2026 Convention Program

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

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
Moderator: David Yellin
Speakers: Clara Coleman & Joseph W. Gibson

Law students, recent law graduates, and those new to plaintiffs’ employment law are invited to join NELA and the National Institute for Workers’ Rights for an engaging and interactive discussion on how a career in plaintiff-side employment law offers a unique and meaningful way for lawyers to use their skills to drive progressive social change. Experienced employment law practitioners will discuss their work as advocates for workers’ rights and how it intersects with and advances other social justice issues including civil rights, immigration, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality. The panelists also will address how to enter the plaintiffs’ employment law field and what skills and experience can help law students be successful advocates as they begin their legal careers.

The Law Students & New Lawyers Program and Reception are generously sponsored by AARP Foundation Litigation
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.

The President’s Welcome Reception is generously sponsored by NELA-Alabama and the Texas Employment Lawyers Association

Thursday, June 25, 2026

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
Courageous Plaintiffs: Zezy Farfan & Joshua Husok, Ruby Mohamed & Ramonia Young
Advocates: J.P. Kemp, Victoria L. Neal & Ruthann Devereaux-Gonzalez, Ariel DeFazio &
Hunter A. Swain, Barbara “Brandi” Cowan & Robert J.A Fordiani

The Convention’s opening plenary session will bring to life the inspiring stories of four extraordinary individuals who were empowered to challenge their employers and stand firm despite overwhelming adversity. Our Courageous Plaintiffs boldly reclaimed their rights and transformed the workplace for the better. Their lawyers will share their legal theories and litigation strategies that led to their clients’ inspiring victories.
10:30–11:15 a.m.Exhibitor Open House
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
Deposition Skills/Fundamentals of Employment LawPreparing for Your First Deposition
Moderator/Speaker: Philip M. Kitzer
Speakers: Carla D. Brown & Reena I. Desai

Learning how to take an effective and efficient deposition is one of the cornerstones of plaintiffs’ employment law practice. Taking your first deposition can be a daunting experience, but thorough preparation can be the key difference between a successful deposition and a less than effective one. Our experts will break down their process for deposition preparation and what they wish they had known before their first deposition.
Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative AdvocacyImmigration Basics for Employment Lawyers
Moderator/Speaker: Verónica M. González
Speakers: Cristobal Gutierrez & Mary C. Yanik

In an era when immigrants across the country are facing unprecedented threats, it is more important than ever that employment attorneys know how immigration law intersects with employment law. What exposure do our clients face? Are they safe in EEOC and state civil rights investigations? How can we ensure our representation of immigrant clients does not put their immigration status at further risk? Join immigration law experts to learn how to issue spot important issues and protect your clients.
Valuing Non-Wage Compensation
Moderator/Speaker: Rebecca G. Pontikes
Speakers: Megan S. Goddard, Brian P. Sanford & Ada Smoke
When examining damages in employment cases, the analysis goes far beyond lost wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, non-wage benefits represent 30% of total compensation. This panel will discuss what types of benefits can be included at the damages stage, how to incorporate questions about benefits in discovery and how to correctly value these types of compensation to ensure your clients get the award they deserve.
Appeals Strategies in Unfavorable Jurisdictions
Moderator/Speaker: Lori Bullock
Speakers: Jennifer Bennett & Casey R. Denson

When a decision comes down against you, the natural inclination may be to file an appeal or refer your client to an appellate lawyer. But, in some jurisdictions this may not be the best option. Jurisdiction can play a major role in your appellate strategy and even the decision on whether to appeal at all. Our panelists will address how you should examine the risk/benefit analysis of appealing in unfavorable jurisdictions and how to tailor your appeal for the best appellate outcome possible.
Employment Class Actions After Trump v. CASA
Moderator: Lauren A. Khouri
Speakers: Jamie S. Franklin, Rebecca Peterson-Fisher & Joseph M. Sellers

