The United States Senate, by a 55-44 vote, has confirmed President Obama’s appointment of Richard F. Griffin Jr. to serve as the National Labor Relations Board’s General Counsel. Griffin will replace Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon who has served in this role since June 2010. The confirmation vote took place on October 29.
Griffin is no stranger to the Board. In January 2012, President Obama selected Griffin as a Board member by recess appointment. Subsequently, the President withdrew Griffin’s nomination to the Board for a full term in the face of staunch Republican-based opposition. Griffin’s recess appointment (and those of other former Board members) nevertheless was challenged and subsequently was invalidated by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Supreme Court has agreed to review that decision. Argument is expected to heard this Fall.