Keith Sonderling Is Well Liked, Respected By Politicos On Both Sides Of Aisle. Returns To Major Role In Trump Administration.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Boca Raton native Keith Sonderling, who served in several positions under President Trump’s first administration, is set to return to government life — pending confirmation as Deputy Labor Secretary. Sonderling just wrapped a five-year term as an EEOC commissioner. He also served as acting commissioner of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour division.
President-Elect Donald Trump posted this to X: “I am pleased to announce that Keith Sonderling will serve as the next United States Deputy Secretary of Labor. Keith will work with our great Nominee for Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-Deremer, to put our Country and Workers FIRST. Keith previously served as the Vice-Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Acting Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor during my First Term. Keith graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida, and the Shepard School of Law at Nova Southeastern University.”
Keith Sonderling’s legal career started at the law firm Gunster in West Palm Beach. He was later appointed by former Florida Governor Rick Scott to serve as a Commissioner on the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. He is a respected South Floridian known for putting people in front of politics. Boca Raton native Mayor Scott Singer posted his euphoric reaction to X:
“Thrilled that my friend @KSonderlingEEOC has been named Deputy Secretary of Labor by President @realDonaldTrump! Proud that Keith is from Boca Raton and an honored Spanish River alum. Congratulations, Keith, and moreover to America who will benefit from your leadership at @USDOL!”
While Sonderling is in the midst of a media blackout pending confirmation, Bradford Kelly and Lorenzo Riboni — writing for Littler.com which analyzes politics from a legal perspective — note that Sonderling had huge support from the bi-partisan business community during Donald Trump’s first term. As Deputy Labor Secretary, Kelly and Riboni believe that Sonderling will focus on providing real-time guidance to employers trying to navigate a quickly changing labor market, will work on AI and CryptOcurrency issues as they affect business, will support “gig workers” and independent contractors, and promote voluntary compliance when appropriate.
“He was strongly supported by the business community and confirmed by the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support,” wrote Kelly and Riboni.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy strongly supports the Sonderling nomination, as reported on Law360. Sen. Cassidy is chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which runs point on the labor secretary nominee.
“Keith Sonderling has a great reputation and extensive experience in labor policy, running the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Wage and Hour Division. I look forward to meeting with him and the committee considering his nomination.”
Tim Walberg, a Representative from Michigan who chairs the House Committee on Education and Workforce, also praised the nomination in a statement to Law360.com: “His background and expertise make him uniquely qualified for this position.” h
Keith Sonderling is expected to be easily confirmed over the next several weeks. His father, Howard Sonderling, is one of the nation’s leading Gastroenterologists and practices in Boca Raton.
