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“As parties increasingly rely on various forms of alternative dispute resolution to resolve conflict, the diversity of arbitrators and mediators is essential not only to reflect today’s labor force accurately, but also to provide more credibility to the process. By having an arbitrator or mediator with a different perspective or experience, space is created for innovative problem-solving that might not be otherwise possible.”

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I am a full-time, independent arbitrator and mediator with 25 years of experience resolving labor and employment disputes. As an arbitrator, I ensure a fair and impartial process that meets the needs of all parties, leading to reasoned, just, and practical decisions. In mediation, I employ a range of approaches—facilitative, evaluative, and transformative—to resolve disputes swiftly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. My focus is on enhancing communication and understanding, helping parties transform challenges into opportunities for growth, innovation, and positive change.

 

With a practice focused on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in labor and employment matters, I have handled a wide range of issues, including: absenteeism, affirmative action, appointments, arbitrability, bargaining unit work, benefits, bumping, bypass, contract interpretation, details, discharge, discipline, discrimination, drug/alcohol testing, elections, evaluations, health and safety, job performance, layoffs, management rights, past practices, promotions, protected activity, recall, representation, retirement, seniority, sexual harassment, strikes, tenure, transfers, unilateral changes, wages, and working conditions.

Arbitration

ARBITRATION

 

Parties who have exhausted settlement efforts can proceed to arbitration with confidence, knowing that I will resolve their dispute fairly, independently, and without bias or conflict of interest. Since arbitration petitions often provide limited details, it is essential for the arbitrator to have a strong foundation in the law and a deep understanding of the relevant industry. With my extensive experience in labor and employment law, I am skilled at processing the information presented, asking the right questions, evaluating evidence, ruling on objections, and applying the facts to the contract and any applicable laws.

Mediation

MEDIATION

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Since no two mediations are alike, I adopt a flexible and adaptable approach tailored to the specific issues and needs of the parties. I employ various techniques to help parties identify interests, clarify priorities, eliminate misunderstandings, reduce negative emotions, express empathy, and find common ground—all with the goal of reaching a mutually agreeable settlement. Whether in group sessions or individual caucuses, I work diligently to build trust and rapport with the parties while maintaining my neutrality. I am also mindful that the present dispute may be part of a broader labor relations issue. One of the key benefits of mediation is that it allows parties to address topics beyond the scope of the original grievance. A negotiated settlement not only resolves the current dispute but also strengthens the relationship between the parties in ways that litigation cannot.

Presentations/Trainings

PRESENTATIONS / TRAININGS

 

Recent Presentations:​

  • "Arbitrators Reveal How They Think: Ethical Implications of Impartial Decision Making," Labor and Employment Law Conference, Providence RI (scheduled November 2025) (CLE Program Panelist)

  • “In Hot Water for Teacher,” 47th Annual Workshop for Labor Relations Specialists, Boston MA (scheduled May 2025) (CLE Program Panelist)

  • "Ethics of Vacating Arbitration Awards," Labor and Employment Law Conference, Newport RI (November 2024) (CLE Program Moderator)

  • “Employee Ownership and Labor Management Relations," Labor and Employment Law Conference, Newport RI (November 2023) (CLE Program Moderator)

  • "So Happy Together: The Care and Feeding of Healthy Collective Bargaining Relationships,” New England Consortium of State Labor Relations Agencies, Albany NY (June 2019) (CLE Program Moderator)

  • “Mediation Practice Tips,” Annual Workshop for Labor Relations Specialists, Cambridge MA (May 2018) (CLE Program Panelist)

  • “Mediation in the Adjudicatory Context,” New England Consortium of State Labor Relations Agencies, Amherst MA (April 2017) (CLE Program Panelist)

Recent Trainings:

  • Labor and Employment Law Conference, Providence RI (scheduled November 2025)

  • 47th Annual Workshop for Labor Relations Specialists, Boston MA (scheduled May 2025)

  • Advanced Mediation Training, Mediation Works, Boston MA (January 2025)

  • Labor and Employment Law Conference, Newport RI (November 2024)

  • Labor and Employment Law Conference, Newport RI (November 2023)

  • Labor and Employment Law Conference, University of Rhode Island (April 2021)

  • Ethical Issues for Arbitrators in the Age of Videoconferencing, National Academy of Arbitrators (March 2021)

