NELA 2023 Convention Program Guide

CONVENTION PROGRAM GUIDE CONVENTION PROGRAM

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION June 28–July 1, 2023 Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park

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BARRETT & FARAHANY IS PROUD TO HONOR NELA AND ITS DISTINGUISHED PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF WORKERS ACROSS THE NATION. Barrett & Farahany ad

Thank you for your sincere dedication to securing justice at work for all!

justiceatwork.com

(866) 306-6111

Dear Workers’ Rights Champions:

Welcome to Elevating Justice—the 2023 National Employment Lawyers Association Annual Convention in Chicago.

We are delighted you could join us for the nation’s largest annual gathering of plaintiffs’ employment lawyers. We extend our thanks to the members and board of NELA-Illinois for their warm and generous hospitality. We invite you to visit their exhibit table for information about attractions, restaurants, and activities in the surrounding area.

If it is not yet on your calendar, please plan to join us for NELA’s Annual Gala Fundraiser on Friday, June 30 from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Gala is our yearly celebration of our collective accomplishments and the power of our voices when we unite to protect and promote workers’ rights on Capitol Hill and in courtrooms across the nation. We offer our deepest gratitude to the sponsors of the 2023 Gala for making NELA an even stronger and more influential force for working people and their advocates.

We wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of retiring NELA Board members Wade B. Cowan and Rosemary Orsini. We salute their leadership and passion in advancing the cause for all workers.

The 2023 NELA Annual Convention Committee, along with our Convention moderators and speakers, have worked hard over the past several months to bring you extraordinary programming throughout the next three days. We hope you take advantage of the many opportunities to meet and collaborate with the best plaintiffs’ employment lawyers in the country. Learn, celebrate, connect, rejuvenate, and then return to your office equipped with new ideas, tips, and strategies that you can immediately apply to your practice.

On behalf of the Board and Staff of the National Employment Lawyers Association, thank you for joining us and for all you do to promote a more just and inclusive American workplace.

Linda M. Correia

Jeffrey A. Mittman

President

Executive Director

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“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”

- Maya Angelou Thank you to the 2023 Gala Honorees for their commitment to equal access. www.seelawpc.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Welcome to Chicago, NELA-IL ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 NELA Board Members ...................................................................................................................................................................................10 National Institute for Workers’ Rights Board Members .............................................................................................................................. 11 NELA & Institute Staff & Volunteers .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 NELA Affiliate Representatives .................................................................................................................................................................... 16 NELA History & Today ....................................................................................................................................................................................17 Convention Sponsors & Exhibitors ............................................................................................................................................................... 18 2023 Annual Convention Committee ......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Convention Keynote Address Panelists .......................................................................................................................................................20 Elevating Justice: 2023 Courageous Plaintiffs ........................................................................................................................................... 21 Gala Fundraiser Awards Presentation & Celebration ................................................................................................................................ 25 NELA Gala Honorees .................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 NELA Gala Sponsors ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Code of Conduct ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 35 Health & Safety Policy ................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Convention Wi-Fi Information ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Convention Materials, Microsite, and Audio Recordings ......................................................................................................................... 36 Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Meeting Room Maps .......................................................................................................................37 2023 Annual Convention Program ............................................................................................................................................................. 42 NELA Champion, Defender, Advocate, Sustaining & Contributing Members ................................................................................... 55 NELA Donors ..................................................................................................................................................................................................57 National Institute for Workers’ Rights Impact for Workers Award .......................................................................................................... 64 The Paul H. Tobias Attorney Fellowship Program ...................................................................................................................................... 65 National Institute for Workers’ Rights Donors ........................................................................................................................................... 66 The Power of Cy Pres to Advance Workers’ Rights .................................................................................................................................... 68 NELA Convention & Gala Sponsor Advertisements ................................................................................................................................ 71

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2023 Advocates for Employee Rights NELA-IL ad

NELA-ILLINOIS WELCOMES YOU ALL TO CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. PLEASE ENJOY OUR LOVELY CITY AND ALL THAT IT HAS TO OFFER.

WWW.NELA-ILLINOIS.ORG

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Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association-Illinois (NELA-Illinois), it is my pleasure to welcome you to Chicago for Elevating Justice, NELA’s 2023 Convention. We are thrilled to have you join us for this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from esteemed professionals in the field of workers’ rights.

At this Convention, we are proud to celebrate three of our own outstanding individuals for their exceptional contributions to the field of employment law. Congratulations to David L. Lee, Robin B. Potter, and Chiquita Hall-Jackson for their well-deserved recognition as Illinois Award honorees. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with you.

As we gather in Chicago, we cannot ignore the rich history of this great city. From the labor movement to civil rights activism, Chicago has been at the forefront of social justice movements for decades. It is this same spirit of empowerment that drives our mission to advocate for workers’ rights attorneys across the United States.

From the labor movement to civil rights activism, Chicago has been at the forefront of social justice movements for decades.

In addition to the Convention, we encourage you to explore all that Chicago has to offer. Take a stroll along the lakeshore, visit the Art Institute of Chicago, or catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

And be sure to join us for our networking events and receptions where you can connect with fellow attendees and share your experiences.

We are excited to have you join us for this transformative event. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to elevating justice for workers everywhere.

Sincerely,

Chiquita Hall-Jackson President of National Employment Lawyers Association–Illinois

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Fighting the fight for workers. . .every day. . . to eliminate workplace discrimination and retaliation.

Correia Puth SPREAD

1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 450 Washington, DC 20036 202.602.6500 www.correiaputh.com

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NELA BOARD NELA BOARD MEMBERS

Linda M. Correia President Correia & Puth, PLLC Washington, DC

Bernard Alexander Alexander Morrison + Fehr, LLP Los Angeles, CA

Rosemary Orsini Orsini Law LLC Littleton, CO

Carla D. Brown First Vice President Charlson Bredehoft Cohen Brown & Nadelhaft, PC Reston, VA

Heather M. Collins HMC Civil Rights Law Brentwood, TN

Nina T. Pirrotti Garrison, LevinEpstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, PC New Haven, CT

Mark Hanna Vice President of Public Policy Murphy Anderson PLLC Washington, DC M. Nieves Bolaños Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fish Potter Bolaños, PC Chicago, IL Summer H. Murshid Secretary Hawks Quindel, SC Milwaukee, WI Deborah Karpatkin Treasurer Law Office of Deborah H. Karpatkin New York, NY Wade B. Cowan Immediate Past President Nashville, TN

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

Christine T. Elzer Elzer Law Firm, LLC Pittsburgh, PA Amanda A. Farahany Barrett & Farahany Atlanta, GA

Scott M. Pollins Pollins Law Firm Swarthmore, PA

Donna Williams Rucker Tully Rinckey, PLLC Washington, DC

Karla Gilbride Washington, DC

Robert W. Schmidt Robert W. Schmidt Law Firm Austin, TX

Maureen Truax Holland Holland & Associates, PC Memphis, TN

Rachhana T. Srey Nichols Kaster, PLLP Minneapolis, MN

Christopher Houk Houk Law Firm, PC Tempe, AZ

Jeffrey N. Young Solidarity Law Cumberland Foreside, ME

Ben Lebsack Lowrey Parady Lebsack, LLC Denver, CO

Paul H. Tobias Founder, In Memoriam

INSTITUTE BOARD NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS BOARD MEMBERS

Diane S. King President King & Greisen, LLP Denver, CO

M. Nieves Bolaños Fish Potter Bolaños, PC Chicago, IL

Donna R. Lenhoff Donna Lenhoff Associates Washington, DC

Denise M. Clark Vice President Clark Law Group, PLLC Washington, DC

Roberto L. Corrada Sturm College of Law, University of Denver Denver, CO

Maria Price Cisco Washington, DC

Alicia K. Haynes Secretary & Treasurer Haynes & Haynes, PC Birmingham, AL

Linda M. Correia Correia & Puth, PLLC Washington, DC

Phillis h. Rambsy Rambsy Law PC Nashville, TN

Patricia A. Barasch Past President Schall & Barasch, LLC Moorestown, NJ

Bruce A. Fredrickson Webster & Fredrickson PLLC Washington, DC

RETIRING NELA BOARD MEMBERS

The National Employment Lawyers Association applauds our retiring Board Members for their tireless service. Thank you for inspiring us all to Elevate Justice for workers!

WADE B. COWAN ROSEMARY ORSINI

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New York Washington DC San Francisco Palo Alto Baltimore San Diego Nashville Atlanta

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With deepest appreciation for the hard-working, creative and inspiring team of advocates at NELA and the Institute Tacarra Andrade Alicia Battle Leah A. Hofkin Karen Maoki Erica Posey

Jason Solomon Tiana Stewart Pedro A. Valverde Ashley O. Westby

Thank you!

Jeffrey A. Mittman

NELA STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

NELA STAFF

NELA STAFF

Tacarra L. Andrade Membership Director

Leah A. Hofkin Director of Development

Jeffrey A. Mittman Executive Director

Pedro A. Valverde Digital Communications & Technology Manager

Alicia Battle Events Coordinator

Karen Maoki Director of Strategy & Operations

Tiana Stewart Administrative Coordinator

Ashley O. Westby Program Director

NELA STAFF

INSTITUTE STAFF

Jason Solomon Director

Erica Posey Paul H. Tobias Attorney Fellow

NELA VOLUNTEERS Kieran Barasch Schall & Barasch, LLC Daniela Bernstein Correia & Puth, PLLC Shanisha Cooper HMC Civil Rights Law

Patricia Losacker Tobias, Torchia & Simon/Freking, Myers & Reul, LLC Karla Pathmann Nichols Kaster, PLLP

Erica Runnels HMC Civil Rights Law Elizabeth Schultz HMC Civil Rights Law

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NELA AFFILIATE REPRESENTATIVES Eighth Circuit NELA Jill A. Silverstein Alabama NELA-Alabama Sonya Edwards Arizona AzELA Jeffrey A. Silence California California Employment Lawyers Association Laura L. Horton Bay Area Cabal Patrice L. Goldman Traci M. Hinden LEFTJAW Thomas W. Falvey Sacramento Employment Lawyers Association Christopher H. Whelan Colorado Colorado PELA Emily R. Stevens Connecticut Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association Amanda M. DeMatteis District of Columbia Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association Lauren A. Khouri Florida Florida NELA Alberto Naranjo Georgia NELA Georgia Tamika Sykes Hawaii NELA-Hawaii Elbridge W. Smith Illinois NELA-Illinois Chiquita Hall-Jackson

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Indiana NELA-Indiana Tae Sture

Nevada Nevada NELA Joshua D. Buck

Rhode Island Rhode Island NELA Charles S. Kirwan

Iowa Iowa NELA Thomas Bullock

New Hampshire New Hampshire NELA Benjamin T. King

Tennessee TENNELA Brian Winfrey

Kentucky Kentucky Employment Lawyers Association Barbara D. Bonar

New Jersey NELA-NJ Leslie Farber

Texas Texas Employment Lawyers Association Kyla Cole

Louisiana Louisiana Employment Lawyers Association J. Arthur Smith, III Baton Rouge NELA J. Arthur Smith, III

New York NELA/New York Laurie E. Morrison North Carolina NELA-North Carolina Faith Herndon

Maine Maine NELA David G. Webbert

Ohio Ohio Employment Lawyers Association Neil E. Klingshirn

Maryland Maryland Employment Lawyers Association Neil R. Lebowitz

Paul H. Tobias Cincinnati Employment Lawyers Association Randolph H. Freking

Massachusetts Massachusetts Employment Lawyers Association David I. Brody

Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Kami D. Brauer

Michigan Michigan Employment Lawyers Association Sarah S. Prescott

Oklahoma Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association Amber L. Hurst

Dallas/Ft. Worth NELA Corinna Chandler El Paso/West Texas Employment Lawyers Association Christopher Benoit NELA Houston Dorian Vandenberg-Rodes San Antonio Employment Lawyers Association Philip J. Moss Utah Utah Employment Lawyers Association Galen T. Shimoda Vermont Vermont Employment Lawyers Association Roger E. Kohn

Tulsa Employment Lawyers Association Jonathan E. Shook

Virginia Virginia Employment Lawyers Association Terry N. Grimes

Employee Lawyers Association of the Upper Midwest Leslie L. Lienemann

Oregon Oregon Employment Lawyers Association Beth Creighton

Washington Washington Employment Lawyers Association Beth Terrell

Missouri Kansas City NELA Phillip M. Murphy II

Pennsylvania NELA-Eastern Pennsylvania Michael A. Filoromo

St. Louis NELA Jessica M. Scales

Western Pennsylvania Employment Lawyers Association Nicole Daller

West Virginia West Virginia Employment Lawyers Association Nicole Sanders-Meske

Minnesota Minnesota NELA Brian T. Rochel

Nebraska Nebraska NELA Joy Shiffermiller

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

Wisconsin Wisconsin Employment Lawyers Association Jeffrey S. Hynes

NELA HISTORY & TODAY

“We have influenced life in America, our organization. There is no question that the work that our lawyers have done has made an impact on employees—workers—all over the country for the last years. For a little organization of 2,000 members, that is something to be proud of.”

– PAUL H. TOBIAS, NELA FOUNDER

In

In March 1985, a dozen plaintiff employment lawyers from nine states attending the ABA’s Labor and Employment Law Section meeting in Wesley Chapel, Florida decided to form the Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association (PELA). Led by Paul H. Tobias, the founding members envisioned that this new organization would provide the assistance and information sought by attorneys representing individual employees, particularly in wrongful termination cases. It would develop the professional network necessary for effective sharing and support of ideas, successes, problems, and frustrations. PELA also would serve as an instrument for advancing public policy and legislation affecting the rights of employees. In this regard, the founding members of PELA contemplated a publication, which later would be called The Employee Advocate, a membership directory, a brief bank, educational programs uniquely designed for plaintiff employment lawyers, and the development of state and local PELA groups around the country. In 1990, PELA changed its name to the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) to represent the growing national scope of its membership and held its first Annual Convention.

of volunteers, the organization has participated as amicus curiae in significant employment cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and Circuit Courts of Appeals since 1985. NELA is at the forefront of major employment issues, including banning forced arbitration of employment claims, resisting reforms to the civil justice system that would make it more difficult for workers to vindicate their rights, and ensuring a fair and diverse judiciary. At the circuit, state, and local levels, NELA Affiliates across the nation are supporting workers’ rights advocates in their communities and adding their voices in NELA’s advocacy initiatives.

In the thirty-eight years since its founding, NELA has gained a reputation for providing exceptional educational programs for plaintiff employment lawyers. Its substantive law committees and practice groups provide technical support to NELA members and keep them abreast of recent developments, and the NELA Exchange provides a forum for members to share strategies, resources, and encouragement. With the assistance of dozens

The cornerstone of NELA is, and always has been, community. Among the original goals set at the inaugural meeting of PELA is the “PELA Pledge”: Members agree to receive calls from fellow members and render assistance. The devices used to share information have changed since 1985, but the guiding principle remains the same: NELA’s greatest strengths are the generosity and collective power of our community of workers’ rights advocates.

