Session
All Rise: ELLA Mock Trial is Now in Session
Ever wonder what goes on in an HR-related court case? Now is your chance to find out – without being subpoenaed. Attorneys from Arkansas’s leading employment law firms will lend their expertise to the proceedings. Familiar ARSHRM members will portray court officials as well as key roles for both the defense and the prosecution – and all the while, you will be the jury.
At the conclusion of this, the first part of the ELLA Mock trial, you will be able to:
● Describe what led to the need for a trial,
● Identify right and wrong pre-trial actions of the defendant, the plaintiff, and all others involved,
● Cite right and wrong trial behaviors, and
● Weigh the evidence presented in order to render a verdict.
Wayne Young
Partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark
H. Wayne Young is a partner with the Friday, Eldredge & Clark law firm and a member of the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group. He was named the 2017 Russell Gunter Legislative Advocacy Award Recipient by the Arkansas SHRM. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of time and effort in local, state or federal legislative advocacy on behalf of the Human Resources profession. He is a member of CAHRA and was awarded the association’s Legislative Advocacy Award for 2018. He has been recognized for his work in labor and employment by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South by Super Lawyers where he was named "Rising Star." He is on the Board of Directors of Women and Children First and he is the past president of the Little Rock Downtown Kiwanis Club. Wayne currently serves as General Counsel to the Arkansas State Council of the Society of Human Resource Management.
Cindy Kolb
Director at Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C
Cindy Kolb is a director at Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus in Little Rock where she primarily practice employment law and insurance defense. She regularly speaks on employment law and HR-related topics for groups around the state. Cindy was co-chair of the 2020 Arkansas Bar’s Annual Meeting, co-chaired the 2018 Mid-Year Meeting, and served as Chair of the Labor and Employment Section in 2012-2013. Cindy served as the 2014 Chair of the ELLA Conference. She is an active member of CAHRA and was chapter President in 2021. In CAHRA, she was the VP of Communications for 2019, VP for Special Programs for 2017/2018, and was the 2017/2018 Chair of the CAHRA Managers Conference. She is a member of the Judge Henry Woods Inn of Court. Cindy serves on the Board of the Museum of Discovery. Cindy graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio and has been practicing law for 26 years.
Greg Northen
Chief Legal Officer at Southern Administrative Services
As a newly-hired Chief Legal Officer, Greg currently assists his company and others with policy strategic corporate governance, personnel matters, and legal compliance. Greg is a former Director at the law firm of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C., in Little Rock, Arkansas. For nearly 12 years, Greg provided litigation defense in labor, employment, and corporate compliance law. Greg’s experience includes practicing before federal and state courts in Arkansas, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and various federal and state agencies, including the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, OSHA, and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.
Patti Airoldi
Director of Human Resources & Sales Support at RPM Group
Patti Airoldi is the Director of Human Resources & Sales Support for the RPM Group, one of the state’s oldest and largest real estate firms, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Patti is a long-time SHRM member and volunteer. She has served numerous years on the Board of Directors of the Central Arkansas Human Resource Association (CAHRA) in various capacities, including president. She’s also served in a number of positions for the ARSHRM State Council and on several state conference committees. In 2018, Patti was the recipient of CAHRA’s Russell Gunter Member of the Year Award and was named ARSHRM’s Outstanding HR Professional of the Year in 2019.
Broderick Daniels
Director of Human Resources at Southern Bancorp
Broderick Daniels is the Director of Human Resources for Southern Bancorp, where he is responsible for managing the HR Business Partner and HR Operations functions, including employee relations, engagement and communication, talent management, benefits, payroll, legal compliance, leave of absence administration and various employee initiatives. Broderick has over 22 years of experience in human resources. Broderick has served as a volunteer leader in several organizations including Central Arkansas Human Resources Association (CAHRA), Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management State Council, Black Human Resource Professionals Network, Northwest Arkansas Human Resources Association (NOARK), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir. Broderick holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Arkansas State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University.
David Burney
Director of Student Financial Services at John Brown University
David Burney is currently serving as the Director of Student Financial Services at John Brown University. With over 15 years of financial aid experience, David has served as a Financial Aid Commissioner for both the Council for Christian Colleges & University and Ellucian Colleague. Having completed a Bachelor's degree in Music & Theatre, David has a deep passion for the theatre and remains active in the local community theatre as well as the Music & Theatre Department at JBU.
Thomas Dunlap, SHRM-SCP
Director of Human Resources at City of Rogers
Thomas Dunlap, SHRM-SCP, is the Director of Human Resources for the City of Rogers, Arkansas. He has served in multiple volunteer leadership roles on the chapter and State level, most recently as the Government Affairs Director for the Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management (ARSHRM). As a Legislative Director for ARSRHM, he advocated directly to officials in State and Federal government on policy issues such as Health Care, Immigration, and Workforce Development. His work with the Arkansas Legislature resulted in several laws that improved hiring within the post 9/11 veteran’s community and the employer’s use of social media.