  • Labor Arbitration Conference, University of Rhode Island (November 2020)

  • Labor Arbitrator 2, American Arbitration Association (June 2020)

  • Labor Arbitrator 1, American Arbitration Association (December 2019)

  • Mediation Training, MA Department of Labor Relations, Boston MA (August 2019)

  • Fuchs Labor Law Conference, Suffolk University Law School, Boston MA (January 2019)

  • Labor Arbitration Conference, University of Rhode Island (November 2018)

  • Labor Conference, Association of Labor Relations Agencies, Boston MA (July 2018)

  • Higginbotham Fellowship Training, American Arbitration Association, New York NY (May 2018)

  • Labor Law & Labor Arbitration Conference, Labor Arbitration Institute, Boston MA (May 2018)

  • Workshop for Public Sector Labor Relations Specialists, Harvard Law School, Cambridge MA (May 2018)

  • Fuchs Labor Law Conference, Suffolk University Law School, Boston MA (October 2017)

  • Labor Law & Labor Arbitration Conference, Labor Arbitration Institute, Boston MA (May 2017)

  • Workshop for Public Sector Labor Relations Specialists, Cambridge MA (May 2017)

  • New England Consortium of State Labor Relations Agencies, Amherst MA (April 2017)

  • Workshop for Public Sector Labor Relations Specialists, Cambridge MA (May 2016)

  • Hearing Officer Training, MA Department of Labor Relations, Boston MA (April 2016)

  • Advanced Mediation Training, Mediation Works, Boston MA (January 2016)

  • Mediation Training, Mediation Works, Boston MA (November 2015)

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Publications

​PUBLICATIONS

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Select Public Sector Decisions:

  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts/Department of Mental Health and Massachusetts Nurses Association, SUP-16-5643, Hearing Officer Decision (November 2019)

  • Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, Local 3, SEIU, SUP-18-6743, Hearing Officer Decision (October 2019)

  • Town of Longmeadow and Longmeadow Association of Municipal Employees, ARB-18-6909, Arbitration Award (September 2019)

  • Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union and Brian Jansen, ASF-16-5586, ASF-18-6576, Hearing Officer Decision (August 2018)

  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts/ Department of Children & Families and SEIU, Local 509, SUP-17-5896, Hearing Officer Decision (August 2018)

  • City of Boston and AFSCME Council 93, MUP-16-5525, Hearing Officer Decision (May 2018)

  • City of Taunton and Massachusetts Laborers’ District Council, ARB-17-5744, Arbitration Award (November 2017)

  • Town of Athol and Service Employees International Union, Local 888, ARB-17-5830, Arbitration Award (October 2017)

  • Board of Higher Education/Massasoit Community College and AFSCME Council 93, AFL-CIO, SUP-14-4030, Hearing Officer Decision (September 2016)

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Biography

​BIOGRAPHY

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Prior to becoming a full-time, independent arbitrator and mediator, I was a Hearing Officer at the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations (DLR), where I arbitrated, investigated, mediated, and adjudicated labor disputes. As a labor and employment attorney in Boston, I represented employers, unions, and individuals throughout all phases of administrative and court litigation, including before the Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court. I regularly provide trainings, serve as a panelist, and write on labor, employment, and collective bargaining law. I currently serve on the Advisory Council for the DLR, having been appointed by Governor Baker in 2021. I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, a Master of Arts from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

 

Professional Licenses:

  • Admitted to the Bar, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

  • Certification in Mediation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

  • Teaching License, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

Professional Associations:

  • American Arbitration Association, Labor Panelist

  • The Labor Relations Connection, Panelist

  • MA Dept of Labor Relations, Advisory Council, Neutral Member

  • Labor Employment Relations Association, Member

  • American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, Member

  • Boston Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, Member

  • Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, Member

  • Mediation Works Incorporation, Volunteer Mediator

  • United States Tennis Association, Member

 

Education:

  • Harvard Law School, Cambridge MA, Juris Doctorate

  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst MA, Master of Arts

  • Tufts University, Medford MA, Bachelor of Arts

  • Boston Latin School, Boston MA, H.S. Diploma

Contact

CONTACT

ADR Office of Will Evans, Esq.

P.O. Box 67  |  Winchester, MA 01890

Mobile: (857) 222-9001

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