Michael T Loconto
Neutral labor arbitrator & mediator. On-demand general counsel for tech & SMBs.
Michael Loconto is an on-demand general counsel for tech startups and small- to medium-size businesses, and a neutral, impartial arbitrator and mediator for labor and employment disputes.
Mike has served as general counsel for a small college and as a policy, compliance and labor relations leader for a large, decentralized university, where he was the institution's first Youth Protection Officer, designing and implementing a process to promote child safety in campus programs. He began his career as a labor lawyer for the City of Boston.
Mike's reputation as a fair dealer is built on mutual respect and a commitment to reasonable outcomes, leading to enduring relationships with employee representatives in higher education, K-12, public safety, construction and trades.
Mike has taught legal writing and research at his alma mater, Northeastern University School of Law, and is a sought-after public speaker and convener on contemporary labor and education issues. He has presented before the Labor & Employment Relations Association, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education, among others. He is currently teaching contracts at The Labor Guild School of Labor-Management Relations in Boston.
Mike's commitment to fairness and equity is the foundation for his long record of volunteer public service, with efforts in economic development and youth empowerment intended to make Boston a welcoming and supportive city for all. Mike served seven years on the Boston School Committee (including three as Chairperson), where his efforts contributed to expansion of pre-kindergarten and inclusive classrooms, closing opportunity and achievement gaps for students of color, advancing equitable admissions policies for selective schools, increased public school funding and new school buildings.
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Education Law
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law, Legislative & Government Affairs
- Municipal Law
- Contracts
- Data and Website Privacy Compliance
- Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers
- ID Number: 654280
- English: Spoken, Written
- Core Member
- Underscore VC
- - Current
- (Unpaid advisor) Supports pre-seed tech startups to plan for sustainable operations and business development for EdTech and GovTech ventures.
- Arbitrator and Mediator
- Loconto ADR
- - Current
- Neutral Arbitrator, Mediator and Fact Finder in labor-management disputes. A member of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Roster of Arbitrators and other private rosters and panels, and available to hear disputes virtually and in-person along the eastern seaboard and throughout the Midwest. Located in Boston with offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Minneapolis and Lancaster, PA. Visit https://locontoadr.com for a CV and contact information regarding booking, rates and cancellation schedules.
- Founding Principal
- Fenway Law LLC
- - Current
- General Counsel
- Curry College
- -
- Previous position held: College Counsel.
- Member and Chairperson
- Boston School Committee
- -
- Deputy Director of Policy and Compliance and Youth Protection Officer
- Harvard University
- -
- Previous position held: Associate Director of Labor & Employee Relations.
- Adjunct Lecturer
- Northeastern University School of Law
- -
- Legal Research & Writing Program for first-year law students.
- Labor Relations Counsel
- City of Boston
- -
- Northeastern University School of Law
- J.D. (2002)
- -
- Activities: Teaching Assistant, Advanced Criminal Procedure; Research Assistant to the Dean; Criminal Procedure Moot Court; Death Penalty Certiorari Clinic; Commencement Committee
- Florida State University
- B.A. (1999) | History and Political Science dual degree (Economics minor)
- -
- Alumni Hall of Fame
- Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory
- Certificate of Recognition
- Boston Public Schools
- 10 Boys Initiative to support improved academic and life outcomes for young men of color
- Volunteer of the Year
- West Roxbury Main Streets
- Labor & Employment Relations Association
- Management Co-Chair, Higher Education Industry Council
- - Current
- Activities: Industry Council Co-Chair (2008-2013); current basic member.
- West Roxbury Main Streets
- Member and Past Board President
- - Current
- Activities: Volunteer of the Year (2011); Board President (2012).
- State Bar of Massachusetts  # 654280
- Member
- - Current
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
- CLE Subcommittee Member
- -
- ONEin3 Boston
- Mayor's Advisory Council
- -
- The Next Four Years: Higher Education and Labor Policies in the Biden Administration, 48th Annual Conference, New York, NY (Virtual)
- National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions ; on behalf of; National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions
- Moderator.