Legislative and Public Policy

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) is at the forefront of efforts to advance equality and justice in the American workplace through federal legislation and public policy. Since NELA’s inception, we have lobbied and provided technical assistance to Congress on scores of federal legislation that bring us closer to achieving our mission. Visit our About NELA page for more information about our work..

What’s New in Washington

NELA Comments On Proposed Withdrawal Of DOL Independent Contractor Rule

April 7, 2021

Amy DeBisschop Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation Wage and Hour Division U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20210 NELA Comments on RIN 1235-AA34: Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act; Withdrawal Dear Ms. DeBisschop: The National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) submits these comments on the Department of Labor’s (“Department” or “DOL”) Request for Comment on Withdrawal of RIN 1235-AA34; Fed. Reg. Vol. 86, 14027 (March 12, 2021), following publication of a final Independent Contractor Rule (“Rule”) and delay of the effective date of the Rule.[1] NELA is the largest professional membership […]

NELA Comments On DOL Proposed Rescission Of Joint Employer Rule

April 7, 2021

Amy DeBisschop Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation Wage and Hour Division U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20210 Comments on RIN 1235-AA37: Rescission of Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act Dear Ms. DeBisschop: On March 12, 2021, the Department of Labor (“Department” or “DOL”) published Rescission of Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, RIN 1235-AA37 (“notice”), which seeks comments on DOL’s proposal to rescind the final rule interpreting joint employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“joint employer rule”). The National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) supports the Department’s proposed […]

NELA Applauds First Slate Of President Biden’s Judicial Nominations

March 30, 2021

Today President Biden announced the nomination of 11 judges to serve on the Federal Circuit and District Courts, as well as the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) applauds the Administration’s commitment to nominating highly qualified judges who are fair-minded and come from diverse backgrounds. This slate of nominees includes four Black women, as well as four AAPI nominees. Several of these nominees have served as public defenders. This slate of nominees represents a critically important step toward long overdue diversity on the federal bench. Both common sense and research tell us that […]

NELA Comments On Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Delay of Effective Date (RIN 1235-AA34)

February 23, 2021

Submitted via: federalregister.gov Amy DeBisschop Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation Wage and Hour Division U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20210 Comments on RIN 1235-AA34: Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Delay of Effective Date Dear Ms. DeBisschop: The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) submits these comments on the Department of Labor’s (“Department” or “DOL”) Request for Comment on Delay of the Effective Date of RIN 1235-AA34; Fed. Reg. Vol. 86, 8326. (February 5, 2021) NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent […]

Justice Restored: Ending Forced Arbitration and Protecting Fundamental Rights

February 19, 2021

Submitted Testimony of Laura M. Flegel, National Employment Lawyers Association and The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy Legislative & Public Policy Director to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law Committee on the Judiciary United States House of Representatives on Justice Restored: Ending Forced Arbitration and Protecting Fundamental Rights Introduction Founded in 1985, the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) is the largest bar association in the country focused solely on empowering workers’ rights attorneys. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a combined membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to protecting […]

VIEW ALL

Legislative & Public Policy Priorities

In fulfilling our mission, NELA has adopted the following federal legislative and public policy priorities:

Keep the courthouse doors open by fighting against forced arbitration of workplace disputes, and preserve the right to a jury for working people.
Safeguard workers’ recoveries for illegal workplace violations from unfair taxation.
Ensure that independent and fair-minded individuals who are faithful to America’s promise of equal justice under law are appointed to the federal bench.
Enhance workplace protections on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and age.
Advocate for stronger protections for workers with caregiving responsibilities, including strengthening the Family and Medical Leave Act, passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and reforms to unfair scheduling practices.
Advocate for an increase in the minimum wage, as well as fair wage, hour, and leave standards; protect those who expose employer abuse, fraud, and waste; and challenge at-will employment.