Title IX Amicus Brief Press Release

CWLC filed an amicus brief in a Title IX lawsuit against the US Department of Education, challenging a rule that would strip away protections for students who experience sexual assault and gender-based harassment on school campuses. Please click below to read the press release.

New data analysis shows discrimination against women in collegiate sports is systemic and is getting worse

Click below to view CWLC and Champion Women’s press release regarding the status of Title IX athletics.

California Commission on Aging Hosted Forum to Discuss Critical Issues Facing Aging Adults

Click above to read the press release.

CWLC to Honor Dianne Feinstein, Chris Hollinger, and Cindy Robbins at 2019 Abby J. Leibman Pursuit of Justice Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Anna Acosta annamaria@annflowepr.com 310.903.0319         CWLC to Honor Dianne Feinstein, Chris Hollinger, and Cindy Robbins at 2019 Abby J. Leibman Pursuit of Justice Awards 30th Anniversary Awards to take place on Wednesday, May 29   (Los Angeles, CA) – For 30 years, the California Women’s Law Center
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CWLC and University of California Irvine to Host Discussion with Pathbreaking Female Jurists During Women’s History Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Anna Acosta annamaria@annflowepr.com 310.903.0319         CWLC and University of California Irvine to Host Discussion with Pathbreaking Female Jurists During Women’s History Month (Los Angeles, CA) – The California Women’s Law Center and University of California Irvine School of Law’s Reproductive Justice Initiative are teaming up to honor and
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CWLC Releases Updated “ABC’s of Breastfeeding” Report Card

California Women’s Law Center Releases Updated “ABC’s of Breastfeeding” Report Card for L.A. County School Districts New Report Shows Widespread Improvement Among Majority of Districts (Los Angeles, California) – The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is releasing an updated report card regarding the status of lactation accommodation policies in Los Angeles County school districts. The
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Female Athletes Reach Agreement with Baldwin Park Unified School District in Title IX Case

        Press Release: August 22, 2018 CONTACT: Elizabeth Kristen, Director, Gender Equity & LGBT Rights Program, Legal Aid at Work, 510-501-4692, ekristen@legalaidatwork.org Jayma M. Meyer, Counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 212-455-3935, jmeyer@stblaw.com Amy C. Poyer, Senior Staff Attorney, California Women’s Law Center, 323-951-9276, amy.poyer@cwlc.org Female Athletes Reach Agreement with Baldwin Park Unified
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CWLC Announces Recipients of the 2017 Pursuit of Justice Awards

  LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -­‐ The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017 Pursuit of Justice Awards: The Actors’ Gang Prison Project, California State Senator Connie M. Leyva, and the Los Angeles Sparks. The Abby J. Leibman Pursuit of Justice Award is bestowed annually and recognizes the longstanding
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Governor Brown Approves SB 813, the “Justice for Victims Act”

Landmark Bipartisan Justice for Victims Act Signed into Law in California

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – A proud co-sponsor of SB 813 and a stalwart advocate for social justice, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to report that the Justice for Victims Act has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on September 28, 2016.

California Legislature Sends “Justice for Victims Act” to Governor

California lawmakers in the Assembly and the Senate passed SB 813, the ‘Justice for Victims Act,’ which would eliminate the statute of limitations for rape and related felony sex crimes in the state. This landmark bipartisan measure, introduced by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) and co-sponsored by the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) and San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos, removes the arbitrary time limit for victims of rape and sexual assault, ultimately holding predators accountable for their actions.

Female Athletes Gaining Equity in Santa Paula

SAN FRANCISCO — State data show that many schools and many park and recreation departments across California offer girls and boys unequal sports programs. Equity has been required by federal law since 1972.

Santa Paula High School (SPHS) is making significant improvements after a legal team led by the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC), the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC), and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (Simpson Thacher) brought attention to potential issues in Santa Paula’s facilities and sports programs for girls. LAS-ELC and its co-counsel have been shining a light on athletic gender inequities in schools throughout the state in recent years, spurring changes.

Santa Paula High Applauded for Its Title IX Response

One of the first things Alfonso Gamino did after being hired as the Superintendent of the Santa Paula Unified School District in 2013 was review facilities.

