Nate Kowalski is an accomplished litigator who represents employers in both the private and public sectors.  Mr. Kowalski has litigated dozens of labor and employment cases in state and federal court and has achieved remarkable results for clients in hearings, arbitrations, trials and appeals.  Among his victories is a case in which the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of his client.

From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Kowalski was named a "Southern California Rising Star" by Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazine. This recognition honors exceptional Southern California attorneys under the age of 40. In 2009, Chambers USA named Mr. Kowalski to its list of the top labor and employment lawyers in California. Chambers noted that Mr. Kowalski “has a broad skill set that includes labor negotiations, wage and hour and discrimination work." Citing client feedback, Mr. Kowalski was described as “adept, forthright and analytical.”

Mr. Kowalski's representation of employers encompasses a wide array of issues, including defamation, trade secrets, unfair competition, privacy and leaves of absence.  He has also successfully defended employers against discrimination and harassment claims based on gender, race, religion, age, and disability.

In addition, Mr. Kowalski represents private and public sector employers in wage and hour litigation, including class actions. He has developed a unique expertise concerning the application of California's wage and hour laws to public agencies. In 2009, he was the lead counsel in a groundbreaking appellate case, which established that California's overtime and meal period requirements do not apply to the public sector.

Mr. Kowalski also has extensive experience with traditional labor law matters.  He handles recognition and unfair practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board and the Public Employment Relations Board, and represents employers in labor arbitrations, collective bargaining and union elections.

Mr. Kowalski has published articles in the California Labor and Employment Review, California Public Employee Relations Journal and California Lawyer. In addition, Mr. Kowalski has given presentations to a number of industry and professional groups, including the National Human Resources Association, the National Employment Law Institute, the International Public Management Association and the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association. 

Mr. Kowalski earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan.  He was a trumpet performance major as an undergraduate and performed with various ensembles throughout college and law school.

• AALRR Attains Four Victories in Employment Cases for Ralphs Grocery and Kroger

• U. S. Supreme Court Upholds Employer Search Of City-Owned Devices Where Search Was Work-Related And Limited In Scope
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Issues Decision on Police Officer Donning & Doffing Case
• AALRR Wins Groundbreaking Case on the Application of California's Wage and Hour Laws to the Public Sector
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• Morrison vs. Housing Authority (2003) 107 Cal.App.4th 860 (public meetings of government bodies)
• Marquez vs. Screen Actors Guild (1998) 525 U.S. 33, 159 LRRM 2641 (union security provisions in collective bargaining agreements)
• Johnson v. Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (2009) 174 Cal. App. 4th 729 (District not subject to wage and law claims brought under California Labor Code and Wage Orders)
• More...