President Trump Has Appointed A New NLRB Acting General Counsel
William Cowan has been at the National Labor Relations Board for nearly 46 years.
By Peter List, Editor | February 3, 2025
Following the termination of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo last week and the subsequent termination of Acting General Counsel Jessica Rutter over the weekend, President Trump appointed NLRB Regional Director William Cowen as the new Acting General Counsel on Monday.
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.
While the appointment will help the agency investigate and prosecute unfair labor practice complaints at the national level, with the termination of NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, until President Trump nominates a replacement Board member and the Senate confirms the individual, the NLRB lacks a quorum to issue new decisions.