Meet Our Team

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.