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“As parties increasingly turn to alternative dispute resolution, the diversity of arbitrators and mediators becomes essential—not only to reflect today’s labor force accurately, but also to enhance the credibility of the process itself. When an arbitrator or mediator brings a different perspective or life experience, it opens space for fresh thinking and innovative problem-solving that might otherwise never emerge.”

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I am a full-time, independent arbitrator and mediator with more than 25 years of experience resolving labor and employment disputes. As an arbitrator, I conduct fair and impartial proceedings that meet the needs of all parties and result in reasoned, just, and practical decisions. In mediation, I draw on facilitative, evaluative, and transformative techniques to help parties resolve disputes swiftly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. My focus is on improving communication and understanding, enabling parties to turn challenges into opportunities for growth, innovation, and positive change.

My practice centers on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in labor and employment matters. I have presided over or mediated a wide range of issues, including absenteeism, appointments, arbitrability, bargaining unit work, benefits, bumping, bypass, contract interpretation, details, discharge, discipline, discrimination, drug and 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 move to arbitration with confidence, knowing their dispute will be resolved fairly, independently, and without bias or conflict of interest. Because arbitration petitions often arrive with limited detail, an effective arbitrator must combine a solid grounding in the law with a deep understanding of the relevant industry. Drawing on my extensive experience in labor and employment law, I quickly process the information presented, ask focused questions, evaluate evidence, rule on objections, and apply the facts to the contract and any applicable laws to deliver clear, well-reasoned decisions.

Mediation

MEDIATION

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Because no two mediations are alike, I take a flexible, adaptable approach tailored to each dispute and the needs of the parties involved. I use a range of techniques to help participants identify underlying interests, clarify priorities, eliminate misunderstandings, reduce negative emotions, express empathy, and find common ground—with the ultimate goal of reaching a mutually acceptable settlement. Whether working in joint sessions or private caucuses, I focus on building trust and rapport while maintaining strict neutrality. I also remain mindful that the immediate dispute may reflect broader labor-relations issues. One of mediation’s greatest strengths is its ability to address topics beyond the original grievance, enabling negotiated settlements that not only resolve the present conflict but also strengthen the parties’ ongoing relationship in ways 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 (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 (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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Before establishing my full-time, independent practice as an arbitrator and mediator, I served as a Hearing Officer with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations (DLR), where I arbitrated, investigated, mediated, and adjudicated labor disputes. Earlier in my career, as a labor and employment attorney in Boston, I represented employers, unions, and individuals through all phases of administrative and court litigation, including matters before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court.

I regularly provide training, serve as a panelist, and publish on labor, employment, and collective-bargaining law. Appointed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2021, I currently sit on the DLR Advisory Council.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, a Master of Arts from the University of Massachusetts 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

 

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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