The Supreme Court's recent decision in Trump v. Casaem>Casa, advocates who would have turned to injunctions will shift their strategies to class actions. Our panelists will examine how the courts are grappling with Rule 23 requirements in the wake of Casa and the implications of Casa in wage and hour litigation, Title VII pattern-and-practice claims, and other class or collective employment actions. The session will also address how the ruling is being interpreted in the lower courts, what it means for current and future class strategies, and how plaintiffs' counsel can adapt creatively to preserve access to justice for groups of workers facing common harms.
12:30–2:00 p.m.Annual Luncheon & Keynote Address
NELA is thrilled to welcome Purvi Shah, Executive Director and Founder of Movement Law Lab, as our 2026. Purvi brings more than two decades of experience serving as legal counsel to a range of organized groups and movements, including the Movement for Black Lives, national tenant alliance, taxi driver associations, day laborers, tenants unions, and immigrant rights groups. Purvi’s work at Movement Law Lab focuses on bringing the power of lawyers to social justice movements, transforming the legal sector to go beyond winning cases and into building collective power. Movement Law Lab stewards the Legal Alliance Against Authoritarianism, a formation comprised of over 80 organizations, firms, and solo-practioners working to make strategic interventions and block the consolidation of the authoritarian agenda and regime. Through her work as a teacher and movement lawyering coach, Purvi has trained thousands of lawyers to work collaboratively with grassroots organizers to shift culture, systems, and power.
2:15–3:15 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
Fundamentals of Employment LawDemystifying Focus Groups
Moderator/Speaker: Barbara “Brandi” Cowan
Speakers: Christen Casale & Elizabeth “BB” Sanford

Focus groups have long been the secret weapon of management-side firms with deep pockets—until now. This session traces the evolution of focus group research from expensive, consultant-driven projects to accessible, attorney-led methods that any practitioner can implement. We will cover the fundamentals: what focus groups are, why they are critical for case evaluation and trial preparation, and the surprising variety of applications (from early case assessment to witness credibility testing to mediation prep). Then we will dive into the practical how-to: recruiting participants, crafting neutral presentations, conducting virtual sessions, and analyzing results without hiring expensive consultants.
Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative AdvocacyWhat Employment Lawyers Need to Know About Tax Law
Moderator/Speaker: Bruce Fredrickson
Speaker: Robert W. Wood
Employment matter settlements must be reported on taxes, but what should we know about taxes to give intelligent advice to our clients? In employment discrimination and retaliation cases, the question always arises, how much of the settlement should be W-2 income, and how much should be on a 1099? Do they mean a 1099-MISC, or a 1099-NEC? Is there really a difference? Why is any of this important? What do we need to know about indemnification clauses for tax liability in settlement agreements? What about other areas of employment law, like wage disputes? Do wage settlements plus administrative penalties all count as W-2 taxes?
Trauma-informed Deposition Practice and Client Preparation
Moderator/Speaker: Kelsey S. Speyer
Speakers: Amanda M. DeMatteis & Rachel N. Lokken

Even in the best circumstances, depositions can be a stressful, overwhelming, and sometimes hostile environment for clients. When your client has experienced significant trauma because of workplace harassment, abuse or discrimination, that pressure only builds. This panel will provide a guide for preparing traumatized clients for a deposition where they will have to relive their trauma under challenging circumstances and what steps you can take during the deposition to make sure you are protecting your client.
Wage & Hour Immigration Issues & Wage & Hour Cases
Moderator/Speaker: Erika A. Zucker
Speakers: Andrea M. Agee & Hugh Baran

Immigrant workers are always at increased risk for exploitation in employment, and especially in the correct calculation and payment of wages. The stakes of being an immigrant in the U.S., even one with lawful status, are higher than ever. So naturally, practitioners need to know the risks posed to immigrant workers, either with status or who are undocumented, in wage and hour cases. Our experts will examine the various ways in which immigration status can affect your wage and hour clients, including their ability to bring a case, whether they will be forced to disclose their tax returns or other documents during litigation, and when to address trafficking claims.
The Ethical Use of AI in Your Law Practice
Moderator/Speaker: Deborah H. Karpatkin
Speakers: Heather Newsom Leonard & Adria Lynn Silva

