2026 GALA SPONSOR GUIDE
VISION JUSTICE COMMUNITY
For over 40 years, NELA has proudly stood with attorneys who stand up for working people. Whether in times of notable progress or moments of extraordinary adversity, NELA has remained the preeminent bar association dedicated to empowering the advocates who fight to ensure that workers receive the justice they deserve.
OUR MISSION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE URGENT
Across the country, workers face alarming threats—not only to their individual rights but also to the systems meant to protect them. As legal protections are tested and enforcement grows more challenging, the role of dedicated workers’ rights attorneys is increasingly critical. Just as critical is the strength of the community that supports them.
NELA is a vital resource for plaintiffs’ employment attorneys at every stage of their careers, providing essential legal education, trusted analysis of developments affecting workers’ rights, and opportunities to connect through practice and interest groups that foster mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong professional relationships. Through our advocacy efforts—including our Amicus and Judicial Nominations Programs and before administrative agencies—NELA aims to level the playing field for private, public, and federal sector workers and their advocates nationwide.
INVEST IN NELA INVEST IN JUSTICE
The theme of NELA’s 2026 Gala Fundraiser, which will be held in conjunction with our Annual Convention in New Orleans, is VISION. JUSTICE. COMMUNITY. It speaks to how our collective efforts advance a future in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect; workplaces are equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible; and the well-being of workers is a priority in business practices.
By joining us as a Gala sponsor, whether or not you will be with us in person, you play a direct role in strengthening this ecosystem. Your investment helps ensure that NELA remains a powerful resource for advocates and an influential force for workers.
We invite you to stand with NELA at this pivotal moment. Driven by our strong beliefs and powered by our community, together we invest boldly in the vision, justice, and community that will carry us forward.
Our 2026 Gala celebration will take place on Friday night, June 26 (8 to 11 p.m.). We will gather after dinner (on your own) for a well-earned night of fun and friendship with music and dancing. Come dressed in your New Orleans finest or come as you are. Please note that the Gala is a separate ticketed event, not included in Convention registration. We will provide sweet and savory snacks. Each Gala attendee will receive two complimentary drink tickets, courtesy of Dundon Advisers LLC.
CHAMPION: $15,000
Ten tickets to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26, with the option of a reserved table of 10
Premium placement of a full-page color ad in the 2026 Convention Program Guide—option to expand your ad to a two-page spread
Name recognition as a Champion on the 2026 digital Gala invitation
Option to be named as a sponsor of a specific Convention session, session break, or other event
Logo recognition in the 2026 Convention Program Guide and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2025 Convention
Logo recognition on the Convention page of our website, nela.org. Your logo with a link to your website will be included as part of a rotating slider.
Champion listing with logo, including a live link, on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Recognition on all NELA social media platforms related to the Convention
Logo recognition in select emails promoting the Convention and Gala to the NELA membership
Verbal acknowledgement during the Opening Remarks at the Convention
Logo recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
Rebuilding New Orleans: Immigrant Laborers and Street Food Vendors in the Post-Katrina Era by Sarah Fouts (2025)
A selection from NELA’s DEIA Book Club summer reading list
NELA membership means community. Plaintiffs’ employment law requires grit. We don’t have big business and big firms to support our practices. NELA gives us that “firm.” It gives us support and knowledge that we are not in this alone.
Kalandra N. Wheeler, Houston, TX
NELA has proven to be an incredible resource as I developed as a plaintiffs’ employment lawyer. I met people through NELA who became mentors, co-counsel, and friends. NELA members are always willing to answer a call and help out on whatever obstacle or issue you’ve encountered. The network is truly invaluable.
Aaron
Halegua, New York, NY
BENEFACTOR : $10,000
Ten tickets to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26, with the option of a reserved table of 10
Premium placement of a full-page color ad in the 2026 Convention Program Guide—option to expand your ad to a two-page spread
Name recognition at the Benefactor level on the 2026 Gala digital invitation, in the 2026 Convention Program Guide, and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2026 Convention
Logo recognition on the Convention page of our website, nela.org. Your logo with a link to your website will be included as part of a rotating slider.
Benefactor listing with logo, including a live link, on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Verbal acknowledgement during the Opening Remarks at the Convention
Logo recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
Rebuilding New Orleans: Immigrant Laborers and Street Food Vendors in the Post-Katrina Era by Sarah Fouts (2025)
A selection from NELA’s DEIA Book Club summer reading list
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE:
$5,000
Ten tickets to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26, with the option of a reserved table of 10
Full-page color ad in the 2026 Convention Program Guide
Name recognition at the Founder’s Circle level on the 2026 Gala digital invitation, in the 2026 Convention Program Guide, and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2026 Convention
Founder’s Circle listing with logo, including a live link, on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Verbal acknowledgement during the Opening Remarks at the Convention
Logo recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
A selection from NELA’s DEIA Book Club summer reading list
PRESIDENT’S CABINET: $3,000
Ten tickets to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26, with the option of a reserved table of 10
Full-page color ad in the 2026 Convention Program Guide
Name recognition at the President’s Cabinet level on the 2026 Gala digital invitation, in the 2026 Convention Program Guide, and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2026 Convention
President’s Cabinet listing with logo, including a live link, on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Logo recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
ADVOCATE:
$1,250
Five tickets (unreserved seating) to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26
Half-page color ad in the 2026 Convention Program Guide
Name recognition at the Advocate level on the 2026 Gala digital invitation, in the 2026 Convention Program Guide, and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2026 Convention
Advocate listing with logo, including a live link, on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Name recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
PARTNER:
$600
Three tickets (unreserved seating) to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26
Quarter-page color ad in the 2026 Convention Program Guide
Name recognition at the Partner level on the 2026 Gala digital invitation, in the 2026 Convention Program Guide, and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2026 Convention
Name recognition on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Name recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
What started as membership in another professional organization has become a true community of attorneys who share both knowledge and a dedication to workplace justice. People say NELA is the world’s largest workers’ rights law firm— and they’re right. The collaborative spirit here makes us all better advocates.
Vishal H. Shah, Boston, MA
SUPPORTER: $350
Two tickets (unreserved seating) to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26
Name recognition at the Supporter level on the 2026 Gala digital invitation, in the 2026 Convention Program Guide, and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2026 Convention
Name recognition on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Name recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
FRIEND: $150
One ticket (unreserved seating) to the Gala Celebration on Friday evening, June 26
Name recognition at the Friend level on the 2026 Gala digital invitation, in the 2026 Convention Program Guide, and on the Gala Sponsor Board at the 2026 Convention
Name recognition on the Gala page of our website, nela.org
Name recognition in the slideshow to be played during the Gala on Friday evening
Gala sponsor name badge ribbon for any sponsor representatives attending the 2026 Convention
Individual tickets are also available for $125 each or $100 for government, legal services, and public interest attorneys.
To be listed as an early sponsor in the digital Gala invitation, we must receive your pledge by April 20. The deadline to submit ads is May 12. For more information, please contact Leah A. Hofkin, Director of Development (Tel: (415) 625-5421; Email: lhofkin@niwr.org).
Sponsor online at www.nela.org/2026-gala-sponsorship or scan the QR code
NELA is a 501(c)(6) corporation. Contributions to section 501(c)(6) organizations are not deductible as charitable contributions. Your Gala sponsorship may be deductible as a business expense (advertising).
Knowing that you are surrounded and supported by like-minded people who are committed to vindicating workers’ rights is invaluable. NELA is more than a professional organization—it’s a collective force that strengthens my advocacy, sharpens my skills, and reminds me that none of us fight these battles alone.
Elaine L. Fitch, Washington, DC