The cornerstone of NELA is, and always has been, community.

In 2008, NELA created a related charitable policy and advocacy organization, now known as the National Institute for Workers’ Rights (Institute). The Institute advances workers’ rights through research, thought leadership, and education for policymakers, advocates, and the public, and is NELA’s indispensable partner in pursuing our shared vision for the world: A future in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect; workplaces are equitable, diverse, and inclusive; and the wellbeing of workers is a priority in business practices.

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SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

CONVENTION SPONSORS AARP LOGO

barrett & Dundon Advisers LOGO

J u s t i ce at W or k

Morgan & Morgan LOGO

Correia & Puth, PLLC HMC Civil Rights Law Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation National Institute for Workers’ Rights NELA-Illinois Nichols Kaster, PLLP Schall & Barasch, LLC Tobias, Torchia & Simon/Freking, Myers & Reul, LLC

CONVENTION EXHIBITORS Balanced Bridge Funding Employstats ILYM Group, Inc. J.S. Held KCI Settlements National Women’s Law Center Rust Consulting Scorpion Simpluris Stand Up for Workers Stratejic Relationships Workplace Fairness

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CONVENTION COMMITTEE

NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION 2023 ANNUAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE —————————–––––––––––––––––––––—————————— Co-Chairs ————————––––––––—–––––––––––––—————————— M. Nieves Bolaños Fish Potter Bolaños, PC Chicago, IL

Chiquita Hall-Jackson Hall-Jackson & Associates Chicago, IL

—————–––––––––————–––––––––––––——————————Members —————————–––––––––––––———————––––––––——— Lisa L. Clay Attorney at Law Wheaton, IL

Cheryl Legare Legare, Attwood & Wolfe, LLC Decatur, GA

Heather M. Collins Collins & Hunter, PLLC Brentwood, TN

Karen Maoki National Employment Lawyers Association Concord, CA

Linda M. Correia Correia & Puth, PLLC Washington, DC

John McKnight Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP Washington, DC

Maria Diaz Allred, Maroko & Goldberg Los Angeles, CA

Jeffrey Mittman National Employment Lawyers Association Concord, CA

Loren Donnell Burr & Smith, LLP Saint Petersburg, FL

Camille Rodriguez Berger & Montague, PC Philadelphia, PA

Michael A. Filoromo Katz Banks Kumin Philadelphia, PA

Pooja Shethji Outten & Golden LLP Washington, DC

Joseph D. Garrison Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, PC New Haven, CT

Douglas Werman Werman Salas PC Chicago, IL

Daniel Hutchinson Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP San Francisco, CA

Ashley O. Westby National Employment Lawyers Association Washington, DC

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KEYNOTE PANELISTS 2023 NELA Annual Convention Keynote Panelists Kim Bobo is a nationally known promoter of social justice who leads Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy’s advocacy, outreach, and development work. She literally wrote the book on faith-based organizing. Kim joined Virginia Interfaith Center in 2016, where she mobilized a historic faith advocacy campaign and played a leadership role in the statewide Healthcare for All Virginians coalition advocating Medicaid expansion, which passed in 2018. Kim moved to Virginia from Chicago, where she founded and served as executive director of Interfaith Worker Justice, the nation’s largest network of people of faith engaging in local and national actions to improve wages, benefits, and conditions for workers. Prior to that, Kim was national organizing director for Bread for the World and an instructor at the Midwest Academy. Born in Cincinnati, Kim has a B.A. in religion from Barnard College and an M.A. in economics from the New School for Social Research.

Roberto Clack is the Executive Director of Temp Worker Justice.

Roberto has spent time organizing in the housing, peace, and labor movements. As part of his work in the peace movement, Roberto helped organize Iraq Veterans Against War’s (IVAW) Winter Soldier event in 2008 and IVAW’s NATO Ceremony in 2012. As part of his work with worker centers, he has been a part of winning major legislation in Illinois, including the Fair Work Week campaign, the Chicago Sick Time ordinance, and the Illinois Clean Jobs Act, and helped stop new temporary staffing agency offices from gaining special use permits in his home town in Joliet. Roberto started the first worker center-based labor and environment department in the country and was a founding executive board member of the Illinois Green New Deal Coalition, along with serving as an elected board member of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition. Roberto has helped raise millions of dollars for grassroots organizations in his two decades of organizing and his communications work has been featured in publications including: Vice News, The New Republic, USA Today, In These Times, The Progressive, The Chicago Tribune, and WBEZ Radio, along with many others.

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Stacy Davis Gates is president of the Chicago Teachers Union and executive vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Before she was elected CTU president in 2022, Stacy served four years as vice president of the union. Prior to that, she was the CTU’s political and legislative director. In fall 2019, she helped lead a 15-day strike and negotiate a historic contract that provides for smaller class sizes, ensures a nurse and social worker in every Chicago public school, secures sanctuary protections for immigrant families, and supports students and families experiencing homelessness. Stacy has spearheaded statewide legislative campaigns to pass the strongest charter school accountability measures in the country, push for the restoration of the bargaining rights of Chicago Public Schools employees and fully fund public education by ending tax loopholes for the 1 percent. Stacy is currently on leave from the classroom, where she taught high school social studies for over a decade at Englewood, Clemente, and Mason Community Links high schools.

Brandi McNease is the lead organizer of Chipotle United in Augusta, Maine. Brandi worked in the food service industry for over 20 years, three of those at Chipotle prior to 2022. When she returned to work at the Chipotle location in Augusta, Brandi led the charge to organize the staff in pursuit of safer working conditions, sustainable staffing levels, and living wages. The Augusta Chipotle was the first Chipotle in the United States to file for a union election, and the store was closed less than a month later. The National Labor Relations Board found that Chipotle broke federal law by closing the store hours before a union hearing where the election was set to be scheduled and blackballing workers. In March of 2023, a settlement was reached on behalf of the workers at the Augusta location. Brandi wants fellow workers to know they have the power to make change and ensure that corporations follow the same laws as everyone else.

COURAGEOUS PLAINTIFFS 2023 NELA Annual Convention Courageous Plaintiffs Gerald Bostock Bostock v. Clayton County Represented by Edward D. Buckley & Thomas J. Mew Gerald Bostock was the named plaintiff in the landmark case Bostock v. Clayton County, in which the Supreme Court held Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in banning sex discrimination, also bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Gerald was raised in South Georgia in the city of Valdosta, where children are taught early the importance of Faith, Family, and Football. This heavily influenced the man Gerald has become. Gerald attended Valdosta State College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Social Work. He later earned his social services certification from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). Throughout Gerald’s career, he has had a passion for working with children, specifically victims of child abuse and neglect. In 2003, Gerald found his dream job working as the Child Welfare Services Coordinator at the Clayton County Juvenile Court just outside Atlanta, Georgia where he managed the Clayton County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program, which he did for over ten years.

He did so with distinction and honor and was able to reach the unprecedented feat of serving 100% of the children entering the child welfare system in that Metro Atlanta community.

In early 2013, Gerald joined a gay recreational softball league after beating cancer, and within months he was fired for alleged “conduct unbecoming a Clayton County employee.” Gerald’s legal battle to vindicate his rights under Title VII resulted in the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. Gerald is proud to have played a pivotal role in the fight for LGBTQ rights in the workplace. As Gerald has said from the beginning, “no one should go to work fearful of losing their job because of who they are, how they identify, or who they love.” He is now employed by the state of Georgia as a Mental Health Counselor at Georgia Regional Hospital Atlanta, an inpatient psychiatric facility.

Jennifer Glover Glover v. Centerra Grp., LLC Represented by Jay Ellwanger Jennifer Glover is a former Special Police Officer (SPO) who worked at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) from 2015 to 2018.

Every day she put on her uniform as an SPO, strapped on her boots, picked up her service rifle, jumped in her duty Humvee, and went to work protecting top secret assets on a site that covers over 1,360 square miles of desert. She loved her new career and won awards on several occasions. Jennifer was one of a handful of female security guards at the site, and even before she stepped foot on base, the male-dominated workforce had begun to objectify and sexualize her, ogling and catcalling her everywhere she went and placing bets as to who would sleep with her first. And then, during a training exercise, under the cover of darkness and through the din of explosions, her co-workers violently and brutally assaulted her.

On August 17, 2018, Jennifer filed an EEOC charge against her then-current employer, who retaliated against her after she reported the assault and the treatment she received from co-workers. On January 25, 2019, after a nine-month investigation, the New York Times told her story in a long-form front page article.

On March 11, 2019, Jennifer filed a lawsuit against the company who employed her at the time of the assault in federal court in Las Vegas. Along the way, the matter was also investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Energy (“DOE”), the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”), and local police. The federal lawsuit was resolved, and the case dismissed on November 8, 2019. The EEOC charge was resolved and withdrawn in February 2022.

Although ultimately victorious in her case, she felt defeated inside. For years she buried herself in her hobbies, but her passion to continue her career in law enforcement seemed like an unachievable fantasy from a past life. But Jennifer took a deep breath, stood back up, dusted herself off, strapped on her boots again, and has just recently passed all the required exams and checks to serve as a Police Officer.

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COURAGEOUS PLAINTIFFS Assata Kenneh Kenneh v. Homeward Bound, Inc. Represented by Gerald T. Laurie and Kelly A. Jeanetta Born in Liberia, Assata was raised as part of a large extended family with a storied lineage to West African culture.

Her direct ancestors were from the Mandingo tribe, also known as the Mandinka, who were descendants of the great Mali empire and featured in the miniseries Roots. In her teens, Assata’s family moved from war-torn Liberia to the Philadelphia suburbs.

During those years she was raised by her uncle Amara, who would later become the Minister of Finance and Development Planning of Liberia, and his wife Mrs. Hawah, where the value of hard work and perseverance were instilled in her. Her mother, HadjaMakeesa, who due to gender inequalities had limited educational opportunities herself, lived close by and provided her with strength, encouragement, and above all a burning inspiration to work tirelessly to become the woman she is today.

With the odds stacked against her and little money to spare, she went on to get her Bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

During that time, Assata began to research the world of real estate, and began to earn money buying and selling property.

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

She then decided she would work in direct care and vocational services for people with disabilities – her dream job. She thought she found that job in Minnesota. Although Assata’s performance earned her a promotion to a supervisor position, she began to experience a relentless pattern of sexual harassment. It was so severe that it brought her back to sexual abuse she suffered as a child in Africa. The harassment took its toll on her marriage and career.

Through unimaginable anxiety and depression, Assata courageously stood up to her sexual harasser and employer. Knowing a lawsuit would subject her to scrutiny, scorn, and embarrassment of private matters, Assata showed poise and perseverance in the face of overwhelming emotional trauma from her uncaring employer. She fought her way through every court in Minnesota and she finally won a unanimous decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court reversing summary judgment and granting her a jury trial. Importantly, the court held that from there on, courts must consider modern mores and morals in deciding sexual harassment cases. Outdated cases are not reliable authority. The Minnesota Supreme Court’s wellreasoned opinion is a beacon for those whose dignity has been challenged. Assata’s heart is an inspiration to women and plaintiffs of all sorts, everywhere. As a spiritual and religious woman, Assata continues to give freely her time, love, and compassion to persons with disabilities, older persons, and those in need. She hopes to one day start her own business in that area.

AARP Foundation and NELA Together in Defending Workers’ Rights

AARP Foundation applauds and supports NELA’s efforts to:

• Fight age discrimination in the workplace workers’ rights • Empower attorneys for laws and • Advocate policies that level the

employment playing field We look forward to working together with NELA and its members to level the playing field for workers in the years to come.

Contact us about trial & appellate ADEA, ADA, ERISA, FMLA, FLSA, and related state law matters. To learn more, visit www.AARPFoundation.org/litigation or call (202) 434-2060.

William Alvarado Rivera

Elizabeth Aniskevich

Dean Graybill

Benjamin Davis

Senior VP for Litigation

VP for Litigation (employment & consumer)

Dan Kohrman

(former Member, NELA Board)

(Member) (Member)

Lauren Naylor (Member)

I am working on Sue Elle Eisenberg’s ad.

Across from staff – Mittman full page ad (in premium folder) Across from Gala – Outten & Golden ad (in premium folder) Page 61 – Stephen Bruce ad (in premium folder) Page 62 – NELA/Institute planned giving ad (I’m doing) Page 64 – replace planned giving with Meet Jason (I’m doing)

Lichten & Liss-Riordan ad MOVE TO IBC what goes here instead?

outtengolden.com

gala design

NELA’s 2023 Gala will be a special celebration of our community. Please join us on Thursday afternoon as we honor five of your colleagues for their distinguished service to NELA, inspiring leadership, and strong commitment to the cause of justice for workers. Then on Friday evening, we will gather to toast another year of strong advocacy for workers and dance the night away.

AWARDS PRESENTATION Thursday, June 29 5:15–6:30 p.m.

Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Included with Convention Registration NELA lawyers are heroes—standing up for the working people of our country even when the odds seem insurmountable. We have the privilege of honoring Katherine L. Butler (TX), David L. Lee (IL), and Robin B. Potter (IL) for their longstanding leadership and distinguished service to our community and presenting our Spotlight Award, which recognizes NELA leaders who represent our future, to Chiquita Hall-Jackson (IL) and Lauren A. Khouri (DC).

In addition, the National Institute for Workers’ Rights will be presenting its annual Impact for Workers Award to The M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation.

GALA DANCE PARTY Friday, June 30 8:00–11:00 p.m.

International Ballroom (2nd Floor) Separate Ticket Required Don’t miss this highlight of our time together! The evening includes music, dancing, and sweet and savory snacks. Every Gala attendee will receive two complimentary drink tickets courtesy of Dundon Advisers LLC. Drop in anytime! vvvv NELA’s 2023 Gala Fundraiser reinforces NELA’s mission of empowering workers’ rights attorneys through legal training, promoting a fair judiciary, and advocating for laws and policies that level the playing field for workers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Gala sponsors for their commitment to making NELA an even stronger and more influential force for working people and their advocates.

Tickets are still available and may be purchased in advance at the Registration Desk or at the door.

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2023 NELA GALA HONOREES Please join NELA in honoring five of your colleagues for their inspiring commitment to justice for workers.

The Awards Presentation takes place on Thursday, June 29 at 5:15 p.m. in the Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level).

University of Houston School of Law. She has recently retired from the practice of law. If you are ever in Houston, give her a shout!

employment discrimination from 1984 to 1991. From 1992 to 2015, David was a Hearing Officer for the Cook County Commission on Human Rights. He writes and speaks frequently on employment law, including at NELA events.

