NELA creates The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute for Law & Policy, now NIWR, a related charitable public interest organization.
NELA History
A DC Presence
NELA opens its Washington DC Office and hires Donna R. Lenhoff as its first Legislative and Public Policy Director. The DC office shares space with the law offices of Passman & Kaplan PC.
Making an Impact
NELA scores a major legislative victory when the Civil Rights Tax Fairness Act provision eliminating double taxation of attorneys’ fees in employment and civil rights cases is enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
Technology Strengthens Our Network
NELANet, an electronic bulletin board system, is created to help members share practice tips, strategies, case law, and client stories.
Headquarters Moves To San Francisco
NELA’s headquarters is established in San Francisco, CA and Terisa E. Chaw is hired as NELA’s first Executive Director.
Transforming the American Workplace
A dozen plaintiffs’ lawyers from nine states form the Plaintiffs’ Employment Lawyers Association (PELA). By the end of the year PELA has 100 members.
Championing Workers’ Rights in DC
Workers’ rights advocates gather in Washington, DC for the first NELA Lobby Day on the Civil Rights Tax Fairness Act.
Building Connections
NELA organizes its inaugural Affiliate Leadership Workshop, gathering representatives from state and local Affiliates to share expertise, foster connections, and empower their organizations.
PELA Becomes NELA
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, “Just Cause Conspiracy,” in Lake Tahoe.
