N.E.L.A.: S.W.E.L.A?

By: Hugh J. McGavick

                I "discovered" the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) this year, and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone who practices plaintiff's employment law.  I would like to know if there is enough interest to justify forming a Southwest Washington Chapter of NELA.

                NELA is a young, vibrant organization of plaintiff's attorneys with common concerns throughout the country.  I attended NELA's Seventh Annual Convention last June in San Diego.  As described in the program announcement, the three day convention had plenary and work shop sessions on emerging issues in plaintiff's employment law, trial practice, law office management, and other topics of interest to employee rights advocates.  It was a great opportunity to learn about the newest developments in employment law, and to network with people who are in the same professional boat.  Program topics included affirmative action; reorganization of the work place and its impact on employment law; compulsory arbitration of employment claims; summary judgment motions; the use of psychological testimony in employment litigation; compensatory and punitive damages; Title IX; the Immigration Reform and Control Act; class actions; and many other topics.  Programs were offered at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.  The 1600 pages of course materials provide a great resource for future reference.  NELA also has extensive brief banks and resource materials available.  Many of the presenters have authored text which are in our library or upon which I have relied.

                Networking with colleagues from around the country was the highlight of the convention.  I've become an honorary member of the St. Louis Chapter, a collaborative (not competitive) group who sent about 14 people to the convention.  On more than one occasion since June I've been able to call on people from around the country for consultation and emergency help. 

                In October, 1996, I attended an excellent  two-day NELA conference in Minneapolis.  Friday's session dealt with mediation, and Saturday's subject was summary judgment.  The key note luncheon speaker on Friday was Federal District Court Judge Mark Bennett from Iowa, who had handled some plaintiff's employment cases in private practice.  His insightful presentation at Saturday's session provided a sobering perspective to the scourge of summary judgment in Federal Court.  

                I am considering starting a Southwest Washington branch of NELA.  There is already an apparently well-established group in Seattle, but somehow I never knew of their existence until this month.  I would welcome your opinion about whether there is enough interest to start a new chapter, or if there is a preference for joining the existing group in Seattle.  Kindly drop me a line or give me a call to provide some input.  Even if there are separate groups started I'm sure they would be allies.  If you would like to know more about NELA you can contact them at the national office at 600 Harrison Street, Suite 535, San Francisco, California, 94107,  (415) 227-4655 or by fax at (415) 495-7465.  "Labor Net" offers NELA news and resources on the Internet, available by subscription.  They can be contacted at (415) 561-6100.