David earned his BA and JD from Northwestern University.

Katherine L. Butler, Houston

The NELA community has benefited greatly from the strong commitment and dedicated involvement of Kathy Butler, whose inspiring leadership in NELA and the Texas Employment Lawyers Association (TELA) extends well beyond the many official roles she has held. She served on the NELA Board for six years, including terms as Secretary and Treasurer; has been a longstanding member of the NELA/Institute Joint Fundraising Committee and NELA’s Judicial Nominations Committee; and previously served on the Amicus Advisory Council. Kathy is also a past president of TELA, Houston NELA, and the State Bar of Texas’ Labor and Employment Law Section. She founded and then planned TELA’s annual south of the border seminar for more than twenty years. For decades, she had an active employment law practice in Houston and wrote and lectured extensively on trial and appellate practice, particularly in the area of employment law. She is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and is board certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Kathy is a graduate of Duke University and the

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

David L. Lee, Law Offices of David L. Lee, Chicago

For many NELA members, David Lee may be best known as one of the most helpful expert voices on the NELA Exchange, exemplifying one of NELA’s core values—generously providing assistance and advice to other plaintiffs’ employment lawyers.

David’s commitment to the NELA community also is evidenced by his strong record of leadership, including ten years on the NELA Board, including two years as President (2013–2015). He was co-chair of the Affiliate Relations Committee for four years and still participates on NELA’s Membership Committee. He also is a past president of NELAIllinois. David has spent most of his forty-six-year legal career concentrating on representing employees. Among many other accolades, David is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. He was a full-time clinical professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law’s nationally recognized clinic on

Robin B. Potter, Fish Potter Bolaños, PC, Chicago

Robin Potter is a pioneer in representing unions and workers and advancing workers’ rights.

From a working-class family and raised in a New York housing project, Robin has devoted her life to serving the people. A founding member of NELA and NELA-Illinois, she has remained unwavering in her commitment to our community. Robin has been a frequent speaker for NELA as well as other bar associations, unions, and rank and file labor groups.

In her forty-five-year career, Robin built a successful practice litigating cases involving labor and employment, discrimination, sexual harassment, whistleblower, wage and hour, and under the False Claims Act in individual, class, and collective actions.

She has served as counsel to the Chicago Teachers’ Union,

2023 NELA GALA HONOREES United Steelworkers of America, Teamsters for a Democratic Union, the Association for Union Democracy, and the brave and visionary union members and leadership working to reform their unions and create democracy, equity, and justice in the workplace. Robin and her client Helen Brooms testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor to amend Title VII and usher in the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Robin stands on the shoulders of giants who are her mentors, including NELA Founder Paul Tobias, founding member Mike Leech, former Executive Director Teri Chaw, her late husband Pete Camarata, family and friends, her law partners and everyone at her firm, and the NELA members and other folks who fight every day for a better world. She is a graduate of the City College of New York (CCNY) and University of Iowa Law School (1977).

Chiquita Hall-Jackson, Hall-Jackson & Associates, PLLC, Chicago

Chiquita Hall-Jackson was selected to receive a NELA Spotlight Award because of her fierce commitment to the rights of individuals in the workplace and her dedicated service to the NELA community. She is the founder of Hall-Jackson and Associates, PLLC, an employment law firm in Chicago, and current President

of NELA-Illinois, the first black woman to hold the position.

After facing race and gender bias in her own career, Chiquita has

used her personal experiences to power her professional purpose as an advocate for marginalized employees, speaking up for those whose voices have been silenced by workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She has devoted her life’s work to ensuring minorities are seen, heard, and respected from the backroom to the boardroom.

Chiquita is also an adjunct law professor with a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She earned her BA from Northern Illinois University and her JD from Southern University Law Center.

Lauren A. Khouri, Correia & Puth, PLLC, Washington, DC

NELA is honoring Lauren Khouri with a Spotlight Award because her dedication to the civil rights

of individuals in the workplace and leadership within the NELA community have been and will continue to be essential to our mission. Lauren is a Partner at Correia & Puth, PLLC in Washington, DC, the current President of the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association, and a frequent speaker at NELA CLE events. Her practice includes fighting employment-based discrimination and retaliation of all kinds. Lauren also litigates a broad range of cases under Title IX. Since 2019, Best Lawyers has recognized her as a leader in civil rights law, and Superlawyers has recognized Lauren as a Rising Star in Employment Law. Before joining Correia & Puth, Lauren was a fellow at the National Women’s Law Center.

She received her law degree from American University Washington College of Law.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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2023 NELA GALA SPONSORS It is with gratitude that we acknowledge our generous sponsors of this year’s Gala Fundraiser.

Drink tickets graciously provided by CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE

Getman, Sweeney & Dunn, PLLC

Minnesota NELA

barrett &

Haynes & Haynes, PC

Murphy Anderson PLLC

J u s t i ce at W or k

HKM Employment Attorneys LLP HMC Civil Rights Law King Employment Law NELA-Illinois NELA-NJ Pitt McGehee Palmer Bonanni & Rivers PRESIDENT’S CABINET

BENEFACTORS Stephen R. Bruce Law Offices Katherine L. Butler Lichten & Liss-Riordan, PC Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP Nichols Kaster, PLLP

Colorado PELA Coyle & Benoit, PLLC Creighton & Rose, PC Donelon, PC Fish Potter Bolaños, PC Florida NELA

Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP

Freking Myers & Reul LLC

COMMUNITY LEADERS

John W. Griffin, Jr.

Charlson Bredehoft Cohen Brown & Nadelhaft, PC

Houk Law Firm, PLLC

Gillespie Sanford LLP Hawks Quindel, SC

Kaplan Law Firm, PLLC

The Law Office of John C. Ireland

Outten & Golden LLP

Johnson & Webbert LLP

Texas Employment Lawyers Association

Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, PA

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE

James H. Kaster & Joellen M. Kaster

Bernstein & Lipsett, PC

Lowrey Parady Lebsack

Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC

Marsili Mediation

Filippatos PLLC

Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association

Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, PC 28

California Employment Lawyers Association

McCracken Law Office

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

Jeffrey A. Mittman Pollins Law Firm Ritz Clark & Ben-Asher LLP Donna Williams Rucker Rudy, Exelrod, Zieff & Lowe, LLP The Sanford Firm Sedey Harper Westhoff, PC Schall & Barasch, LLC Robert W. Schmidt Law Firm Solidarity Law

Goldman Davis Krumholz & Dillon, PC Barry Goldstein Hammons, Hurst & Associates Leah A. Hofkin Law Offices of David C. Holmes Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. Impact Fund Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, PC

Werman Salas PC

Kator, Parks, Weiser & Wright PLLC

Williams Law Firm, PC

Matt Koski

ADVOCATES

Kulwin, Masciopinto & Kulwin, LLP

Alexander Morrison + Fehr, LLP

Law Offices of David L. Lee Liu Peterson-Fisher LLP

Armstrong & Associates

Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn & Kelly, PC

Beck & Eldergill, PC Bertelson Law Offices, PA Borealis Law PLLC Carla D. Brown Butler Curwood PLC Clark Law Group, PLLC Carmen Comsti Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association Cornish & Dell’Olio, PC Wade B. Cowan The Day Law Practice, LLC Donati Law, PLLC Ellwanger Henderson

The Maddox Firm LLC | Long Term Disability/ERISA Karen Maoki & Cassandra Chen NELA-Alabama NELA-Eastern Pennsylvania NELA Georgia NELA Houston NELA/New York New Hampshire NELA Law Office of Robert S. Notzon

Elzer Law Firm, LLC

Patricia A. Podolec, Attorney At Law

Fiedler Law Firm

The Poerschke Law Firm, PC

Fitzgerald Law, PLLC

Rambsy Law PC

Friedman & Houlding, LLP

Sherin and Lodgen LLP

2023 NELA GALA SPONSORS Smith Law Firm

Holland & Associates, PC

Tycko & Zavareei LLP

Hynes & Kreuser, SC

Dow Golub Remels & Gilbreath, PLLC

Upton & Hatfield, LLP

Law Office of Deborah H. Karpatkin

Federal Practice Group Patrick M. Flynn, PC

Ben Lebsack

Gaul and Dumont

Messing, Rudavsky & Weliky PC

Golden Law, LLC

The Villegas Law Firm, APC Webster & Fredrickson, PLLC Western Pennsylvania Employment Lawyers Association Wienand & Bagin Wilkinson Law Firm, PC Winebrake & Santillo, LLC Wisconsin Employment Lawyers Association PARTNERS AARP Foundation Litigation Attorneys: Ben Davis & Dan Kohrman Accountability Ignited/ Paula Brantner Arizona Employment Lawyers Association (AzELA) Irene Bassock Betz + Blevins Buchanan Angeli Altschul & Sullivan LLP Cashdan & Kane, PLLC

Murray, Plumb & Murray Ogborn Mihm LLP

Graybill & Hazlewood, LLC

Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association

Charles E. Guerrier

O’Malley & Madden, PC

Hommel Law Firm

Poncio Law Offices, PC

Swan Employment Law TCORS Tran Law Firm, LLP Pedro A. Valverde

Law Office of Steven Granberg, PA

Nina T. Pirrotti

Law Offices of Jason Smith

Janet Hill Horne Daller LLC

Venick Austin & Rosen, PLLC John A. Wenke – Attorney at Law – El Paso, TX FRIENDS Allen Law Firm Joyce L. Collier, Esquire

The Popham Law Firm, PC

Law Office of Douglas B. Janney III

Renaker Scott LLP

Law Office of Susan Jewell

DeGolia Law LLC

Mark Risk, PC

Robert B. Landry, III, PLC

Brian East

Law Offices of Kell A. Simon

Dolores Y. Leal

Fair Labor Law

Swain Law, LLC

Chet Levitt Fund for Employment Law

The Wood Law Office, LLC

David Lichtenstein

Law Office of Lenore C. Garon, PLLC

Zipin, Amster & Greenberg, LLC

Lieber Hammer Huber & Paul, PC

Zuckerman Law

Lubin & Enoch, PC Maine NELA

SUPPORTERS Aiello Law

Law Offices of Glen D. Mangum

Patrick Cowlin

Karla Gilbride Isaacs Bernstein, PC Donna Lenhoff Associates Law Office of Guy D. Loranger Law Offices of Colleen M. McLaughlin

Altshuler Berzon, LLP

Jonathan J. Margolis

Richard K. Blundell Law Firm

Robert E. McKnight Mensing Law LLC

Bracker & Marcus LLC

O’Brien Coleman & Wright

Brown & Curry, LLC

Olivier & Schreiber LLP

Lorna Griffin Law Offices, PLLC

Center For Employment Law

Rosemary Orsini

Colin Walsh

Pontikes Law LLC

Henrichsen Law Group, PLLC

The Coffey Law Office, PC Sean W. Cook, Esq.

Law Offices of Carol G. Silverman

Ashley O. Westby & Sean P. McKee

Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, PC Eisenberg & Schnell, LLP Law Office of Anne Glennon Green Savits, LLC

Merrick Law Firm, LLC Jennifer Morton Law, PLLC Gregory A. Rich Tobias, Torchia & Simon

Anonymous

Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the individuals, firms, and organizations acknowledged here.

We apologize for any errors or omissions. Sponsors as of May 26, 2023.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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CODE OF CONDUCT/HEALTH & SAFETY 2023 Annual Convention Code of Conduct At NELA we strive to create continuing legal education programs that are educational, collaborative, respectful, and enjoyable for all attendees. To create a safe and inclusive environment for our entire community, we expect all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff at NELA events to conduct themselves in a respectful and collegial manner.

• Deliberate intimidation, threats, stalking, or following.

NELA is dedicated to providing harassment-free inperson and virtual events for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or other unwelcome or unlawful behavior at our events.

• Unwelcome sexual attention, comments, jokes, remarks, or gestures.

Harassment includes but is not limited to: • Offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religion.

• Inappropriate, unwanted, and/or unsolicited physical contact.

• Sexual propositions or posted/texted sexual images.

• Sustained disruption of talks or other events.

• Unwelcome photography or recording.

• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.

Violations of this Code will be addressed by the Executive Director to the offending individual who may – based on the severity or continuity of the conduct – be asked to leave the event.

2023 Annual Convention Health and Safety Policy The health and safety of our members, guests, NELA and Institute team, and the hotel team is our foremost priority.

Vaccinations have reduced many of the COVID-19 guidelines/mandates regarding face masks, social distancing, and travel.

In some states and cities, guidelines are still in place, including vaccination mandates, while in others, guidelines/mandates have been eliminated. On May 5, 2023, the World Health Organization lifted the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, expired on May 11, 2023.

We will continually monitor public health information and may amend our protocols consistent with changes to public health guidance. Notification will be sent if there is a change in our policy.

Vaccination To allow for participation by the greatest number of members in our community, up-to-date vaccination as defined by the CDC is strongly encouraged.

Masks Masking at the 2023 Annual Convention is optional but encouraged when not actively eating or drinking.

Should public health guidance change or the spread of COVID-19 becomes a concern at the event, NELA may require masking at all sessions and events.

Participants may be denied entry or asked to leave if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

NELA will have masks, hand sanitizer, and a limited supply of COVID-19 rapid tests available at the registration desk.

For questions at any time, please visit the registration table or find a staff member.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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CONVENTION INFORMATION

NELA Convention meeting rooms Wi-Fi Network: Fairmont_Meeting Network Name: NELA Password: nela2023 Password: nela2022

Wi-Fi

2023 Annual Convention Materials and Microsite The written materials for the Convention are available for download at nela.org/nela23. Wi-Fi is available in all guest rooms and Convention meeting rooms at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, but we strongly encourage you to download the materials in advance of the sessions you will be attending.

Use the Convention Attendee Microsite to make the most of your time with us.

•

Start networking by completing your Directory Profile to share information about yourself with other attendees.

•

Begin or continue a discussion, reach out to a speaker, organize an outing, or simply say hello on the Attendee Discussion List.

•

Check out the biographies of our incredible faculty.

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We have created an online CLE Tracker to help you report the sessions you attended.

•

The Convention Program Evaluation is also easily accessible from the Convention Attendee Microsite. Help us shape future CLE by submitting a Program Evaluation.

Please note that a valid email address must be provided in order to access the online Convention materials.

Session Recordings Hungry Mind Recordings (HMR) will professionally record the Convention’s plenary and concurrent sessions.

Individual audio MP3 files will be available for purchase at the HMR table in the Imperial Foyer. Audio recordings and accompanying written materials of all plenary and concurrent sessions will be available for online purchase at nela.org/ online-learning after the Convention.

