Join NELA

As the largest plaintiffs’ employment law firm in the country, our members are the heart and soul of everything we do. In carrying out our mission to empower workers’ rights attorneys, NELA provides exceptional opportunities for professional development through networking, educational programs, and technical support. Thousands of plaintiffs’ employment lawyers have been trained through our renowned continuing legal education programs designed by NELA members especially for employee rights advocates.

Membership Benefits & Services

Networking & Practice Development

  • The NELA Exchange allows NELA members to access the power of the largest plaintiffs’ employment lawyer firm in the country through practice groups, blogs, resource libraries, and more. The Exchange mobile app keeps you connected when you are on the go!
  • Opportunities to participate in NELA’s Substantive Law Committees and Practice Groups.
  • Involvement at the state and local levels through NELA’s Affiliates.
  • The National Employment Lawyers Association Online Membership Directory, putting NELA members at your fingertips whenever you need them.
  • NELA’s public Find-A-Lawyer Directory, an exclusive member benefit.

 

Exclusive Discounts on Resources and Tools

  • To all of NELA’s outstanding continuing legal education programs
  • On NELA self-paced online learning and CLE manuals
  • 25% off of a comprehensive three-volume practice guide, Employee Rights Litigation: Pleading and Practice, published by Matthew Bender & Company. Learn More
  • Discounted pricing on Syllo, an innovative AI-powered eDiscovery tool, bringing cutting-edge technology at reasonable prices to NELA members. Learn More

 

Technical Support

  • Amicus curiae support in cases presenting emerging issues in employment and civil rights law, those seeking to extend current law to new situations involving clients of our members, or those challenging an existing body of law.
  • NELA Ethics Hotline, which helps NELA members analyze and resolve practical problems they encounter in exercising their professional responsibilities or in confronting defense efforts to impose sanctions. Confidential Hotline responses are provided by NELA’s Ethics & Sanctions Committee.
  • Technical assistance on a wide range of employment issues from NELA’s subject-matter experts.

Membership Requirements and Levels

Regular Members

A Regular Member of NELA is any member of the bar in the United States who can certify that 51% or more of his/her employment related legal representation is on behalf of employees. Regular members in good standing are eligible to vote and serve on NELA’s Board, deduct $25 from their membership dues if they are a member of a recognized NELA Affiliate, and have access to The NELA Exchange.

Regular Member

In Practice 1 - 4 years

$265 year

Regular Member

In Practice 5 - 9 years

$430 year

Regular Member

In Practice 10+ years

$480 year

Legal Services/Public Interest/Government

$265 year

Retired/Emeritus

$225 year

The following membership levels are not eligible to vote for or serve on NELA’s Board but do have access to The NELA Exchange.

Paraprofessional Member

$170 year

Law Student Member

$25 year

Law Student Members must provide their educational institution or firm of employment.

In addition to all the benefits of Regular Membership, Enhanced membership levels receive the following benefits:

Contributing Member

$720 year
  • Online advertising for one membership year in the “Find-A-Lawyer” Directory. Listing includes name, firm, address, phone, fax, email, and website ($175 value).

Sustaining Member

$900 year
  • Online advertising for one membership year in the “Find-A-Lawyer” Directory. Listing includes name, firm, address, phone, fax, email, and website ($175 value).
  • Free enhanced membership listing in NELA’s Online Membership Directory.

Advocate Member

$1,250 year
  • Online advertising for one membership year in the “Find-A-Lawyer” Directory. Listing includes name, firm, address, phone, fax, email, and website ($175 value).
  • Free enhanced membership listing in NELA’s Online Membership Directory.
  • One CLE Manual of choice (up to $75 value).

Defender Member

$2,500 year
  • Online advertising for one membership year in the “Find-A-Lawyer” Directory. Listing includes name, firm, address, phone, fax, email, and website ($175 value).
  • Free enhanced membership listing in NELA’s Online Membership Directory.
  • One CLE Manual of choice (up to $75 value).
  • Registration to one NELA CLE program per membership year (transferable to current members only).

Champion Member

$5,000 year
  • Online advertising for one membership year in the “Find-A-Lawyer” Directory. Listing includes name, firm, address, phone, fax, email, and website ($175 value).
  • Free enhanced membership listing in NELA’s Online Membership Directory.
  • One CLE Manual of choice (up to $75 value).
  • Registration to all NELA CLE programs per membership year (transferable to current members only).

Generally, membership dues are not refundable. If there are extenuating circumstances you would like us to consider, please reach out to Tacarra Andrade, NELA Membership Director, at tandrade@nelahq.org.  All refund requests must be submitted in writing.