Overview

Nate Kowalski is the immediate past chair of the firm’s Public Entity Labor and Employment Practice Group. He is an accomplished litigator who represents employers in both the private and public sectors. Mr. Kowalski has litigated hundreds of sensitive and complex labor and employment cases in state and federal courts and has achieved remarkable results for his clients in hearings, arbitrations, trials, and appeals.

For the last 14 years, Mr. Kowalski also represents private and public sector employers in wage and hour litigation, including class actions. He has developed a unique expertise concerning the application of California's wage and hour laws to public agencies. He was the lead counsel in a groundbreaking appellate case, Johnson v. Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (2009) 174 Cal. App. 4th 729, which established that California's overtime and meal period requirements do not apply to the public sector. He also co-authored chapters on (1) wage and hour law for California Public Sector Employment Law and (2) PERB procedure for California Public Sector Labor Relations.

Honors & Recognitions

In 2016, the national publication Law360 profiled Mr. Kowalski, acknowledging his success in building his practice while maintaining close relationships with and quality service to his existing clients. The article, “Rainmaker Q&A: Atkinson Andelson's Nate Kowalski,” highlights Mr. Kowalski’s perseverance and thoughtfulness, as well as AALRR’s unique strengths.

In 2011 and 2013, the Daily Journal named Mr. Kowalski to its list of the Top 75 labor and employment lawyers in California, highlighting cases he handled on behalf of Ralph's Grocery Company (defense verdict in disability discrimination arbitration), the San Diego Superior Court (denial of writ of mandate after union challenged layoffs imposed by the Court), and the Los Angeles Superior Court (summary judgment in a sex discrimination case brought by three Court employees).

Also in 2011 and 2013, the Daily Journal named Mr. Kowalski to its list of the top municipal lawyers in California, spotlighting his representation of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (summary judgment in employment retaliation lawsuit), the City of San Bernardino (concerning wage reductions imposed by the City), and the City of Long Beach (concerning furloughs imposed by the City).

For the last 11 years, Mr. Kowalski has been selected to the Southern California Super Lawyers list. This list honors lawyers who have attracted a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Chambers USA has also named Mr. Kowalski to its list of the top labor and employment lawyers in California. Citing client feedback, Mr. Kowalski was described in the Chambers guide as “adept, forthright, and analytical.”

Education

J.D., University of Michigan Law School
B.A., University of Michigan

Admissions

  • 1995, California
    U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
    U.S. District Courts, Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California
Back to Page

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.

Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage. We access and process information from these cookies at an aggregate level.