NELA
Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys
2026 Convention Program
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
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| 10:00–10:30 a.m. | 2026 Affiliate Leadership Workshop Registration & Networking Breakfast | |
| 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | 2026 Affiliate Leadership Workshop & Forum | |
| 2:00–8:00 p.m. | 2026 Annual Convention Registration | |
| 4:30-6:00 p.m. | Building Your Practice as a New(er) Plaintiffs' Employment Lawyer—A Panel Discussion for Law Students & New Practitioners | |
| 6:00—6:30 p.m. | NELA Law Students & New Practitioners Reception | |
| 6:30–8:00 p.m. | President’s Welcome Reception Convention participants are invited to join NELA President M. Nieves Bolaños, the NELA Board, and the 2026 Annual Convention Committee for an informal gathering to reconnect, build new relationships, and set the tone for the days ahead. First‑time participants are especially encouraged to attend and become part of this inspiring community. | |
Thursday, June 25, 2026 |
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| 7:00–9:00 a.m. | 2026 Annual Convention Registration | |
| 8:30–9:15 a.m. | Paul H. Tobias Roll Call Of The States & Opening Remarks | |
| 9:15–10:30 a.m. | Leading with Vision. Rooted in Justice.: Honoring Courageous Plaintiffs | |
| 10:30–11:15 a.m. | Exhibitor Open House | |
| 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Deposition Skills/Fundamentals of Employment Law | Preparing for Your First Deposition | |
| Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative Advocacy | Immigration Basics for Employment Lawyers | |
| Valuing Non-Wage Compensation | ||
| Appeals Strategies in Unfavorable Jurisdictions | ||
| Employment Class Actions after Trump v. CASA | ||
| 12:30–2:00 p.m. | Annual Luncheon & Keynote Address | |
| 2:15–3:15 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Fundamentals of Employment Law | Demystifying Focus Groups | |
| Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative Advocacy | What Employment Lawyers Need to Know About Tax Law | |
| Deposition Skills | Trauma-informed Deposition Practice and Client Preparation | |
| Wage & Hour | Immigration Issues & Wage & Hour Cases | |
| Hot Topics in Ethics & Sanctions | ||
| 4:00–5:15 p.m. | Dispatches from the Trenches—Strategies, Successes, and Lessons from 5th & 11th Circuit Practitioners | |
| 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Annual Reception | |
Friday, June 26, 2026 |
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| 7:00 a.m. | Tobias 5K Run | |
| 7:30–9:00 a.m. | 2026 Annual Convention Registration | |
| 10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Winning Strategies at Summary Judgment | |
| 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Fundamentals of Employment Law | Taking Your First Federal Sector Case | |
| Representing Clients Negotiating Severance Agreements | ||
| Turbocharging Your Small Firm with Legal Technology | ||
| Trends in State Wage & Hour Litigation & Legislation | ||
| Winning Trial Strategies from Recent NELA Member Victories | ||
| 1:45–2:45 p.m. | NELA Committee & Practice Group Meetings | |
| 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Fundamentals of Employment Law/Wage & Hour | FMLA/FLSA Alphabet Soup | |
| Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative Advocacy | First Amendment Claims in Employment Law | |
| Deposition Skills | Organizing Your Case Ahead of Deposition | |
| Developing & Protecting a Healthy Work-life Balance | ||
| Considerations in Representing Workers During Their Employment | ||
| 4:30–5:30 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Breaking Through with Implicit Bias Evidence | ||
| Representing Neurodiverse Clients in Disability Cases | ||
| Ensuring Access to Justice Through Racial and Culturally Literate Representation | ||
| Holding Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Racism Accountable in the Workplace | ||
| Litigation Strategies to Protect Trans Workers in 2026 | ||
| 8:00–11:00 p.m. | Vision. Justice. Community. NELA 2026 Gala Fundraiser | |
Saturday, June 27, 2026 |
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| 7:30–9:00 a.m. | 2026 Annual Convention Registration | |
| 9:00–10:15 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions | |
| Fundamentals of Employment Law | Practical Negotiation Skills for Plaintiffs’ Employment Lawyers | |
| Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative Advocacy | Identifying Potential Whistleblower Issues in Employment Cases | |
| A Brave New World—Recent Developments and Inspiring Wins in Federal Sector Representation | ||
| The Ethical Implication of Using AI in Your Practice | ||
| Effective Advocacy Before Modern Juries | ||
| 10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | The Year in Review: Significant Developments in Employment Law | |
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