J.R. Wilson has served as a Labor Relations Specialist for the New York State United Teachers Tarrytown Regional Office, joining NYSUT in 2001. Prior to working for NYSUT, he was counsel to United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, acting as the General Counsel to the president and other UFT officers. J. R. also worked as a Labor Law Associate for the Wall Street law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan for several years before joining the UFT, and prior to that endeavor, he enjoyed a career as a New York State police trooper and detective. As a State Police officer, J. R. worked in the attorney general’s New York City office, the New York City Office of the Governor, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. J. R. has been an adjunct professor for many years, teaching graduate courses in education law, employment and labor law, thesis preparation, and paralegal studies at several universities, including Stony Brook University, the College of New Rochelle, and Brooklyn and Baruch Colleges of CUNY. He received his undergraduate degree in mass and interpersonal communications from Lehman College of CUNY and his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University Law School. J. R. also operated his own law firm, practicing labor and employment law for many years, and is admitted to practice law in New York and Washington, D. C.