First Chair Academy

The First Chair Academy is a bespoke learning and development program for new and rising first chair colleagues in the US LERN community. The two-week hybrid program offers an intensive deep dive into the essential skills required for this pivotal role, taught by seasoned US LERN advisors.

What you’ll get

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    a two-day virtual session and in in-person four-day session in Washington, DC

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    A dynamic, experiential learning 3-day mock bargaining exercise with participants on either management or union committees

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    Tailored 1:1 feedback from our US LERN advisors: Scott Sandefur, Chuck Seccombe and Jon McPherson

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    Access to our US LERN Alumni Group of 250+ Labor Professionals

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    Special discussions from former NLRB Chairmen Philip Miscimarra and John Ring on the intersection between legal landscape and collective bargaining

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    Timely modules focused on the current challenges and opportunities for rising professionals

More information

  • Graphic Packaging

  • Honeywell

  • Koch

  • Kraft Heinz

  • Kroger

  • McKesson

  • National Grid

  • Shell

  • Sprit Aerosystems

  • Sysco

  • US Foods

  • Volvo

Alumni include

  • AT&T

  • CenterPoint Energy

  • Chevron
    CNH

  • Crowley

  • Crown Holdings

  • Exelon

  • Ford

  • Foremost Farms

  • General Mills

  • GM

  • Goodyear

Topics:

  • The role of the first chair - expectations and key responsibilities

  • Identifying stakeholders and terms of engagement

  • Governance and decision making

  • Bargaining strategy and goals

  • Costing a contract and economics

  • Communications strategy

  • Preparing for bargaining - building your team

  • Negotiation skills at the table

  • Reaching a tentative agreement and potential outcomes

  • Contingency planning and work stoppages

  • Labor law and negotiations, led by Morgan Lewis

  • Managing union relationships throughout the bargaining process

  • Cross-sector and company comparison of bargaining approaches

Limited Enrollment

Limited Enrollment

2027 Dates & Rates:

  • Virtual sessions January 19-20

  • 4-day in person hosted by Morgan Lewis in DC on January 25-28

  • Fee is $8,750 per person

  • Participation is capped at 24 participants

    Email Caroline.kachadoorian@globallern.com to reserve your spot!