Gamino heard complaints regarding the girls locker rooms at Santa Paula High, and personally went to inspect them.

He saw just how badly they needed to be upgraded to match the newer boys locker rooms.

Senator Leyva Introduces “Justice for Victims Act”

SACRAMENTO – On the first day of the 2016 legislative session, Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today introduced important bipartisan legislation to end the statute of limitations for rape and related crimes in California. SB 813 seeks to ensure justice for victims and survivors of felony sexual offenses by allowing the indefinite criminal prosecution of rape, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation, and sexual penetration.

Senator Leyva: Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Rape

SACRAMENTO – In order to ensure justice for victims and survivors of felony sexual offenses, Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today announced that—when the California State Senate reconvenes in early January—she will introduce legislation to end the statute of limitations for rape and related crimes.

Specifically, this legislation will seek to allow the indefinite criminal prosecution of rape, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation, and sexual penetration. Currently, existing California law generally limits the prosecution of a felony sexual offense to only 10 years after the offense is committed, unless DNA evidence is found which then offers a victim additional time.

ABC’s of Breastfeeding in Los Angeles County School Districts

LOS ANGELES — When it comes to accommodating lactating students who would like to pump their breast milk or feed their babies, school districts in Los Angeles County get a grade of “D” on a report card a coalition of groups advocating reproductive justice released today.

And districts don’t fare much better when it comes to accommodating lactating employees. A teacher who asked to remain anonymous remembers her female co-workers would gather outside the bathroom, the only place where she could pump breast milk, and “Moooo.”

Clayton Valley Charter High School Title IX Case

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – A settlement has been reached between Clayton Valley Charter High School (Clayton High) and its female athletes to increase equality in high school athletic opportunities, treatment and benefits. Clayton High has agreed to: improve and maintain equitable athletic facilities for girls and boys; offer additional girls’ athletic teams; increase outreach to girls to participate in sports; and provide additional Title IX training to its coaches and administrators, among other things.

CWLC, LAS-ELC and Simpson Thacher Urge Santa Paula School to Ensure it Provides Equal Sports Opportunities to Girls

The most recent data from the federal Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights’ website indicates that at Santa Paula High School fewer girls played sports than boys in relation to enrollment.

According to the Department website comprised of data compiled from high schools, 50.4% of students are girls, yet 44.2% of the athletic program are female participants – an approximate difference of 6%.

CWLC Advocates for Women’s Economic Empowerment with A Stronger California

SACRAMENTO – Economic equality, poverty, and child care advocates joined legislators at a press conference this week calling for new policies to help secure women’s economic empowerment in California, which will benefit families and communities across the state. The advocates and elected leaders are asking state policymakers to support an agenda in the coming year that approaches women’s economic opportunities across multiple policy areas. A Stronger California is the multi-year campaign advocating for this coordinated and comprehensive set of policies.

CWLC Attorneys Receive CLAY Award

California Lawyer magazine announced Wednesday that it is honoring the attorneys who achieved a landmark 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the California Women’s Law Center case Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District, et. al. with its 2015 Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award.

Former CWLC attorneys J. Cacilia Kim and Vicky L. Barker are receiving the award with Elizabeth Kristen, a senior staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, and Erin C. Witkow, a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP.

CWLC Urges The Supreme Court to Ensure Some Judicial Review of Immigration Decisions that Keep Families Apart

On Tuesday, January 20, the California Women’s Law Center filed an amicus curiae brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to require the State Department to provide, at minimum, a “facially legitimate and bona fide reason” when denying a visa to a U.S. citizen’s foreign spouse. CWLC argues that the visa denial implicates the citizen’s fundamental liberty interest in marriage and family; therefore, the Government must show that it did not deny the visa for arbitrary or discriminatory reasons.

California Legislative Session Ends on a Positive Note for Women and Girls

Governor Jerry Brown Signs Bills Guaranteeing Paid Sick Days, Preventing Pregnancy Discrimination for Students, Ensuring Access to Contraception and Prohibiting Sterilization of Female Inmates Among Others

LOS ANGELES – The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to report that California Governor Jerry Brown ended the legislative session this week by signing several bills focused on increased legal protections for women and girls in California.