Faculty & Research
Legal Experts in Hospitality Discuss Key Issues at Annual Roundtable
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Linda Myers, 607-277-5035, lbm3@cornell.edu
ITHACA, N.Y. - The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration sponsored its second annual roundtable on legal issues in the hospitality industry this spring.
The event, which took place at Cornell's Hotel School on May 5-6, continued an in-depth conversation on the critical legal issues facing the hospitality industry today. Participants included lawyers from some of the largest lodging and restaurant companies in the industry, members of prestigious private-practice law firms and professors in labor and employment law from leading North American schools, colleges and universities.
"We are thrilled with how the roundtable has developed in the last two years. Instead of the typical conference where only the presenters actively participate, this format allows all of our distinguished colleagues to engage, argue, agree and disagree over the topics that are vital to our industry," said Cornell Hotel School Associate Professor David Sherwyn, who chaired the event. The topics included: arbitration versus mediation as a way to resolve discrimination claims; the effect of the new legal standard for "mixed motive" instructions in discrimination claims; sexual harassment; and union organizing.
Jonathan Perez, associate general counsel at Darden Restaurants, who participated in the roundtable discussions, stated: "The roundtable was a great opportunity to discuss key legal issues facing the industry with experts well-versed in their fields. I have a great deal of respect for their opinions, experiences and recommendations, all of which have been beneficial and invaluable to me and my company. Indeed, even our disagreements provide insight that allows me to position my company in a preemptive role, as opposed to preparing to defend an issue that was not on our radar. I look forward to participating at the roundtable for years to come."
Sherwyn added that the roundtable was "a great example of collaboration between the hospitality industry and faculty from the Cornell Hotel School and Columbia, Cornell, NYU and Roger Williams law schools. One of the main objectives of the Center for Hospitality Research is to build important links between the academic and industry communities, and this is accomplished through sponsorship of the annual legal roundtable."
The mission of the Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell's Hotel School is to bring together the best insights of scholarship in hospitality and industry expertise. Research efforts are augmented by an industry perspective from the CHR's advisory board and 26 industry corporate sponsors and friends. For more information, see the Center's Web site, http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/research/chr, or call (607) 255-4646.
From Left to Right: Michael Heise, professor, Case Western Reserve University; Joseph Baumgarten, partner, Proskauer Rose LLP; Jonathan Perez, associate general counsel, Darden Restaurants, Inc.; Ilene Weisbard Berman, of counsel, Fisher & Philips LLP