SME Dispute Resolution LLC

Sarah Miller Espinosa, J.D.

Labor Arbitrator. Mediator.

National Academy of Arbitrators

College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Expertise in the resolution of workplace conflict

Sarah Miller Espinosa, J.D.

Sarah Miller Espinosa, J.D., is a labor arbitrator and mediator. Sarah is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators and a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Sarah is listed on a number of labor arbitration rosters and panels, including those administered by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the American Arbitration Association, the National Mediation Board, The Labor Relations Connection, NJ PERC, and NY PERB. Sarah also serves as the Impartial Labor Relations Administrator for Arlington County Virginia, Fairfax County Virginia, Fairfax County Public Schools, Prince William County Virginia, City of Charlottesville Virginia, City of Alexandria Virginia, and Montgomery County Government in Maryland. Sarah serves on various permanent arbitration panels. Sarah holds a part-time appointment as a senior extension associate at the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution at Cornell University, where she teaches professional development courses and programs, including Ethics in Mediation and Arbitration, Employment Law Mediation Training, and the Labor Arbitrator Development Program. She is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and the University of Connecticut School of Law.

Workplace conflict resolution services

Labor Arbitration

Sarah Espinosa has over twenty-five years experience and expertise in the field of labor relations. Sarah has been entrusted by the parties to serve as a labor arbitrator in hundreds of matters since 2013. Prior to establishing SME Dispute Resolution, LLC, Sarah served in a variety of roles, including vice president of human resources, director of labor relations, chief negotiator, and as a mediator and assistant general counsel for the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration and the State of Connecticut Board of Labor Relations.

Mediation

Sarah Espinosa specializes in the mediation and resolution of workplace and regulatory disputes and practices in accordance with the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators and the ACR Ethical Principles. Sarah is listed on a number of mediation rosters and panels, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ADR Panel, EEOC RESOLVE, Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and the Cornell Roster of Neutrals, in addition to accepting ad hoc mediation appointments. Sarah previously served as a full-time mediator with the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration, where she assisted public sector employers and unions in the resolution of collective bargaining impasses.

Professional associations

National Academy of Arbitrators, Member (2020 - Present); College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow (2024 - Present); Labor & Employment Relations Association, Member; LERA Virginia Chapter, Past President, Board Member (2021 - 2025), Member (2021-Present); Ray Corollary Initiative (RCI, Inc.), Board Member (2021-Present) and Board Secretary (2021-2023); LERA Maryland Chapter, Member; Association for Conflict Resolution, Member and past ACR Ethics Committee Co-Chair (2017-2023); Society of Federal Labor & Employee Relations Professionals , Member; American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section & Dispute Resolution Section, Member; International Ombuds Association, Member.

RECENT presentations, publications

2025: "Best Practices for Labor Negotiations in Virginia Public Sector", Panelist, Virginia LERA Fourth Annual Conference; "The Path Forward - Increasing the Inclusion and Selection of Diverse Neutrals in the ADR Field", Panelist, National Academy of Arbitrators Annual Meeting

2024: "Virginia Public Sector Collective Bargaining Update", Panelist, Virginia LERA; "Inclusive Next Generation of Neutrals", Moderator, Labor & Employment Relations Association Annual Conference; "Ray Corollary Initiative", Moderator, Labor & Employment Relations Association Annual Conference

2023: “Developments in Arbitrator & Mediator Selection: Generational Change and Technology”, Panelist, American Bar Association 17th Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference; “Virginia Public Sector Collective Bargaining Update”, Moderator, Virginia LERA Second Annual Conference; “Inclusive Next Generation of Workplace Neutrals”, Panelist, Scheinman Institute, Cornell University ILR School, ILR-NAA Conference, “Promoting an Inclusive Next Generation of Workplace Neutrals”; “Organizational Ombuds: Who Ombuds Are, What Ombuds Do, How Ombuds Benefit the Workplace”, Moderator, Virginia LERA

2022: “Direct and Cross Examination”, Panelist, American Arbitration Association Educational Services; “Achieving Diversity in Labor Arbitrator Selection”, Moderator, Labor & Employment Relations Association Annual Conference; “Virginia Public Sector Collective Bargaining”, Speaker, Maryland LERA

Sarah Miller Espinosa, J.D.

Expertise in the resolution of workplace conflict

Sarah Miller Espinosa, J.D.

Workplace conflict resolution services

Labor Arbitration

Mediation

Professional associations

RECENT presentations, publications

Contact SME Dispute REsolution, LLC

To request resume, fee schedule, dates, or other information, email smedisputeresolution@gmail.com

SME Dispute Resolution LLC