Ilyse Schuman Joins Littler Mendelson’s Washington, D.C. Office

Nation's Largest Employment Law Firm Names Distinguished Former Senate Committee Member as Shareholder

WASHINGTON -- Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Littler), the nation's largest employment and labor law firm representing management, today announced the addition of Ilyse Schuman as a shareholder to its growing Washington, D.C. practice.

Schuman will lead Littler's government affairs practice, providing the Firm's clients with substantive knowledge and strategic counsel on legislative and regulatory developments impacting employers. Harnessing Littler's expertise in employment and labor law and Schuman's previous experience on Capitol Hill, the Firm's government affairs practice is uniquely positioned to represent clients on a broad array of employment and labor policy issues before Congress and the Executive Branch.

"Ilyse brings to Littler a deep understanding of employment and labor policy as well as the legislative process," said Nancy Delogu, office managing shareholder of the Firm's Washington, D.C., office. "Her expertise in these areas will greatly enhance our ability to serve our clients and help them navigate the myriad of issues facing employers today."

Schuman, a former top congressional staffer and policy advisor, worked on the United States (U.S.) Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) from 2001 to 2008. She began her work in the Senate as Chief Labor Counsel for Senator Mike Enzi on the Subcommittee on Employment, Safety and Training where she led legislative and oversight activities on issues pertaining to employment discrimination, workplace safety, labor relations and wage and hour issues. She later served as Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the HELP Committee. Schuman was pivotal in the development of key legislative initiatives in the areas of labor, employment, pensions and health care, including the Pension Protection Act, the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act, the Workforce Investment Act, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act and health care reform.

Schuman was also instrumental in the recent passage of the groundbreaking Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which is designed to protect Americans against employment and health insurance discrimination based on a genetic predisposition. When referencing Schuman's role in the passage of this long-debated measure, Senator Mike Enzi, a Ranking Member of the Committee, commented, "I should have known that if it were possible to get the job done, Ilyse would have been part of it. She has a history of excellence and making the impossible possible."

After leaving the Senate, Schuman joined the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, where she held the position of Vice President and Managing Director of the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance. Additionally, Schuman served as in-house counsel at Navistar International Corporation where she advised the company on human resource matters.

"We are fortunate Ilyse has joined the Littler team," said Marko Mrkonich, president and managing director of the Firm. "Her reputation as a champion of major legislative issues and experience shaping employment and labor policy in Washington is a tremendous resource for the Firm."

"I'm extremely honored to be joining the most esteemed labor and employment law firm in the country," said Schuman. "It is a privilege to be working alongside a team of attorneys who share my passion for the same issues. I look forward to working with them to help employers address the challenges and opportunities presented by some of the most important and complex public policy issues impacting the workplace today and in years to come."

Schuman earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and her B.A. in Political Science from Tufts University in Massachusetts. She was named a John C. Stennis Congressional Staff Fellow of the 109th Congress.

About Littler Mendelson

With more than 750 attorneys and 49 offices, Littler Mendelson is the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. As the only U.S. member of the Ius Laboris global alliance, Littler has extensive resources to address the needs of multi-national clients, from navigating international employment laws and labor relations issues to applying corporate policies worldwide. Established in 1942, the firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record. For more information, visit littler.com.