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

CONVENTION MEETING ROOMS

Millennium Park

LOBBY LEVEL President’s Welcome Reception Concurrent Session (1)

THE BAR

Lobby Level

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CONVENTION MEETING ROOMS B2 LEVEL Convention Registration Breaks Exhibitors Plenary Sessions Concurrent Session (1) Gala Awards Presentation Freight Elevator

Exibitors Dock Emergency Exit

Garage Entrance

Kitchen Pantry

Imperial Ballroom

Cashier

Storage

Auto Lobby

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Intermediate Lake Street

Emergency Exit & Ballroom Service

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

CONVENTION MEETING ROOMS SECOND FLOOR Breakfast Concurrent Session (1) Annual Luncheon & Keynote Address Boxed Lunch Pickup Annual Reception Gala Dance Party

Freight Elevator

Emergency Exit

Pantry

Gold Room

Emergency Exit

International Ballroom

Telephones

Emergency Exit

Embassy Room

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CONVENTION MEETING ROOMS THIRD FLOOR Affiliate Leadership Workshop Law Student & New Practitioners Program Concurrent Sessions (2)

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Regent Room

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WEDNESDAY PROGRAM Program subject to change without notice.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023 9:30–10:00 a.m.

2023 Affiliate Leadership Workshop Registration & Networking Breakfast 3rd Floor Lobby (Open to NELA Affiliate Leaders)

10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

2023 Affiliate Leadership Workshop & Forum Chancellor Room (3rd Floor) (Open to NELA Affiliate Leaders)

2:00–8:00 p.m.

2023 Annual Convention Registration Imperial Foyer (B2 Level)

4:00–6:00 p.m.

NELA Law Students & New Practitioners Program Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Speakers: Shifa Alkhatib, Clara Coleman, Joseph W. Gibson & Sacred B. Huff 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 new 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.

6:00–6:30 p.m.

NELA Law Students & New Practitioners Reception Rouge (Lobby Level) The NELA Law Students & New Practitioners Program and b a r r e t t & Reception are generously sponsored by Barrett & Farahany

J u s t i ce at W or k

6:30–8:00 p.m.

President’s Welcome Reception Rouge (Lobby Level) Convention participants are invited to join NELA President Linda M. Correia, the NELA Board, and the 2023 Annual Convention Committee for an informal gathering to celebrate 38 years of workers’ rights advocacy, renew friendships, and make new ones. First-time Convention participants are especially encouraged to attend.

The President’s Welcome Reception is generously co-sponsored by AARP Foundation Litigation and NELA-Illinois.

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

THURSDAY PROGRAM THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023 7:00–9:00 a.m.

2023 Annual Convention Registration Imperial Foyer (B2 Level)

7:00–8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast International Ballroom (2nd Floor) Continental breakfast is available to Convention registrants only.

8:30–9:15 a.m.

Paul H. Tobias Roll Call of the States & Opening Remarks Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Linda M. Correia, NELA President, Carla D. Brown, NELA First Vice President & Jeffrey A. Mittman, NELA Executive Director

9:15–10:30 a.m.

Elevating Justice: Honoring Courageous Plaintiffs Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator: Linda M. Correia Courageous Plaintiffs: Gerald Bostock, Jennifer Glover & Assata Kenneh Advocates: Edward D. Buckley & Thomas J. Mew, Jay Ellwanger & Gerald T. Laurie The Convention’s opening plenary session will bring to life the stories of three remarkable individuals who stood up to their employers and held their ground in the face of immense adversity, not only to vindicate their own rights, but to improve the lives of others as well. Our honorees embody the change we want to see in the American workplace, and their courage will inspire us to continue the fight to elevate justice for all workers. Their lawyers will share their legal theories and litigation strategies that led to their clients’ extraordinary victories.

10:30–11:00 a.m.

Exhibitor Open House Imperial Foyer (B2 Level) Please take this time to visit our Convention exhibitors in the Imperial Foyer and complete your Passport to Success! Get a stamp from each of our exhibitors and return your passport to the Registration Desk to be entered into a raffle for a complimentary 2024 CLE of your choice!

11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Litigation Strategy & Damages

Best Techniques for Getting Your Opposing Party to Provide Fulsome Discovery Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator: Adreanna Sellers Speakers: Angela N. Gray, Neil L. Henrichsen & Paige Sparks Discovery is a vital piece of any case and ensuring that you get the right discovery (without the defense swamping you with unnecessary documents) is an essential skill any lawyer should have. Our panelists will discuss overcoming common objections, issues when obtaining devices for digital forensic analysis, how to use third-party discovery tools, and other key techniques to ensure you have the discovery you need to succeed.

Fundamentals of Employment Law

Common Evidentiary Issues in Employment Law Rouge Room (Lobby Level) Moderator/Speaker: Christine T. Elzer Speakers: Kira Y. Fonteneau, Lauren A. Khouri & Summer H. Murshid How do you get helpful evidence in? How do you keep prejudicial or irrelevant evidence out? The panel will cover common evidentiary issues in employment cases, from discovery through trial.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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THURSDAY PROGRAM

11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (continued) The State of Arbitration Gold Room (2nd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Michele R. Fisher Speakers: Jennifer Bennett & Shelby Leighton Arbitration is changing rapidly, with some notable advances for workers in both the legislature and the courts. Our experts will discuss the current state of forced arbitration in the workplace, including how you can effectively use the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 to advocate for your clients.

Database Discovery—Metadata, Forms, and Fields Regent Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Anita M. Chambers Speakers: Max P. Barack & Carlos A. Baradat Our panelists will provide an overview of data discovery basics—how databases work, what terms you should know, why data discovery is helpful and necessary, what to ask for, and how to ask for it. Practitioners will also highlight recent decisions and developments in database discovery.

Leveraging New Equal Pay and Pay Transparency Laws Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Andrea L. Johnson Speakers: Danielle Fuschetti & Seher Khawaja This panel will give an overview of recent equal pay law trends and discuss how employment lawyers are using these new laws in employment litigation and the potential they hold for closing gender and racial wage gaps for our clients and our country. The panel will also discuss the important role NELA attorneys can play in advocating for these laws in their states and localities.

12:15–1:45 p.m.

Annual Luncheon & Keynote Address International Ballroom (2nd Floor) Moderator: Kimberly A. Bobo Speakers: Roberto Clack, Stacy Davis Gates & Brandi L. McNease NELA is proud to welcome worker organizers who are leading the charge in uniting their co-workers in pursuit of living wages, safer working conditions, and freedom from harassment and discrimination. Join our moderator Kim Bobo (Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy) and panelists Roberto Clack (Temp Worker Justice), Stacy Davis Gates (Chicago Teachers Union), and Brandi McNease (Chipotle United) to hear their incredible stories of grassroots advocacy and how NELA members can support workers as they engage in the fight to unionize.

2:00–3:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Litigation Strategy & Damages

Maximizing and Valuing Emotional Distress Damages Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator/Speaker: Paige Fiedler Speakers: Walt L. Auvil & Carney R. Shegerian Putting a realistic dollar value on your client’s emotional distress doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark. We’ll provide you with illuminating considerations from experienced practitioners to assist you as you value and maximize emotional distress damages for your clients.

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

THURSDAY PROGRAM

2:00–3:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (continued)

Fundamentals of Employment Law

How to Make Your Workers’ Rights Practice Profitable Rouge Room (Lobby Level) Moderator/Speaker: Christopher Houk Speakers: Amanda M. DeMatteis & David J. Fish Law school teaches many things about employment law—except how to manage a workers’ rights practice. From case selection to budget considerations, our experienced panel will provide many practical tips on how to do well while you are doing good.

Wage & Hour

Successful Wage & Hour Mediations Gold Room (2nd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Douglas M. Werman Speakers: Amy L. Coopman & Jason C. Marsili Success in mediation requires more than showing up, making a demand, and having the mediator go to work. This is true of all mediations, but especially in wage and hour cases, which often focus on systemic pay practices related damages. Experienced counsel and neutrals will discuss what practitioners can do before and during mediation to increase the chance of resolving a case successfully.

Show Me the Money…Ethically Regent Room (3rd Floor) Moderator: Deborah H. Karpatkin Speakers: Lisa L. Clay, Matthew Lango & Cheri L. McCracken From fee agreements to settlement negotiations, ethical pitfalls abound when money is part of the discussion. This panel will follow the money through a case, identifying potential ethical issues, and help practitioners handle financial decisions in a practical, ethical, and financially sound manner.

The Impact of Dobbs on Employment Law Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Gillian Thomas Speakers: Ming-Qi Chu, Phillis h. Rambsy & Rebecca L. Salawdeh This panel will grapple with how we can best protect workers in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning Roe v. Wade. As states implement a patchwork of laws codifying, limiting, or eliminating the right to abortion, myriad related employment law considerations are emerging, particularly for low-wage and other marginalized workers. From discrimination against people seeking abortion care to the need for time off to travel to obtain such services, the new landscape implicates rights under numerous federal statutes, including the PDA, ADAAA, FMLA, and the newly-enacted Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), as well as state and local laws. The inclusion in PWFA of a religious exemption also potentially compromises the protections for workers seeking accommodation of pregnancy and related medical conditions. While the session will emphasize practical solutions and litigation strategies, policy solutions such as increased access to paid job-protected leave will be discussed.

3:15–3:45 p.m.

BREAK Imperial Foyer (B2 Level)

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THURSDAY/FRIDAY PROGRAM

3:45–5:00 p.m.

The Damage is Done: Compensatory and Punitive Damages in Title VII Cases Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator/Speaker: Linda M. Correia Speaker: J. Bernard Alexander, III, Heidi R. Burakiewicz & Professor Lynn R. Zehrt The caps imposed on plaintiffs for compensatory and punitive damages in Title VII cases are outdated and unjust. Join us for a discussion of how caps work to entrench discrimination and retaliation in the workplace and how attorneys can fight back against enabling discrimination as a cost of doing business. Learn practical steps you can take to help your client achieve more just damage results and what the future holds (and how you can help!) when it comes to ending damage caps for good.

5:15–6:30 p.m.

2023 Gala Awards Presentation Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) NELA Distinguished Service Honorees: Katherine L. Butler, David L. Lee & Robin B. Potter NELA Spotlight Honorees: Chiquita Hall-Jackson & Lauren A. Khouri Institute Honoree: The M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation Speakers: M. Nieves Bolaños, Linda M. Correia, John W. Griffin, Jeffrey A. Mittman, Phillis h. Rambsy, Rebecca L. Salawdeh, Jason Solomon & J. Bryan Wood All are invited to help us honor five of your colleagues for their inspiring contributions to the NELA community and the cause of justice for workers.

The National Institute for Workers’ Rights will also present its annual Impact for Workers Award.

6:30–7:30 p.m.

Annual Reception International Ballroom (2nd Floor) The Annual Reception is included in the registration fee for Convention registrants only. Guest tickets for the Annual Reception may be purchased at the Registration Desk or at the door.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023

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7:00 a.m.

Tobias 5K Run Meet in Hotel Lobby

7:30–9:00 a.m.

2023 Annual Convention Registration Imperial Foyer (B2 Level)

7:30–8:45 a.m.

Continental Breakfast International Ballroom (2nd Floor) Continental breakfast is available to Convention registrants only.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

FRIDAY PROGRAM

8:45–9:30 a.m.

EEOC and DOL: Tackling Systemic Barriers to Opportunity to Foster Equal Opportunity for All Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Speakers: Charlotte A. Burrows, Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission & Seema Nanda, United States Solicitor of Labor Join Chair Burrows and Solicitor Nanda as they share the priorities and policies of the EEOC and Department of Labor, and how they are supporting a whole-of-government approach to advancing workplace equity. Topics to be discussed include advancing racial justice in our employment systems, promoting equal pay, and dismantling systemic barriers to hire, including tech-based hiring systems that rely on artificial intelligence, and much more.

Attendees will also be given the opportunity to ask panelists questions.

9:30–10:15 a.m.

A New Chapter for the National Institute for Workers’ Rights: Shaping Our Priorities, Making an Impact Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Meet Jason Solomon, the inaugural director of the National Institute for Workers’ Rights, and Erica Posey, the Paul H. Tobias Attorney Fellow, and hear about their plans to work on issues of economic dignity, workplace justice, and the future of worker advocacy. They are eager to hear your thoughts on how best to make a difference for workers and their advocates.

10:30–11:45 a.m.

Revisiting The Classics Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator: Carla D. Brown Speakers: Charles E. Guerrier, Paul W. Mollica & Diane I. Smason With ever-changing jurisprudence in the realm of employment law, it can be easy to overlook some of the most vital cases that you should have in your repertoire. Our experts will discuss the stalwart workers’ rights cases that should not be ignored.

11:45 a.m. –12:00 p.m.

BREAK Imperial Foyer (B2 Level)

12:00–1:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Litigation Strategy & Damages

The Intersection of Employment & Labor Law Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator/Speaker: Meredith Stewart Speakers: Yona Rozen & Jeffrey Neil Young With the substantial rise in worker organizing across the country, this intersection is more important than ever for employment lawyers to understand. Panelists will discuss how the National Labor Relations Act can be used in non-union settings, the ways in which the National Labor Relations Board is expanding workers’ rights to engage in protected concerted activity, and the administration’s recent guidance regarding immigration protections for workers engaged in labor disputes.

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FRIDAY PROGRAM

12:00–1:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (continued)

Fundamentals of Employment Law

The Nuts & Bolts of Arbitrating an Employment Case Rouge Room (Lobby Level) Moderator/Speaker: F. Paul Bland Speakers: Krysten L. Connon & Christina Le There are substantial differences between arbitration and court. As more employment cases are forced into arbitration, it is vital for plaintiffs’ employment lawyers know how to successfully arbitrate a case. The panel will cover how to choose an arbitrator, how to prepare for a case management conference, how to deal with discovery restrictions often present in arbitration, whether pre-hearing and/or post-hearing memoranda are advisable, and how to present a winning case to an arbitrator.

Practicing in Hostile Territory Gold Room (2nd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Heather Newsom Leonard Speakers: Amanda A. Farahany, Tae Sture & Deontae D. Wherry Practicing plaintiff-side employment law is already an uphill battle, but how do you succeed in a hostile district, state, or circuit? Our panelists will share their experience working on behalf of workers in unfavorable jurisdictions and provide practical advice for how to succeed in these venues.

Representing Federal Employees 101 Regent Room (3rd Floor) Moderator: Tamika Sykes Speakers: Kristin D. Alden, Andrew J. Perlmutter & Ricardo J.A. Pitts-Wiley So, you want to represent a federal employee? Our experienced federal sector practitioners will share their tips for establishing a successful practice serving federal employees before the EEOC and the Merit Systems Protection Board. If you think you want to represent federal employees before EEOC administrative judges or have already started doing so and have some questions, this session is for you.

