The HR Research Institute has established the State of Legal and Compliance 2026 Advisory Board, a panel of workplace, employment law, and compliance experts tasked with guiding an upcoming research study and virtual event. This initiative is designed to assist HR professionals in managing one of the most rapidly changing and high-risk areas in modern business, addressing a compliance environment that is shifting faster than most organizations can track.
Emerging issues range from artificial intelligence ethics to pay equity audits and increasing fragmentation between federal and state laws. The advisory board will provide strategic direction on the most urgent challenges employers are projected to face in 2026. The panel includes 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.
"As regulations accelerate, HR leaders need clarity and trusted expertise," said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. "This advisory board brings top legal and compliance minds together to help HR anticipate change, reduce risk, and build ethical, resilient workplaces for the future." The board will inform HR.com's State of Legal and Compliance 2026 Virtual Event scheduled for March 12, 2026.
The HR Research Institute publishes annual "State of the Industry" reports across various HR topics, including its previous HR.com's State of Legal Compliance and Employment Law 2025 report. These research resources are developed with assistance from advisory boards comprising thought leaders and industry experts. The institute, powered by HR.com, serves more than 2 million HR professionals by identifying key trends and best practices through informed research findings.
For business and technology leaders, this development highlights the escalating complexity of regulatory landscapes, particularly concerning technology integration like AI in the workplace. The focus on AI ethics and pay equity audits signals that compliance is no longer just about traditional labor laws but increasingly intersects with technology governance and social responsibility. The institute has published hundreds of reports across a wide array of HR topics, with free membership offering access to over 300 exclusive primary research reports and infographics. This advisory effort underscores a critical need for proactive strategy in legal and compliance matters, as reactive approaches could lead to significant financial penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions in an era of heightened scrutiny.
