Session
Courtside Analysis
You’ve been to trial, you’ve rendered a verdict. It’s now time to “armchair quarterback” the proceedings. A panel of attorneys from Arkansas’s leading employment law firms will discuss what went right, and what went wrong during the ELLA Mock trial as a way of preparing all of us for the day we might have to place our hands on a Bible as participants in a real HR-related trial.
At the conclusion of the Courtside Analysis, you will be able to:
- Prepare better for an HR-related ?court case in which you may be involved,
- Recognize the importance of the role each person in a court case plays in the execution of the trial and the eventual outcome, and
- Identify some pre-trial and time-of-trial do’s and don'ts.
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.
Dan Herrington
Chief Administrative Officer at Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
Dan Herrington was named Chief Administrative Officer of the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas on Dec. 7, 2023. As CAO, Dan leads HR, Training and Development, and Campus Services. He joined the Coops after a 27-year career with Friday, Eldredge & Clark where he advised employers in all areas of labor and employment law. He practiced before the EEOC, OSHA, NLRB, DOL, Arkansas Supreme Court and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. A strong suit was preparing witnesses. Twice voted a top attorney by readers of Arkansas Business, Dan was recognized nationally in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Mid-South Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. He was named by Best Lawyers as "Lawyer of the Year" in labor and employment litigation in 2016 and 2018 and in 2021 in labor law/management. Dan completed his BS in Business Management at ASU Jonesboro and his JD at Bowen, graduating with high honors. Dan was CAHRA’s 2019 Member of the Year.
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.
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.