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.

During a ceremony in the Rose Garden, President Trump signed a much-anticipated “Religious Liberty” executive order.   The Executive Order states it is the

policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce Federal law’s robust protections for religious freedom.

The relatively short Executive Order also recognizes that

the United States Constitution enshrines and protects the

In a long-awaited, much anticipated, yet relatively low-key vote, the Senate has confirmed Alexander Acosta as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor.  Following a moderately contentious hearing last month before the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee, the full Senate approved Acosta with a 60-38 vote, finally filling a key position in President

At a ceremony in Wisconsin this week, President Trump signed yet another executive order, this one entitled, “Buy American and Hire American.”

What does this mean for federal contractors?  It’s not exactly clear at this point, but as our colleagues have previously discussed, the “hire American” portion of the President’s latest Executive Order is focused

As anticipated, President Trump has put an end to Executive Order 13673 – Fair Pay & Safe Workplaces, also known as the “blacklisting” executive order.  As expected, the President signed legislation disapproving of the Executive Order pursuant to the Congressional Review Act.  He also issued an Executive Order officially revoking the initial authorizing Executive

The confirmation hearing for President Trump’s second Secretary of Labor nominee, Alex Acosta, has been set for March 15.

Acosta was nominated after President Trump’s initial nominee, Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration following growing controversy.

While nothing prevents Acosta’s confirmation hearing from being postponed, as Puzder’s was several times before his eventual withdrawal, there does