irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $11KTHE NELA/NY FALL CONFERENCE, ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 AT FORDHAM LAW SCHOOL PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON VARIOUS EMPLOYMENT LAW TOPICS. 121 ATTORNEYS REGISTERED FOR THE HYBRID FORMAT (VIRTUAL COMPONENT VIA ZOOM WEBINAR) PROGRAM AND EARNED UP TO SIX AND A HALF (6.5) CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATIONAL CREDITS.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Amicus Brief Program
Files friend-of-the-court briefs in appellate cases involving significant employment law issues to influence judicial interpretation of worker protections
Legislative Advocacy Agenda
Annual campaign to advance worker-protective legislation in New York State and New York City, including bills on wage theft, non-compete bans, and anti-discrimination protections
NELA/NY Fall Conference
Annual hybrid educational event offering continuing legal education credits to employment law attorneys on topics including wage theft, anti-discrimination law, and advocacy skills
Public Speaking for Lawyers Series
Professional development training to improve advocacy skills, including persuasive speaking and courtroom presentation for employment attorneys
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Legal Professional Development & Networking 2 activities
- Hosts continuing legal education (CLE) conferences and training programsOrganizes Spring and Fall hybrid and virtual conferences offering 5.5 to 7 CLE credits on recent developments in plaintiffs’ employment law. Also conducts specialized training series, such as on public speaking for lawyers, serving over 100 attorneys per event.
- Supports member-led advocacy and professional development initiativesFacilitates member committees focused on legislative advocacy, judicial selection, diversity and inclusion, and programming for solo practitioners. Supports drafting of amicus briefs and policy initiatives through member collaboration.
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Worker Rights Advocacy & Wage Protection 1 activity
- Advocates for worker protection legislation and policy reformEngages in sustained legislative advocacy to advance and strengthen New York labor and civil rights laws, including supporting the Wage Payment Integrity Act, Prop 1 (Equal Rights Amendment), and city-level bills expanding worker rights. Successfully advocated for passage of multiple laws clarifying worker protections, wage theft remedies, jury awards, personnel file access, anti-retaliation standards, and banning "no rehire" clauses.
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Pro Bono Legal Representation and Support 1 activity
- Provides legal referral services and direct legal assistanceOperates NELARS, a fee-based employment law referral service connecting thousands of individuals annually with qualified attorneys. Offers free initial 15-minute consultations and discounted rates for further legal guidance on issues including discrimination, wage theft, family leave, and whistleblower claims.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Conducts testing and enforcement for housing discriminationConducts investigative testing of rental properties to identify discriminatory practices, files complaints with the New York State Division of Human Rights, and secured a successful retaliation claim resulting in $4,775 in damages and a $2,500 civil fine.
- Files amicus briefs and participates in appellate legal advocacyFiles amicus briefs in state and federal appellate courts, including the New York Court of Appeals and U.S. Courts of Appeals, to influence precedent on employment rights, whistleblower protections, forced arbitration, and workplace safety. Participated in cases such as *Lerner v. Credit Suisse*, *Banks v. McGIynn*, and matters involving Amazon worker safety.
- Represents workers in employment litigation with measurable outcomesProvides direct legal representation in high-impact employment cases, including a sexual harassment survivor’s jury trial that resulted in a $2.725 million award. Secured judicial affirmation of the verdict, reinforcing credibility of plaintiffs in employment cases.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$219K
Contributions & grants$73K33%
Program service revenue$140K64%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$279K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$168K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$30K
Cash$29K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$30K
Liquid reserves1.2 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -9.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN MOESKER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $66K |
| ROSENI PLAZA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $66K |
board members · 14
- DANIEL KOVEL — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- GARY IRELAND — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- HARVEY SANDERS — TREASURER
- HUGH BARAN — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- J PATRICK DELINCE — DIVERSITY OFFICER
- JOSEPH CRONEN — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- LAURIE MORRISON — PRESIDENT
- MAGDALENA BARBOSA — SECRETARY
- MOLLY SMITHSIMON — VICE PRESIDENT
- NICOLE GRUNFELD — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- RACHEL NICOTRA — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- RITA SETHI — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- RUSSELL KORNBLITH — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- TIFFANY TROY — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- American Association for Justice Partner — Jointly filed an amicus brief with NELA/NY in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
- Anti-Discrimination Center Partner — Collaborated with NELA/NY on an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
- Bee Reporting Agency Partner — Offers special rates to NELA/NY members as a women-owned reporting agency.
