Planning for Conflict: A Practical Conversation About Leadership, Conflict, and Workplace Relationships

Program

Conflict is inevitable in every workplace—but unnecessary escalation is not.
Whether representing management, employees, or labor organizations, professionals in the labor/employment world regularly encounter situations where difficult conversations, competing interests, and strained relationships influence outcomes just as much as legal rights or contractual obligations.
In this interactive presentation, attorney and mediator Brittney C. Howard discusses themes from her book, Planning for Conflict: A Mediator’s Introductory Guide to Helping Leaders Reshape Conflict.

This session explores the human side of conflict: how our assumptions, communication habits, and leadership choices shape workplace interactions long before a grievance is filed or litigation begins.
Participants will examine practical strategies for approaching conflict with greater intentionality, accountability, and curiosity while considering how these concepts apply to collective bargaining relationships, workplace investigations, employee relations, supervision, and day-to-day leadership.
Whether you advise management clients, represent bargaining units, or supervise employees, this session offers practical insights that can strengthen professional relationships and improve conversations in even the most challenging situations.

Date

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Speaker

Brittney C. Howard, Esq., Wellberry ADR, LLC

Ms. Howard is the founder of Wellberry ADR, LLC, an alternative dispute resolution firm that focuses primarily on workplace conflict and disputes. She has extensive experience in collective bargaining mediation as a former Commissioner for the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS). Ms. Howard is also the author of “Planning for Conflict: A Mediator’s Introductory Guide to Helping Leaders Reshape Conflict,” which helps leaders unpack conflict patterns through reflective journaling. Ms. Howard believes in continuous personal growth and leading an integrated life; she carries this perspective into her work as she seeks to innovate in the space of conflict resolution through mediums such as her book; online conflict coaching platform, ResolveWell®; and online communication guidance platform, CalmDraft®. Ms. Howard earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Cleveland State University-College of Law. She has also earned certificates in Negotiation Mastery and Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School Online, as well as a certificate in Conflict Resolution from Cornell University. Ms. Howard is an instructor for Cleveland State University’s Public Management Academy and an adjunct professor at the University of Akron’s School of Law. Her passion is helping leaders reshape their approach to conflict, and she’s committed to seeing a total transformation of conflict culture.

Agenda

5:00 p.m. – Social
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
6:30 p.m. – Speaker Panel and Q & A
7:30 p.m. – Adjournment

Location

Stancato’s Restaurant & Lounge in Parma
7380 State Road

MCLE’s

1.0 credit hours of MCLE has been approved for this event.

Cost, Registration, and Payment

Cost is $40 per ticket. Register now online, and you can pay online now, or indicate that you will pay by check, by either mailing your payment or bringing your payment to the event.

We welcome new members!

Members include professionals from academia, labor, management, government, the community of arbitrators, and students preparing to become professionals. Membership dues are $50 regular, $20 students, $250 for organizations (includes an unlimited number of memberships from the same organization or firm).