NELA

Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys

EEOC

EEOC

Strengthening Workers’ Rights: Kalpana Kotagal Confirmed as EEOC Commissioner

NELA celebrates the confirmation of Kalpana Kotagal as the newest commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ms. Kotagal’s extensive record of fairness and justice will strengthen the EEOC as it continues its mission to protect workers from discrimination.

Ms. Kotagal has extensive litigation experience handling cases on behalf of employees under a range of federal civil rights and employment discrimination statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), the Equal Pay Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Her lifetime commitment to civil rights and equal justice as well as her creativity and leadership, will benefit the workers across the country.

“Kalpana has been an inspirational champion for workers’ rights,” said NELA Executive Director Jeffrey Mittman, “and her long-awaited confirmation is a well-deserved recognition of her efforts. We congratulate Kalpana and look forward to working with her and the full complement of EEOC Commissioners to continue pursuing equity for those suffering injustices in the workplace, and clarify the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers alike.”

Ms. Kotagal is a partner in Cohen Milstein’s Civil Rights … Read More

NELA Comments on Federal Sector Public Portal Issues at EEOC

Re: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; RIN 3046-AB23; 87 Fed.Reg. 58469-58471 (September 27, 2022)

Dear Ms. Kahn:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) respectfully submits the following comments concerning the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, as published in the Federal Register at 87 Fed.Reg. 58469-58471 (September 27, 2022).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. Our mission is to advance worker’s rights and serve lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have faced illegal treatment in the workplace. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws and comments regularly on relevant proposed rules. NELA also engages in legislative advocacy on behalf of workers throughout the United States. A substantial number of NELA members’ clients are federal employees with discrimination complaints. NELA, therefore, has an interest in regulations … Read More

NELA Endorses Karla Gilbride for General Counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The Honorable Patty Murray, Chair
Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
428 Senate Dirksen Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Richard Burr, Ranking Member
Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
428 Senate Dirksen Office Building United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Re: National Employment Lawyers Association Endorsement of Karla Gilbride for General Counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Dear Chair Murray and Ranking Member Burr:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) writes to express our strong support for the nomination of Karla Gilbride to serve as General Counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ms. Gilbride has dedicated her career to ensuring equal access to justice under the law, and she has an exceptional record as a litigator and advocate for workers, which she would bring to bear as General Counsel at EEOC.

Since 1985, NELA has been the premier professional membership organization for lawyers that represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. NELA members litigate in every federal district and circuit, advocating for equality and justice for workers across the country. NELA members routinely work with the EEOC to enforce anti-discrimination law and protect the rights of … Read More

NELA Joins 90+ Other Organizations In Supporting Kalpana Kotagal’s Nomination to the EEOC

On Tuesday, September 7, NELA joined a coalition of 90+ organizations in supporting Kalpana Kotagal’s nomination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ms. Kotagal’s lifetime commitment to civil rights and equal justice as well as her creativity and leadership will benefit the EEOC and workers across the country. NELA endorses Ms. Kotagal and, along with our coalition partners, strongly urges the Senate to confirm her to serve on this commission.

Read the letter.

… Read More

NELA Comment On Proposed Rule: Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures

VIA Electronic Submission

Bernadette B. Wilson
Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
131 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20507

Re:      Comment on Proposed Rule: Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures, 85 Fed. Reg. 64,079, RIN 3046–AB19

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) respectfully submits the following comments in response to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures (the “NPRM”).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have been illegally treated in the workplace. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws and comments on relevant NPRMs of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). A substantial number of NELA members’ clients are charging parties at … Read More

The National Employment Lawyers Association Denounces Changes To EEOC Dispute Resolution Programs

Unilaterally rolled out by EEOC Chair, “pilot” projects hinder employee rights in discrimination cases

For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrea Hansen
509.306.1867
ahansen@flyingcrow.com

Washington, D.C. – August 17, 2020 – The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), the nation’s largest legal association whose members exclusively or primarily represent workers, today urged EEOC Chair Janet Dhillon to discontinue two pilot programs that limit the rights of those who suffer from workplace discrimination, such as sexual harassment or race discrimination.

The impacted programs – conciliation and mediation – are forms of dispute resolution intended to encourage settlement rather than litigation. Despite the EEOC’s mission to prevent and remedy unlawful employment discrimination, the proposed changes favor employers by limiting investigation, potentially hiding systemic discrimination on the part of a particular employer or industry, and weakening the employee’s ability to obtain relief from the discrimination and fair monetary damages.

While labeled “pilot” projects, with respect to the conciliation program the modifications were implemented nationwide, a departure from typical EEOC protocol. The pilots were executed unilaterally by Dhillon, without input from the other EEOC commissioners on the bipartisan commission. With respect to the changes in the mediation program, there is no plan to increase the number of … Read More