With the rapid adoption of AI, there has been a proliferation of attorneys facing serious sanctions and disciplinary actions for filing inaccurate AI-generated material. This panel will ensure you understand the ethical implications of adopting AI into your law practice. Attendees will learn about the limitations of AI, what your duty is when developing materials with the use of AI and whether there are ethical implications if you choose not to integrate AI into your law practice.
This session may qualify for 1 hour of Ethics credit
4:00–5:15 p.m.Dispatches from the Trenches—Strategies, Successes, and Lessons from 5th & 11th Circuit Practitioners
Moderator/Speaker: Charles E. Guerrier
Speakers: Hal K. Gillespie & Kira Fonteneau

Historically, the deep south has weaker protections for workers in contrast to the more liberal coasts, and the 5th and 11th circuits have long been considered much more unfavorable jurisdictions for workers and their advocates. But for decades NELA members in these jurisdictions have developed creative strategies and zealous advocacy that has moved the ball forward for workers. Join our panelists to discuss the lessons they have learned during their time in the trenches and how all NELA members can find success in cases where it seems like the path forward is blocked by gaps in the law designed to fail workers.
5:15–6:00 p.m.NELA DEIA Committee Book Club Live!
Borgne (3rd Floor)
Close out the first day of sessions with an in-person gathering of the NELA DEIA Committee Book Club. This month’s selection is Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Come ready to share what moved you, what challenged you, and what stayed with you. Whether you read every page or just got started, your voice is welcome. NELA’s DEIA Committee Book Club explores a variety of topics, from workers’ rights to social justice and beyond.
6:00–7:30 p.m.Annual Reception
The Annual Reception is generously sponsored by Syllo.

Friday, June 26, 2026

7:00 a.m. Tobias 5K Run
7:30–9:00 a.m. 2026 Annual Convention Registration
8:30–9:30 a.m. The EEOC in 2026 – Priorities, Changes and What NELA Members Need to Know (non-CLE)
Moderator: M. Nieves Bolaños
Speaker: EEOC Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal
NELA is thrilled to welcome EEOC Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal to NELA’s 2026 Annual Convention. Since 2025, the EEOC has undergone major shifts in policy and implementation goals. Commissioner Kotagal will join NELA members to discuss current EEOC priorities, procedural updates and everything NELA members need to know when bringing a case to the EEOC in 2026.
9:45–10:30 a.m. When AI Decides: Implications for Policy and Litigation from the National Institute for Workers’ Rights (non-CLE)
Moderator: Jason M. Solomon
Speakers: Kira Fonteneau, Abby Frerick & Christine E. Webber
With employers increasing the use of AI to make employment-related decisions, the National Institute for Workers’ Rights will discuss both what this ought to mean for regulation of the use of AI, and how this will affect workers' ability to challenge employment decisions as discriminatory. We will also discuss how this is part of the Institute’s overall work to protect equal opportunity and, more broadly, dismantle barriers to justice.
10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Creative Winning Strategies at Summary Judgment
Moderator/Speaker: Kevin S. Vogeltanz
Speakers: David L. Lee & Vishal H. Shah

Summary judgment remains one of the greatest barriers for workers seeking to vindicate their rights in court. This panel will address the current challenges facing plaintiffs at summary judgment and how you can structure your fact patterns, discovery strategies, and opposition motions in creative ways that will put the defense on their heels.
12:30–1:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Fundamentals of Employment Law Taking Your First Federal Sector Case
Moderator/Speaker: Obinna I. Abara
Speakers: Holly Franson & Alisa Tiwari

With thousands of federal employees facing reductions in force, changes to performance evaluations, and retaliation, federal sector practitioners are more in-demand than ever. Our panelists will explore the current state of federal employment law, the basics of representing clients in front of the MSPB, OSC and EEOC, and how you prepare to take your first federal sector case.
Representing Clients Negotiating Severance Agreements
Moderator/Speaker: Kerry Murphy
Speakers: Evan L. Goldman & Melissa Pierre-Louis Washington

