About the College

The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, was founded in 1995 on the 60th anniversary of the National Labor Relations Board and the 30th anniversary of Title VII and Executive Order 11246. The College began as a non -profit professional association honoring the leading lawyers nationwide in the practice of Labor and Employment Law. It has now evolved to become an intellectual and practical resource for the support of our profession and our many audiences. The primary purpose of the College is recognition of individuals, sharing knowledge and delivering value to the many different groups who can benefit from its value model.

Three lawyers, Stephen E. Tallent of Washington, DC, the late Charles A. ("Butch") Powell, III of Birmingham, Alabama and Don MacDonald of Denver, Colorado played a strong role in the establishment of the College. With the support of numerous Section members, the American Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section voted to assist in the establishment of the College and sponsored the installation of the inaugural class of elected Fellows in Orlando, Florida in August of 1996.

The elected Board of Governors assumed office with members from four constituencies: management lawyers, primarily representing employers (both as in-house and outside counsel); union lawyers, primarily representing unions (both as in-house and outside counsel); neutrals, who are government officials, arbitrators or scholars, and lawyers who represent individual employees.

"It was most appropriate that the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers should be founded to give proper recognition to those lawyers who have made and are making an outstanding contribution to the labor law field. It is a great honor indeed to be included among the members of the college."

- Leonard S. Janofsky,
Founding Member
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP
Santa Monica, CA

"I value membership in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers as a source of both important professional knowledge and as a stimulating, friendly discourse upon interesting subjects of particular importance."

- Archibald Cox,
Harvard Law School

“We know that our work is on the cutting edge. The workplace reflects every social and political change in our society. The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers institutionalizes what has always been characteristic -- our respect for one another and the work we do.”

- Judith P. Vladeck,
Vladeck Waldman Elias & Englehard
New York, NY

"It is truly a privilege to be recognized by your peers, through election to membership by the College, as one whose professional achievements symbolize the highest level of expertise, integrity and leadership."

John C. Truesdale
Former Executive Secretary and Chairman
National Labor Relations Board
Washington, DC