HR.com Forms 2026 Advisory Board to Guide HR Through Evolving Legal Landscape

The HR Research Institute has formed the State of Legal and Compliance 2026 Advisory Board, bringing together workplace, employment law, and compliance experts to guide HR professionals through one of the most rapidly evolving regulatory environments in modern business. The initiative comes as organizations struggle to keep pace with accelerating changes in compliance requirements, from artificial intelligence ethics to pay equity audits and increasing fragmentation between federal and state laws.

The advisory board will provide strategic direction for HR.com's upcoming research study and virtual event scheduled for March 12, 2026. The panel includes prominent industry figures such as Robert Boonin of Dykema, Bryn Goodman of Jackson Lewis, Emily Langdon of Fraser Stryker PC, and Lara Makinen of Valet Living, along with Patrick McNeil of Affirmity Workforce Compliance, Asia Meador of Meritan, and Holly Sutton of Farella Braun + Martel. These experts will help identify the most urgent and emerging issues facing employers in the coming year.

"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 initiative builds on HR.com's previous research efforts, including the State of Legal Compliance and Employment Law 2025 report, which is available for download along with other free research materials.

The importance of this development lies in the growing complexity of compliance management, which represents a significant risk area for organizations across industries. With regulatory changes occurring faster than many companies can adapt, HR professionals face increasing pressure to maintain compliance while avoiding costly penalties and legal challenges. The advisory board's guidance could help organizations proactively address issues before they become problems, potentially saving millions in legal fees and regulatory fines.

For HR professionals, this initiative provides access to expert insights that might otherwise be unavailable or prohibitively expensive. The virtual event and accompanying research will offer practical guidance on navigating specific compliance challenges, from emerging technologies like AI to traditional areas like employment law. This is particularly valuable for smaller organizations that lack dedicated legal departments but face the same regulatory requirements as larger corporations.

The broader industry impact includes potential standardization of compliance approaches and early identification of regulatory trends that could affect business operations nationwide. By bringing together experts from different legal specialties and industries, the advisory board may help create more consistent compliance frameworks that benefit both employers and employees. The HR Research Institute, which powers this initiative, serves more than 2 million HR professionals through its research and resources, making this advisory board's work potentially influential across the human resources field.