MELA is the Maryland affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association, NELA. NELA brings together the country’s employee-side labor and employment lawyers for education, support and fellowship. NELA offers top-notch continuing legal education programs, written materials, an active list-serve and direct benefits such as amicus help and legislative advocacy on behalf of our clients. You can be a member of MELA without joining NELA, but membership in NELA is recommended if you regularly represent employees. MELA membership gives you a $25 discount on NELA dues.

MELA holds an annual conference and occasional seminars and educational meetings, hosts social events, and offers a list serve. MELA provides written and oral testimony supporting pro-employee legislation during the state’s annual legislative session. To be a MELA member you must certify that at least 60% of your labor and employment representation is on behalf of employees. 

MELA is always interested in expanding its reach in the state, and offering more to its members. Because we have a volunteer board and no staff, and because distances in the state, combined with traffic patterns, sometimes make it burdensome for members to leave their locality, MELA and its members communicate primarily over the internet. We encourage you to join and contribute to the list serve if you become a member, and to contribute to the collection of briefs, motions, and other resources provided to members only. We would also be happy to post brief descriptions of your victories. We also encourage you to get involved, and make any suggestions you wish for the website, conference, events, or otherwise.

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