From Acting Secretary to Confirmed Labor Secretary: What's Next for Keith Sonderling? 

In our May post, "DOL Leadership Changes: What's Next?", we noted that Keith Sonderling had stepped into the role of acting secretary following Lori Chavez-DeRemer's departure and that it remained to be seen whether he would be confirmed to lead the Department of Labor permanently.

That question has now been answered.

On September 30, the Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as U.S. Secretary of Labor by a 47-41 vote after several months serving as acting secretary.

Sonderling brings a deep background in labor and employment law, having previously served as a commissioner at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and as a leader within the DOL's Wage and Hour Division. He was confirmed as deputy secretary in March 2025 and nominated for the top role by President Donald Trump in June 2026.

Notably, Sonderling became a leading global voice on artificial intelligence in the workplace during his tenure at the EEOC, publishing extensively and speaking around the world about AI's impact on the future of work. He has frequently focused on both the opportunities and risks associated with AI-driven employment decisions, making his perspective particularly relevant as employers and federal contractors increasingly adopt AI tools in recruiting, hiring, and workforce management.

His confirmation comes as employers continue to monitor potential changes to independent contractor classification, wage and hour enforcement, joint employment standards, and other workplace regulations. For federal contractors, it will also be important to see how his leadership impacts the future of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

While the leadership question has been resolved, employers, contractors, and other stakeholders will be watching closely to see how Secretary Sonderling shapes the department's enforcement and regulatory priorities in the months ahead.