The Board of Directors of the Congressional Office of Compliance (OOC) is pleased to announce the appointment of John D. Uelmen as General Counsel effective December 14, 2015.

Mr. Uelmen, who has been acting in the role since the former General Counsel Amy Dunning’s retirement in late October 2015, previously served as Deputy General Counsel and has more than seven years of experience with the Office of Compliance.

As General Counsel, Mr. Uelmen will supervise a staff of attorneys and safety and health inspectors who administer labor-management, safety and health and public access programs for the legislative branch employees throughout the Capitol Hill complex and district offices. At least once each Congress, the OOC team will inspect buildings on Capitol Hill and work with the Architect of the Capitol to ensure safety and public access. “John’s knowledge of safety and health laws, and the requirements for access to public services and accommodations for individuals with disabilities is invaluable,” said Board Chair Barbara L. Camens. “John’s keen legal acumen and sound judgment have been essential in developing our agency’s current partnerships with Congress and the legislative branch agencies to ensure compliance with the Congressional Accountability Act.”

For twenty years, prior to joining the Office of Compliance, Mr. Uelmen prosecuted labor and employment cases before administrative tribunals, trial courts, and courts of appeal as the principal attorney of the Fair Employment Legal Services based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Uelmen received his bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Uelmen said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with the talented lawyers, inspectors and other professionals of the Office of Compliance. I look forward to sustaining the OOC’s efforts at promoting safety and successful labor-management relations throughout the legislative branch.”