Shannon Meade

smeade@littler.com
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Shannon Meade is the executive director of Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute® (WPI®), the firm’s government relations and public policy arm. A highly seasoned government affairs professional, she advocates for the interests of employers to help define and shape workplace policy at the international, national and local levels.

Drawing on more than two decades working in senior roles on Capitol Hill and for prominent trade groups, Shannon develops strategic advocacy campaigns in partnership with clients to advance their legislative and regulatory priorities. Her deep policy experience, political acumen and vast relationships with government officials and industry associations allow her to build coalitions that protect and promote the collective interests of companies, trade associations, state chambers of commerce and business groups. Over the last several years, she has been at the forefront of major workplace policy debates and legislative victories, including efforts to defeat the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act at the national level and state-specific reforms such as the push to reform Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act.

In addition, Shannon helps clients navigate transformational workplace issues and developments that the law has yet to address but that employers are grappling with in real-time. She is actively engaged in advocacy efforts with key federal and state lawmakers related to such issues as artificial intelligence, automation, contingent workers and wage and hours laws. Shannon and WPI are also engaged in legislative efforts to address the skilled labor shortage in the U.S., including supporting legislation aimed at modernizing the nation’s workforce development and education system.

Prior to joining Littler, Shannon served as the vice president of public policy and legal advocacy for the National Restaurant Association, the leading business association for the restaurant and foodservice industry. She also served as the deputy director of the Restaurant Law Center, the legal arm of the Association, and worked extensively with the Association’s Educational Foundation on workforce development programs. Before that, Shannon was a senior policy advisor at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, chief of staff and legislative director for Congresswoman Kay Granger, and legislative counsel on the U.S. House Government Reform Committee.

* Not acting in the capacity of an attorney.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

Inflection Point: The Looming U.S. Demographic Crisis Demands Immigration Reform

  • October 23-25, 2024
  • Restaurant Law Center - 8th Annual Restaurant Legal Summit, San Juan, PR

Labor and Workforce Update

  • September 11, 2024
  • 2024 Kansas Congressional Fly-In, Washington, D.C.

Navigating Political Speech in the Workplace, Workforce Transformation, and Federal Labor and Employment Policy Update

  • August 11-13, 2024
  • National Association of State Chambers and Association of State Chambers Professionals Joint Conference, WV

What’s Happening at the U.S. Department of Labor?

  • August 6, 2024
  • 4th Annual Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference, Big Sky, MT

Navigating Political Speech in the Workplace

  • June 27, 2024
  • Seramount’s Multicultural Women’s National Conference

Affecting Legislative Change in the States: How Can Employers Engage and Make an Impact

  • May 10, 2024
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

View from Washington, DC: Federal Regulatory Update

  • October 4, 2023
  • American Hotel and Lodging Association, Owners Forum, Nashville, TN

State of Labor Relations in Hospitality

  • September 26, 2023
  • American Hotel and Lodging Association, Labor Relations Committee - Washington DC

Littler WPI Labor Day Report

  • September 12, 2023
  • Critical Labor Coalition - Washington, DC

ADA Website Shakedowns - What to Know Amid Stalled Regulations

  • August 28, 2023
  • National Association of State Chambers, Anchorage, AK

The American Workforce Transformation - Challenges and Opportunities

  • August 27, 2023
  • National Association of State Chambers, Anchorage, AK

The New Era of Divided Government: What are the implications for employers?

  • June 16, 2023
  • Littler Mid-Atlantic Regional Employer Conference, Washington D.C.

The New Era of Divided Government: What are the implications for employers?

  • May 11, 2023
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

WPI: The New Era of Divided Government: What are the Implications for Employers?

  • May 11, 2023
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Labor and Employment Policy Developments and Continuing Workforce Challenges

  • January 22, 2023
  • National Association of State Chambers, Boca Raton, FL

WPI Insider Briefing: What to Expect in Year Two of the Biden Administration (and in the States!)

  • May 5, 2022
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference

Hospitality Industry Roundtable

  • May 4, 2022
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.