James works with organizations of all sizes to provide in-depth guidance on a broad spectrum of workplace
issues, including liability exposures, employee benefit plans, workers’ compensation, human resources, and
employment law compliance. In addition to advising our clients, he writes articles on employment and risk
management issues, and regularly conducts leadership, harassment, and legal compliance training for our
clients’ managers and staff. James has decades of experience advising employers and was a plaintiff’s attorney
for many years before joining USI. He is a frequent speaker at trade shows and conferences and is a popular
instructor at the University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies. James received his
law degree from the University of Minnesota, and his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St.
Louis
Tracy Melvin
Tracy has extensive experience in both employment law and human resources, including expertise on state
and federal employment laws, complex leaves of absence scenarios, wage and hour compliance, workplace
accommodations, diversity equity and inclusion, and other employment matters. She uses a consultative
approach to help employers proactively mitigate risk, attract and retain talent, and improve overall human
resources strategy. Tracy received her law degree, cum laude, from Marquette University Law School and a
Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Janice Pintar
Janice has extensive litigation experience in the field of employment law and was a plaintiff ’s attorney for
nearly 13 years before joining USI in 2015. She educates and advises human resources professionals and
employers on a broad range of employment issues and best practices and costly litigation compliance
topics, including respectful workplace practices, unlawful harassment avoidance, wage-and-hour issues,
and medical leaves and accommodations, as well as federal and state discrimination and anti-retaliation
issues. Janice received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, magna cum
laude, and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin, cum laude
Rob Wood
Rob advises organizations in a wide variety of industries on workplace issues and risk management. Prior to
USI, he spent over a decade practicing business law, including as managing attorney of an employment law
firm and General Counsel and COO of a telecommunications contractor. He has also provided operations
consulting to firms in the legal, insurance, and recruitment industries. Outside of work, Rob serves as a
trustee and the current board chair for William Peace University in Raleigh, NC. He received his law degree
from the Villanova University School of Law and his undergraduate degree in economics, cum laude, from
North Carolina State University
Nick Olivencia
Nicholas advises employers on a wide range of labor and employment issues, including workplace
investigations, wage and hour compliance, leaves of absence, accommodations, and workplace safety matters.
Drawing on his background in regulatory enforcement, litigation, and healthcare operations, he helps
organizations navigate complex compliance challenges and emerging workplace risks. Nicholas takes a
practical, consultative approach to helping employers mitigate legal exposure while supporting effective
workforce management and operational decision-making. He regularly advises leadership and human
resources teams on employment law compliance, internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, and defensible
workplace practices. Nicholas received his law degree from Drake University Law School and holds master’s
degrees in healthcare administration and public health from Des Moines University and is fluent in Spanish.
