Nate J. Kowalski

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.

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.”

Reported Cases:

• Schmidt v. Ventura Superior Court (2020) 44 Cal.App.5th 570 (defense verdict for Superior Court after six-week retaliation and sexual harassment bench trial, affirmed on appeal)
• SEIU Local 721 v. San Bernardino Superior Court (2014) 39 PERC ¶ 35 (Court properly refused to process decertification petition as it was filed outside of the “window period” set forth in the Court’s local rules)
• Sheppard v. North Orange County ROP (2010) 191 Cal. App. 4th 289 (application of California’s minimum wage to Joint Powers Authority)
• CHP v. Los Angeles Housing Authority (2010) 34 PERC ¶ 36 (Housing Authority satisfied its duty to engage in effects bargaining related to layoffs)
• Johnson v. Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (2009) 174 Cal. App. 4th 729 (Water District not subject to wage and law claims brought under California Labor Code and Wage Orders)
• AFSCME Local 1902 v. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California ("MWD") (2008) 32 PERC ¶ 65 (union waived its right to bargain over employer's decision to change job descriptions)
• AFSCME Local 1902 v. MWD (2007) 31 PERC ¶ 141 (unfair practice charges dismissed as untimely, equitable tolling rejected)
• Claremont POA v. City of Claremont (2006) 39 Cal. 4th 623 (the duty to bargain and the managerial prerogative doctrine) (counsel for amicus MWD)
• Riverside Sheriffs Association v. County of Riverside (2004) 29 PERC ¶ 21 (County did not engage in surface bargaining)
• Upland Police Officers Association v. City of Upland (2003) 111 Cal App. 4th 1294 (Police Department properly conducted disciplinary investigation)
• Morrison v. Housing Authority (2003) 107 Cal.App.4th 860 (public meetings of government bodies)
• AFT v. San Diego CCD (2001) 25 PERC ¶ 32099  (use of internal mail by employee organizations)
• Marquez v. Screen Actors Guild (1998) 525 U.S. 33, 159 LRRM 2641 (union security provisions in collective bargaining agreements)

Representative Matters:

• Obtained summary judgment for a superior court client in a whistle-blower and retaliation case, affirmed on appeal. 
• Obtained a defense verdict for a superior court client after a six week bench trial in a sexual harassment and retaliation case. 
• Obtained a defense verdict for a water district client after a three-week jury trial in religious discrimination and retaliation case.
• Defeated a writ of mandate in public employees’ lawsuit alleging improper layoffs, and won the subsequent appeal by unanimous decision.
• Defeated class certification of multimillion-dollar wage and hour claims asserted against transit agency client.
• Obtained summary judgment in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed against water district client.
• Induced a former public employee to dismiss his complaint and comply with a restraining order after an anti-SLAPP motion was filed against him.
• Obtained summary judgment of former public employee’s lawsuit alleging nine discrimination and retaliation causes of action.
• Won an appeal in which a class of city employees claimed the city violated their vested constitutional rights when the city changed the pension contribution rate for their retirement plan.
• Won a binding arbitration in a disability discrimination action against a Fortune 50 client.
• Obtained summary judgment for a Fortune 50 client in a whistleblower case. 
• Obtained summary judgment for a Fortune 50 client in a racial discrimination case and prevailed on appeal before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Representative Clients:

Judicial Council, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Coachella Valley Water District, United Water Conservation District, Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, Santa Ynez Community Services District, Novato Fire Protection District, Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange County Superior Court, San Bernardino County Superior Court, City of Glendale, City of Long Beach, City of Arcadia, City of Santa Ana, the Kroger Company, Ralph's Grocery Company, Storopack.

Practice Areas

Community & Professional

Mr. Kowalski volunteers at a number of community organizations, including Fullerton Pony & Little League Baseball; Cub Scouts; Irvine Novaquatics; and Servite High School Robotics. He is a member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association.