Meet Mike Loconto, Our Founding Principal

Michael Loconto is a seasoned attorney and policymaker with two decades of experience, serving technology startups, small business, non-profits, institutions and government through Fenway Law, a limited practice focused on contracts, data privacy, and certaincompliance matters.

Mike also serves as an independent, neutral and impartial arbitrator, mediator and fact finder in workplace and commercial disputes.  Loconto ADR is a nationwide practice providing alternative dispute resolution services for unions, employees and employers across the labor and employment landscape and in certain commercial disputes. 

An Accomplished Administrator and Proven Leader

A member of the Massachusetts bar, Mike has served as general counsel for a small college, building the institution's first in-house counsel function by promoting clear and stable practices across institutional functions, from admissions to student affairs, human resources, finance, facilities and academics. Mike also served as a policy, compliance and labor relations leader for a large, decentralized university, where he promoted practical solutions for enterprise human resources, risk and financial operations. He was the institution's first Youth Protection Officer, designing and implementing a process to promote child safety in campus programs.

Mike's reputation as a fair dealer in labor relations, built on mutual respect and a commitment to reasonable outcomes, has led to meaningful relationships across the table in higher education, K-12, public safety, construction and trades.

An Educator and An Entrepreneur

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 National Association of College and University Attorneys, the Labor & Employment Relations Association, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, CUPA-HR, and the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions, among others.  He recently taught a course on contracts for labor representatives at The Labor Guild School of Labor-Management Relations.

A Long Record of Volunteerism and Public Service

Mike's commitment to fairness and equity has provided a foundation for a long record of volunteer public service. His efforts in economic development and youth empowerment have been guided by a desire to make Boston a welcoming and supportive city that provides opportunities for all.

Mike served seven years on the Boston School Committee (including three as Chairperson), where his efforts contributed to a nine-point increase in the graduation rate, expansion of pre-kindergarten, closing opportunity and achievement gaps for students of color, increasing state and local funding for public schools, building 21st century schools, and breaking down barriers for admissions to selective secondary schools as an original appointee of Mayor Martin J. Walsh (the current U.S. Labor Secretary)..

***

Mike is an admittedly slow runner with a weak spot for local craft beer and pointless arguments about music and comedy. He lives in the Boston area with his wife and three daughters, and a rabbit named Nibbler. (Updated: July 2022)