Eugene Scalia

Eugene Scalia is an American attorney who served as the 28th United States Secretary of Labor in the administration of President Donald Trump. The son of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, he built a prominent career in labor law and administrative law, representing corporate clients before assuming his cabinet role. Scalia's tenure was marked by efforts to roll back regulations and a focus on economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Early life and education

Eugene Scalia was born in Washington, D.C., the ninth child of Justice Antonin Scalia and his wife Maureen Scalia. He was raised in McLean, Virginia, and attended the University of Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School, where he served as an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review. His legal education was heavily influenced by the Chicago school of economics and the principles of textualism championed by his father.

Legal career

After law school, Scalia served as a law clerk for Judge Laurence H. Silberman of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He then joined the prominent law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where he became a partner specializing in labor and employment litigation. Scalia frequently represented major corporations like Walmart, UPS, and SeaWorld in high-profile cases, often challenging regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Labor Relations Board. From 2002 to 2003, he served as the Solicitor of the United States Department of Labor under Secretary Elaine Chao during the George W. Bush administration.

Tenure as U.S. Secretary of Labor

Nominated by President Donald Trump in July 2019, Scalia was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 53–44 vote and was sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas. As Secretary, he pursued a deregulatory agenda, finalizing rules to limit joint employer liability, expand access to association health plans, and streamline apprenticeship programs. His department faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing guidance on workplace safety and overseeing the distribution of unemployment insurance benefits. Scalia also played a key role in the implementation of the CARES Act and advocated for the rapid reopening of the American economy.

Post-government career

Following the end of the Trump administration, Scalia returned to private practice at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as a senior partner. He chairs the firm's administrative law and regulatory practice group, advising clients on complex regulatory matters and litigation. Scalia remains a sought-after speaker on labor policy and has written opinion pieces for publications like The Wall Street Journal, often critiquing the regulatory approaches of the subsequent Biden administration and its Department of Labor under Secretary Marty Walsh.

Personal life

Scalia is married to Patricia McCarthy, and the couple has seven children. He maintains a residence in McLean, Virginia, and is a practicing Catholic. An avid runner, he has completed several marathons. Scalia serves on the board of visitors for the University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and is involved with various charitable organizations, including the Archdiocese of Washington.

Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:United States Secretaries of Labor Category:American labor lawyers Category:University of Virginia alumni Category:University of Chicago Law School alumni