Helping Clients Navigate the ADA and FMLA for Mental Health Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Moderator: Brian East Speakers: Denise M. Clark, Cyrus E. Dugger & Laura Lefkow-Hynes As societal understandings of the impact of mental health on individuals progress, employment law needs to progress as well. Our panel of experts will discuss strategies for helping clients who need accommodations, leave, or disability for their mental health navigate the ADA and FMLA.

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1:15–1:30 p.m.

Boxed Lunch Pickup International Ballroom (2nd Floor)

1:30–2:30 p.m.

NELA Committee & Practice Group Meetings Please see insert in the registration packet for room assignments

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

FRIDAY PROGRAM

2:30–3:45 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Litigation Strategy & Damages

I Like What I See: The Most Successful Strategies Decisionmakers Identify in Employment Lawyers Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator/Speaker: Parisis “Gerry” Filippatos Speakers: Deborah Gage Haude & The Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer Join our highly experienced panel to hear what strategies they have identified in successful lawyers during their years of deciding employment cases. Our panel features a respected judge, mediator, and arbitrator who will share their views of what makes employment attorneys successful in each of these distinct venues and what common mistakes you should avoid making.

Fundamentals of Employment Law

Remedies in Employment Law Rouge Room (Lobby Level) Moderator/Speaker: Adam W. Hansen Speakers: M. Nieves Bolaños & Brian P. Sanford In employment cases, courts have broad authority to formulate remedies to further statutory objectives. This panel will examine the basic underlying principles of civil rights remedies and discuss both the traditional and creative remedies you can pursue on behalf of your clients.

Wage & Hour

FLSA Hot Topics Gold Room (2nd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Maureen A. Salas Speakers: Joshua D. Buck & Sabine Jean The FLSA wage and hour landscape is constantly evolving. Join our panelists for a discussion of the most recent developments in FLSA litigation, ranging from never-ending compensable time questions, the current state of jurisdiction in collective actions, and the Supreme Court’s decision in Helix Energy Solutions and other notable appellate litigation from the last year.

Rights of the Remote Worker Regent Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Adam C. Breihan Speakers: Donna H. Clancy & Michelle G. Lee As remote work became the norm for many employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now common to find employees still working from their homes and, in some instances, working from out-of-state residences. From employer surveillance to wage and hour considerations, what causes of actions can you pursue on behalf of workers who are engaging in remote work?

Issue Spotting in Whistleblower Cases Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Michael A. Filoromo Speakers: Renée Brooker, Rachel Geman & John McKnight 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.

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FRIDAY PROGRAM

4:00–5:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Fundamentals of Employment Law

Negotiating Agreements in Employment Law Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator/Speaker: Maria G. Diaz Speakers: Sue Ellen Eisenberg, David L. Lee & Qiaojing Ella Zheng Want to know how to deal with “take-it-or-leave-it” offers? How to deal with “standard” or non-negotiable terms? This panel will provide practical guidance on negotiating both the monetary and non-monetary terms of employment and settlement agreements to help your client achieve the best job offer or settlement agreement.

Wage & Hour

Taking Wage & Hour Class & Collective Actions To Trial Rouge Room (Lobby Level) Moderator/Speaker: Brendan J. Donelon Speakers: Eve H. Cervantez & C. Ryan Morgan Very few practitioners have ever taken a wage and hour class or collective action all the way to trial. These practitioners have. Our panelists will discuss their experiences, the best strategies for preparing a class wage and hour trial, and what is required for success.

We Are Not Absolved from Racism Gold Room (2nd Floor) Moderators/Speakers: Sacred B. Huff & Luis M. Melendez As plaintiff-side attorneys, we often pride ourselves on doing “good work” in seeking justice for our clients. Though this may be true, we must regularly check our biases, recognize our inability to fully understand the struggles of groups to which we do not belong, and examine how we uphold racist systems and practices that oppress the people we desire to help. This panel, comprised of queer Black and Latine attorneys, will discuss ways to implement anti-racist practices and engage in more self-awareness when interacting with Black and Latine colleagues and clients.

Harnessing the Collective Power of Small Firms Regent Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Sarah J. Arendt Speakers: Rebecca Peterson-Fisher & Scott M. Pollins Most NELA (almost all!) members work in small firms. The panel will discuss how small firms can best work together to take on large matters and impact cases, including co-counseling agreements, best practices for work sharing, how to create efficiencies through technology and best platforms for doing so, and considerations for fee splitting.

25 Years After Faragher-Ellerth Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Michal Shinnar Speakers: Allegra L. Fishel & Phillip M. Kitzer This session will take an in-depth look into when and how courts are applying and denying the Faragher-Ellerth and Vance defenses. This will include constructive knowledge; flawed reporting systems; the harasser’s real and/or perceived authority over the employee; fears of retaliation for making a report; negligence standards; and the ways in which there has been potential shifts in the courts since #MeToo shed public light on the reasons employees can’t and don’t report. The panel will include strategies for case investigation and discovery on these issues.

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

FRIDAY/SATURDAY PROGRAM

8:00–11:00 p.m.

2023 Gala Dance Party International Ballroom (2nd Floor) Please join us for our annual celebration of the NELA community. The evening includes music, dancing, and other treats. Every Gala attendee will receive two complimentary drink tickets courtesy of Dundon Advisers LLC. Drop in anytime.

The Gala requires a separate ticket to attend. Tickets may be purchased at the Registration Desk or at the door.

SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2023 7:30–9:00 a.m.

2023 Annual Convention Registration Imperial Foyer (B2 Level)

7:30–9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast International Ballroom (2nd Floor) Continental breakfast is available to Convention registrants only.

9:00–10:15 a.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS Emerging Issues with Non-Disclosure Agreements & Non-Competes Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator/Speaker: Mark Hanna Speakers: Gaylynn Burroughs, Kirby F. Cañon & Angie Cowan Hamada NDAs have proven to be a ubiquitous villain in #MeToo abuse and corporate frauds like Theranos. With fast-moving administrative and legislative developments, including the 2023 McLaren Macomb decision, the Speak Out Act of 2022, and numerous state laws banning these types of agreements, NDAs and non-competes are finally coming under scrutiny. This panel will provide the latest on legal and legislative changes combatting NDAs and noncompete provisions and provide practical guidance to practitioners dealing with settlement negotiations.

Litigation Strategy & Damages

Class & Collective Action Discovery Rouge Room (Lobby Level) Moderator/Speaker: Sarah R. Schalman-Bergen Speakers: David Blanchard & Michael C. Danna Our experts will share tips for handling opt-in discovery in large collective cases, including soothing opt-in nerves in potentially being deposed and negotiating written discovery and number and length of depositions.

Fundamentals of Employment Law

Putting Theory Into Practice: Effectively Litigating Age Discrimination Claims Gold Room (2nd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: Daniel B. Kohrman Speakers: Amit S. Bindra & Brian T. Rochel Age discrimination claims can often be complex to evaluate and litigate.

Our panelists will guide you through the best practices for selecting and litigating age discrimination cases. They will also provide general tips, recent legal updates, discuss key legal decisions, and provide explanations of cases to help the audience go from the theatrical to the practical of litigating age discrimination cases.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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SATURDAY PROGRAM

9:00–10:15 a.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (continued) The Board is Back—An MSPB Case Law Update Regent Room (3rd Floor) Speakers: Debra D’Agostino & Alexis N. Tsotakos Now that the Merit Systems Protection Board is once again deciding cases, it has been steadily clearing a case backlog spanning almost 5 years. Join our panelists as they provide an update on the cases you need to know when you represent federal workers.

Practical Wellness for Lawyers Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Moderator/Speaker: TBD Plaintiffs’ employment lawyers work with clients who are often experiencing extreme trauma, financial hardship, and life-changing events. Add those factors to the already elevated rates of mental illness and substance abuse in the legal profession, how can you stay mentally healthy? Our session will discuss compassion fatigue, second-hand trauma, and techniques to ensure you are caring for yourself and your clients.

10:15–10:40 a.m.

BREAK Imperial Foyer (B2 Level)

10:40–10:45 a.m.

Ethics and Sanctions Presentation Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level)

10:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m

The Year in Review: Significant Developments in Employment Law Imperial Ballroom (B2 Level) Moderator: Ashley O. Westby Speakers: Heather Newsom Leonard, Professor Eric Schnapper & Professor Suja Thomas The 2023 Annual Convention will close with a robust discussion of the employment cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court during its 2022–2023 term, significant appellate court, legislative, and state law developments, as well as emerging issues in plaintiffs’ employment law.

12:30 p.m.

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Convention Adjourns

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

Congratulations to the 2023 Gala Honorees.

Thank You for Elevating Justice for Workers.

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Visit the NELA Advocacy Table in the Imperial Foyer to find out about our work on significant workers’ rights issues in our nation’s capital and in its courtrooms and hear how you can get involved.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Diversifying The he Federal Bench Bench

DOL and EEOC Working Groups

NELA ENHANCED MEMBERS Thank you to those members who generously support NELA through their enhanced annual membership dues.

Champions Norman Blumenthal Wayne N. Outten Defenders Clif Alexander Alicia K. Haynes April L. Hollingsworth Advocates Kelly Applegate Patricia A. Barasch John P. Batson Megan Bonanni Stephen R. Bruce David A. Burkhalter, II Roxanne B. Conlin Stephen G. Console Sean W. Cook Lawrence Disparti Sue Ellen Eisenberg Bruce A. Fredrickson Evan L. Goldman J. Gary Gwilliam Stephen B. Lebau Angeli Murthy Scott M. Pollins Donna Williams Rucker Peter Winebrake Sustaining Lisa J. Banks Jonathan Ben-Asher David Blanchard Kathleen L. Bogas

Bert S. Braud D. Alexander Burkhalter, III Stephen Z. Chertkof Denise M. Clark Linda M. Correia Wade B. Cowan Bill Day, Jr. Donald A. Donati Dennis E. Egan David Fielding Parisis G. Filippatos Daniel F. Johnson Debra S. Katz Richard P. Neuworth Joshua Parkhurst Gregory George Paul Patricia A. Podolec Jonathan C. Puth Mary Anne Sedey Michael C. Subit Geraldine Sumter Trang Q. Tran Merle Joy Turchik Angela Walker Benjamin H. Yormak Jason Mark Zuckerman Contributing Walt Auvil Scot D. Bernstein Renee Brooker Lori Bullock David R. Cashdan Heather Moore Collins Doris J. Dabrowski

Arthur R. Ehrlich Jonathan Marc Feigenbaum Mitchell Feldman Elizabeth Jubin Fujiwara Hal K. Gillespie Harold M. Goldner Laura L. Ho William Hommel, Jr. Peter Michael Hoogerwoerd Vicki Kuftic Horne Thomas Gregory Jarrard Susan E. Jewell Deborah H. Karpatkin James W. Kytle David L. Lee David Lichtenstein Cheri L. McCracken Sean M. McGivern Ellen J. Messing C. Ryan Morgan Summer H. Murshid Ann Olivarius Louis Pechman J. Heydt Philbeck Kathryn S. Piscitelli Nancy Pridgen Tad Roumayah Rebecca L. Salawdeh Glen D. Savits Dan Siegel Kirby G. Smith Christine E. Webber Clayton Wire Jeffrey Neil Young

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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NELA FUND DONORS NELA’s strength is in our community of individual members, law firms, Affiliates, allied organizations, and coalition partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to the following for their generous financial contributions.

Legislative & Public Policy Fund Eric Bachman Beth E. Bertelson Donald F. Burke Stephen Z. Chertkof Timothy J. Coffey Heather Moore Collins David Conforto Kurt Patrick Cummiskey Lawrence Disparti Cyrus E. Dugger Sonya Edwards Herbert Eisenberg William H. Ewing Parisis G. Filippatos Christine Forsythe Alan H. Garber Nancy Grim Joshua D. Gruenberg William Hommel, Jr. Sarah Jane Hunt John C. Ireland Lisa G. Lambert David Lichtenstein Leslie L. Lienemann Deborah Kristine Marcuse Jonathan J. Margolis Jeannie Simonoff Marx Matthew Maddox Barbara A. Moore C. Ryan Morgan Patricia A. Podolec Richard Quintilone, II Craig Reynolds

Barry D. Roseman Donna Williams Rucker Alix Simonetti Susan M. Swan Trang Q. Tran Jack Bryant Tuckner Thomas A. Warren Steven E. Wolfe J. Bryan Wood Evangeline Young Jason Mark Zuckerman Sanctions Assistance Fund for Emergency Relief Patricia A. Barasch John P. Batson Greger Borglum Calhan David R. Cashdan Stephen Z. Chertkof Timothy J. Coffey Herbert Eisenberg William H. Ewing Parisis G. Filippatos Alan H. Garber Nancy Grim Chiquita Hall-Jackson Alicia K. Haynes Athena M. Herman William H. Hommel, Jr. Christopher Houk Sarah Jane Hunt John C. Ireland Ben Lebsack David Lichtenstein

Ann Lugbill Matthew Maddox Jonathan J. Margolis Jeannie Simonoff Marx Cheri L. McCracken Messing, Rudavsky & Weliky PC Robert Mitchell C. Ryan Morgan Summer H. Murshid Joey S. Niskar Joshua Parkhurst Patricia A. Podolec Melissa A. Pomfred Richard Quintilone, II Barry D. Roseman Donna Williams Rucker Alix Simonetti Susan M. Swan Trang Q. Tran Jonathan Wall J. Bryan Wood Jason Mark Zuckerman We also acknowledge the Peggy Browning Fund for making possible the Workers’ Rights Advocacy Fellowship Program.

Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the individuals, law firms, and other organizations that are acknowledged. We apologize for any errors or omissions. Donors from May 14, 2022–May 4, 2023.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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ILYM

The ILYM Group is proud to support NELA and the "Elevating Justice" 2023 Annual Convention

Class Action Administration & Legal Notification Experts The ILYM Group, Inc. is an organization that is dedicated to exceeding our client's expectation while delivering exceptional value and service. We provide consultative expertise, professionalism and experience in the areas of Class Action Administration, Legal Notification and Media Representation and Class Data Management. www.ILYMgroup.com

THE LEGAL NETWORK FOR GENDER EQUITY

connects individuals facing sex discrimination at work, at school, and as patients receiving health care with legal help. We do this in partnership with the attorneys in our Legal Network— a nationwide network of attorneys committed to helping people fight for their rights to be free from sexual harassment and other sex discrimination.

JOIN THE LEGAL NETWORK FOR GENDER EQUITY. Nat Wom Cent of the National Women’s Law The Legal Network, a Law project Center Fund, is FREE to join and connects those facing sex discrimination with legal assistance.

Attorneys in the Legal Network for Gender Equity agree to give a free initial consultation to individuals coming through the Legal Network. The Legal Network also offers free legal trainings and other resources to members. Attorneys in the Legal Network may also apply for litigation related funding from the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund for cases involving workplace sexual harassment.