While severance agreements can provide employees with a small financial cushion after employment, these agreements are also rife with complexities that can limit your client’s ability to engage in further litigation of claims or even impact their future employment. This panel will discuss the myriad considerations involved in negotiating severance agreements, including compensation, benefits, NDAs and releases of liability to ensure that your clients leave their employment with a severance agreement that leaves nothing on the table.
Turbocharging Your Small Firm with Legal Technology
Moderator/Speaker: Nivine Zakhari
Speakers: Constance Cooper & Joseph W. Gibson

Solo and small-firm employment lawyers juggle high-stakes advocacy with thin margins and tighter time. The good news: today's cloud-based, pay-as-you-go tools let even one-lawyer outfits automate dull work, surface insights, and deliver a "big-firm" client experience often for less than a single billable hour per month. This session walks through a practical, affordable, product-agnostic "technology stack" that starts at new-client intake and ends with trust-compliant billing.
Trends in State Wage & Hour Litigation & Legislation
Moderator: David Rodwin
Speakers: Jason C. Marsili & Christine E. Webber

With a U.S. Department of Labor that is increasingly hostile to workers and federal employment laws that leave something to be desired, many states are stepping up to pass more worker-friendly legislation. From minimum wage changes to pay transparency, join our wage and hour experts for a run-down of the latest (and sometimes greatest) in state wage and hour litigation and legislation.
Winning Trial Strategies from Recent NELA Member Victories
Moderator/Speaker: Gavriela M. Bogin-Farber
Speakers: Clara Coleman & Victoria Williamson
NELA members have been victorious to the tune of millions of dollars of damages for their clients over the course of the past year. From wage and hour to employee benefits cases, NELA members have won jury trials in jurisdictions across the country. Our panelists will share their top strategies and tips for successfully trying a case before a jury and how you can take those lessons with you to the courtroom.
1:45–2:45 p.m.Members Forum
1:45–2:45 p.m.NELA Committee & Practice Group Meetings
3:00–4:00 p.m.Concurrent Sessions
Fundamentals of Employment Law/Wage & HourUsing AI Effectively in Your Practice
Speakers: Thomas A. Newkirk & Myles D. Young
This session is designed for employment lawyers at any stage of AI adoption, from those who have never used a chatbot to those already integrating AI tools into their daily practice. Panelists will cover the foundational concepts every lawyer needs to use AI competently and ethically: how the major models differ, what effective prompting looks like, how to manage confidentiality consistent with your duty of competence, and how context shapes the quality of every output. Attendees will also walk through concrete use cases drawn from plaintiff-side employment work, and leave with specific examples of what these tools can do in real matters. As this technology continues to reshape legal practice and the cost of delay grows, the session will provide both a solid foundation for beginning and the momentum to move forward with confidence.
Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative AdvocacyFirst Amendment Claims in Employment Law
Moderator/Speaker: Christine T. Elzer
Speakers: Ian Kalmanowitz, Kasturi Sen & Carolyn L. Wheeler

Millions of workers across the country work for government entities, meaning there are millions of workers who do not entirely forfeit their First Amendment rights in the workplace. In an era of social media, workers are often voicing their opinions on their personal lives, their jobs, and the world around them in an increasingly public manner. Our panelists will discuss what free speech protections public employees have, how those protections apply to modern workplaces and the current case law surrounding First Amendment claims in the employment context.
Deposition Skills Organizing Your Case Ahead of Deposition
Moderator/Speaker: Lauren Naylor
Speakers: Schwanda Rountree & Michael Vogelsang

For practitioners preparing for their first deposition or their hundredth, organization is key. Taking the time to create a theme for your case and knowing what story you want to ultimately tell allows you to take efficient and effective depositions. This panel will share their methods for analyzing their case, creating timelines, identifying key players, and organizing their discovery and exhibits before ever setting foot in the deposition room.
Developing & Protecting a Healthy Work-life Balance
Moderator: Ben Lebsack
Speakers: Layi Oduyingbo & Samantha Wehrle

