As co-chair of Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), Michael Lotito strategically advises clients and policy makers on what labor and employment law might become, not just what it is today. He provides counsel in all aspects of traditional labor relations, including matters arising under the National Labor Relations Act.
A nationally recognized thought leader on workplace policy, Michael has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In his WPI role, he advocates on behalf of the employer community on a variety of issues, regularly files amicus briefs on vital workplace policy concerns and has led the management community in opposition to the federal persuader rule, which would destroy confidentiality between lawyers and their clients.
Through the Emma Coalition, a project Michael co-founded and named in honor of his granddaughter, he is at the vanguard in preparing American business and the American workforce for the future of work. As technology, especially robotics and artificial intelligence, creates not only unprecedented displacement but also unprecedented opportunities, the Emma Coalition, in cooperation with government and corporate entities, examines what skills the American workforce will need down the road and makes sure America and its people will remain competitive in the years to come. As part of this work, Michael has coauthored a widely read reportsummarizing what the future workforce can expect and how America can prepare.
Michael represents leading global companies on strategic issues impacting their workplaces, including the intersection of U.S. and international labor standards. He speaks throughout the world to management groups, sharing his passion for the development and implementation of workplace regulations that balance the legitimate needs of businesses, their workforce and society at large.
He is labor counsel to the International Franchise Association, the National Association of Manufactures’ legal compliance program, the Job Creators Network and a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's labor and employment law litigation committee.
Human Resource Executive magazine has inducted Michael into its Hall of Fame of the Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys. The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers has elected him a fellow. Awarded an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, Michael is frequently quoted by the media, including Bloomberg BNA, Law360, Forbes, Politico, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fox Business Network and The Hill, among others. He maintains a significant social media presence and can be followed on LinkedIn and Twitter.
The Villanova University Graduate School of Human Resources named him HR Alumnus of the 20th Century.