San Francisco, CA (Aug. 29, 2024) — Joan Graff, who has served as President of Legal Aid at Work for the past 43 years, announced that she will be stepping down from that position upon identification of her replacement. The Board has commenced a search for her successor.
“Leading Legal Aid at Work has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Joan Graff. “It has been both humbling and inspiring to work alongside so many talented attorneys and other professionals throughout my career, as we have fought tirelessly to advance justice, equity, and the rule of law for our clients and their communities.”
Under Graff’s leadership, the organization has grown from a small group of litigators in San Francisco into a powerhouse nonprofit in the field of workers’ rights, with a staff of 50 and a budget of over $10 million. Legal Aid at Work now serves the needs of some of the most marginalized workers, families, and communities throughout California.
“It’s hard to imagine this place without Joan at the helm,” said Annette Carnegie, Chair of the Board. “Joan’s compassion, dedication, and tireless advocacy have been the heart and soul of Legal Aid at Work for over four decades. We are immensely grateful for her service and the immeasurable impact she has had on the lives of so many workers and their families.”
“I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that the organization will continue to thrive and make a profound impact on our community,” Graff continued. “It is now time to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders who will build upon our legacy of transformative advocacy and legal services.”
Legal Aid at Work, founded over 108 years ago, partners with individuals to help them understand and assert their workplace rights, and advocates for employment laws and systems that empower low-paid workers and marginalized communities. The organization stands alongside its clients in challenging unlawful, abusive, and intimidating practices at work and in the community, often rooted in deeply embedded racism and discrimination.
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