NELA

Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys

Statements, Letters & Testimony

Statements, Letters & Testimony

NELA Supports Nomination of Charlotte Sweeney to the United States Court of Federal Claims

Dear Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley:

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and its 4,000 circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our strongest possible recommendation that Charlotte Sweeney be confirmed to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado— a court that, among other things, oversees federal action on workers’ rights.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Our members litigate daily in every federal district and circuit, affording NELA a unique perspective on the profound impact of the judiciary on the daily lives and the rights of working people.

Ms. Sweeney has worked in private practice since 1995, and is highly regarded in the Colorado Bar. She is seen as a reasonable and fair lawyer by defense attorneys who have been her opposing counsel, as well as by workers’ rights attorneys. Additionally, Ms. Sweeney has extensive trial experience, sixty percent of which consists of litigation. She … Read More

NELA Strongly Support The Nomination Of Jennifer Sung To The U.S. Court of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit

Dear Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley:

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and its 4,000 circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our strongest possible recommendation that Jennifer Sung be confirmed to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit— a court that, among other things, oversees federal action on workers’ rights.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Our members litigate daily in every federal district and circuit, affording NELA a unique perspective on the profound impact of the judiciary on the daily lives and the rights of working people.

Ms. Sung is eminently qualified to serve as a federal appellate judge. Ms. Sung is a labor lawyer with a background in workers’ rights and she is a former union organizer. First as a labor organizer, and then as an attorney, she spent nearly twenty years advocating for every-day working people from all walks of life, including … Read More

NELA Files Comments With DOL Supporting Minimum Wage Increase For Federal Workers

Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation
Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor

Re: RIN 1235-AA41, Comments in Response to Proposed Rulemaking: Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) is submitting these comments regarding the U.S. Department of Labor’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) on the increased minimum wage for federal contractors.

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 employee 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 on relevant Notices of Proposed Rulemaking. NELA also engages in legislative advocacy on behalf of workers throughout the United States. Many NELA members represent workers … Read More

NELA Comments On DOL Tip Regulations Under The Fair Labor Standards Act: Partial Withdrawal

Amy DeBisschop
Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation
Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor

Comments on Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 1235-AA21: Tip Regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act: Partial Withdrawal

Dear Ms. DeBisschop:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) supports the above-referenced Department of Labor (“Department” or “DOL”) proposed rulemaking, which clarifies that an employer may only take a tip credit when tipped employees perform work that produces tips or a non-substantial amount of work that directly supports tip-producing work, and defines “substantial amount of time” as more than 20 percent of all hours worked during the employee’s workweek or exceeding 30 continuous minutes.

NELA has an important interest in the Department’s proposal.  NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of attorneys who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes.  Founded in 1985, 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 treated illegally in the workplace.  NELA members represent thousands of workers from around … Read More

NELA Strongly Support The Nomination Of Myrna Pérez To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Second Circuit

United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Dear Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, and Committee Members:

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and its 4,000 circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our organization’s strong support for the nomination of Myrna Pérez to serve as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Our members litigate daily in every federal district and circuit, affording NELA a unique perspective on how employment cases play out on the ground and an accurate understanding of the profound impact of the judiciary on the daily lives and the rights of working people.

The working people of our nation need and deserve judges who will protect the rights of all Americans and our democracy. The ballot box is a critical place where working people have a voice. Ms. Pérez has devoted her career to the principle at the … Read More

NELA Comments On Proposed Withdrawal Of DOL Independent Contractor Rule

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 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 employee 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 … Read More

NELA Comments On DOL Proposed Rescission Of Joint Employer Rule

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 rulemaking to rescind the joint employer rule because it is contrary to the express terms and purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA” or “the Act”). The rule, struck down by a federal court in large part, ignores a statutory definition, Supreme Court authority, and decades of federal Circuit Court precedent with a test that would encompass almost no subcontracting companies, and would especially hurt those low-wage workers who need the protections of the FLSA the most: those who are placed in jobs via temp or staffing agencies, and those, including children, who work in heavily contracted janitorial, construction, … Read More

NELA Applauds First Slate Of President Biden’s Judicial Nominations

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 demographic and professional diversity on the bench are essential to ensure that workers have a fair shot at justice.

We call on the Senate to ensure swift confirmation of these nominees. And we will continue to urge the Biden Administration to bring to the Courts even more diversity—in all its forms—to be truly representative of our country’s working people.

President Biden Announces Intent to Nominate 11 Judicial Candidates

… Read More

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

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 employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. Our mission is to advance employee 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 on relevant Notices of … Read More

NELA Supports Nomination of Cathy Harris to Chair the Merit Systems Protection Board

Director of Office of Presidential Personnel
The White House

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and our 4,000 circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our strongest possible recommendation that Cathy Harris be nominated to fill the vacancy of the position of Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board–the independent federal agency that protects federal employee workers from any abuses within the merit system.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Our members litigate daily in every federal district and circuit, and in the administrative courts, affording NELA a unique perspective on how employment cases actually play out on the ground and an accurate understanding of the profound impact of the courts on the daily lives and the rights of working people.

NELA offers its full and enthusiastic support to Cathy Harris for the position of Chair of the United States Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Ms. Harris is an experienced practitioner in the niche … Read More

Justice Restored: Ending Forced Arbitration and Protecting Fundamental Rights

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

    1. 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 the rights of workers in employment, wage and hour, labor, and civil rights disputes. For more than two decades, NELA has called on Congress to end the insidious corporate practice of forcing workers and consumers to address disputes in secret, one-sided arbitration proceedings because the evidence demonstrates that forced arbitration is harmful to workers.Founded in 2008, The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy (“The Institute”) is the related charitable public interest organization of NELA. The Institute advances workers’ rights through research, thought leadership, and education for policymakers, advocates, and the public. Since its inception, The Institute has studied
… Read More

NELA Comments On Proposed Delay Of Effective Date Of Tip Regulations (RIN 1235-AA21)

Amy DeBisschop
Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation
Wage & Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor
Room S-3502
200 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20210

Re: National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) Comments on Proposed Delay of Effective Date of Tip Regulations, Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 1235-AA21

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) submits these comments in favor of the Department of Labor’s (“Department” or “DOL”) February 5th Delay of the Effective Date of Tip Regulations until April 30, 2021, to permit the Department to reconsider the factual, policy, and legal issues raised by the Rule. RIN 1235-AA21; 86 Fed. Reg. 8325. (“Tip Rule”)

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of attorneys who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes.  Founded in 1985, 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 treated illegally in the workplace.  NELA members represent thousands of workers from around the country in wage theft cases in every state and circuit, which … Read More