LADP Ends, But Participants’ Journeys ‘Just Beginning’
“As the LADP program comes to an end, a new chapter is just beginning,” stated Jacia Falcon. January marked the end of Cornell ILR’s Scheinman Institute’s Labor Arbitration Development Program (LADP), a 15-month-long hybrid program enabling a new, diverse generation of arbitrators to learn from America’s leading neutrals. The 15-person cohort met for the last time in New York City, but for many, like Falcon, things were just getting started.
“Over the next year, I’m gearing up to launch J. Falcon Dispute Resolution and fully step into my role as a neutral,” said Falcon. “This program has been a game-changer in preparing me for that transition. The training, mentorship and hands-on experience have given me the confidence and skills to navigate this next phase with credibility and impact.”
Katie Rosen `08 always wanted to become an arbitrator, ever since her time at ILR, “but I wasn’t sure how to do it. And now I’ve done it. I was able to work and launch my arbitration practice while virtually completing many of the program requirements.”
“It was an auspicious time to apply to LADP since I launched my practice and was actively looking to build a book of business and connect with mentors,” said Cheryl Massena, who lives close by in Harlem, a straight shot on the No. 6 train down to Cornell ILR’s 570 Lexington midtown office.
Tyler Andrews, however, lives in Anchorage, Alaska–a 3,385-mile flight from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to New York John F. Kennedy Airport, with a layover somewhere midway, maybe Chicago O’Hare. Across the program’s 15 months of virtual synchronous and asynchronous meetings are 13 in-person days, split between New York City and Washington D.C.
“The hybrid approach made the program more accessible for me, coming from a long distance,” said Andrews. “Though had the whole program required in-person attendance, I would have found a way to participate. Seriously, if I had to quit my job to participate, I would have done it.”
“For those outside the NYC area, I’d say: Don’t hesitate,” said Falcon, from Baltimore, Maryland. “The program is designed to be accessible and impactful, no matter where you’re based. The hybrid format was a perfect fit for me as a working professional. The flexibility of virtual assignments allowed me to stay engaged while balancing other commitments, and the in-person sessions brought everything to life—providing opportunities to connect, engage in deeper discussions, and build relationships with both faculty and my peers.”
Today at ILR’s NYC conference center, the cohort is preparing for a mock arbitration. Three one-and-a-half pound bags of popcorn are at the center of each table–someone’s brought them to share–and hands dive in while the 15-member cohort talks through a hypothetical: a nurse who initially fell asleep on break and was consequently terminated. But, as the cohort’s barrage of questions uncovers, it’s not so simple: ‘Was there intent to sleep, or did they just fall asleep?’ ‘And when did they sleep, during their break or while actively working?’ ‘Was this shift assigned or volunteered for?’ ‘Were they sent back to work after being found?’ ‘What did the termination letter say, verbatim?’ ‘If the termination is unjust, ‘what’s the backpay?’ ‘Will there be a suspension? And how long?’ All to say, people’s livelihoods are at stake: everyone’s taking this mock arbitration very seriously. “They hire us for our judgment,” says instructor Ellen Procida, a director within ILR’s Scheinman Institute who brings her thirty years of labor relations experience to the LADP participants today.
Jumbo sticky notes cover the walls: ‘Night before–get sleep, check weather, check wifi, choose clothes, confirm parking, public transport,’ and ‘bring door stop.’ ‘Neutrality’ is circled alongside ‘clarity, decisiveness, knowledge, logic thinking,’ and ‘poise.’ “How do you know who goes first for closing arguments in an arbitration?” someone asks. “That’s how it is in New York, but who goes first is a regional difference,” answers Alan Symonette, one of LADP’s instructors and president of the National Academy of Arbitrators with over 37 years of arbitration experience. For LADP, the devil’s in the details.
“Our instructors, who are all neutrals themselves, have collectively ‘seen it all,’” said Rosen. “The group of people in this cohort have a truly diverse background and breadth of experience, and we all keep each other on our toes with the nuanced questions we think of and debate. And when we ask our instructors ‘what if’ questions, they always have a cogent answer because they’ve lived it.”
“Everyone was engaged in learning the fundamentals of becoming an arbitrator,” said Symonette. “This included learning from experienced arbitrators and mediators, shadowing at hearings and opinion writing. There was also practical advice provided on starting one’s practice. LADP meets a critical need for the introduction of new and diverse labor/management arbitrators into the profession.”
“I knew I would have the opportunity to engage with impressive faculty through ILR,” began Falcon, “But what I experienced far exceeded my expectations. The faculty and guest speakers were phenomenal, offering insights that were both practical and eye-opening. Their depth of experience, transparency, and willingness to engage with us made each session invaluable.”
“One of the things that makes LADP stand out is how intentional it is about creating real pathways for a more diverse generation of labor arbitrators,” Falcon continued. “I’ve participated in diversity programs before, but this one was different. It wasn’t just about recognizing the lack of representation—it actively worked to change it.”
“The program was incredible,” said Massena. “It was geared to cultivate the next generation of arbitrators, and I believe it lived up to its promise. The program put me in direct contact with people who decide which arbitrator they will add to their panel,” said Massena. “It also provided a strong network of trusted and seasoned advisors as I expand my arbitration practice.”
“Arbitration can be a lonely profession,” began instructor Sarah Miller Espinosa. Espinosa’s been in today’s cohort’s shoes–she graduated from the second LADP cohort in 2013, went on to establish her own successful dispute-resolution practice, and returned as an instructor to repay the favor. Many, like Falcon and Rosen and Massena, aim to follow in her footsteps.
“Arbitration can be a lonely profession, but with LADP, it doesn’t have to be. “Beyond the curriculum, I was most impressed by the relationships that formed within my cohort,” said Falcon. “Over 15 months, we supported, challenged, and learned from each other, forming connections that I know will span the rest of my career. The care and camaraderie from both faculty and my classmates as we navigated this journey—and life’s challenges—made the experience even more meaningful.”
“I’m walking away with new skills, strong connections, and a renewed sense of purpose as I move into this next phase of my career,” said Falcon. “For anyone considering this program, I’d say LADP is more than a training program. It’s an opportunity to gain real experience, build a strong network, and take meaningful steps toward a career in arbitration.”
“Although the program has formally ended, the mentoring relationships I developed remain ongoing,” said Rosen. “Best of all, my fellow cohort members and I are still working together on panel presentations, articles and conferences. I can honestly say I've met individuals who I will remain in touch with for the long haul. This was one of the most memorable professional experiences of my life, and I look forward to reaching additional milestones with the rest of the cohort.”
