The HR Research Institute has announced the formation of the State of Legal and Compliance 2026 Advisory Board, a select panel of leading workplace, employment law, and compliance experts. This board will guide HR.com's upcoming research study and virtual event, designed to help human resources professionals navigate what is described as one of the most fast-changing and high-risk landscapes in modern business: legal and compliance management.
The compliance environment is shifting rapidly due to factors including AI ethics, pay equity audits, and new federal-state law fragmentation, often outpacing organizational adaptation. The newly assembled advisory board will provide strategic direction on the most urgent and emerging issues employers are expected to face in 2026. Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, stated that as regulations accelerate, HR leaders require clarity and trusted expertise, and this board brings top legal minds together to help anticipate change, reduce risk, and build ethical, resilient workplaces.
The advisory board includes industry thought leaders such as Robert Boonin, Partner & Attorney at Dykema; Bryn Goodman, Partner at Jackson Lewis; Emily Langdon, Attorney at Fraser Stryker PC, LLO; Lara Makinen, Senior Director of HR Compliance Initiatives at Valet Living; Patrick McNeil, Ph.D., Principal Business Consultant at Affirmity Workforce Compliance; Asia Meador, General Counsel & SVP of Compliance and Human Resources at Meritan; and Holly Sutton, Partner at Farella Braun + Martel.
The initiative is part of the HR Research Institute's annual "State of the Industry" report series, which includes the previous HR.com’s State of Legal Compliance and Employment Law 2025 report. These reports and other free research resources are available through the institute, which is powered by HR.com and serves over 2 million HR professionals by providing informed and insightful research findings to support strategic decisions. The HRRI has published hundreds of reports across various HR topics, developed with assistance from advisory boards of experts.
The associated State of Legal and Compliance 2026 Virtual Event is scheduled for March 12, 2026. This development matters significantly as it addresses a critical pain point for businesses: the escalating complexity and risk of regulatory compliance. For HR professionals and organizational leaders, failure to keep pace with legal changes can result in substantial financial penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruption. By leveraging the collective expertise of this advisory board, the resulting research and event aim to provide actionable insights that can help organizations proactively manage compliance, foster ethical workplace practices, and mitigate legal exposure in an increasingly regulated global business environment.
