Littler’s Donald Dowling and Nathan Oleson Elected as College of Labor & Employment Lawyers Fellows

(July 8, 2025) – Donald C. Dowling and Nathan J. Oleson, shareholders at Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, have been elected as fellows of the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (the College) as part of its 2025 class. Dowling and Oleson will be formally inducted during the College’s annual installation ceremony, held in conjunction with the American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Conference in Denver on November 15, 2025.

“We are incredibly proud to have Don and Nate selected for this distinction and to welcome them into the group of Littler attorneys who serve as fellows of the College,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “This prestigious honor reflects not only their sustained excellence and leadership in the field, but also their unwavering commitment to integrity, professionalism and advancing the practice of labor and employment law. Their recognition is a testament to the caliber of talent and dedication we are fortunate to have at our firm.”

The College is a nonprofit professional association that honors the nation’s leading attorneys in the field of labor and employment law. Originally established to recognize excellence in the profession, the College has evolved into a respected intellectual and practical resource for the legal community and its many audiences. Its mission centers on recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the field, fostering the exchange of knowledge and delivering value to academia, government, the judiciary and the broader public. Election as a fellow represents the highest level of peer acknowledgment, reflecting sustained achievement, integrity and a commitment to advancing the profession.

Dowling is widely recognized as a pioneer in outbound international employment law, having played a central role in developing this now-critical area of practice. He advises U.S.-based multinational companies on cross-border employment compliance, global HR policies and international workforce strategies. Dowling has authored numerous scholarly articles and treatises, and his thought leadership has helped shape how global employers approach labor and employment issues across jurisdictions. Through his writing, speaking and client work, he has significantly advanced the understanding and practice of international labor and employment law. Dowling earned his J.D. from University of Florida College of Law and his A.B. from the University of Chicago.

Oleson is a nationally respected labor and employment litigator with extensive experience representing employers in complex workplace matters, including wage and hour disputes, discrimination claims, and class and collective actions. He has also successfully advised sports associations, professional clubs and universities in high-profile disputes with athletes and officials related to compensation, discipline, and health and safety issues. Oleson has served as counsel in precedent-setting wage and hour and sports law cases, and has been a contributing author to the American Bar Association’s Section of Labor and Employment Law’s treatise on the Fair Labor Standards Act for more than two decades. Oleson earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A., cum laude, from American University.

About Littler 

With more than 1,800 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.