EEOC Attorneys Chosen for Private Bar Fellowship

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that four of its attorneys have been selected to participate in the second annual Government Fellowship Program of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Section of Labor and Employment Law.  Under the program, EEOC legal staff with a record of excellence in civil rights law will serve as members of the ABA's EEO Committee and Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee, part of the Section of Labor and Employment Law.

"I commend all the EEOC attorneys who have been selected as fellows by distinguishing themselves through their diligence and exemplary work ethic," said Commission Chairwoman Ida L. Castro.  "Moreover, the Commission looks forward to continuing its close working relationship with the ABA, enhancing civil rights enforcement by the private bar and the Federal Government. This important partnership offers invaluable skill development opportunities that will benefit EEOC and further our mission to eliminate discrimination at the workplace."

Mark Dichter, Chair of the ABA's Section of Labor and Employment Law, said: "The ABA Labor and Employment Law Section is most pleased to be able to sponsor fellowships for four outstanding attorneys from EEOC to attend the mid-winter meetings of our EEO and Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committees.  We hope that through their attendance at the mid-winter meetings they will become active members of these committees.  Our Government Fellowship Program accomplishes two of our major goals  to enhance our already close working relationship with EEOC and involve new lawyers in the work of our committees."

The four EEOC attorneys chosen for the fellowship program, which runs from this month until September 1, 2003, are:

EEO Committee Fellows

• Noelle Brennan, Trial Attorney, EEOC Chicago District Office
• Jacqueline McNair, Regional Attorney, EEOC Philadelphia District Office
• William Snapp, ADR Coordinator, EEOC Atlanta District Office

Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee Fellow

• Corbett Anderson, Attorney Advisor, EEOC's Office of Legal Counsel

Fellows are encouraged to take part in all committee activities including preparing publications, acting as instructors at various programs, and attending the ABA's mid-winter committee meetings.  The annual meetings offer a valuable forum for fellows to exchange views with private bar attorneys from across the country who represent plaintiffs, unions, and employers. The agenda includes comprehensive seminars on substantive EEO matters, recent developments in employment discrimination case law and legislation, and litigation practice tips and advice.  The Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee mid-winter meeting will be held from February 14 through 17 at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic; the EEO meeting will be from March 28 to 31 in Sanibel, Florida.

Last year's fellows are Faye Williams, Senior Trial Attorney, EEOC's Memphis District Office and Lynette Barnes, Senior Trial Attorney, EEOC's Charlotte District Office.  Ms. Williams and Ms. Barnes will serve as fellows until September 2002.

EEOC enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Equal Pay Act; Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector and state and local governments; prohibitions against discrimination affecting individuals with disabilities in the federal government; and sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991.  Further information about the Commission is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.