Renée L. Bowser was confirmed on June 22, 2021 as the Labor Member on the District of Columbia Public Employee Relations Board (PERB). With more than 34 years of legal experience, Member Bowser has exhibited knowledge and expertise in labor law.
In 1982, Member Bowser graduated Magna Cum Laude with a J.D. Degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She spent a year at University of Wisconsin Law School doing graduate work and earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) Degree in 1985. Member Bowser is a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar.
Member Bowser began her legal career in 1983 at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) working for the General Counsel in the Division of Advice. At NLRB, she researched and wrote legal memoranda on new and interstitial issues under the National Labor Relations Act. Prior to law school, she was a state anti-discrimination investigator in Pennsylvania.
In 1985, Member Bowser was hired by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union to serve in the International’s Legal Department. As Assistant General Counsel, Member Bowser practiced before NLRB, handling a vast variety of cases, including representation, unit determination, determination of mandatory bargaining, and unfair labor practice cases and practiced before the U. S. Courts of Appeals to enforce favorable Board decisions. She practiced before the federal district courts and U.S, Courts of Appeal, promoting workers’ constitutional and statutory rights under numerous federal laws that directly impact workers. Member Bowser practiced before federal and state administrative agencies and handled arbitration cases for UFCW locals.
Member Bowser’s career includes teaching courses at local law schools on Collective Bargaining and Arbitration (spring 1998) and Employment Discrimination Law (fall 1999). She also served as Commissioner and Vice Chair on the District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights between 1997 and 2002.
Member Bowser drafted papers analyzing federal laws for numerous union and bar association conferences, drafted workers’ rights pamphlets, and conducted worker trainings.
As a community member, Member Bowser served fourteen years as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. Among other community activities, she tutored unhoused children; works for deeply affordable housing and equitable development in DC; and works to halt displacement of communities of color and low-income communities.