Littler Bolsters Labor Practice Group with the Return of Barbara Russell as a Shareholder in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (November 3, 2025) – Littler, the world’s largest labor and employment law practice representing management, today announced the return of Barbara Russell as a shareholder in its San Francisco office. She joins Littler’s premier Labor Practice Group as the latest former in-house executive to bring firsthand corporate perspective to the firm’s growing labor practice. Russell most recently served as the global Director of Employee Relations at a leading global technology company and previously held senior in-house roles in the aviation and environmental services sectors, following her earlier tenure with Littler. 

“Barbara is a highly accomplished attorney, and we are thrilled to welcome her back to the firm,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “She brings a firsthand understanding of the internal dynamics employers face, particularly in today’s modern labor landscape, enhancing our ability to deliver legal solutions that are strategic and actionable in an increasingly complex workplace environment.”

A seasoned labor relations practitioner, Russell has provided legal advice on more than 100 representation campaigns, first chaired negotiations for both single-employer and multi-employer groups and has extensive experience managing unfair labor practice charges. She has handled matters arising under both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act. Her labor relations experience also extends globally, advising employers on compliance and strategy across international regulatory environments.

“Barbara is skilled in deploying cutting-edge labor management strategies and advising global employers on their most high stakes labor relations issues,” said Littler Labor Practice Group co-chairs Jonathan Levine, Tanja Thompson and Brooke Niedecken, in a joint statement. “As the modern workforce continues to evolve, employers need attorneys of Barbara’s caliber to guide them through novel and complex labor matters. We’re excited to add her to our growing bench of labor talent.”

Russell has worked across industries including technology, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, and start-up operations, developing innovative engagement and experience initiatives, policies and procedures, global investigation frameworks, and other labor and employment law strategies.

“Barbara serves as both a trusted legal and business advisor, with deep experience advising employers through highly sophisticated transformation initiatives,” said Heather Vigil, office managing shareholder of Littler’s San Francisco office. “As we continue to grow our presence in California and beyond, adding accomplished attorneys like Barbara underscores our commitment to providing strategic, local counsel with national reach.”

“My time serving as in-house counsel has given me a unique perspective on the challenges our clients face every day and has strengthened my passion for helping organizations foster engagement and trust across diverse and global workforces,” said Russell. “I’m excited to come back to Littler and collaborate with both new and familiar colleagues to help clients navigate the ever-evolving workplace landscape with innovative insight and a focus on effective communication and engagement.”

Russell earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and her B.A. from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

About Littler 

With more than 1,800 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.