The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) is at the forefront of efforts to advance equality and justice in the American workplace through federal legislation and public policy. Since NELA's inception, we have lobbied and provided technical assistance to Congress on scores of federal legislation that bring us closer to achieving our mission. Visit our About NELA page for more information about our work.

What's New In Washington

• NELA Comments On Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking RIN 1235-AA31 (Fluctuating Workweek)
• NELA Supports The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
• NELA Comments On OPM Proposed Rule Diminishing Agencies’ Ability To Settle Cases, RIN 3206-AN60
• NELA Comments On DOL Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking On Joint Employer Status Under The Fair Labor Standards Act
• NELA Comments On DOL Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking On The Regular Rate Rule Under The Fair Labor Standards Act
• Letter in Support of the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act
• NELA Commends New Workplace Harassment Legislation, The Bringing An End To Harassment By Enhancing Accountability And Rejecting Discrimination In The Workplace Act (BE HEARD Act)

For more news, visit our Comments, Letters & Testimony page.

Legislative & Public Policy Priorities

In fulfilling our mission, NELA has adopted the following federal legislative and public policy priorities:

• Keep the courthouse doors open by fighting against forced arbitration of workplace disputes, and preserve the right to a jury for working people.
• Safeguard workers' recoveries for illegal workplace violations from unfair taxation.
• Ensure that independent and fair-minded individuals who are faithful to America's promise of equal justice under law are appointed to the federal bench.
• Enhance workplace protections on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and age.
• Advocate for stronger protections for workers with caregiving responsibilities, including strengthening the Family and Medical Leave Act, passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and reforms to unfair scheduling practices.
• Advocate for an increase in the minimum wage, as well as fair wage, hour, and leave standards; protect those who expose employer abuse, fraud, and waste; and challenge at-will employment. 

Cultivating The Next Generation Of Employee Rights Advocates

NELA offers opportunities for dynamic interns (undergraduate and/or law students) to assist with important projects related to NELA’s core mission of advancing employee rights and serving lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Internships are available for every academic term, including summers. NELA requires that prospective interns simultaneously participate in for-credit academic programs. How To Apply

NELA's Legislative Action Team

NELA's most important asset is its membership. To leverage our voices, we have created NELA's Legislative Action Team (LAT) to take action to protect and advance workers’ rights. The LAT engages NELA members and Affiliate members—as community leaders and constituents—in lobbying Congress and influencing public opinion on proposed legislation and public policy that are important to you, your clients, and workers across the country. You can sign up at www.nela.org/LAT.

Advocating For Employee Rights

For more information about how to get involved in advancing equality and justice in the American workplace, contact NELA Legislativec & Public Policy Director Laura M. Flegel at lflegel@nelahq.org.

• Comments, Letters & Testimony
• Ending Forced Arbitration In The Workplace
• Civil Justice Tax Fairness Act
• Judicial Nominations
• About NELA