Updated to reflect that Sonderling was nominated to serve in a permanent capacity as of June 29.
Gunster, one of Florida's oldest and largest full-service business law firms, is proud to announce that Keith Sonderling was nominated to serve as Secretary of Labor—assuming leadership of the entire United States Department of Labor (DOL).
Sonderling has served in the role in an acting capacity since April and will assume the position permanently upon confirmation by the U.S. Senate. In 2025, he received Senate confirmation to serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor, having previously served as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since 2020. Before entering public service, Sonderling spent nearly a decade practicing Labor & Employment law at Gunster.
"Keith's journey from our practice to the highest levels of the Department of Labor is a source of tremendous pride for all of us at Gunster," said Joe Santoro, a member of Gunster's board of directors as well as a founding member and past chair of the firm's Labor & Employment practice. "This designation reflects the tremendous confidence placed in Keith's leadership and his deep expertise in labor and employment policy—a responsibility of enormous significance, and one for which he is exceptionally well prepared."
As secretary, Sonderling will be responsible for overseeing the full scope of the DOL's mission, including the development and enforcement of federal labor and employment laws, workforce development initiatives, and the policies that shape the future of the American worker.
In 2025, several Gunster colleagues attended Sonderling's Senate Confirmation Hearing when he became Deputy Secretary of Labor.
