In 2025, the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) marked a milestone—40 years of impact and advocacy—at a time when workers’ rights, the rule of law, and even the foundation of democracy itself faced extraordinary threats. What could have been simply a celebration of our legacy became a powerful reminder of why NELA exists and why our work matters now more than ever.

Our 40th anniversary was not just about looking back—it was about looking forward with courage, solidarity, and hope. It reminded us that even in the face of unprecedented challenges, NELA, its members, and Affiliates continue to raise the bar for plaintiffs’ employment lawyers and inspire the next generation to carry our mission forward.

We invite you to explore our 2025 Impact Report, which captures the breadth of NELA’s advocacy, continuing legal education, and community-building efforts during this historic year.

Impact Through Advocacy

In 2025, NELA advanced bold advocacy to defend workers’ rights—opposing harmful judicial nominations, supporting worker-friendly legislation, and ensuring workers’ voices were heard on critical issues shaping the future of work. Together, these efforts underscored NELA’s role as a steadfast defender of workers’ rights and a trusted advocate for fairness, equity, and dignity in the workplace.

Legislation Supported

Do No Harm Act

Equality Act

Forced Arbitration of Race Discrimination Act

Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act

Restoring Overtime Pay Act

Comments Filed

Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Proposed Rule Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service.

Federal Labor Relations Authority NPRM re Implementation of the Administrative False Claims Act

Office of Personnel Management Proposed Amendments to Suitability and Fitness Regulations

Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 1235-AA52; Statements of General Policy or Interpretation Not Directly Related to Regulations; a proposed rule by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (Removal of substantial sections of the Department’s interpretive guidance under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)).

Office of Personnel Management Rulemaking Implementing Changes in Senior Executive Service (SES) Performance Standards

Department of the Treasury Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Complaint Forms

Office of Personnel Management Interim Final Rule regarding Appeal Procedures for Recoupment of Awards, Bonuses, or Relocation Expenses Awarded or Approved for All Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs

Advocating For A Fair And Diverse Judiciary

We stood firm against harmful judicial nominations, opposing candidates such as Joshua Divine, Whitney Downs Hermandorfer, and Emil Bove, while at the same time continuing the call for fair-minded, professionally diverse nominees through coalition efforts with our civil rights partners.

Amplifying Workers’ Voices in the Courts

NELA’s amicus program in 2025 reflected our commitment to defending workers in the courts. We filed briefs in cases that examined discrimination, class certification, ADA accessibility, forced arbitration, and religious exemption claims.

Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services
Dec 2024, U.S. Supreme Court

Gallagher v. Central Valley School District
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Joined by NELA-Eastern Pennsylvania (NELA-EPa) and Western Pennsylvania Employment Lawyers (WPELA)

LabCorp v. Davis
U.S. Supreme Court
Joined AARP Foundation, American Association of Justice, et al.

Puris v. TikTok Inc.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Joined National Women’s Law Center and American Association of Justice

Zinski v. Liberty University, Inc.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Joined by the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers (MWELA)

Newton v. LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Inc.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Joined National Women’s Law Center, American Association for Justice, Equal Rights Advocates, and Public Justice

Strengthening the Bar, Building Community

Serving our members is central to NELA’s mission, and our continuing legal education programs provide indispensable training and opportunities to connect. Practice and interest groups further enrich this experience by fostering networking, mentoring, and camaraderie, helping members grow professionally and personally within the workers’ rights community.

In total, NELA provided training for more than
1,400 workers’ rights advocates in 2025.

Through our Annual Convention, focused seminars, and an expanded series of webinars, we offered cutting-edge training on emerging issues such as AI in the workplace, deposition skills, wage theft, and DEIA litigation strategies. In 2025, we introduced an interest group for members to explore the impact of emerging technologies like AI, automation, and digital platforms on workers’ rights and the practice of law. Law student and early-career programming ensured that emerging advocates had access to mentorship and professional development, strengthening the pipeline of future workers’ rights leaders.

Celebrating 40 Years of Impact and Advocacy: A Legacy of Championing Workers’ Rights

In March 1985, a dozen plaintiff employment lawyers from nine states attending the ABA’s Labor and Employment Law Section meeting in Wesley Chapel, Florida, decided to form the Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association (PELA). Led by Paul H. Tobias, the founding members envisioned that this new organization would provide the assistance and information sought by attorneys representing individual employees. In 1990, PELA changed its name to the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) to represent the growing national scope of its membership and held its first Annual Convention.

As NELA reflects on 40 years of impact and advocacy, we are reminded why we are here and why our work remains essential to empowering advocates and uplifting the workers whose lives are changed by their efforts—even in the face of unprecedented challenges to workers’ rights. Through Raising the Bar, we shared member stories that inspire continued advocacy for workplace justice. A commemorative video captured our journey from 1985 to the present, amplifying our message to new audiences. At the 2025 Annual Convention, past presidents recounted their journeys and contributions to NELA and workplace justice.

Thank you to those who participated in the inaugural year of Raising The Bar!

Raising The Bar Gallery

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the dedication of our members, Affiliates, and partners. Your advocacy, expertise, and commitment to justice fuel NELA’s mission every day. We are deeply grateful for your contributions in this milestone year.

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