If you practice in these areas, we invite you to join by using the QR code below, or visiting our table in the exhibit hall.

Rust

Stephen R. Bruce Law Offices 1667 K Street, NW Suite 410 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 289-1117 Page 61 – Stephen Bruce ad (in premium folder)

www.erisapensionclaims.com

The Power of Your Legacy to Advance Workers’ Rights

By including NELA or the Institute in your estate plans, you can create a meaningful personal legacy to build our community and fuel the pursuit of justice for workers for years to come. Anyone can leave a legacy to advance workers’ rights, while taking care of your family and other loved ones.

Page 62 – NELA/Institute planned giving ad (I’m doing)

Please visit the NELA Advocacy or Institute table in the Imperial Foyer to learn more about the power of naming NELA or the Institute as a beneficiary in your will, retirement account, or life insurance policy.

Helping to ensure fairness in the workplace by supporting important cases to protect employee rights

Chett Levitt

Chet Levitt Fund for Employment Law 3133 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW SUITE 414 WASHINGTON, DC 20008 PHONE: 202-862-4330

For more information or to apply, visit:

www.chetlevittfund.org

Emp Law Guide 1/2

IMPACT FOR WORKERS AWARD

The National Institute for Workers’ Rights, NELA’s sister organization, is proud to present our second annual Impact for Workers Award to the M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation for its leadership support of the Institute’s work.

The Hudson Foundation has made significant grants to the Institute every year since 2012, fueling our mission of advancing workers’ rights through research, thought leadership, and education for policymakers, advocates, and the public.

Join Jason Solomon, the Institute’s inaugural director, and Erica Posey, the 2022-2024 Paul H. Tobias Attorney Fellow, to hear aboutGiving their1/2 vision for the future of the Institute Planned and find out how you can get involved.

Page 64 – replace planned giving with Meet Jason

A New (I’mChapter doing) for the National Institute for Workers’ Rights: Shaping Our Priorities, Making An Impact Crystal Room (3rd Floor) Friday, June 30 | 9:30 a.m.

Founded in 2008, the Institute is the related charitable public interest organization of NELA. The Institute advances workers’ rights through research, thought leadership, and education for policymakers, advocates, and the public.

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

Invest In Our Future: Honor The Legacy of Paul H. Tobias

THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL H. TOBIAS Paul H. Tobias, NELA’s Founder and First Executive Director, was a pioneer in the field of plaintiffs’ employment law. For more than 50 years, he was the source of boundless inspiration for our community of workers’ rights advocates. Whether or not you knew Paul, his prolific accomplishments in advancing equality and justice in the American workplace have touched you. He was a true workplace hero whose passion for employment law came from a deep desire to help individuals.

THE PAUL H. TOBIAS ATTORNEY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Named in his honor, the Paul H. Tobias (PHT) Attorney Fellowship Program exemplifies our commitment to cultivating the next generation

of workers’ rights advocates. The PHT Attorney Fellowship provides a new lawyer who embodies Paul’s indomitable spirit with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge issues at the Institute for two years.

JOIN THE INSTITUTE’S NEXT CHAPTER Our PHT Fellows have always been at the heart of the Institute. They have played a central role in the Institute’s research and advocacy related to forced arbitration, the gig economy, summary judgment, and other topics germane to workers’ rights. As the Institute celebrates our 15th anniversary of advancing workers’ rights, we welcome both inaugural director Jason Solomon and 2022-2024 PHT Fellow, Erica Posey. Together, they are expanding the Institute’s work and setting

new priorities under three pillars: economic dignity, workplace justice, and the future of worker advocacy.

VISIT WITH THE INSTITUTE To learn more and share your ideas with Jason and Erica, be sure to drop by the Institute’s table in the Imperial Foyer or come to the Institute’s discussion Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the Crystal Room (3rd Floor).

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE The PHT Attorney Fellowship Program is made possible by the generous commitment of members of the NELA community. Please help us carry out Paul’s legacy by joining our fight for workers’ rights. You can make a tax-deductible contribution during the Convention at the Institute table or online anytime at bit.ly/ForWorkers.

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The Institute and NELA acknowledge the visionaries of workers’ rights who have made financial contributions to support our work. The giving levels listed below reflect our supporters’ combined contributions from June 1, 2022 through May 4, 2023.

FOUNDATION GRANTS The M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation GENERAL SUPPORT $5,000 Stephen R. Bruce $2,500–$4,999 Haynes & Haynes, PC Frances J. Hollander Outten & Golden LLP Schall & Barasch, LLC $1,000–$2,499 Bernard Alexander Ambler-Reuter Family Fund In Honor of Herbert Eisenberg Blanchard & Walker Katherine L. Butler Kerry K. Cahill Carmen Comsti Bill Day, Jr. Dennis E. Egan Sue Ellen Eisenberg Amanda A. Farahany Filippatos PLLC The Law Offices of Gilda A. Hernandez, PLLC HMC Civil Rights Law In Honor of the NELA Staff King & Greisen, LLP Deborah K. Lim & Michael J. Woo Karen Maoki Jeffrey A. Mittman Maria Lloyd Price Jonathan C. Puth & Mira F. Courpas

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

$500–$999 M. Nieves Bolaños J. Gary Gwilliam Daniel B. Kohrman Donna R. Lenhoff & Michael F. Jacobson Messing, Rudavsky & Weliky PC Nina T. Pirrotti Mary Anne Sedey Fern M. Steiner Christine E. Webber $250–$499 Debra P. Chaw Victoria Chin William H. Ewing Bruce A. Fredrickson In Honor of Nina T. Pirrotti, In Memory of her father John C. Ireland Deborah H. Karpatkin Lawless, Lawless & McGrath David Lichtenstein Kathryn S. Piscitelli Roberta L. Steele In Honor of Karen Maoki Turchik Law Firm, PC Carl M. Varady Jason Mark Zuckerman $100–$249 Alan Banov Thomas J. Duff Elzer Law Firm LLC Hal K. Gillespie Leon Greenberg Leah A. Hofkin Phyllis C. Hofkin William Hommel, Jr. Maureen T. Holland

Patricia Ito In Honor of Teri Chaw Sean M. McGivern, Graybill & Hazlewood, LLC Barbara A. Moore Marilou Righini & Massimo Righini Barry D. Roseman Maria Salacuse Randall D. Schmidt Liane Scott & Eric Scott For the Chaw Legacy Fund In Honor of Teri Chaw Michal Shinnar Susan M. Swan William R. Tamayo J. Bryan Wood Up To $99 Kirby F. Cañon Eve H. Cervantez Lawrence Disparti Cyrus E. Dugger Herbert Eisenberg Alan H. Garber Lenore C. Garon Nancy Grim Sarah Jane Hunt Matthew Maddox Deborah Kristine Marcuse C. Ryan Morgan Stacy Neumann Richard Quintilone, II Donna Williams Rucker Nina B. Shapiro Alix Simonetti Pedro A. Valverde Steve G. Wilson Louie A. Wright Evangeline Young

THE PAUL H. TOBIAS ATTORNEY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM $1,000+ Terisa E. Chaw & James A. Hendriksen Phyllis Tobias In Honor of Paul H. Tobias’ grandchildren, Hannah Holbrook, Hans Holbrook, Constance Sharp, Helen Sharp & Sam Wilson $500–$999 M. Nieves Bolaños Bruce A. Fredrickson & Kristin K. Fredrickson In Memory of Paul H. Tobias

Alicia K. Haynes In Memory of Tammy Edwards Janet E. Hill In Memory of Tammy Edwards Patricia A. Podolec Rebecca L. Salawdeh Schall & Barasch, LLC $250–$499 Wade B. Cowan Alan R. Kabat Karen Maoki Solidarity Law (Jeffrey Neil Young) $100–$249 Jonathan L. Gould Leah A. Hofkin Lowrey Parady Lebsack Jeffrey A. Mittman

Pacesetters ($2,500–$4,999) Frances J. Hollander Haynes & Haynes, PC Outten & Golden LLP Schall & Barasch, LLC

The Visionary Circle Members of the Visionary Circle make an annual commitment of $1,000 or more to support the ongoing work of the Institute. We are honored to recognize the members of the 20222023 Visionary Circles.

Leader ($5,000–$9,999) Stephen R. Bruce

Visionaries ($1,000–$2,499) Bernard Alexander Ambler-Reuter Family Fund Blanchard & Walker M. Nieves Bolaños Katherine L. Butler Kerry K. Cahill Terisa E. Chaw & James A. Hendriksen Carmen Comsti Bill Day, Jr. Dennis E. Egan Sue Ellen Eisenberg Amanda A. Farahany

WORKERS’ RIGHTS ADVOCACY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Paul H. Benoist Joshua D. Buck Bill Day, Jr. Gerardine M. Delambo Amanda A. Farahany David A. Lowe Matthew Maddox Deborah Kristine Marcuse Rebecca Peterson-Fisher Donna Williams Rucker Richard D. Schramm Cynthia Forman Wilkinson

Filippatos PLLC Bruce A. Fredrickson & Kristin K. Fredrickson The Law Offices of Gilda A. Hernandez, PLLC HMC Civil Rights Law King & Greisen, LLP Deborah K. Lim & Michael J. Woo Karen Maoki Jeffrey A. Mittman Maria Lloyd Price Jonathan C. Puth & Mira F. Courpas Phyllis Tobias Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the individuals, law firms, and other organizations that are acknowledged. We apologize for any errors or omissions.

2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

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THE POWER OF CY PRES TO ADVANCE WORKERS’ RIGHTS

Cy pres awards have been and will continue to be critical to the Institute’s ability to advance workers’ rights through research, thought leadership, and education for policymakers, advocates, and the public. The Institute has an excellent track record as a cy pres beneficiary, and since 2008 has been the recipient of nearly $1.5 million in cy pres awards in 60 class or collective actions brought on behalf of workers. The Institute is a compelling designee in employment discrimination, wage and hour, and other litigation concerning workplace violations.

Please join us in extending our gratitude to the following attorneys and law firms who have designated the Institute as a cy pres recipient since 2008. They have made a tremendous difference not only to us, but to the lives of the workers we touch.

Abbey Spanier, LLP Altshuler Berzon, LLP Beaumont Costales Berger & Montague, PC Betz + Blevins Burr & Smith, LLP Maia Caplan Chavez Law Firm Cummins & Cummins, LLP Donati Law, PLLC Donelon, PC Dworken & Bernstein Co., LPA Eisenberg & Schnell, LLP Fish Potter Bolaños, PC (formerly Potter Bolaños LLC) Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O’Neil, LLC Bruce C. Fox Jamie S. Franklin Suzanne Garrow Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho Law Offices of Janice Goodman Law Offices of Geoffrey L. Gross, LLC Haines Law Group Hawks Quindel, SC

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2023 NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION

Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC Heisler, Feldman, & McCormick, PC Hua Gallai & Gonzales, LLP Johnson Becker, PLLC Kern Law Firm, PC Tuvia Korobkin Lewis Kuhn Swan PC McGuinn, Hillsman & Palefsky Law Offices of Colleen M. McLaughlin Rowdy Meeks Legal Group LLC Miller O’Brien Jensen, PA Nichols Kaster, PLLP Law Office of Thomas Rutledge Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky Wotkyns LLP Law Offices of James M. Sitkin Soderstrom Law PC Sprenger & Lang, PLLC Thomas & Solomon LLP Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs The Law Office of Rob Wiley, PC Woodall Law Offices

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2024 Annual Convention June 26–29, 2024 Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Philadelphia, PA

Take a moment and look through the following greetings and advertisements from your friends, colleagues, NELA members, NELA Affiliates, and the many firms and organizations that support NELA. We are grateful for your continued support of our work.

Our gratitude & appreciation to NELA’s Affiliates Members Committees & Practice Groups for your invaluable contributions.

cbcblaw.com

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TEXAS EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCATION WISHES TO TOAST OUR FOUNDING MEMBER MENTOR AND DEAR FRIEND KATHY BUTLER

THANK YOU, KATHY, FOR YOUR TIRELESS SERVICE AND YEARS OF LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, AND LAUGHTER!

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ELEVATING JUSTICE

We are proud to work with fellow NELA members and support NELA’s tireless efforts to elevate justice for workers.

202.408.4600 | cohenmilstein.com

Boston | Chicago | Minneapolis | New York NELA ANNUAL CONVENTION Palm Beach Gardens | Philadelphia | Raleigh2023 | Washington, DC

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D I S C R I M I N AT I O N L AW Y E R S I N N E W YO R K , T H E G R E AT E R T R II S TAT E A R E A , A N D S O U T H E R N F LO R I D A

Protecting Workers & Preserving Workplace Justice At Filippatos PLLC, we support NELA’s mission to elevate justice by continuing the fight for equality and justice for all.

C O N TAC T

Office: (914) 984-1111 74 Toll Free: 888-9-JOBLAW Email: advice@filippatoslaw.com

OFFICE ADDRESS

WEBSITE

199 Main Street, Suite 800 White Plains, NY 10601

www.filippatoslaw.com Or, simply scan the QR code to learn more about the firm.

GARRISON LEVIN-EPSTEIN FITZGERALD & PIRROTTI JOYFULLY JOINS NELA IN HONORING THE INCOMPARABLE KATHY BUTLER, DAVID LEE, AND ROBIN POTTER FOR THEIR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE NELA COMMUNITY.

We also congratulate Chiquita Hall-Jackson and Lauren Khouri for receiving NELA’s Spotlight Award and express our appreciation for the hard work of NELA’s Board members who will be retiring this year.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE! YOU PERSONIFY NELA’S DEDICATION TO EMPOWERING WORKERS AND WE ARE GRATEFUL.

GARRISON LEVIN-EPSTEIN FITZGERALD & PIRROTTI IS PROUD TO BE PART OF THE NELA COMMUNITY AND JOIN FORCES WITH IT IN ELEVATING JUSTICE FOR ALL WORKERS.

Congratulations to NELA and this year’s Honorees for giving the silenced a voice.

Handling class and collective action lawsuits nationwide. www.GetmanSweeney.com

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Heather Collins

Ashley Walter

Erica Russell

Shanisha Cooper

Caroline Drinnon

Liz Schultz

hmccivilrights.com | 615-724-1996 Nashville, Tennessee

Elevating Courageous Voices for Workplace Equality

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New Firm.

Still Fighting the Good Fight.

Diane S. King, Esq. King Employment Law (303) 479-3997 King@kingemploymentlaw.com

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nelanj.org

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WE HONOR ALL THOSE WHO PASSIONATELY HELP PEOPLE OVERCOME INJUSTICE IN THE WORKPLACE. Plantiffs’ Employment Law Leaders: Katherine L. Butler (TX), David L. Lee (IL), Robin B. Potter (IL) NELA Spotlight Award. The Leaders who Represent the Future: Chiquita Hall-Jackson (IL), Lauren A. Khouri (DC)

PITT • MCGEHEE PA L M E R • B O N A N N I • R I V E R S 80117 West 4th Street, Suite 200 • Royal Oak, MI 48067 • 248-398-9800 • PITTLAWPC.COM

Why are NELA lawyers so charming?

