Michael M. Oswalt Named Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law

Michael M. Oswalt has been named an assistant professor of law at Northern Illinois University College of Law, where he will teach in the areas of labor and employment law, beginning this semester.   

Oswalt was most recently a law fellow for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Washington, D.C., where he provided legal counsel to a variety of low wage worker organizing campaigns.    

Prior to joining SEIU, Oswalt clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who was then a judge on the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Michael brings a unique and diverse array of experiences with him to the College of Law,” said NIU Law Dean Jennifer Rosato.  “His record of devotion to public service is a great fit for the mission and philosophy of NIU Law and I look forward to the wonderful contributions he will make to the development of our students,” she added.

Oswalt’s scholarly research focuses on the relationship between law and activism, particularly how legal and other regimes transform the possibilities for engagement in civic and institutional areas, including the workplace. His current project considers the impact of workplace culture on the frequency of National Labor Relations Board representation elections.

“I was immediately attracted to NIU Law,” Professor Oswalt said, because of the warmth I felt in every encounter I had with a member of the community.  The school’s commitment to service and to building on a track record of results in the public interest sealed my excitement.”

He hopes to convey that enthusiasm in the classroom while helping students to think intentionally about finding the right fit for their legal passions as they carry NIU’s inclusive and welcoming culture far beyond campus throughout their careers.

Oswalt lectures on labor and employment law and his written work has appeared in numerous publications, including the Duke Law Journal, the Minnesota Law Review (with Catherine Fisk), and the Journal of Catholic Studies. His most recent piece on the labor movement, Labor’s New Strike-First Strategy, appeared as an op-ed piece in The Chicago Sun-Times.  

Oswalt received a J.D. and a Masters of Theological Studies (2008) from Duke University and a B.A. in Psychology (2000) from Haverford College.  

As the only public law school in Northern Illinois, NIU College of Law has been named a top law school nationally for diversity, value, and careers in public interest/government service. NIU Law provides unique opportunities for its students, beginning with its highly accomplished faculty who are personally invested in the success of every student throughout their professional lives. Although many alumni serve as public interest attorneys, prosecutors, defenders, elected officials, and judges, they are equally prepared for careers as solo practitioners or lawyers in multinational firms.

For more information on Michael Oswalt, see www.niu.edu/law/faculty. For background on NIU College of Law, see www.niu.edu/law.