Sonderling began his legal career at the Gunster Law Firm in West Palm Beach,Florida. At Gunster,he practiced Labor and Employment law throughout his tenure at the firm and was elevated to Shareholder in 2015. In 2012,Florida GovernorRick Scott appointed Sonderling to serve as a Commissioner on the 4th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission.[7] The Judicial Nominating Commission selects nominees to fill judicial vacancies within the Florida court system. In 2016,his fellow Commissioners elected him Chair.[8]
As Deputy Administrator,Sonderling oversaw enforcement,outreach,regulatory work,strategic planning,performance management,communications,and stakeholder engagement. During his tenure,the Agency accomplished back-to-back record-breaking enforcement collections and educational outreach events.[12][13] Sonderling oversaw the development and publication of large-scale deregulatory rules,authored numerous Opinion Letters,[14] Field Assistance Bulletins,and All Agency Memorandums.[15]
While serving as Acting Administrator,Sonderling issued an Opinion Letter regarding the Department's first-ever legal analysis of the gig economy. Opinion Letter FLSA2019-6 addressed whether a service provider for a virtual marketplace company is an employee of the company or an independent contractor under the FLSA.[16] The letter responded to a request on behalf of a particular virtual marketplace company. It concluded that the workers who provide services to consumers through this specific company's virtual platform are independent contractors,not employees of the company.[17] Sonderling also issued proposed rules for marquee labor issues,such as updating the overtime threshold and joint employer standards under the FLSA.[18][19]
Sonderling was also instrumental in developing the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) the Agency's first comprehensive self-audit program.[20] PAID's primary objectives are to resolve claims expeditiously and without litigation,to improve employers’compliance with overtime and minimum wage obligations,and to ensure that more employees receive the back wages they are owed. The program recovered $7 million in wages to 11,000 workers.[21]
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)(2020-2024)
Keith E. Sonderling Sworn in as EEOC Commissioner and Vice Chair 9/2020
During his tenure at the EEOC,Commissioner Sonderling’s highest priority was ensuring that AI-informed employment technologies are designed and deployed in ways that comply with longstanding laws. Commissioner Sonderling published numerous articles and spoke globally on the benefits and potential harms of using artificial intelligence-based technology in the workplace.[25] Commissioner Sonderling has also focused his time on human capital management compliance,conducting proactive outreach to human resource leaders worldwide.[26]Sonderling left the Commission at the expiration of his term on August 30,2024. [27] In addition to his duties as Commissioner,Sonderling served as a Professorial Lecturer in Law (Adjunct Professor) at the George Washington University Law School teaching Employment Discrimination.[28]
As the United States Deputy Secretary of Labor,Sonderling is the second-highest ranking official and serves as the Department's Chief Operating Officer. The Deputy Secretary oversees key operational functions such as:strategic planning;budget formulation;financial management;information technology;and human resource management. Additionally,the Deputy Secretary provides the leadership and management of DOL’s agencies necessary to support the Secretary and the Department’s mission. In doing so,the Deputy Secretary utilizes performance management,program evaluation,and cross agency collaboration. The Deputy Secretary also oversees the administration of DOL’s adjudicatory boards.[32]
Institute of Museum and Library Services (2025–present)
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