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Dear Friend of the Washington Lawyers' Committee,
We are pleased to announce that the D.C. Employment Justice Center joined the Washington Lawyers’ Committee. This merger will increase our capacity to protect the rights of low-income workers in the metro D.C. area, particularly to address the widespread problem of wage theft. Both the Washington Lawyers’ Committee and the Employment Justice Center have long and successful track records of securing unpaid wages for low-income workers whose earned wages have been illegally withheld, as well as addressing other discriminatory employment practices. In fact, we've filed four new wage theft cases since March.
The Workers’ Rights Clinics previously run by the Employment Justice Center will continue operating seven times a month at locations in Northwest and Southeast DC. These clinics serve low-income workers on employment matters thanks to volunteers and staff who provide advice and legal assistance, and in particular thanks to Clinic Coordinator Heather Kryzak, who you can read more about below.
We are extremely grateful to DC Bar Foundation for supporting our newly expanded employment justice efforts with a grant from their Access to Justice Grants Program. Many thanks also to the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation and the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation for providing crucial transition support. These awards were instrumental in allowing for the seamless integration of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee and Employment Justice Center.
Please read on for details about other ways your support has made progress possible this month on many fronts, including fair housing, employment discrimination, and disability rights.
Jonathan Smith
Executive Director, Washington Lawyers' Committee
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If you or someone you know has experienced any act of hate or bias because of their race, gender, national origin, religion, or disability, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee is ready to help. Please contact us at 202-319-1000. Click here for more information.
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Committee to Honor Eric Holder at Branton Luncheon
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On June 7, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee will be honoring former United States Attorney General Eric Holder with the Wiley A. Branton Award at our annual Branton Luncheon. This award is presented to members of the legal and civil rights advocacy community whose lifetime efforts exemplify Branton’s deep commitment to the creation of equal opportunity for all that is at the heart of the Committee’s mission. Throughout his career, inside government, as a judge and prosecutor, and in private practice, Mr. Holder has demonstrated an unremitting commitment to civil rights and leadership on critical equal justice issues.
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We hope you will join us on June 7. The Branton Luncheon is an opportunity for the Committee, and all of our dedicated supporters, to celebrate our combined commitment to protecting civil rights, fighting poverty, and working for equality. Details and tickets here.
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Classes Certified in Challenge to WMATA Criminal Background Check Policy
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This month, a DC federal judge certified three classes of African American former employees and job applicants who were terminated from, or denied positions with, WMATA as a result of a racially discriminatory and overly broad criminal background check policy. In granting class certification, the court allowed plaintiffs’ claims that WMATA’s policy unfairly and disproportionately limits opportunities for qualified African American employees to move forward on behalf of all affected job applicants. Read more...
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Staff Spotlight:
Heather Kryzak
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Over the past decade, Heather Kryzak has traveled from DC to Ecuador, and back—all the while serving communities in need. For the last three years she has been running the Workers’ Rights Clinic with the Employment Justice Center. As part of our merger this month, Heather and the Clinic joined the Washington Lawyers’ Committee, along with the rest of the EJC team! If you are interested in signing up for our next Clinic training on May 22nd from 6-8 pm, please fill out this volunteer form.
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Housing Discrimination Against Voucher Holders
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“Source of income discrimination in the District is a pernicious and persistent problem that creates unnecessary and unlawful barriers to meaningful housing choice for Voucher holders and which perpetuates racial and economic segregation,” WLC Executive Director Jonathan Smith explained in regards to a fair housing lawsuit filed this month. “For too long, landlords have refused to rent to Voucher holders, which contravenes the Voucher Program's goals and makes our communities less integrated and less equitable.”
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The 2017 Associates Campaign is underway!
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The 2017 Associates Campaign is underway! We are raising $100,000, enough to fund an experienced WLC staff attorney for a year. Get us to that goal by donating now. Winners will be celebrated at the Branton Luncheon on June 7. Big thanks to our current leading firms: Williams & Connolly, O’Melveny & Myers, and Zuckerman Spaeder. |
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