- Brustein Law PLLC Partner — Collaborates with Brustein Law PLLC, a litigation firm focused on representing wronged employees and victims of sexual assault and police misconduct.
- Division of Human Rights Government — Files complaints and pursues retaliation claims through the Division of Human Rights.
- Fordham Law School Partner — Hosted the NELA/NY Fall Conference in 2023 and 2024.
- Harrison, Harrison & Associatees, LTD. Partner — Co-counsel with NELA/NY on an amicus brief concerning defamation and employment law.
- Laurie Morrison Partner — Supervising Attorney for the NELARS program
- Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP Partner — Collaborates with NELA/NY on amicus filings in employment-related appellate cases.
- Melissa Liriano Partner — Administrator for the NELARS program
- MemberLeap Partner — Provides website platform services for NELA NY.
- NELA/NY Members Network — Members of the National Employment Lawyers Association New York chapter who are eligible to join the referral panel.
- National Employment Lawyers Association Network — NELA/NY is the local affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association.
- New York City Council Government — Provided testimony before the New York City Council on proposed worker protection legislation.
- New York State Assembly Government — Urging assembly members to co-sponsor and support the Wage Payment Integrity Act.
- New York State Senate Government — Engaging with state legislative bodies to advocate for the Wage Payment Integrity Act.
- Public Justice, P.C. Partner — Works with NELA/NY on amicus briefs related to sexual harassment arbitration and employment rights.
- Ritz Clark & Ben-Asher LLP Partner — Partners with NELA/NY on amicus briefs submitted to the Court of Appeals of the State of New York.
- Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP Partner — Collaborates with NELA/NY on drafting and filing amicus briefs in appellate courts.
- Skye Legacy Planning, LLC Partner — Provides health insurance options with negotiated rates for NELA/NY members.
- Smithsimon Law and Mediation PLLC Partner — Employer of the First Vice-President, indicating a professional affiliation.
- Stephen Bergstein, LLC Partner — Collaborated on legal advocacy leading to strengthened anti-retaliation law in New York.
- The Little Reporting Company Partner — Offers discounted court reporting rates to NELA/NY members.
- Transperfect Legal Solutions Partner — Provides discounted deposition and legal support services to NELA/NY members.
- workers' rights group coalition Partner — Collaborates with a coalition of workers' rights organizations to support legislative initiatives including the EmPIRE Worker Protection Act and Salary Transparency Bill.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client-Centered Representation in Employment Lawmethodology: client_centered_legal_advocacyBy centering the client’s lived experience and truth-telling while the legal team manages case strategy and proof, we produce more effective legal outcomes because empowering survivors to share their story without bearing the burden of litigation increases engagement and narrative authenticity.
- Constitutional Expansion of Anti-Discrimination Protectionsmethodology: constitutional_advocacyBy advocating for the expansion of constitutional anti-discrimination protections to include gender, pregnancy, disability, and gender identity, we produce greater workplace fairness because explicit legal recognition reduces judicial discretion and strengthens enforcement for marginalized groups.
- Integrated Legal Advocacy with Attorney Capacity Buildingmethodology: integrated_legal_advocacyBy combining legislative reform, direct legal referrals, and professional development for attorneys, we strengthen workers' rights because systemic change is most effective when advocacy is paired with a skilled, networked legal workforce focused on New York-specific challenges.
- Long-term Legal Advocacy for Structural Reformmethodology: long_term_legal_advocacyBy engaging in sustained legislative and judicial advocacy, we produce stronger worker protections and systemic change because incremental, persistent legal reform creates durable shifts in labor rights enforcement and interpretation.
- Policy Advocacy to Prevent Wage Theft and Promote Pay Equitymethodology: wage_theft_preventionBy advocating for wage theft prevention and salary transparency laws, we reduce compensation disparities because closing legal loopholes and mandating objective wage-setting counters systemic inequities that disproportionately harm women and minority workers.