Because they have their own appeal!

CELA thanks you for your dedication to advancing equality and justice in the workplace.

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The Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association (PELA) is proud to support NELA! Together...

Thank you for leading the way for worker rights advocates and for the critical work NELA does for worker rights everywhere.

www.colopela.org 84

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Kathy L. Butler (TX) David L. Lee (IL) Robin B. Potter (IL) Your outstanding work advances and protects the rights of all workers.

Your colleagues at

New Mexico & Texas Leaders in Plaintiff’s Employment and Civil Rights Law 2515 N. Stanton St., El Paso, TX Tel (915) 532-5544 Fax (915) 532-5566 www.coylefirm.com 86

Donelon, P.C. is a law practice focused on litigating complex matters such as class action claims for wage and hour, consumer fraud, and victims of data breaches. We also handle “whistle blower” claims under the False Claims Act. We serve clients throughout the U.S. from our office locations in Kansas City and St. Louis. To date, Donelon, P.C. has obtained over $110 million on behalf of class members.

It often takes strength in numbers to challenge large corporations’ practices of denying employees just compensation, protect the public from unfair business practices, protect your personal data, and support whistle blowers.

816-221-7100

brendan@donelonpc.com

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Fighting Workplace Injustice For 46 Years We are so honored to have Robin Potter, one NELA’s founding members, as one of our own. NELA’s recognition of Robin’s tremendous impact on working people’s lives is incredibly well deserved. Robin’s years of unwavering support of social justice and her zealous representation of working people has contributed to the precedents, laws, and movements that improve our work and our clients’ lives. Whether the fight for justice is in the streets or in a courtroom, be like Robin and take it on!

Congratulations, Robin, Katherine, David, Chiquita, and Lauren!

Our firm vigorously represents working people in individual and class action cases. We actively partner with other NELA attorneys, unions, community organizations, and workers’ centers to achieve workers’ legal goals.

Contact us if you would like to discuss referring or co-counseling on a matter.

DAVID FISH ● NIEVES BOLAÑOS ● ROBIN POTTER ● KIMBERLY HILTON ● PATRICK COWLIN MARA BALTABOLS ● ALENNA BOLIN ● JIM GREEN ● JOHN KUNZE ● SETH MATUS ● THALIA PACHECO MARTIN STAINTHORP ● ALEX TAYLOR ● LESLIE CASTELLANOS ● LESLEY RODRIGUEZ ● NICOLE SANDERS

Chicago Office 111 East Wacker Drive Suite 2300 Chicago, Illinois 60601

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312-861-1800 www.fishlawfirm.com

Suburban Office 200 East 5th Avenue Suite 115 Naperville, Illinois 60563

We are proud to congratulate Adria Lynn Silva on her election to a three-year term on the National NELA Board.

Adria has dedicated over 20 years to representing individuals in discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases and advocating for laws and policies that ensure fairness and equality.

Congratulations, Adria!

We are Dedicated to the Advancement of Workers’ Rights floridanela.org

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Gillespie Sanford LLP With our friends in NELA … Elevating Justice since 2013 and beyond.

Congrats to our friend, Kathy Butler!

Joe Gillespie, Hal Gillespie, & Jim Sanford

Charlie Cai (Paralegal)

4803 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246 • TEL: (214) 800-5111 • FAX: (214) 838-0001 • gillespiesanford.com

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TRUSTED ADVOCATES. PROVEN RESULTS. REAL PEOPLE. It takes a team of specialized employment lawyers to cover today’s Wisconsin employment laws, and it takes a trusted association to support that team.

Our continued support to the National Employment Lawyers Association ensures expert legal training and resources to all attorneys of workers’ rights. It’s an investment in the future of promoting fair judiciary, laws, and policies through a united organization.

Together, we’ll continue to advocate for Wisconsin’s workers and jobs.

Hawks Quindel is proud to be home to many of the state’s most sought-after employment lawyers—all committed to delivering results. We’ve built our business on our hard-earned record for success in both individual and class-action lawsuits.

We are proud of our reputation as smart, ethical, and effective attorneys.

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Hawks Quindel S.C. | www.hq-law.com

Houk Law Fir m Chris Houk, Attorney

4645 South Lakeshore Drive Suite 13 Tempe, AZ 85282 Phone: 480-569-2377 Se Habla Español www.houklawfirm.com

Marina Kovačević, In-House Counsel

Changing the world one case at a time.

The Houk Law Firm is pleased to support NELA and the

Tanika Sherman, Paralegal

2023 Annual Convention Elevating Justice Chicago, Illinois

Congratulations to the awardees: Isa Ramirez, Legal Assistant

Kathy Butler David Lee Robin Potter

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Nicole Houk, Accounting

THE LAW OFFICE OF JOHN C. IRELAND

FIGHTING FOR PROPER PAYMENT OF WAGES SINCE 2007 REFERRALS AND CO-COUNSEL WORK WELCOMED

636 Spruce Street South Elgin, IL 60177 (630) 464-9675 Facsimile (630) 206-0889 Attorneyireland@gmail.com 94

Nation-wide practice, based in Maine

ENFORCING WORKERS’ RIGHTS FOR 30 YEARS

WORK.LAW (207) 623-5110

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Jay Holland Jay Holland leads a strong team of lawyers who represent Whistleblowers in federal False Claims Act cases nationwide. The JGL team works on a wide variety of fraud cases, including health care, government procurement, and Small Business Administration fraud.

Jay, who has decades of experience, is frankly regarded by many of his clients as “The best lawyer a client could ever have”. Jay has been lead counsel in several high-profile cases on the national stage.

Jay and the JGL team are proud to represent whistleblower clients, who are usually the only people from their companies who are brave enough to come forward to report fraud on the government. For more information please email Jay at jholland@jgllaw.com or phone 240-553-1198.

240-553-1198 / JHOLLAND@JGLLAW.COM MARYLAND | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | VIRGINIA JGLLAW.COM

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Joellen and Jim Kaster welcome their newest granddaughter, Leona Ellen Kaster, Kaster, who joined us on May 1, 2023, just in time for this year’s NELA Convention.

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CONGRATULATIONS

ON YOUR

SETTLEMENT. WHO DID YOU USE?

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NELA, great to be back together !

Always looking for Co-Counsel Hope to talk to you Cheri L. McCracken 705 E Coronado Phoenix AZ, 85006 cherimccracken@gmail.com 602-231-0595

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Congratulations to MWELA President, Lauren A. Khouri, partner of Correia & Puth, PLLC, as she is honored with NELA’s 2023 Spotlight Award.

Lauren dedicates her practice to the civil rights of individuals in the workplace and in schools. She represents clients in all aspects of litigation practice, including fighting pregnancy and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, student and employee rights. Super Lawyers has recognized Lauren as a leader in civil rights law and as a Rising Star in employment law annually since 2019.

We are proud to call Lauren one of our own!

The Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association is a vibrant NELA affiliate, and is 350+ lawyers strong. As advocates for employee rights and civil rights, we work to protect the rights and privileges of employees in both the private and public sectors in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

We are pleased to support the programs and activities of NELA.

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Fighting for and protecting the rights of employees in Minnesota since 1985

www.mn-nela.org

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“Freedom is never granted: it is won.

Justice is never given: it is exacted.”

– A. Phillip Randolph

Murphy Anderson PLLC

Michael T. Anderson Adam Breihan Mark Hanna Mindy K. Holmes Joni S. Jacobs Arlus J. Stephens Jason R. Veny Brenda C. Zwack Nicolas Mendoza Adreanna Sellers Ann Lugbill (of counsel) Marc H. Rifkind (of counsel)

The lawyers of Murphy Anderson are honored to join NELA in Chicago in the fight for civil rights and economic justice for all workers.

Alongside NELA, we strive for justice and equality in workplaces across the nation.

Murphy Anderson extends its most sincere congratulations to this year's award recipients: Katherine L. Butler, David L. Lee, Robin B. Potter, Lauren A. Khouri, and Chiquita Hall-Jackson.

We look forward to building an exciting and equitable future with you all!

Washington - Boston - Cincinnati www.murphypllc.com Se habla español.

202-223-2620

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Pollins Law Creating Great Futures

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We are proud to belong to this great family of lawyers dedicated to vindicating employee rights.

A special thank you to this year’s honorees Katherine L. Butler, David L. Lee, Robin B. Potter, Chiquita Hall-Jackson and Lauren A. Khouri for your extraordinary commitment to NELA and tremendous support for the plaintiffs’ employment bar.

Ritz Clark & Ben-Asher LLP Strategic Employment Lawyers Jonathan Ben-Asher Miriam F. Clark Susan Ritz One Liberty Plaza 165 Broadway, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10006-1404 Phone: 212-321-7075 www.rcbalaw.com

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NELA, thank you for all you do!

Donna Williams Rucker

www.tullylegal.com

RECOGNIZED LEADERS IN E M P LOY E E R E P R E S E N TAT I O N

RUDY

EXELROD

ZIEFF &

LOWE 3 5 1 C ALIFORNIA S TREET, S UITE 7 0 0 S AN F RANCISCO, C ALIFORNIA 9 4 1 0 4

R E Z L AW . C O M

(415) 434-9800

LLP

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Brian Sanford and BB Sanford

Elevating Justice and Celebrating the Huge Contributions of Kathy Butler David L. Lee and Robin B. Potter

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www.amfllp.com T: 310.394.0888 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 900 Los Angeles, California 90067

Employee Justice.

J. Bernard Alexander, III

Michael Morrison

Tracy Fehr

Joshua Arnold

Congratulations to Katherine L. Butler (TX), David L. Lee (IL), Robin B. Potter (IL), Chiquita Hall-Jackson (IL) and Lauren A. Khouri (DC)!

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If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class.

One goes to the unprotected – those, precisely, who need the law’s protection most! – and listens to their testimony. – James Baldwin, No Name On The Street

Here’s to the Worker Organizers

who listen to the testimony of the unprotected and unheard every day and make sure they find justice.

Rebecca L. Salawdeh Salawdeh Law Office, LLC Wauwatosa, WI 110

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Congratulations to the

2023 gala honorees

sedeyharper.com 111

Congratulations to Kathy L. Butler, David L. Lee, Robin B. Potter, Chiquita Hall-Jackson and Lauren A. Khouri for your advocacy and leadership in the NELA community. We benefit from your contributions every day!

EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS AND BENEFITS L AW

1100 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 920 | Washington, DC 20036 150 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1925 | Chicago, IL 60606

Wade B. CoWan attorney at LaW Nashville, TN

THANK YOU, NELA FOR ALL YOU DO! AND CONGRATULATIONS HONOREES! www.wadebcowanlaw.com wcowan@dhhrplc.com

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Borealislaw.com

447 Center Street Manchester, CT 06040 (860) 646-5606 www.beckeldergill.com Know Your Rights, Know This Number.

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Congratulations to Kathy Butler, Congratulations to David Lee, Vicky Ni, and Joe Garrison, Robin Potter, Menaka Fernando.

Chiquita Hall-Jackson, We Rise. We andLead. We Celebrate!

Lauren Khouri!

NELA 2023 Elevating Justice

Committed to Excellence Employment and Business Litigation Cambridge, Massachusetts www.BennettandBelfort.com

Congratulations to the 2023 Gala Honorees!

Harris D. Butler P: 804.648.4848 F: 804.237.0413 www.butlercurwood.com 140 Virginia Street, Suite 302 Richmond, Virginia 23219

Craig J. Curwood Zev Antell Paul M. Falabella Samantha Galina 119

Well-Deserved Congratulations to the 2023 NELA Distinguished Service Honorees

KATHY BUTLER DAVID LEE ROBIN POTTER

Amy Coopman │ amy@bridgemediationkc.com │816.260.5635

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Thank

You

and

Congratulations!

A

K ATHY B UTLER Texas

Trailblazer

KAREN FITZGERALD DALLAS TEXAS WWW.FITZGERALD.LAW

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Joshua Friedman Rebecca Houlding 230 Park Avenue Third Floor West New York, NY 10169 (888) 369-1119, Ext. 1 www.friedmanhouldingllp.com 123

Goldman Davis Krumholz & Dillon, P.C. Congratulates this year’s NELA Honorees.

We are all indebted to what they have achieved on behalf of Workers.

Hackensack, NJ and Jersey City, NJ www.goldmandavis.com

Employment Law Demands Tough Attorneys With more than forty years experience, Hammons, Hurst & Associates is one of the nation’s leading firms specializing in employment law.

“We take pride in the reputation we’ve acquired for high-quality client services, which has earned us the respect of judges, former clients, and the lawyers we face off against in court.

— Mark E. Hammons, Sr.

”

Founding Partner

Mark E. Hammons, Sr.* and Amber L. Hurst

Areas of Practice Employment Law Gender Discrimination Sexual Harassment Pregnancy Discrimination Disability Discrimination Overtime Pay Age Discrimination Wrongful Termination Race Discrimination Family Medical Leave Act To arrange for a consultation or find out how Hammons, Hurst & Associates can assist your firm or clients, contact us at: o 405.235.6100 f 405.235.6111 325 Dean A McGee Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 www.HammonsLaw.com

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Member, National Employment Lawyers Association

| *Mark E. Hammons is the founder of the Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association

Thank you, NELA and the Institute, for another incredible year of elevating justice for workers.

Thank you, David, Kathy, and Robin for the good you have done for NELA, your clients, and all workers.

Thank you, Chiquita and Lauren, for your inspiring leadership.

Thank you, Amy and the Hudson Foundation, for investing in the Institute.

Thank you, to my colleagues on the staff, for your support and friendship, and congratulations Erica, Jason, and Tiana for passing Convention 101.

You are all my heroes.

Leah A. Hofkin Law Offices of David C. Holmes David C. Holmes 13201 Northwest Freeway, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77040 713-586-8862 713-586-8863 (fax)

Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

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Thank you NELA for leading the advancement of justice in the workplace. @impactfund

HALL-JACKSON & ASSOCIATES, P.C. REPRESENTS WORKERS IN WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATON, HARASSMENT, AND WHISTLEBLOWING MATTERS IN STATE & FEDERAL COURT, EEOC, AND FINRA ARBITRATION HEARINGS. CONTACT US TODAY FOR A CASE EVALUATION. WWW.HALL-JACKSONANDASSOCIATES.COM 312-255-7105

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Experience Integrity Results

A proud sponsor of NELA Providing Comprehensive Employment Legal Counsel to Employees in the Public, Private, and Federal Sectors Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation Security Clearances | Employee Discipline Foreign Service Grievances | Whistleblower Representation Student Representation in Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Matters

818 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 1000 | Washington, D.C. 20006 202.331.9260 | kcnfdc.com

KATOR, PARKS, WEISER & WRIGHT P.L.L.C.

