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President Trump Appoints William B. Cowen Acting General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board

Office of Public Affairs

202-273-1991

publicinfo@nlrb.gov

www.nlrb.gov

February 03, 2025

Today, effective immediately, President Donald J. Trump appointed William B. Cowen Acting General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. Prior to today’s appointment, Mr. Cowen served as Regional Director in the Agency’s Los Angeles Regional Office (Region 21) since 2016.

“I am truly honored to be asked to serve as Acting General Counsel,” Cowen said. “The men and women of this agency represent the finest in public service and I thank the President for the confidence that he has shown in me by this appointment.”

Mr. Cowen began his NLRB career in 1979 and served in various capacities throughout the Agency at both Headquarters and in the field until he left to enter private practice in 1985. Mr. Cowen was later appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a Board Member from January 22, 2002 to November 22, 2002. He then served as Executive Assistant (Chief of Staff) to NLRB Chairman Robert J. Battista. From 2006 to 2016, Mr. Cowen served as the Board’s Solicitor. Mr. Cowen holds a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Wesley Theological Seminary, and his J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law - Cleveland State University.

Established in 1935, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that protects employees from unfair labor practices and protects the right of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. The NLRB conducts hundreds of workplace elections and investigates thousands of unfair labor practice charges each year.