NELA

Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys

Membership Categories

NELA membership is open to attorneys, legal professionals, and law students who primarily represent workers in workplace‑related matters. To qualify, applicants must be able to certify that at least 51% of their employment‑related legal work is on behalf of employees, reflecting NELA’s commitment to a plaintiffs‑side community. Several membership levels are available—including Regular, Paraprofessional, and Law Student—each designed to support advocates at different stages of their careers. Enhanced membership tiers are also offered for those who wish to further support NELA’s mission while receiving additional benefits.

Eighty percent of your membership dues may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. The remaining portion is not tax deductible because it relates to NELA’s lobbying expenditures (see Internal Revenue Code 6033(e)). Law Student membership dues are exempt from this limitation.

 

Regular Membership

A Regular Member of NELA is any member of the bar in the United States who can certify that 51% or more of their employment-related legal representation is on behalf of workers. 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.
The NELA ExchangeCLE DiscountsMember DirectoryCommittees/Practice & Interest Groups ParticipationDiscounts on ResourcesJob Board DiscountFind-A-Lawyer Listing
Retired/Emeritus ($225)✓✓✓✓✓50%$175
Legal Services/Public Interest ($265)✓✓✓✓✓50%$175
Government Attorneys ($265)✓✓✓✓✓50%$175
In practice 1-4 years ($265)✓✓✓✓✓50%$175
In practice 5-9 years ($430)✓✓✓✓✓50%$175
In practice 10+ years ($480)✓✓✓✓✓50%$175
Ready to Join?

Enhanced Memberships

Enhanced memberships strengthen NELA’s ability to advance workers’ rights and support its nationwide community of advocates. Enhanced members must fulfill the requirements of Regular membership and receive additional benefits as listed below.
The NELA ExchangeCLE DiscountsMember DirectoryCommittees/Practice & Interest Groups ParticipationDiscounts on ResourcesJob Board DiscountFind-A-Lawyer Listing
Contributing ($720)✓✓ plus
  • Extended early-bird registration deadline for the NELA Convention and seminars
  • $100 credit toward on-demand CLE downloads each membership cycle
✓✓✓1 Complimentary/
50% additional		Complimentary
Sustaining ($900)✓✓ plus
  • Extended early-bird registration deadline for the NELA Convention and seminars
  • $200 credit toward on-demand CLE downloads each membership cycle
✓✓✓3 Complimentary/
50% additional		Complimentary
Advocates ($1,250)✓✓ plus
  • Extended early-bird registration deadline for the NELA Convention and seminars
  • $300 credit toward on-demand CLE downloads each membership cycle
✓✓✓5 Complimentary/
50% additional		Complimentary
Defender ($2,500)✓✓ plus
  • Extended early-bird registration deadline for the NELA Convention and seminars
  • $300 credit toward on-demand CLE downloads each membership cycle
  • Complimentary Registration to one NELA CLE program per membership cycle (transferable to current members only).
✓✓✓10 Complimentary/
50% additional		Complimentary
Champion ($5,000)✓✓ plus
  • Extended early-bird registration deadline for the NELA Convention and seminars
  • $300 credit toward on-demand CLE downloads each membership cycle
  • Complimentary Registration to all NELA CLE programs per membership cycle (transferable to current members only).
✓✓✓Unlimited ComplimentaryComplimentary

Generally, membership dues are not refundable. If there are extenuating circumstances you would like us to consider, please reach out.  All refund requests must be submitted in writing.

Ready to Join?

Whether you are building a practice, expanding your reach, or reigniting your purpose—NELA is where you belong.

Questions? Contact Tacarra Andrade, Membership Director, at tandrade@nelahq.org.