According to multiple sources, on November 13, 2017, Craig E. Leen, was appointed the new Director of the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”). Mr. Leen has been the City Attorney for Coral Gables, Florida since 2011. He has also served as an adjunct professor of law for universities in Florida. If the published reports are correct, Mr. Leen will replace Thomas M. Dowd, who has been serving as OFCCP Acting Director since November 7, 2016.
There is little in Mr. Leen’s background to gauge how his appointment will impact OFCCP. Based on publicly available information, it is unclear whether Mr. Leen has much, if any, experience with matters falling within the OFCCP’s jurisdiction. From published reports, it appears Mr. Leen’s appointment may be due in part to his relationship with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. According to the Miami Herald, Secretary Acosta called Mr. Leen several months ago and asked him to come and work with him in Washington, DC. Although we do not know how Secretary Acosta and Mr. Leen know each other, Mr. Leen taught as an adjunct professor at Florida International University College of Law when Secretary Acosta was the Dean.
For nearly 10 months, government contractors have been waiting to see what changes might come to OFCCP as a result of President’s Trump election. With the appointment of Mr. Leen, the new(ish) Administration will have a new Director to guide OFCCP and presumably institute changes reflecting the Trump Administration’s priorities for the Office.