SUITE 1000 STREET, N.W. 1200 18th WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 (202) 898-4800 WWW.KATORPARKS.COM

The attorneys of Kator, Parks, Weiser & Wright are proud to celebrate the work of NELA, and the work of all NELA members on behalf of America’s workers.

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Celebrating NELA and its members for working every day to level the playing field and tip the scales in favor of workers.

Matt Koski

McGuinn, Hillsman & Palefsky

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Welcome to Chicago!!

And many thanks for all their hard work and dedication to: Jeffrey A. Mittman Executive Director

Tacarra Andrade Membership Director Alicia Battle Events Coordinator

Karen Maoki Director of Strategy & Operations

Tiana Stewart Administrative Coordinator

Erica Posey Paul H. Tobias Attorney Fellow

Pedro A. Valverde Digital Communications & Technology Manager

Jason Solomon Institute Director

Ashley Westby Program Director

Leah A. Hofkin Development Director

David L. Lee

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LIVINGSTON, ADLER, PULDA, MEIKLEJOHN & KELLY, P.C. “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Honoring NELA and The 2023 Gala Honorees For All That They Do To Elevate Justice 557 Prospect Ave • Hartford, CT 06105 (860) 233-9821 • www.lapm.org

The Maddox Firm

Long Term Disability and ERISA New York, New Jersey, and Nationwide www.maddoxfirm.com (212) 970-1190

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Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.

— John Lewis

NELA friends – Thank you for being in the struggle. – Karen Maoki & Cassandra Chen

NELA-Alabama Civil Rights Advocates from the Heart of the Civil Rights Movement

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www.nelaga.org President- Tamika Sykes President Elect-Julie Oinonen

Secretary- Cherri Shelton

Past President- Teresa Saggese Mills

Treasurer-Dean R. Fuchs

Board Members Jennifer K. Coalson Amelia A Ragan Paul Sharman Nina Maja Bergmar Ianna Richardson 132

Congratulations

Kathy Butler and

Thank You! National Employment Lawyers AssociationHouston Chapter

From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire ...let freedom ring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. August 28, 1963.

NH NELA, RINGING SINCE 1993.

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Thank you for your continued advocacy to improve worker’s rights!

Congratulations to all honorees!

Robert S. Notzon Law Office of Robert S. Notzon Austin, TX I pray you don't need me, but I'm here if you do.

www.notzonlaw.com

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OELA

Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association

Leaders in Protecting Employee Rights Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association is an organization of lawyers on your side for employment matters.

Please visit our website at www.oela.org OELA is a non-profit organization that has the purpose of furthering the education of and sharing resources with the attorneys who practice employment law, specifically Plaintiff’s cases.

Patricia A. Podolec Attorney at Law

10601 S. Western, Suite 119 Oklahoma City, OK 73170 Office: (405)703-4431 Cell: (405)760-3358 Fax: (405)400-8784 ppodolec@podoleclaw.com https://www.podoleclaw.com 135

Many TThanks hanks For all you and your members do for workers – keep up the good fight; For all your members do for each other keep up your inspiring teamwork; and For all you have done for me, including scheduling this Annual Convention, my 20th, in Sweet Home Chicago, my birthplace!

Dan Kohrman AARP Foundation

Making the Law work for Arizona Employees

Proud To Support NELA www.azela.org

Passion. Experience.

Diligence.

Committed to helping individuals with their employment-related matters.

(317) 687-2222

www.betzadvocates.com

211 N. Pennsylvania St., Suite 1660, Indianapolis, IN 46204

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Buchanan, Angeli, Altschul & Sullivan, LLP

We toast to NELA’s 2023 Honorees: Kathy Butler David Lee Robin Potter Chiquita Hall-Jackson Lauren Khouri

We advocate for individuals in workplace disputes throughout Oregon and Washington

Employment, Civil Rights, & Personal Injury

SMITH LAW FIRM

As employees, families, and citizens of Louisiana, your rights need to be protected in every facet of your day-to-day life. The attorneys of the Smith Law Firm have been practicing labor and employment law and personal injury law, defending the rights of citizens in Louisiana, for over 60 years collectively.

Onward and upward! Our deepest gratitude to Kathy Butler.

W W W. JA RT H U R S M I T H . C O M

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We are proud to support the National Employment Lawyers Association and the dedicated work of our partner, David I. Brody President of NELA’s Massachusetts Chapter Complex Law. Clear Guidance.

Real Estate | Litigation | Business Law | Employment www.sherin.com

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represents whistleblowers in False Claims Act Litigation and other whistleblower reward programs.

Renée Brooker reneebrooker@tzlegal.com

Eva Gunasekera eva@tzlegal.com

Jonathan Tycko jtycko@tzlegal.com

Visit Us Online at www.FraudFighters.net

Supports NELA’s work and is proud to sponsor the 2023 Annual Convention – Elevating Justice.

Thank you for all your work on behalf of workers!

The Villegas Law Firm, APC Represents California’s most vulnerable workers, providing them high quality legal services in wage and hour cases and class actions, employment discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination matters.

3330 Geary Blvd., 2nd Floor West, San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 989-8000 www.e-licenciados.com

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PROUD SUPPORTER OF NEL A

Employment Law Group We represent employees in cases of: n n

n

Wrongful Termination

Discrimination based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, sexual harassment, and gender identity

LAUREN IRWIN

MICHAEL MCGRATH

Violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act

n

Hostile Environment

n

Violations of the Equal Pay Act

law@uptonhatfield.com

uptonhatfield.com

CO N CO R D | 603 -224 -7791

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HEATHER BURNS

SUSAN LOWRY

PE T E R BO RO U G H | 603 -924 - 386 4

BROOKE SHILO

P O R T S M O U T H | 603 - 4 36 -70 4 6

WEBSTER & FREDRICKSON. PLLC 1101 CONNECTICUT AVE., NW, STE 402 WASHINGTON DC, 20036 (202) 659-8510 WWW.WEBSTERFREDRICKSON.COM

EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW ________________________________ Here’s to our honorees, Katherine Butler, David Lee, Robin Potter Chiquita Hall-Jackson and Lauren Khouri. Congratulations and thank you!

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Congratulations to the 2023 Gala Honorees Cynthia Forman Wilkinson Wilkinson Law Firm, PC Birmingham, AL 142

Wisconsin Employment Lawyers Association

On Wisconsin!

Cheers to all traveling to Chicago for the convention this year. Keep fighting the good fight!

Here's to the fabulous programs that make NELA the premier catalyst for a better American workplace. phone: (262) 505-5678 e-mail: hynes@hyneslawfirm.com

In Honor of

DavID Lee robIn Potter KatHy butLer It Is Better To Light a Candle Than Curse The Darkness -Eleanor Roosevelt Herbert Eisenberg Laura S. Schnell Christopher Pacelle

Congratulations to all of the nominees, and thank you for all the support and guidance that you each offer to NELA and its members.

We have all benefited from your insight and willingness to share your time and knowledge.

Have a great night!

Law Office Of anne GLennOn 340 cOurt Street, 2nd fLOOr PLymOuth, ma 02360 www.anneGLennOnLaw.cOm

EISENBERG & SCHNELL LLP 233 Broadway, Suite 2704 New York, New York 10027 212.966.8900 www.eisenbergschnell.com 143

Hostile Work Environment?

Other Workplace Issues?

Lorna Griffin Law Offices, PLLC can help For a free consultation: call, text, or email today

GREEN SAVITS llc EMPLOYEE RIGHTS ADVOCATES

(210) 944-3345 info@lgriffinlaw.com Speak directly with a licensed Texas Attorney

Florham Park, NJ (973) 695-7777 www.greensavits.com

www.lgriffinlaw.com

Holland & Associates, PC Holistic Attorneys and Counsellors at Law Employee Rights | Civil Rights

hollandattorney.com (901) 278-8120 144

HYNES & KREUSER, S.C. Wisconsin Employment Lawyers Experienced attorneys advising employees with severance/separation agreements, non-competes, discrimination, disability and other employment law matters.

Law Office of Deborah H. Karpatkin 99 Park Avenue Suite 2600 New York, NY 10016-1503 (646) 865-9930 www.karpatkinlaw.com

Thank you, NELA for the support, programs, and contagious enthusiasm provided to those who champion worker rights!

GREATER MILWAUKEE AREA 740 PILGRIM PARKWAY, SUITE 300 ELM GROVE, WI 53122

FREE CONSULTATION: (262) 505-5678 WWW.HYNESLAWFIRM.COM

P.C.

Ellen J. Messing  Dahlia C. Rudavsky  James S. Weliky

Congratulations and thank you to the NELA 2023 honorees!

(207)773-5651 mpmlaw.com

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EMPLOYMENT LAW and more...

& • A Civil Rights Employment Law Firm •

Proudly Supporting NELA in

Elevating Justice

~ Congratulations 2023 Gala Honorees! & A Special Shout Out to Our Great Friend & Mentor

Honoree David Lee !!

The trial team at Ogborn Mihm LLP handles consumer and plaintiff side litigation, including personal injury, traumatic brain injury, commercial litigation, and legal malpractice.

Contact Emily if you need help in the Rocky Mountain region!

542 So. Dearborn St., Ste. 660 Chicago, Illinois 60605 Ph: 312.697.1382

www.OMTrial.com

Thank you, NELA, for elevating justice for workers!

It has been an honor to serve you as a member of the NELA Board.

I have enjoyed every moment of the last seven years!

Rosemary Orsini

Congratulations to NELA’s Titans, Kathy Butler, David Lee and Robin Potter!

Your leadership in fighting the good fight inspires us all!

Nina T. Pirrotti

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San Antonio, TX

Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights On The Job Elevating Justice all the way to the top!

NELA 2023

www.ponciolaw.com

THANK YOU NELA!

Dennis E. Egan Bert S. Braud The Popham Law Firm www.pophamlaw.com

With gratitude for the support of friends and colleagues.

MARK RISK, P.C. Employment Law and Litigation New York, New York www.markrisk.com 147

Thanks NELA! Hoping all of NELA enjoys Chicago as much as NELA-Illinois! swainemploymentlaw.com

www.jbryanwoodlaw.com

Congratulations to the honorees and thank you to NELA’s extraordinary Staff, Board, and members for strengthening worker rights.

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WEIR GREENBLATT PIERCE LLP IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE NELA 2023 GALA FUNDRAISER THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK! WHAT TO EXPECT FROM WGP DEDICATION / EXPERIENCE / DETERMINATION Our team prides itself on its sophistication and professionalism. We manage our clients’ expectations, while focusing on finding innovative solutions to their most challenging problems.

PHILADELPHIA 1339 Chestnut Street, Suite 500 Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 665-8181 NEW JERSEY 35 Kings Highway East Haddonfield, NJ 08033 (856) 429-7750

DIRECT CONTACTS: Patricia V. Pierce ppierce@wgpllp.com Ronald L. Greenblatt rgreenblatt@wgpllp.com WEBSITE WWW.WGPLLP.COM

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The fight for dignity in the workplace, fair wages, and safe spaces to gather is at our doorstep.

We stand for workers’ rights with our fellow NELA members.

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hkm.com

Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. congratulates all of the honorees of NELA’s 2023 Gala Fundraiser

We represent government and private-sector employees in all matters relating to civil rights in the workplace Washington, D.C. Area Office 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1000 · Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Honolulu Office 745 Fort Street, Suite 311 · Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 301.608.0880 www.gelawyer.com

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R. Scott Poerschke The Poerschke Law Firm, PC Houston, TX

scott@rsplegal.com www.rsplegal.com

Rockville, MD "Wait" has almost always meant “Never."

We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied.”

- MLK, Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail

www.daylawpractice.com 152

Congratulations to the 2023 Gala Honorees

David, your creativity makes me want to be more creative. You’ve taught that every action we take, whether required by a rule or in response to someone else’s action, can be used to advance a client’s interests. What is often formulaic serves a purpose. And what is often resisted makes opposing counsel wish they had never asked

We are proud to be members of this organization!

in the Þrst place.

Kathy, you’ve been a great friend since I joined the board. Your dedication to whatever project or role you have taken on is inspiring. But even more inspiring is your dedication to enjoying life while being a phenomenal lawyer. Eres la Blue Demon de NELA.

21 Main Street Suite 352 Court Plaza South Hackensack, NJ 07601 (201) 498-0900 www.njemployeerights.com

-Ben Lebsack 153

Congratulations to the 2023 Award Recipients

Thank You

for helping all of us Elevate Justice

Kelly Mulloy Myers George M. Reul, Jr. Jon B. Allison Katherine Daughtrey Neff

Laura Welles Wilson Niroshan M. Wijesooriya Paige E. Richardson Jeffrey M. Silverstein

fmr.law | Cincinnati, Ohio

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70 W. Madison St.| Suite 4000 | Chicago, IL 60602| (312) 580-0100 | hsplegal.com

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LLR applauds NELA for its critical support and advocacy for workers and their counsel Lichten & Liss-Riordan, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm that is dedicated to vindicating the rights of workers around the country through class actions and individual litigation. The firm has brought and won landmark cases throughout the United States on behalf of workers who have been deprived of their wages, tips, and overtime, or wrongfully misclassified as independent contractors, or who have suffered discrimination or retaliation. The firm has been recognized by numerous organizations and publications for its innovative and vigorous advocacy on behalf of workers.

Shannon Liss-Riordan | Harold Lichten 729 Boylston Street, Suite 2000 | Boston, MA 02116 P: (617) 994-5800 | F: (617) 994-5801 | info@llrlaw.com | llrlaw.com

Increasing recoveries on employment claims on bankrupt and financially-stressed defendants since 2016.

Dundon Advisers LLC is proud to support the National Employment Lawyers Association.

Thank you for all the work that you do!

10 Bank Street, Suite 1100, White Plains NY 10606 www.dundon.com

“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

— Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Nichols Kaster joins NELA in thanking Kathy, Robin, and David for all of their years of leadership.

E M P LOY E E R I G H TS • WAG E T H E F T • 4 0 1 K / E R I SA • C I V I L R I G H TS • S O C I A L I N J U ST I C E • CO N S U M E R R I G H TS

MINNEAPOLIS

I D S C e n t e r, 8 0 S o u t h 8 t h S t r e e t , S u i t e 4 7 0 0 , M i n n e a p o l i s , M N 5 5 4 0 2

SAN FRANCISCO

235 Montgomery Street, Suite 810, San Francisco, CA 94104

(612) 256-3200

( 41 5 ) 27 7-72 35