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.

In August 2015, OFCCP released an infographic designed to assist veterans understand whether or not they were covered under the protections of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) for affirmative action purposes.  The infographic spawned recent discussions surrounding the implications and interpretations of OFCCP’s definition of a protected veteran.

Today, OFCCP published FAQs

Today, as a country, we celebrate our nation’s veterans and recognize all they have done. We give our sincerest appreciation to all those who have sacrificed and given their service for our country.

Over the past 18 months, employers who do business with the federal government have been working hard to do their part to

Following the trend set by the Pay Transparency Executive Order 13665 and Governor Jerry Brown’s signing of the California Fair Pay Act, this week New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (D) signed a series of bills aimed at significantly strengthening fair pay, “pay transparency” and other legal protections available in the workplace.

The five

As part of its ongoing effort to provide employers with tools to educate and inform employees and non-employees about affirmative action obligations, OFCCP has released a new disability self-identification public service-like video entitled Disability Inclusion Starts With You. 

Coinciding with its recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Agency invites employers and community organizations 

During a week in which Washington D.C. experienced a historic visit from the Pope, those in the government contractor community had a celebration of their own – the 50th Anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 11246.  The celebrations kicked off on September 24, 2015 – the actual 50th anniversary – with a celebratory reception

On September 11, 2015, OFCCP published the Final Rule implementing Executive Order 13665 – Prohibitions Against Pay Secrecy Policies and Actions. The Final Rule will be effective for contracts or subcontracts over $10,000 entered into or modified after January 11, 2016.

The “Pay Transparency” Executive Order amends Executive Order 11246 and the Equal Opportunity

On February 12, 2014 President Obama signed Executive Order 13658 establishing a minimum wage for federal contractors.  Effective January 1, 2015, the minimum hourly wage for workers performing work on covered contracts was $10.10.  The Executive Order gave the Secretary of Labor the authority to determine the hourly rate for subsequent years.

With this