Education Services

Kathryn A. VanDagens is an arbitrator/attorney with offices in Lansing, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. She began her career as a full-time neutral in 1998, and currently serves on the labor arbitrator panels of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the American Arbitration Association, the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, and the National Mediation Board. Additionally, she holds permanent umpire appointments for several unions and employers. She is also on the American Arbitration Association’s National Roster of (Employment) Neutrals.

In 2010, Ms. VanDagens was admitted to the National Academy of Arbitrators and currently serves on its Board of Governors. She also served as a neutral member of the State Bar of Michigan Labor Council for two terms and was twice elected President of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of LERA.

Ms. VanDagens is a frequent lecturer and trainer in labor and employment law. She taught employment and labor law at Michigan State University-College of Law and Human Resources & Labor Relations, and at Oakland University. She is a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Journalism and the University of Michigan Law School. Before beginning her career as a labor neutral, Ms. VanDagens was in private practice, practicing exclusively in labor and employment law.