Douglas P. Seaton
Doug Seaton, a long-time Minnesota labor and employment law attorney, decided the time had come to establish a public-policy law firm and founded the Upper Midwest Law Center in 2019. Having observed decades of left-wing special interest domination of government and a stranglehold in Minnesota and the region by public-sector unions, Doug came to the conclusion that the best path forward to protect individuals, businesses and organizations whose rights have been trampled on was through legal action. Although Doug had been fighting for these rights for years in private practice, he believed that only a center-right public-policy law firm dedicated to changing laws and policies could have a meaningful impact on Minnesota’s policy and cultural landscape.
Doug Seaton, the Founder and President of the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC), has dedicated his extensive legal career to defending the rights of individuals, businesses, and citizens compromised by government overreach, union abuses, and special interest groups. Prior to founding UMLC, Doug concentrated his practice on employer-side labor law, offering professional guidance on collective bargaining, litigation avoidance, and legal compliance. His work involved representing employers in cases involving labor law, federal preemption, constitutional challenges, and proceedings before state and federal agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, and the U.S. Department of Labor, and actions and appeals in the federal and state courts. He also represented employees against unions.
With a career spanning decades, Doug has represented clients in nearly 200 employment, labor-related, and constitutional cases. His significant victories include overturning an executive order in Swanson et al. v. Dayton et al., nullifying a Minnesota statute in ABC v. Ventura (Carlson), and winning several major construction bid challenges and labor policy cases. His experience in non-compete defense, employment contract violations, and employee protection cases has been instrumental in shaping key labor law precedents in Minnesota and beyond.
In addition to his legal practice, Doug has been a frequent speaker at national and Minnesota trade associations and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) conferences. He had long-standing commitments to the Minnesota Employment Law Institute, the Minnesota Associated Builders and Contractors, and the National Associated Builders and Contractors Attorneys’ Conference, among others, and has spoken at public interest law programs, as well. Doug’s dedication to advancing liberty and upholding constitutional rights is the driving force behind UMLC’s work, making him a leading advocate in the fight against government and union abuses in the Upper Midwest.
Legal Team
Douglas P. Seaton
Founder & President of UMLC
James V.F. Dickey
Senior Trial Counsel
Austin Lysy
Trial & Appellate Counsel
Alexandra Howell
Trial & Appellate Counsel
Board Members
Douglas P. Seaton
Founder & President of UMLC
Robin Kelleher
John Hinderaker
Ron Eibensteiner
Staff
Advisory Legal Panel