Willie Smith, LAS-ELC friend and colleague, will be missed by many

The Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center mourns the passing on July 21, 2015 of Willie Smith, a legendary civil rights litigator in Fresno who, over the course of a four-decade legal career, relentlessly defended the workplace rights of employees throughout California’s Central Valley. Born and raised in Fresno, Willie was a standout defensive… Continue reading Willie Smith, LAS-ELC friend and colleague, will be missed by many

Federal Court Finds California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Violated Title VII by Barring U.S. Citizen from Employment

On Tuesday, July 21, a San Francisco federal court ruled that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“CDCR”) and the California State Personnel Board (“SPB”) violated federal civil rights law by denying employment to Victor Guerrero, now a naturalized U.S. citizen, because he had used an invalid Social Security number (“SSN”) to work while… Continue reading Federal Court Finds California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Violated Title VII by Barring U.S. Citizen from Employment

Citlalli Ochoa's international experiences molded aspirations for helping workers worldwide

Citlalli Ochoa is passionate about human rights and her goal is to work with the United Nations in international women’s and workers’ rights issues. One of the Gender Equity/LGBT Rights Program’s Robert M. Dell Student Advocates this summer, Citlali is going into her third year at University of California, Irvine School of Law (UCI Law).Her… Continue reading Citlalli Ochoa's international experiences molded aspirations for helping workers worldwide

Personal experience and service to the JusticeCorps shaped Monica Porter's future in advocacy

A San Mateo native, Robert M. Dell Student Advocate Monica Porter is enjoying being home in the Bay Area this summer, deepening her disability rights law experience with the Disability Rights Program. Going into her third year at George Washington University Law School (GW Law) in Washington, D.C., Monica developed her expertise in disability rights… Continue reading Personal experience and service to the JusticeCorps shaped Monica Porter's future in advocacy

New York Times Highlights the Role of Doctors’ Notes in Securing Accommodations for Pregnant Workers

A July 8, 2015 New York Times article discusses the important role that doctors’ notes can play in helping women stay healthy and employed during their pregnancies. Pregnancy often gives rise to conditions – like back pain, morning sickness, or gestational diabetes – that require accommodations at work.  And many doctors advise modest workplace changes… Continue reading New York Times Highlights the Role of Doctors’ Notes in Securing Accommodations for Pregnant Workers