Legal Aid at Work

Congratulations to Galen Arkush Ages for winning the 2025 California Lawyers Association Pro Bono Achievement Award! Galen provides hundreds of hours of pro bono legal assistance at our Workers’ Rights Clinic, where he’s been volunteering for 15 years. We’re thrilled to see him recognized for his commitment to advancing workers’ rights.

Last week, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky of the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law joined us to review the most recent SCOTUS term. He previewed the potential impact of landmark rulings and provided a path forward for legal professionals and advocates serving California communities. Dean Chemerinsky reflected on how the Court’s rulings reflected deep ideological divide in an already polarized country. With a series of 6–3 decisions—consistently split along ideological lines—the Court overturned longstanding precedents, expanded presidential immunity, and dramatically limited the authority of federal agencies. Read more of Dean Chemerinsky’s insights in his recent ABA Journal article: https://lnkd.in/ehQDz5dB #Law #SCOTUS

Men now make up 44% of claims for paid family leave, compared to only 18% in 2005. Staff Attorney Sela Steiger spoke with LAist about how changes to California law are encouraging more men to use this important benefit. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/evjVbKkT #PaidLeave #California #FamilyLeave

Last week, our Racial Economic Justice team and summer law clerks visited San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. We left inspired by the sheer strength and budding potential of each person we met. We met students in The Last Mile’s coding program who are gaining the skills and confidence to reenter the workforce with purpose. We also heard from the powerful, justice-impacted voices behind San Quentin News, Ear Hustle, and Uncuffed, who are reshaping public narratives around incarceration. The visit reminded us that everyone deserves a chance to gain new skills and pursue their passion. #California #BayArea #RacialJustice

This Wednesday, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky of the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law is joining us for a virtual event to recap the most impactful rulings from this past SCOTUS term. Today is the last day to claim your free spot. Register now: https://lnkd.in/dtDmnaua #SCOTUS #Law #Legal

Don’t forget to register for our virtual event with constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of University of California, Berkeley - School of Law. Join us at 12pm PT on July 23 as Dean Chemerinsky reviews the most impactful rulings from this past SCOTUS term. Register now: https://lnkd.in/dtDmnaua

Imagine this: you lost your job during layoffs, successfully applied for unemployment insurance to make ends meet while you found a new job. Then, years later, you receive a confusing letter in the mail: you owe tens of thousands of dollars to the state for overpayment and penalties, and you don’t know what to do. It’s not a hypothetical scenario. Thousands of Californians received scary and incomprehensible letters like this years after claiming assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. We secured a settlement to deliver justice for them and future unemployment applicants. #Unemployment #California #FinancialAssistance

If you’re confused about your parental leave benefits, you’re not alone. Senior Staff Attorney Julia Parish spoke with KQED to help current and expecting parents understand their rights when taking leave. Read the article ⬇️ https://bit.ly/46AoicP