Whether you are a solo practitioner balancing administrative work, deadlines and client relationships or at a big firm working with large class litigation and multiple stakeholders, a healthy work-life balance may seem unattainable. For too long, the mental health of lawyers has been ignored and value placed on the number of hours one could bill in a day. That attitude is slowly changing, encouraging attorneys to develop boundaries and prioritize their mental wellbeing. Our panelists will share how they have designed their practice to allow for a healthy work-life balance and why a well-rounded, emotionally fulfilled lawyer can be a more effective lawyer.
This session may qualify for 1 hour of wellness credit.
Considerations in Representing Workers During Their Employment
Moderator/Speaker: Ryan Estes
Speakers: Lisa Clay & Scott Pollins

From the initial intake through the representation, working with employees while they are still employed raises unique ethical and practical challenges for both clients and attorneys. Difficult choices abound, such as how to advise the client when further unlawful treatment occurs, how and to whom they should report, handling the employer’s investigation, how to deal with active retaliation, and what to do if the employer does not take the corrective action that the employee wants. This panel will discuss the most common legal and strategic concerns that face an employee who remains in the workplace after raising legal claims.
This session may qualify for 1 hour of ethics credit.
4:30–5:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Breaking Through with Implicit Bias Evidence
Moderator/Speaker: Samantha Sloane
Speakers: Anna P. Prakash & Qiaojing "Ella" Zheng

Years of research have shown that implicit bias exists and impacts the way individuals behave, including in the employment context. However, using that evidence to prove intentional discrimination or influence on systemic practices has been challenging in employment case. This session will delve into the science behind implicit bias and how to successfully introduce this evidence into your discrimination and harassment cases.

This session may qualify for one hour of diversity, inclusion and/or elimination of bias credit.
Representing Neurodiverse Clients in Disability Cases
Moderator/Speaker: Ting Cheung
Speakers: Brian East, Deborah K. Marcuse & Rebecca Rodgers

As society begins to better understand neurodivergence, the law is also adapting to ensure that neurodiverse workers are provided the same reasonable accommodations under the ADA as workers with physical disabilities. Our experts will discuss how to develop a neurodiversity-affirming legal practice, create an accessible and welcoming environment for your neurodivergent clients, and champion their rights under the ADA.

This session may qualify for one hour of diversity, inclusion and/or elimination of bias credit.
Ensuring Access to Justice Through Racially and Culturally Literate Representation
Moderator/Speaker: Sherry D. Soanes
The recent trial of Cardi B placed a spotlight on what any plaintiff with a marginalized racial identity already knows–your actions are not only on trial, but also your very identity. Every client needs an attorney who is racially and culturally literate and prepared to brief and object when microaggressions arise. This session will break down how microaggressions (if not macroaggressions) show up in the courtroom and how you can support your client’s ability to seek justice in an inherently unjust forum.

This session may qualify for one hour of diversity, inclusion and/or elimination of bias credit.
Holding Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Racism Accountable in the Workplace
Moderator/Speaker: Mahir Nisar
Speakers: Samy Harmoush & Reem Subei
Islamophobia includes fear, hatred, or prejudice towards Islam, Muslims, or people perceived to be Muslim. When Islamophobia appears in the workplace, it may lead to employees being harassed, marginalized, or discriminated against. This session will explore common forms of anti-Muslim racism and Islamophobia, the most recent case law in this area and how to recognize this bias, understand it and combat it.

This session may qualify for one hour of diversity, inclusion and/or elimination of bias credit.
Litigation Strategies to Protect Trans Workers in 2026
Moderator/Speaker: Andrew M. Adelman
Speakers: Allegra L. Fishel, Karla Gilbride & Aniko R. Schwarcz

Over the past year, transgender workers have come under attack from the highest levels of government. With the EEOC abandoning its cases on behalf of transgender workers and OPM instituting new bathroom policies, trans workers face challenging legal circumstances. All is not lost, however. Our experts will discuss the current status of discrimination on the basis of gender identity under Bostock and what strategies they are using to ensure trans workers are protected under the law.

