…most of what OFCCP had been
Laura A. Mitchell
Laura Mitchell is a principal in the Denver office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leads the firm’s Workplace Analytics and Preventive Strategies Pay Equity subgroup. She partners with employers to evaluate, develop and implement policies and practices that ensure workplace fairness while mitigating legal risk. Laura is a guiding force in the firm’s most specialized and technical practice areas where she leverages an analytics-focused approach to partner with her clients in building legally compliant programs around which they can anchor their workplaces achieving productivity and stability.
Laura understands that creating a competitive advantage for employers in today’s workplace involves using a data-driven approach to counsel companies on the development of proactive and equitable non-discriminatory practices in hiring, promotions, separations and pay—and where advancements in technology can create both opportunities for efficiencies and risk that can be measured. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost while balancing legal risk, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication. Staying the course with employers across their organizational journey while balancing legal compliance obligations throughout their employees’ lifecycle ensures Laura’s position as a go-to resource.
Laura works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize the combined vision of legal compliance, increased productivity and economic growth enhanced by a focus on pay equity. As part of the pay equity journey, she advises employers on the evolving pay transparency landscape, working to align compliant practices with the practical realities of the business world.
Laura partners closely with government contractors to understand, implement and demonstrate compliance with their EEO regulatory and compliance obligations. She also works closely with non-government contractor clients to conduct risk assessments of their programs, policies, and training to align with federal and state anti-discrimination requirements.
Laura is the editor and a principal contributor of the GovCon Employment Exchange blog and presents on pay equity and government contractor obligations. To round out her days, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and friends attending sports events, working out, riding her bike, playing pickleball and taking in Colorado’s incomparable sunsets.
Catherine Eschbach Appointed as New OFCCP Director
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that Catherine Eschbach will be the new Director of OFCCP, taking over for Acting Director Michael Schloss.
Director Eschbach comes from private practice as an Appellate attorney at Morgan Lewis, representing clients in complex matters. Prior to private practice, Director Eschbach clerked for Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod of…
Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Mandate Revoked: Implications and Future Outlook
President Trump has revoked President Biden’s EO that increased the minimum wage for federal contractor employees. This action is part of a broader effort by Trump to reverse several of Biden’s executive orders, marking a significant shift in federal policy. (Refer to EO “Additional Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions.”) Read more
Michael Schloss Appointed OFCCP Deputy Director for Policy, to Act in Acting Director Role
OFCCP’s website reflects Michael Schloss has been appointed to the Deputy Director for Policy Role within the Agency. Michele Hodge, former Acting Director is listed as Deputy Director while the Director role remains vacant. The Deputy Director for Policy would traditionally act in an Acting Director role in this type of situation. As such, the…
OFCCP Ordered to Stop All Enforcement Activity and Close Open Audits Under Revoked Executive Order 11246
…Cease and desist all investigative and
OFCCP Makes First Public Statement Following Revocation of Executive Order 11246
Late in the day on January 23, 2025, the Office of Federal Compliance Programs (OFCCP) sent out its first official agency communication since President Trump’s historic Executive Order “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” revoked Executive Order 11246 (Equal Employment Opportunity).
In an email to stakeholders, OFCCP acknowledged the revocation of EO 11246, noting…
Revocation of EO 11246 and Prohibition of Certain DEI Practices by the Trump Administration
President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (EO). Its stated purpose is to end illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (together, DEI). The EO does not change existing law, but it signals the Administration’s focus on targeting organizations that violate…
BREAKING NEWS: President Trump Reportedly Revokes Executive Order 11246
Bloomberg Law reported late Tuesday night that President Donald Trump has revoked Executive Order 11246 as part of a broader executive order addressing diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government and for private employers generally.
This is a breaking news story. We will follow up as soon as the White House publishes the…
BREAKING NEWS: President Trump Revokes a Long List of Biden Executive Orders
In one of numerous Executive Orders signed on January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an order entitled, “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions.” The Executive Order revokes a long list of Executive Orders and actions by his predecessor, President Joe Biden.
As expected, many Biden Executive Orders revoked by President Trump…
FAR Council Withdraws Proposed Federal Contractor Pay Transparency Rule
Citing limited time in the remaining administration and desire to focus on “other priorities”, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council announced its withdrawal of the pending proposed rule requiring federal contractors disclose pay information in job postings and prohibiting federal contractors from seeking and considering information about job applicants’ compensation history.
The Pay Equity and Transparency…