National Academy of Arbitrators Presents
Becoming A Labor Arbitrator
The National Academy of Arbitrators is the preeminent organization of labor and employment arbitrators, serving members in the U.S. and Canada since 1947. The course being presented is geared toward labor-management practitioners with substantial experience in labor relations (pursuant to collective bargaining) who wish to become labor arbitrators. The course can also enhance the practice and skills of current arbitrators.
Lessons Include:
- History and Law of Labor Arbitration
- Ethics
- Pre-hearing Issues
- Conducting the Hearing
- Opening Statements and Other Procedural Matters
- Evidence Issues/Burdens of Proof
- Discipline and Discharge
- Contract Interpretation
- Post-hearing Briefs/Closing Arguments
- Remedies
- Opinion and Award Writing
- Practice Building
- Mock Arbitration
Course Format and Application:
The course begins with an orientation on October16, followed by 4 weeks of asynchronous online study and discussion, during which participants can complete assignments after watching videos and reading course materials; you will meet deadlines on your own time schedule, usually involving a few hours of work each week. Live online classes will take place each day November 17- 21.
Course Prerequisites:
A biography or resume is required. Please submita clear bio or resume detailing your labor relations experience under collective bargaining agreements, including roles, responsibilities, and dates held, to balanaarb@gmail.com. Accepted applicants will receive a letter of admission with registration and payment instructions.
Course Details:
- October 16, 2025 – Orientation Meeting 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- October 17 – November 14, 2025 – Asynchronous Study and Discussion
- November 17-21, 2025: Becoming A Labor Arbitrator (BALA)
- Live Webinar 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (Eastern) daily
- Course registration: $3,000
Instructors:
Martin Malin is a former national chair of the Section on Labor Relations and Employment Law of the Association of American Law Schools, served as secretary of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section, and is a former member of the board of governors and vice president of the National Academy of Arbitrators. During 1984 and 1985, Malin served as consultant to the Illinois state, local, and educational labor relations boards and drafted the boards’ regulations implementing the newly enacted Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. In 2021 he was appointed chair of the Federal Labor Relations Authority Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) by President Biden.
Kathryn VanDagens is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators and previously served as one of its Vice Presidents. She serves on a number of arbitration rosters, including AAA’s National Roster of (Employment) Neutrals, and the labor arbitrator panels of the FMCS, AAA, NMB, and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC). She also serves as an ad hoc hearing officer for the Michigan Department of Civil Service.
Please note:
We anticipate that this National Academy of Arbitrators offering will receive the same recognition as the FMCS class because it will be conducted with the same instructors, material, and format as it was when offered by FMCS. The Academy is in discussions with FMCS and other designating agencies to secure preferential consideration of BALA graduates. Additionally, for those who complete the course, the Academy is offering a shadowing program where participants can arrange to shadow one or two NAA arbitrators in three cases and write a shadow award in each for full review and feedback by the arbitrator. This step has been required by FMCS when it offered the program. It provides additional training in analysis and few writing samples, and may be helpful in obtaining admission to some of the Rosters and the Academy strongly encourages participation in the program.
| IF YOU INTERESTED or HAVE QUESTIONS Please reach out directly to course administrator, Valerie Harragin, at balanaarb@gmail.com. Submitting Materials for Consideration? Please be sure to submit a resume or bio that reflects your years of experience in the collective bargaining context, including relevant positions held, responsibilities, and duration. Please send this email with the specific subject line, “BALA Submission.” If accepted, applicants will receive a formal letter of admission to the course, along with instructions for completing registration and payment. |