Photo of 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.

As a follow up to the Inauguration Day recession of former President Trump’s Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping Executive Order, the Biden Administration has issued a White House Diversity memo providing further direction on rolling back any remaining tenants of Executive Order 13950.

The memo, dated March 2, 2021, was published by the Office

OFCCP has just announced it has revised its Supply and Service FY 2020 audit scheduling list by removing all establishments selected to receive focused reviews and compliance checks.

An amended Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL)  and amended methodology  have been posted on the agency website.

The evaluations that will proceed include establishment-based compliance reviews, CMCE

In an e-mail sent out to registered stakeholders OFCCP announced in an effort to “improve efficiency and better integrate compliance assistance efforts,” it is discontinuing the Agency’s Contractor Assistance Portal as of March 1, 2021.

The notice emphasized OFCCP

remains committed to quality compliance assistance

and notes it will strengthen its efforts through improvements to

Following on the heels of President Biden’s inaugural day revocation of President Trump’s Executive Order on Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping, OFCCP has officially ceased all activities in connection with enforcement of Executive Order 13950.

Specifically:

  • OFCCP has rescinded the Frequently Asked Questions regarding Executive Order 13950.
  • OFCCP will completely shut down the phone hotline

As part of the many Executive Orders signed his first day in office, President Biden formalized is administration’s commitment to protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community by signing an Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.  The Order states:

Every person should be treated

As one of his first actions as President, Joe Biden has issued an executive order overturning the much controversial Executive Order 13950: Combatting Race and Sex Stereotyping.  In addition to additional actions aimed at promoting and ensuring equity, the new Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal

As suspected, it appears imminent that former EEOC Commissioner will be named as Director of OFCCP under newly inaugurated President Joe Biden.  Ms. Yang’s name appears on the list of Department of Labor leadership as Director of OFCCP though no formal announcement has been made by OFCCP.

We will bring additional details as they develop.

As we are preparing for a change in leadership at OFCCP,  the Agency has published its first Section 503 Focused Reviews Annual Report and issued Section 503 Certificates of Merit.  As many are aware, OFCCP Director Craig Leen is passionate about fighting for and protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and, as such,