NELC Academy

Advanced Skills Training and Mentorship to Empower Your Future

The NELC Academy is a premier professional development program designed to elevate the next generation of diverse talent in management-side labor and employment law. Created for early-career attorneys with fewer than four years of experience, the Academy offers an intensive experience centered on advanced skills training, mentorship, and connection to a powerful national network of accomplished minority attorneys.

With only 30 fellows selected annually through a highly competitive process, NELC Academy Fellows engage directly with in-house counsel from major corporations, seasoned employment defense practitioners, and experienced NELC leaders. Fellows are paired with mentors, immersed in curated programming, and positioned to grow their careers and contributions to the legal profession.

For many, the Academy serves as a launching point into deeper involvement with NELC and a long-term path toward leadership in the field.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Applications are now open for the 2026 NELC Academy. If you’re an early-career attorney looking to accelerate your growth and join a network of passionate and purpose-driven legal professionals, we invite you to learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process.

Call for Applications
Meet the Leaders Behind the Academy

The NELC Academy is guided by a dedicated committee of experienced practitioners and leaders who shape the program’s vision, mentor Fellows, and help ensure its long-term impact.

NELC Academy Committee

What our participants say about the program

This family is unlike any other I have ever seen and I am so honored to be a member. Every encounter I had, whether with a Fellow, Member, Committee, or Chair, was genuine and inspiring.

I really felt the support of the community that is NELC. Everyone was so welcoming, and made me feel like I was family. I really appreciated getting the chance to connect with other like-minded attorneys, sharing stories, and being part of a collective effort to make a positive impact in the legal field.

This family is unlike any other I have ever seen and I am so honored to be a member. Every encounter I had, whether with a Fellow, Member, Committee, or Chair, was genuine and inspiring.

Every aspect of the Academy exceeded my expectations. I was blown away by the zeal and commitment each of you invested in us. I truly, truly appreciate it. I heard so much about how NELC was a family, but I didn’t realize how much each of you meant it.

NELC is a community that wants to see you thrive and will invest in you. At the same time, you are part of the community and have a responsibility to invest in yourself, be proactive, and give back to not just those coming up behind you, in your rank, and ahead of you.