This session may qualify for one hour of diversity, inclusion and/or elimination of bias credit.
8:00–11:00 p.m.Vision. Justice. Community. NELA 2026 Gala

Saturday, June 27, 2026

7:30–9:00 a.m.2026 Annual Convention Registration
9:00–10:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Fundamentals of Employment LawPractical Negotiation Skills for Plaintiffs’ Employment Lawyers
Moderator/Speaker: Parisis G. “Gerry” Filippatos
Speakers: Bernard Alexander, Tanya Tate & Harjeen Zibari

Negotiation skills are vital to the toolbox of every plaintiff’s employment lawyer. However, how to successfully negotiate can be highly dependent on the jurisdiction, identities of the parties involved and stage of the case. This panel will explore the practical negotiation skills that can work for every attorney and how our panelists have evolved in their negotiation skills over time to adapt to the complexities of interpersonal communication.
Beyond Employment Law: Issue Spotting and Creative AdvocacyIdentifying Potential Whistleblower Issues in Employment Cases
Moderator/Speaker: Michael A. Filoromo, III
Speakers: Renée Brooker, Mark Hanna, Avi Kumin & Clayton Wire

One of the biggest challenges for employment lawyers is identifying a potential whistleblower tip or False Claims Act qui tam claim amid facts that may also give rise to an employment claim. Properly vetting these cases from the start is key to preserving the paths to substantial awards for our clients. This panel will provide practical guidance on identifying fact patterns that may give rise to a qui tam or form the basis for successful tips under one of the growing number of whistleblower award programs, including those administered by the SEC, the CFTC, the IRS, the Treasury Department, and the Department of Transportation, as well as the DOJ’s bank fraud program.
A Brave New World—Recent Developments and Inspiring Wins in Federal Sector Representation
Moderator: M. Nieves Bolaños
Speakers: Jasmine M. Santos & Phoebe Wolfe

The federal workforce and the state of federal employment law have been in constant flux over the past 1.5 years, from the closure of entire organizations to expansive changes in MSPB and OPM jurisdiction over appeals and claims. Our panelists will discuss the many changes in this area, what is coming down the road, and how the wins that inspire hope in every federal sector practitioner can be expanded moving forward.
FMLA/FLSA Alphabet Soup with Judge Corey Maze
Moderator/Speaker: The Honorable Corey Maze
Speakers: Toni J. Jaramilla & Rachhana T. Srey
Join your host Judge Corey L. Maze and 2 NELA Board members for 60 minutes of fun and facts. In this game show format, Judge Maze will test the knowledge not only of our contestants, but also the audience on the ins and outs of the FMLA and FLSA. Whether you are an expert in these areas or new to the practice of law, this innovative and interactive session will leave you entertained and educated.
Effective Advocacy Before Modern Juries
Moderator/Speaker: Amber L. Hurst
Speakers: Summer H. Murshid

Jury selection has always been a delicate balance, aiming to find jurors who can understand the experience of your client. We need not look any further than the news or social media to see that we are living in challenging times, where all potential jurors are inundated with divisive rhetoric and often misinformation. This session will discuss whether jury selection has gotten more difficult, how you can develop your voir dire to address these complexities, and how to succeed in front of a jury no matter the make-up.
10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.The Year in Review: Significant Developments in Employment Law
Moderator/Speaker: Heather Newsom Leonard
Speakers: Professor Eric Schnapper & Professor Suja Thomas

Don't miss what has become one of the convention's most anticipated sessions. As the 2026 Annual Convention draws to a close, NELA's experts will take the stage for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred review of the employment cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court during its 2025–2026 term, significant appellate court, legislative, and state law developments, and the emerging issues reshaping plaintiffs' employment law practice. In a political environment defined by relentless attacks on workers' rights, civil rights enforcement, and the independence of the courts themselves, this session delivers the analysis and perspective NELA members need to stay ahead—and stay fighting.