(December 20, 2024) – It is with profound sadness that Littler shares the passing of Michael J. Lotito. A shareholder at the firm, Michael was an integral part of Littler for more than a decade, serving on the firm’s Board of Directors and founding its preeminent Workplace Policy Institute® (WPI®).
“Michael’s vision, dedication and leadership have left an indelible mark on us all,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “He was not only a brilliant legal mind and strategist, but also a mentor, friend, and inspiration to many. His contributions to our firm and the legal community at large are immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed. Words fail to adequately express the overwhelming loss we all feel, and we extend our most heartfelt condolences to Michael’s family and loved ones.”
Michael was legendary in the Washington, D.C., political community. He was one of the firm’s foremost thought leaders on global workplace topics and workforce transformation issues. He fearlessly advocated for the interests of employers and was on the forefront of the ever-changing laws, regulations and policies impacting the workplace.
Throughout his career, Michael pushed boundaries while exemplifying the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. One of his greatest passions was the work he was doing through the Emma Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that he co-founded in 2018. Named after one of his granddaughters, Michael devoted significant attention to the Emma Coalition’s efforts to prepare American business and the American workforce for the jobs of the future given technological advances.
As co-chair of WPI, Littler’s government relations and public policy arm, Michael counseled C-suite executives and policy makers on the complex intersection of public policy, communications and the law. He testified before committees in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, as well as before the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Michael was widely recognized for his impactful work and regularly quoted and published in such media outlets as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, Chief Executive Magazine, Law360, Fox Business, National Law Journal, CNBC, The Hill and Politico. He was inducted into Human Resource Executive magazine’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys Hall of Fame, and Villanova University Graduate School of Human Resources named him HR Alumnus of the 20th Century.
About Littler
With more than 1,800 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.
