KINGSTON, R.I. – March 18, 2026 – The University of Rhode Island Office of Strategic Initiatives, in partnership with the URI Schmidt Center for Labor Relations and Human Resources, will hold its 38th annual Labor and Employment Law Conference on Friday, March 27. The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Roger Williams University School of Law,10 Metacom Ave. in Bristol, Rhode Island.
The conference is designed to benefit leaders from both private and public employers, unions and labor organizations, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies. The conference will convene professionals to network and discuss legislative trends, research findings, best practices, and emerging issues.
In addition, Rosemary Pye, a respected arbitrator and mediator in the D.C. metro and New England area, will convene a fireside chat. Pye has had a 38-year career with the National Labor Relations Board, including serving as the chief counsel to an NLRB Board Member and 23 years as the regional director of the NLRB New England office in Boston, Region. She is also a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators and a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Pye has received a federal Presidential Rank Award, a Cornell Law School Public Service Award and the Boston Labor Guild’s Cushing Gavin Award for professionalism, objectivity and service to the community.
Conference sessions will highlight high-profile and evolving state and federal court cases, changes at the National Labor Relations Board, the implications of the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into workplace environments and functions, as well as how employers can stay true to their values of cultivating an equitable and inclusive workplace while remaining compliant with evolving federal regulations.
The conference is open to the public and will benefit anyone working in the labor and employment fields. Registration is required.
Attendees are also eligible to receive MCLE and SHRM-CP and SCP PDC credits.
This story was written by Kiera Wrage, a senior majoring in public relations at the University of Rhode Island. Kiera is interning in URI’s Department of Communications and Marketing.