Laura Ewan has been appointed as the Legislative Chief Counsel for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), effective January 1, 2026. The announcement was made by IAM International President Brian Bryant.
Ewan will be responsible for supporting the legislative and political activities of the IAM’s Legislative Department and its political action committee, MNPL. “Laura Ewan is a relentless advocate for IAM members and a highly effective labor lawyer,” said Bryant. “Her leadership strengthens our Political and Legislative Department, which sets the standard for how unions win legislative fights, protect workers’ rights, and build lasting political power for working families.”
Ewan began her legal career at a major union-side law firm in the Pacific Northwest, where she eventually became a partner. She joined the IAM Legal Department in 2019 as Associate General Counsel. Her experience includes representing both public- and private-sector unions and individual workers in litigation, arbitration, and class action wage-and-hour cases. Much of her work has focused on protecting labor standards in Washington state.
IAM National Political and Legislative Director Hasan Solomon commented on Ewan’s appointment: “Laura has a deep passion for the IAM and a clear understanding of how the law can be used to expand and defend our members’ power. Her legal insight, attention to detail, and experience working alongside our legislative and MNPL teams make her an invaluable asset to our political and legislative work.”
While at IAM, Ewan has provided legal counsel throughout the organization. She has contributed by drafting legislation, testifying before government committees on bills sponsored by IAM, submitting legal briefs to safeguard members’ rights, and ensuring that MNPL complies with campaign finance laws.
Ewan holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of College and University Law. She also earned both a master’s degree in Spanish Literature—where she taught as an adjunct professor—and a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Florida State University.
