NELA’s mission is to empower workers’ rights attorneys through legal training, promoting a fair judiciary, and advocating for laws and policies that level the playing field for workers. Alongside our members, Affiliates, and partners, we are effecting positive change in the lives of working people across the nation.
NELA
Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys
2024 Impact Report
Amicus Curiae
A Powerful Voice in the Courts
Upholding our mission to advocate for workers and support the attorneys who represent them, NELA consistently files amicus curiae briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Courts of Appeals. These briefs focus on pivotal cases involving employment and civil rights issues, ensuring that the interests and perspectives of workers are effectively represented in significant legal decisions. Through partnerships with our Affiliates and coalition partners, NELA participated as amicus curiae in cases involving disability rights, discrimination, fair labor standards,
and summary judgment.
Ames v. Department of Ohio Youth Services
U.S. Supreme Court
Stanley v. City of Sanford, Florida
U.S. Supreme Court
Harrington, et al. v. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
Ninth Circuit
Kenneth Moses v. United States Steel Corp.
Third Circuit
(Filed with Western Pennsylvania Employment Lawyers)
CLE and Member Services
Strengthening the Plaintiffs’ Bar
NELA remains steadfast in our commitment to deliver top-tier legal training, ensuring members have the resources and knowledge to excel as advocates for their clients. In 2024, NELA hosted three signature CLE events and several virtual programs of interest
to plaintiffs’ employment lawyers.
Representing Public and Federal Employees
Denver, CO
Forging the Future of Workers’ Rights
NELA 2024 Annual Convention
Philadelphia, PA
2024 Trial Boot Camp
Austin, TX
Understanding and Using the EEOC’s New Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) Regulation (Webinar)
In partnership with the Center for WorkLife Law, and the ACLU
Effective Storytelling for Workers’ Rights Advocates (Webinar)
Beginner’s Guide to Using AI in Your Law Practice (Webinar)
In total, NELA provided training for more than
1,000 workers’ rights advocates this year.
Building connections among fellow workers’ rights advocates is essential for fostering a more robust community. Led by member volunteers, our Practice and Interest Groups are designed to enhance expertise, support career advancement, and create stronger advocates for workers. In 2024 NELA reintroduced the LGBTQIA+ Rights Practice Group and formed the New Practitioners Interest Group for members who have been in practice or have been practicing plaintiffs’ employment law
for fewer than five years.
Advocacy
Ensuring Workers' Rights on Capitol Hill
In 2024, NELA made significant gains in our campaign to eliminate damage caps in employment discrimination cases. On May 8, in a milestone for workers’ rights, Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the Equal Remedies Act of 2024. The legislation calls for the elimination of statutory damage caps for employment discrimination in civil rights cases, and would modernize the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) to allow those who experience age discrimination to pursue compensatory and punitive damages.
The introduction of the Equal Remedies Act of 2024 is the first time in nearly 20 years that damage caps have been emphasized in a significant way. Our collective efforts have also helped us build valuable relationships on Capitol Hill and strengthen our coalition. Together, we have initiated an important dialogue about the harm of these arbitrary limits
to workers seeking justice.
In addition to supporting worker-friendly legislation, NELA has continued its collaboration with the DOL and the EEOC, supported highly qualified executive and judicial nominees, and provided comments and testimony on critical issues impacting workers’ rights advocates
and their clients.
Comments Filed
Recruitment and Relocation Incentive Waivers (OPM)
RIN 3206-AO36
Personnel Appeals Board; Procedural Rules (GAO)
4 CFR Part 28
Time-Limited Promotions (OPM)
RIN 3206-AO52
Bar to Appointment of Persons Who Fail to Register Under Selective Service Law (OPM)
RIN 3206-AO37
Labor Certification for Permanent Employment of Foreign Workers in the United States; Modernizing Schedule A To Include Consideration of Additional Occupations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Non-STEM Occupations (DOL)
Docket (ETA-2023-0006)
Interim Final Rule Organization and Procedures (MSPB)
5 CFR Parts 1200, 1201, 1203, and 1209
National Institute for Workers’ Rights
A Bold Vision for the American Workplace
The National Institute for Workers’ Rights (Institute) is NELA’s partner in advancing workers’ rights, sharing NELA’s vision of a future in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect; workplaces are equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible; and the well-being of workers is a priority in business practices. In 2024 the Institute continued to champion economic dignity and workplace justice with an emphasis on dismantling the barriers to the enforcement of our country’s employment laws.
Released “The Right to Talk to Co-Workers and Management About Working Conditions: A Study of Enforcement at the NLRB,” a report analyzing “concerted activity” retaliation complaints brought to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and identifying legal and policy considerations for future efforts to even the playing field for workers.
Published “How to Use Companies’ Retreat from DEI as Evidence of Discrimination,” a memo exclusively for plaintiffs’ employment lawyers highlighting potential strategies to counteract the trend of companies rolling back their DEIA commitments.
Urged Goldman Sachs’ Board to remove anti-diversity, anti-opportunity groups from eligible grantees for their donor-advised funds.
Called upon three of the largest public pension funds to divest from Tesla due to the company’s poor record of discrimination and its CEO’s opposition to workplace diversity and inclusion.
In June, the Institute brought together leaders from nonprofits, government agencies, and the private bar to discuss how to overcome some of the most pressing obstacles to the enforcement of worker protections: forced arbitration, employer retaliation, and misclassification.
The Institute also shares NELA’s commitment to the securing the future of worker advocacy. Through the Workers’ Rights Advocacy Scholarship Program, the Institute provided $10,000 in scholarship support to ensure more advocates have access to NELA’s educational programs. The Scholarship Program helps to ensure that all workers—especially those most vulnerable to illegal employment practices—receive expert legal representation when they are unlawfully mistreated in the workplace.
As the largest plaintiffs’ employment bar association in the country, our members are the heart and soul of everything we do. In carrying out our mission to empower workers’ rights attorneys, NELA provides exceptional opportunities for professional development through networking, educational programs, and technical support.
“The collective wisdom and information provided by NELA members is invaluable to the solo practitioner.”
“From the Convention’s first substantive plenary session to the closing plenary session, Annual Convention continues the tradition of sharing, learning, and camaraderie that makes NELA unique and our family of employee rights advocates strong.”
“I was blown away by my first experience at an Annual NELA Convention. The warmth and welcoming of the members was touching.”
“I very much appreciated the opportunity to attend the NELA conference. It was very helpful and informative as I think about how to expand my non-profit’s legal program work into advocacy on behalf of low wage workers and sexual harassment. Thank you very much for this opportunity.”
“The scholarship award was so much more than funding; it was an award of opportunity and equity.”
“NELA has given me confidence and support! I’ve been able to exchange ideas with GREAT people. And I’ve been reassured on those days I want to throw in the towel.”
Footer
