unique exposure gave her firsthand insight into the legal and operational challenges faced by medical professionals experience that continues to inform her legal practice today.

Website: https://www.mblawfirm.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierodin/