NELA

Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys

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NELA Supports the Nomination of Nancy Maldonado to the Northern District of Illinois

Dear Chair Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley,

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and its 4,000 circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our strongest possible recommendation that Nancy Maldonado be considered for nomination to fill the vacancy on the Northern District of Illinois—a court that, among other things, oversees federal action on workers’ rights.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Our members litigate daily in every federal district and circuit, affording NELA a unique perspective on how employment cases actually play out on the ground and an accurate understanding of the profound impact of the judiciary on the daily lives and the rights of working people. Ms. Maldonado is exactly the type of individual who is ideally suited to serve on the federal bench. She is a highly accomplished and well-respected litigator who has extensive experience in all aspects of federal litigation, having spent a career protecting the legal rights of workers.

There … Read More

NELA Supports the Nomination of Nancy Abudu to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Dear Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, and Committee Members:

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and its 4,000 national, circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our strongest support for the confirmation of Nancy Abudu to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA empowers workers’ rights attorneys through legal training, promoting a fair judiciary, and advocating for laws and policies that level the playing field for workers. Our members litigate daily in every federal district and circuit, affording NELA a unique perspective on the profound impact of the judiciary on the daily lives and the rights of working people.

Ms. Abudu’s extensive litigation experience, her exemplary professional credentials, and her outstanding educational background, make her eminently qualified to serve as a federal appellate judge. Ms. Abudu received her undergraduate degree at Columbia University. She earned her law degree at Tulane University Law School where she served as Managing Editor of the Tulane Environmental Law Journal. While in law school … Read More

NELA Comments on Proposed Rule, RIN 3206-AO23, 87 Fed.Reg. 200-209

Submitted via: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/OPM-2022-0001-0001

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) respectfully submits the following comments concerning the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Proposed Rule, as published in the Federal Register at 87 Fed.Reg. 200-209 (January 4, 2022).  NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. Our mission is to advance worker’s rights and serve lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have faced illegal treatment in the workplace. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws and comments on relevant Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). NELA also engages in legislative advocacy on behalf of workers throughout the United States. A substantial number of NELA members’ clients are federal employees. Thus, NELA has both an interest in any potential modifications to federal sector personnel regulations issued by … Read More

NELA Supports the Nomination of Dale Ho to the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York

Dear Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, and Committee Members:

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and its 4,000 circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our organization’s strong support for the nomination of Dale Ho to serve as a judge on the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Our members litigate daily in every federal district and circuit, affording NELA a unique perspective on how employment cases play out on the ground and an accurate understanding of the profound impact of the judiciary on the daily lives and the rights of working people.

We write today to commend Dale Ho as an exemplary nominee for the SDNY. Mr. Ho is a graduate of Princeton University (1999) and Yale Law School (2005), after which he clerked for Judge Barbara Jones of the SDNY and Judge Robert Smith of the New York Court of … Read More

National Employment Lawyers Association Celebrates The Confirmation Of Jennifer Sung To The Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals

Concord, Calif. – December 15, 2021 – On Thursday, the Senate voted to confirm Jennifer Sung 50-49 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Oregon. Ms. Sung has outstanding credentials and is eminently qualified to serve on the Ninth Circuit. She brings her extensive experience in labor and employment law to the bench, having worked first as a labor organizer and later as an attorney and litigator specializing in labor, employment, and constitutional law on behalf of workers from all walks of life. Most recently, Ms. Sung served as a member of the Oregon Employment Relations Board where she adjudicated labor and employment disputes. She clerked for Judge Betty Binns Fletcher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and was awarded a Skadden Fellowship at the Brennan Center for Justice.

In addition to Ms. Sung’s stellar professional qualifications, she is the first member of the Asian American Pacific Islander community to be confirmed to the federal bench in Oregon, where Asian American Pacific Islanders comprise about 12 percent of the general population. The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) applauds this historic confirmation.

Ms. Sung’s appointment represents progress on two critically important and longstanding NELA goals: … Read More

National Employment Lawyers Association And The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy Appoint New Executive Director

Seasoned legal advocate and former workers’ rights attorney Jeffrey A. Mittman selected by unanimous board vote

Concord, Calif. – Dec 10, 2020 – After an extensive nationwide search, the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy (The Institute) are pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey A. Mittman as the organizations’ incoming executive director, beginning January 4, 2021.

In this role, Mittman will lead NELA and The Institute in working toward the shared vision of a future in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect; workplaces are equitable, diverse, and inclusive; and the well-being of workers is a priority in business practices.

This is a particularly critical time for workers and the attorneys who represent them against all manner of illegal treatment in the workplace, such as discrimination, harassment, wage theft, safety issues, and more. These issues have been magnified by the challenging, and frequently dangerous, circumstances arising from COVID-19. Congress has yet to pass a new stimulus package to aid those in desperate need of relief; instead of being laser focused on the American people, one of the hold-ups is how best to protect corporations from liability in COVID-related … Read More

National Employment Lawyers Association’s Department of Labor Proposals for First 100 Days

Biden-Harris Department of Labor Review Team
Chris Lu, Team Lead

Submitted electronically to Patricia Smith

Dear DOL Agency Review Team:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) welcomes the opportunity to share our recommendations for concrete steps that can be taken in the first 100 days under new leadership at the White House and Department of Labor (DOL). If implemented, these changes would advance the work of building an economy in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect; workplaces are equitable, diverse, and inclusive; and the well-being of workers is a priority in business practices.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised solely of lawyers who represent workers asserting employment, wage and hour, labor, and civil rights protections. NELA advocates for workers’ rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to helping those who have suffered unlawful treatment in the workplace to use private law enforcement to vindicate their rights.

NELA members and staff have identified the following six areas, set forth below in which there is an immediate need … Read More

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NELA Comment On Proposed Rule: Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures

VIA Electronic Submission

Bernadette B. Wilson
Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
131 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20507

Re:      Comment on Proposed Rule: Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures, 85 Fed. Reg. 64,079, RIN 3046–AB19

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) respectfully submits the following comments in response to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures (the “NPRM”).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have been illegally treated in the workplace. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws and comments on relevant NPRMs of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). A substantial number of NELA members’ clients are charging parties at … Read More

NELA & The Institute Mourn The Passing Of Justice Ginsburg

NELA and The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In her career as a litigator, Justice Ginsburg was a staunch advocate for gender equality, having broken numerous barriers throughout her career. As the second woman to serve on the High Court, she was a voice for many of the most vulnerable people in our society, and will continue to influence jurists far into the future. As Justice Elena Kagan observed, “She has changed the face of American anti-discrimination law.”

We mourn the loss of an icon and wish her family peace as they say goodbye to their loved one. Rest in peace, Justice Ginsberg. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with our nation and inspiring our continued commitment to justice.

… Read More