NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 18, 2022) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Bruce Buchanan as special counsel in its Nashville office. Buchanan joins from Sebelist Buchanan Law PLLC, an immigration focused law firm that he founded. He has concentrated his practice on immigration law for 15 years and, prior to entering private practice, was a senior trial specialist for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for twenty years.
“With four decades of experience that includes litigating cases at the NLRB, advising employers on their most complex immigration issues, and running a successful private practice, Bruce is a sought after counselor by local and national companies,” said Bradley Strawn, Littler’s regional office managing shareholder for the Nashville office. “His insider perspective on NLRB enforcement, extensive trial experience and in-depth knowledge of immigration law will be a significant asset to our clients.”
Buchanan counsels employers on immigration compliance issues and on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inspections and audits. He also has significant experience with matters related to employment-based visas, family-based petitions, naturalization, asylum, and U visas. Buchanan frequently handles I-9 compliance issues, including internal I-9 audits, investigations by the Immigrant Employee Rights (IER) Section on the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and E-Verify issues. Before focusing on immigration, Buchanan counseled clients on union-filed representation petitions, litigated cases before the NLRB, represented employers in collective bargaining, and counseled clients on wage and hour and Family and Medical Leave Act matters.
“As global migration continues to rise and immigration policy in the U.S. becomes increasingly complex, this is an ideal time to add an attorney of Bruce’s caliber to our practice,” said Jorge Lopez, chair of Littler’s Global Mobility and Immigration Practice Group. “Bruce is well equipped to provide the guidance that clients are seeking as it relates to expanding their workforces and bringing on top talent from across the globe.”
“Littler’s global reach and bench of lawyers across all facets of labor and employment law was a huge draw, and I’m looking forward to further enhancing the firm’s impressive immigration practice,” Buchanan said. “Further, the firm’s team and capabilities in Nashville will serve as a strong platform for my local clients.”
In addition to his legal practice, Buchanan regularly writes and speaks on immigration compliance issues for employers and has served as Adjunct Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Among his many publications, Buchanan co-authored the book, I-9 and E-Verify Handbook, and is the long-time editor of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law newsletter. He is a member of the Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Buchanan is also active in local community initiatives, including serving on the Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee and for Be About Change, a nonprofit corporation focused on providing higher education scholarships to students from low-income households.
Buchanan received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law and his B.S. from Florida State University. He is admitted to practice in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Arkansas.
About Littler
With more than 1,600 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.
