NELA

Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys

In March 1985, Paul H. Tobias spearheaded the formation of the Plaintiffs Employment Lawyers Association (PELA), uniting a dozen employee rights lawyers from nine states to share resources and foster solidarity. Since 1990, PELA has been known as the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and together with its 69 Affiliates, has made significant contributions to protecting and expanding the rights of workers. Over the past 40 years, NELA has been dedicated to empowering advocates to fight for justice in the workplace.

Thank you to those who joined us in Baltimore last month for Empower. Reclaim. Transform., NELA’s 2025 Annual Convention. Your energy, engagement, and camaraderie are what make our community thrive. We are grateful for your participation and look forward to seeing you again soon.

If you were unable to join us, look for the audio sessions and accompanying materials in our on-demand library soon.

Designed by plaintiffs’ employment lawyers for plaintiffs’ employment lawyers, NELA’s Convention offers three days of enriching education, valuable networking, inspiring conversations, and meaningful camaraderie. As we kick off planning for the 2026 Annual Convention, we invite you to submit a Convention Proposal and help create engaging, impactful sessions that reflect the strength and diversity of our community.

2026 Annual Convention
June 24–27, 2026
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
New Orleans, LA

Share Your Ideas for 2026
600
Workers’ Rights Advocates
34
Learning
Sessions
11.5
Hours
of CLE

Network with Workers’ Rights Advocates
from Across the Country

Take advantage of countless networking opportunities
and foster relationships with attorneys from law firms,
legal services organizations, public interest firms, and solo practitioners.

Convention Sponsors

Exhibiting and Sponsorship Opportunities

NELA’s signature event of the year is an outstanding opportunity to interact with potential and established customers and deepen those relationships. The Exhibitor area is open to Convention attendees and speakers, and is host to all breakfasts and breaks.

Contact Alicia Battle, Events Manager for details.

“From the Convention’s first substantive plenary session to the closing plenary session, Annual Convention continues the tradition of sharing, learning, and camaraderie that makes NELA unique and our family of employee rights advocates strong.”

“I was blown away by my first experience at an annual NELA Convention.
The warmth and welcoming of the members was touching.”

“The substance, networking, and rejuvenation that are characteristic of the NELA Annual Convention
were present again this year.”

“This was my first NELA Convention. It was all new and an amazing, satisfying, relevant, and in-depth amount of information and resources!”

“After decades of Conventions, this meeting is still the one where I learn the most.”

“Across the spectrum—for first-timers as well as veteran attendees—the Annual Convention upheld the NELA tradition of excellence.”