The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit case involving EEO-1 reports and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has taken another procedural turn. The court’s July 2025 decision in Center for Investigative Reporting v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor upheld the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California’s finding that workforce composition
Laura A. Mitchell
As co-leader of the firm’s ESG group, Laura Mitchell partners with her clients to evaluate, set, achieve and monitor their organizational culture and human capital goals. She focuses her practice on data analytics, including pay equity and other employee analytics, working side-by-side with employers to build programs that benefit employees and create a stable, high-functioning workplace. Understanding that an inclusive, values-based culture provides a crucial competitive advantage in the modern workplace, Laura enjoys counseling companies on the development of proactive and equitable pay and diversity practices.
In Laura’s version of the reimagined workplace, attention to human capital issues, especially DEI and pay equity, would be the rule rather than the exception nationwide and she works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize this vision for her clients’ ongoing success. She helps clients understand all issues across the spectrum of their journey, helping to establish regular analyses as well as counseling organizations on implementation and compliance obligations, where applicable. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication.
Laura also represents companies in OFCCP matters, preparing for and defending OFCCP audits, and counseling employers on issues stemming from OFCCP regulations. She personally oversees the development of hundreds of Affirmative Action Plans for clients each year and is intimately involved in the defense of OFCCP audits. Her approach to compliance is one of facilitation and conciliation while simultaneously advocating in the best interests of her clients.
Deadline Ahead: Pay Data Reporting Obligations for Massachusetts Employers
As the February 2, 2026, pay data reporting deadline draws near, Massachusetts employers with 100 or more employees should take proactive steps to comply with their obligations. Employers should ensure that wage data reports are accurate, complete, and filed on time. Read more about these reporting requirements, timelines, and key compliance considerations.
OFCCP Updates Veteran and Disability Jurisdictional Thresholds for Federal Contractors
As of October 1, 2025, the jurisdictional thresholds for two key regulations impacting federal contractors—the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA)—have increased. These changes stem from an inflationary adjustment statute that authorizes the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to review and update acquisition-related thresholds in statutes governing federal procurement.…
Breaking OFCCP News: Catherine Eschbach leaving OFCCP
It is being reported that Ashley Romanias has assumed leadership of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), as Catherine Eschbach steps into a new role as Principal Deputy General Counsel at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
At the time of this post, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has not yet issued…
OFCCP Seeks Feedback on Section 503 Voluntary Self-ID Form in Connection with Other Proposed Regulatory Revisions
On August 25, 2025, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a new request for public comments on proposed revisions to its data collection and recordkeeping requirements under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503), which would include the withdrawal of the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (OMB Control…
OFCCP Updates Annual Veteran Hiring Benchmark
Though delayed, OFCCP has released the updated the annual Veteran Hiring Benchmark. The benchmark is set at 5.1% effective July 30, 2025.
The current 5.1% benchmark, is slightly lower than the previous mark of 5.2% set in March 2024 and continues the steady downward trend for this annual hiring benchmark.
Though there remains uncertainty around…
Ninth Circuit Affirms Disclosure of EEO-1 Reports Under FOIA
On July 30, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court order requiring the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to release EEO-1 reports previously withheld in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In Center for Investigative Reporting v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor, the Ninth Circuit held that federal contractors’…
OFCCP To Close All Prior Section 503 and VEVRAA Compliance Reviews Following Secretary of Labor Order Reviving Enforcement Activities
In conjunction with the recent proposed rule changes to the Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA) regulations, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced OFCCP has the authority to resume its enforcement activities related to veterans and individuals with disabilities.
On…
OFCCP Proposes Changes to Veterans and Disability Regulations
OFCCP has published proposed modifications to the VEVRAA and Section 503 regulations which govern federal contractor affirmative action obligations for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The proposed changes to the veterans’ regulations are largely procedural – removing references to Executive Order 11246 and its implementing regulations – resulting in the veterans’ regulations being wholly self-contained…
OFCCP Invites Voluntary Disclosures from Federal Contractors Regarding Executive Order 14173
In a letter dated June 27, 2025, sent to federal contractors and posted on its website, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced it is providing federal contractors the option to voluntarily submit information about actions they have taken in response to Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based …