An official website of the State of Maryland.

Maryland.gov Translate

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Public Employee Relations Board

Board Members

Lafe Solomon

Chair (term through 6/30/2027)

 Lafe Solomon practiced labor law in the federal government for over 40 years. He served in many capacities at the National Labor Relations Board, culminating in his appointment by President Barack Obama as Acting General Counsel from June 2010 to November 2013. He subsequently served as a Senior Counsel in the Office of the Solicitor, Department of Labor from 2013-2017 and from 2021-2024. During the interim, he served a 1-year appointment in 2019-2020 as a part-time consultant to Senator Patty Murray on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. A native of Helena, Arkansas, Mr. Solomon received a B.A. degree in Economics from Brown University and a J.D. from Tulane University.

Harriet E. Cooperman

Member (term through 6/30/2029)

Ms. Cooperman is a partner in Saul Ewing L.L.P. and past chair of the firm’s labor and employment group. She was a member and former chair of the Maryland State Higher Education Labor Relations Board and has taught labor law and employment discrimination law as an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Ms. Cooperman is a former chair of the section on labor and employment law of the Maryland State Bar Association and former chair of the Employer-Employee Relations Committee of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Judith Rivlin

Member (term through 6/30/2029)

Judith Rivlin is the Impartial Umpire for the Seafarers International Union Appeals Board and is a mediator for cases for the AFL-CIO. She previously served as general counsel for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. Rivlin served in counsel and mediation roles related to labor law for more than 30 years, including as an employee for the National Labor Relations Board, as a mediator for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Circuit, and as associate general counsel for the United Mine Workers of America. 

Jennifer Epps

Member (term through 6/30/2031)

Jennifer Epps is the Executive Director of the LIFT Fund, a national philanthropic collaborative advancing worker rights and power. She brings more than fifteen years of experience as an organizer and leader in labor and movement spaces. Before joining LIFT, Jennifer served as Vice President at SEIU 1199, where she led organizing and contract campaigns across Maryland hospitals, and as Executive Director of the Prince George's County Educators' Association (PGCEA), of the country's largest local teachers' unions. A Howard University graduate, Jennifer is passionate about building power with working people and ensuring their voices shape a more just and equitable future.

Nancy C. Lineman

Member (term through 6/30/2027)

Nancy Lineman is an Associate General Counsel II for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, WSSC Water.  She handles employment law matters, contractual disputes and represents the agency in various tribunals.  She previously served as an in-house counsel for Montgomery College where she handled employment matters, Title IX issues and procurement procedures. Since 2019, she has been an adjunct lecturer at University of Maryland School of Public Policy and its Executive Leadership Program.  She has previously served as Trustee for the Maryland School for the Deaf. She graduated from the evening program at the University of Maryland School of Law in 2012 and was a proud member of the alternative dispute resolution team.  She lives in Montgomery County with her spouse and daughter.  She and her family enjoy boating and engaging in all kinds of water sports on the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay.