Each year, the University of Rhode Island hosts two conferences: the Labor Arbitration Conference, held in the fall and presented in partnership with the National Academy of Arbitrators, and the Labor and Employment Law Conference, hosted in the spring in partnership with the Roger Williams University School of Law.
These events—designed for employers, unions, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and government agencies—convene leaders in the field to network and discuss legislative trends, research findings, best practices, and emerging issues.
Upcoming Events
Legal Updates, Skills Training, and Peer Connections
URI’s annual Labor Arbitration Conference is the premier gathering for practitioners navigating workplace disputes, legal updates, and emerging labor relations challenges. From NLRB rulings to skills sessions on cross-examination and case preparation, this is where Rhode Island’s labor community comes together to sharpen expertise and build essential connections. Attendees can save $100 by registering before October 5!
27th Annual Labor Arbitration Conference
Program Agenda
Monday, October 26, 2026 | Providence Marriott
| Time | Session Title and Presenters/Panelists |
|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:45 AM | Breakfast Buffet |
| 7:45 to 8:00 AM | Welcome and Announcements John Olerio, Ph.D. , Executive Director, Summer Sessions, Winter J Term, & Strategic Initiatives University of Rhode Island Sherrie Rose Talmadge, Arbitrator, NAA Co-Chair NAA New England Region Shari Broder, Arbitrator, NAA, Co-Chair NAA New England Region James Cooper, Arbitrator, NAA Chair, Planning Committee |
| 8:00 to 9:15 AM | Plenary Session — Ethical Issues Raised by AI Use and Abuse: The Good, The Bad, and The Comical Panelists: Tom Kochan, Arbitrator, NAA Kier Wachterhouser, Esq. James Shaw, Esq. Moderator: Walter Hunter, Arbitrator |
| 9:15 to 9:30 AM | Coffee Break |
| 9:30 to 10:30 AM | Plenary Session — Panel Discussion of Recent Developments in Law Panelists: Professor Michael J. Yelnosky (Rhode Island Perspective) Phil Roberts (Massachusetts Perspective) Lan Kantany (Massachusetts Perspective) Richard Bock (NLRB Perspective) Moderator: Marjorie Wittner, Arbitrator |
| 10:35 to 11:35 AM | Plenary Session — Deciding to Arbitrate: Investigation, Evaluation, Strategy Panelists: Michael Gan, Esq. (Union Perspective) Michael Maccaro, Esq. (Management Perspective) Haydee Rosario (NAA Arbitrator, Former NLRB Agent) Moderator: Harvey Shrage, Arbitrator, NAA |
| 11:40 AM to 12:00 PM | Plenary Session — Updates on the World of Arbitration: A Session with the President of the NAA Speaker: Walt De Trux, President of NAA Moderator: Sherrie Rose Talmadge, Arbitrator, NAA |
| 12:00 to 1:10 PM | Lunch & Networking |
| 1:10 to 2:40 PM | Breakout Sessions #1 — Writing the Brief: What should be included? How to persuade the reader? Panelists: Thomas Carey, Professor of Law and Appellate Attorney James Cooper, Arbitrator, NAA Chair, Planning Committee Moderator: Sarah Garraty, Arbitrator, NAA #2 — Past Practices: Under RI Law and Under General Arbitral Principles Panelists: Charles Ruggerio, Esq. (Management Perspective) Ken DeLorenzo (Union Perspective) Moderator: Michael Loconto, Arbitrator #3 — Never-Ending Problem Issues in Arbitration: Impairment on the Job, Sexual Harassment, Disability and Reasonable Accommodation, Social Media, Off-Duty Misconduct, Whistleblowing, Last Chance Agreements Panelists: Don O’Brien, Arbitrator Sheila Mayberry, Arbitrator, NAA Liz Neumeier, Arbitrator, NAA Tim Buckalew, Arbitrator, NAA Moderator: Rebekah Smith, Arbitrator, NAA |
| 2:45 to 4:00 PM | Plenary Session — Red Light/Green Light Panelists: Lisa Dublin, Arbitrator Tom Kruglinski, Arbitrator Bob Murray, Arbitrator Matt Bodah, Arbitrator Alvin Wilson, Arbitrator Moderator: Tim Taylor, Arbitrator |
| 4:00 to 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks John Olerio, Ph.D. , Executive Director, Summer Sessions, Winter J Term, & Strategic Initiatives University of Rhode Island Sherrie Rose Talmadge, Arbitrator, NAA Co-Chair NAA New England Region Shari Broder, Arbitrator, NAA, Co-Chair NAA New England Region James Cooper, Arbitrator, NAA Chair, Planning Committee |
| 4:15 PM onward | Networking at the Hotel Bar |
27th Annual Labor Arbitration Conference: Featured Plenary Session
The 27th Annual Labor Arbitration Conference will feature a special plenary session with National Academy of Arbitrators President, Walt De Treux.
Walt has served as a labor and employment arbitrator and mediator since 1999, and has been active in the labor-management field since 1982. Walt’s mediation and arbitration practice spans across many industries in the public and private sectors and includes both interest and grievance arbitration, employment arbitration, and mediation. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bar associations, and is admitted to practice in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.