NLRB Appoints Sylvester Giustino as Director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs

January 20, 2026 The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announces the appointment of Sylvester Giustino as Director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs. Giustino brings more than two decades of leadership in public affairs, government relations, and stakeholder engagement across federal, state, local, and tribal governments. As Director, Giustino will oversee strategic communications that inform workers, employers, unions, and the public about the NLRB’s mission and work, lead media relations and proactive outreach, and collaborate with Agency leadership to ensure timely and accessible public information. He will also strengthen partnerships with external stakeholders and sister agencies to broaden public understanding of the National Labor Relations Act and the Board’s processes. General Counsel Crystal Carey stated, “Sylvester comes to us with a wealth of knowledge including 20+ years of experience advising senior government officials, developing legislative and regulatory strategy, congressional engagement and media communications. I am confident that he will be an asset to the Agency as we move forward.” Giustino most recently served as Director of Intergovernmental Relations in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs, advising Department agencies on state, local, and tribal issues, leading policy development, and serving as the Department’s senior official for consultation with all 574 federally recognized Tribal governments. Previously, he founded Forza 151 Strategies, a government relations consulting group. As President and CEO, he advised clients on federal appropriations, regulatory strategy, and public affairs. He has also worked in government affairs positions for several major trade associations. During the first Trump administration, Giustino was Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison at the U.S. Department of Labor, where he directed stakeholder engagement during the COVID‑19 response and modernized processes to improve constituent access to timely guidance. A native of the Bronx, NY and New Jersey, Giustino holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Rutgers University–New Brunswick.

General Counsel Announces Senior Staff for Office of the General Counsel

January 20, 2026 On January 14th, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Crystal Carey announced two new staff members for her office. Lynisa B. Michalski was named Acting Deputy General Counsel. Ms. Michalski began her career with the National Labor Relations Board as an attorney in the Office of Appeals. During her tenure, she has been detailed to the Regional Offices and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia. In 2013, Ms. Michalski was promoted to Supervisory Attorney. She most recently served as the Deputy Director in the Office of Appeals. Prior to joining the NLRB, Ms. Michalski clerked for The Honorable Charles B. Day in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. She earned her B.A. from Boston University, and her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. “I worked with Lynisa during my time in the Office of Appeals, and I am thrilled that she has rejoined the Agency in this role. She returns with over two decades of service to the Agency, including significant experience in ensuring cases are processed in a timely and efficient manner, driving the initiatives of the General Counsel’s Office and a unique perspective on what has, and has not, worked in prior Administrations. I look forward to working with her and implementing improved efficiencies and priorities,” said General Counsel Carey. Laural Wagner will continue to serve as Acting Associate to the General Counsel. Ms. Wagner began her career with the NLRB as a Co-op Field Examiner in the Cleveland, Ohio Regional office in 2009 and converted to a Field Examiner in 2010. In 2020, she was appointed Deputy to the Assistant General Counsel in the Division of Operations-Management. Since February 2025, Ms. Wagner has served in the Role of Acting Associate to the General Counsel. Ms. Wagner earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Master of Labor Relations and Human Resources from Cleveland State University. “Laural brings a wealth of expertise gained through her experience in the Field, Operations, and the Office of the General Counsel – her institutional knowledge is unparalleled,” said General Counsel Carey. The dedication and expertise brought by these distinguished and experienced individuals underscores the NLRB's commitment to upholding its mission. As the NLRB evolves to meet new challenges; the combined experience of Ms. Michalski and Ms. Wagner will be instrumental in driving forward initiatives that enhance the agency's effectiveness and responsiveness.

William B. Cowen Named Acting Associate General Counsel for the Division of Operations‑Management

Last Wednesday, January 14th NLRB General Counsel Crystal S. Carey announced the appointment of William B. Cowen as Acting Associate General Counsel for the Division of Operations‑Management and the appointment of Stephanie Cahn as Acting Deputy Associate General Counsel for the Division. In these roles, Mr. Cowen and Ms. Cahn will oversee the Agency’s 26 Regional Offices and support the nationwide enforcement and administration of the National Labor Relations Act. Mr. Cowen most recently served as the Acting General Counsel pursuant to an appointment by President Donald J. Trump in February 2025. He began his NLRB career in 1979 and held a variety of positions at both Headquarters and in the field before entering private practice in 1985. He was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a Board Member from January 22 to November 22, 2002, and later served as Executive Assistant (Chief of Staff) to Chairman Robert J. Battista. From 2006 to 2016, he served as the Board’s Solicitor. Prior to his appointment as Acting General Counsel, Mr. Cowen served as Regional Director of Region 21 (Los Angeles) beginning in 2016. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Case Western Reserve University, a Master of Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary, and a J.D. from the Cleveland‑Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. “I am grateful to Bill for his work as Acting General Counsel,” said General Counsel Carey. “His extensive experience—as Acting GC, Regional Director, and in many other roles throughout the Agency—makes him exceptionally well‑suited to lead Operations as we address the backlog of cases in the Regional Offices.” Ms. Cahn joined the Agency in 1997 and has spent most of her career in Region 21 (Downtown Los Angeles). She began as a Field Attorney, was promoted to Supervisory Field Attorney in 2013, and became Regional Attorney in 2024. In February 2025, she began serving as Acting Deputy General Counsel. Ms. Cahn holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine, and a J.D. from the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. “Stephanie excelled as Acting Deputy General Counsel, and I am pleased that she will support Operations as we move forward,” said General Counsel Carey.