Labor and Employment Law Matters Facing Public Colleges and Universities
Hosted by COLERA
Program
This presentation will provide information regarding current labor and employment case law in Ohio, the evolving legal status of student-athletes, and recent labor organizing activities in Ohio universities.
During this event, the speaker will provide an overview of current labor and employment law developments affecting Ohio’s public colleges and universities. Topics will include the Ohio Supreme Court’s decisions in Portage County Educators Association for Developmental Disabilities, OEA/NEA v. SERB addressing picketing; Mahoning Education Association of Developmental Disabilities v. State Employment Relations Board addressing informational picketing; and recent decisions from the State Employment Relations Board (SERB).
The program will also examine the evolving legal status of student-athletes and the question of whether they should be considered employees under federal and state law. Discussion will include developments under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), including Johnson v. NCAA, the Dartmouth College unionization petition and subsequent withdrawal, applicable Ohio statutes, and pending federal legislation such as the Protect College Sports Act and the SCORE Act.
Finally, the presentation will explore recent labor organizing activity at Ohio universities, including developments involving Ohio University, Miami University, and The Ohio State University Marion campus and the broader implications of these efforts for higher education institutions and labor relations professionals.
Date and Time
December 15, 2026 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Speaker
Erika Pearsol
Erika Pearsol – Ms. Pearsol is a Senior Associate General Counsel with The Ohio State University Office of Legal Affairs. Since joining Ohio State in 2013, she has advised and counseled the university on a broad range of labor and employment matters, including issues arising under Ohio’s Collective Bargaining Law (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4117), Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and other federal and state employment laws. Ms. Pearsol serves on all university and medical center bargaining teams. Ohio State currently has 19 bargaining units and administers 15 separate collective bargaining agreements. In addition to her labor relations practice, Ms. Pearsol oversees Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) charges filed against the university, as well as State Personnel Board of Review (SPBR) appeals and employment-related litigation.
Prior to joining Ohio State, Ms. Pearsol served as Director of Employee and Labor Relations and in-house counsel at Ohio University. She also worked in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, where she represented colleges and universities in labor and employment matters, including state and federal litigation, arbitration, and mediation proceedings. Earlier in her career, Ms. Pearsol was a partner at a boutique labor and employment law firm, representing employees and labor unions in a wide variety of workplace matters.
Ms. Pearson is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. She received her B.A. from Kent State University Honors College and her J.D. from The Ohio State University, Michael E. Moritz College of Law.
Location
Lower-Level Meeting Room
FOP Building
222 East Town Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Take the elevator or the back stairs down to the lower level.
FREE Parking Available
Holiday Inn Columbus Downtown-Capitol Square by IHG,
175 East Town St, Columbus, OH 43215, is providing free parking in their lot! Also, metered parking available in front, or spaces in the lot behind the building off of Chapel Street.
Cost and Registration
$25 for Members, with lunch included
$30 for Visitors, with lunch included
$15 for Students, with lunch included
$10 Standard Ticket, no lunch included
Refunds will not be offered unless requested more than 5 calendar days prior to the Event date.
Attendees must register by 12 PM on the day prior to the Event date to guarantee lunch will be available to them.
Bookings
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