2016 Amicus Briefs Summary

In 2016, CWLC participated in eighteen amicus briefs addressing a variety of legal issues affecting justice and equality for women and girls. These briefs were filed in the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, multiple federal District and Circuit courts, and even the United States Supreme Court. The issues addressed by the briefs included women’s reproductive health, domestic violence, LGBTQ employment discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and discriminatory enforcement of prostitution offenses.

Ortiz Amicus Brief

Ortiz Amicus

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.

Support SB 224 (Liu): Elderly Parole Program

The Honorable Ricardo Lara Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: SB 224 (Liu) – Support Dear Senator Lara: I am writing in support of SB 224 (Liu). This bill, supported by the California Commission on Aging, lowers the eligibility requirements for parole consideration for elderly prisoners, which would decrease the burden of incarceration
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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.

Title IX Victory: Ninth Circuit Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation

CWLC along with our partners at the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC) and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, are excited to share another victory in our Title IX class action suit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday. This September, the Ninth Circuit awarded a class of female athletes, represented by CWLC
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From U-T San Diego: Appeals Court Upholds Title IX Ruling Against Sweetwater

Appeals Court Upholds Title IX Ruling Against Sweetwater School district was accused of violating gender-equity laws at Castle Park High by not offering female athletes with equal amenities By Allison Sampite-Monteclavo, U-T San Diego Chula Vista — The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday upheld a 2012 ruling that the Sweetwater Union High School District violated
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From the Pasadena Star News: Pasadena Unified reaches informal agreement in Title IX complaint

Pasadena Unified reaches informal agreement in Title IX complaint By Sarah Favot, Pasadena Star-News PASADENA >> The Pasadena Unified School District reached an informal settlement with the California Women’s Law Center and other groups over a complaint the district discriminated against girls in its after-school sports programs for middle school students. The California Women’s Law Center,
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Title IX Claim against Pasadena Unified School District Settles

Title IX Claim against Pasadena Unified School District Settles Girls Now Have Real Options for Sports Participation  For Immediate Release Date:  June 17, 2014 Contact: Sara Feldman, Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center – sfeldman@las-elc.org, 617-276-5632 Vicky Barker, California Women’s Law Center – vicky.barker@cwlc.org, (323) 951-9276 LOS ANGELES, CA. – Today, the California Women’s Law Center
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Court Finds Sweetwater Union High School District Failed to Correct Title IX Violations – Contempt Finding Possible

Court Finds Sweetwater Union High School District Failed to Correct Title IX Violations – Contempt Finding Possible FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Vicky Barker, Legal Director, California Women’s Law Center: 323-951-9276, vicky.barker@cwlc.org Sara Feldman, Communications Manager, Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center: 415-593-0071, sfeldman@las-elc.org (San Diego, CA, March 28, 2014) U.S. District Court Judge M. James Lorenz
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Alhambra High School Reaches Compliance with Settlement Agreement in Landmark Title IX Case

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONTACTS: Vicky Barker, California Women’s Law Center (323) 951-9276, vicky.barker@cwlc.org.   Elizabeth Kristen, The Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (510) 501-4692, ekristen@las-elc.org.   Brad Walsh, Title IX Coordinator, Alhambra Unified School District (626) 943-3520. walsh_brad@ausd.us   Alhambra High School Reaches Compliance with Settlement Agreement in Landmark Title IX Case Female
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CWLC Defends Victim of Sexual Assault While Serving in the Air Force

December 4, 2013 Today, Cacilia Kim, the Senior Staff Attorney at the California Women’s Law Center, in partnership with Elizabeth Kristen from the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, represented a 19 year-old member of the U.S. Air Force who was sexually assaulted by a superior officer while serving his country. Airman 1st Class Trent Smith was sexually
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Fall 2013 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: Veterans – CWLC is working every day to serve women veterans and ensure that they have access to the services and benefits they have earned. Pregnant Students – Fighting against discrimination, CWLC enforced Title IX and fought for a pregnant student who was barred from attending class. New Staff – CWLC welcomes two new staff members to our team to bolster our communications and organizational development. CWLC History – Twenty years ago, CWLC was instrumental in establishing guidelines to create gender equity in the LAPD.

CWLC and Partners Inspect Castle Park High School for Title IX Compliance

On September 3rd, 2013 attorneys from the California Women’s Law Center joined attorneys from the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and other experts for a court ordered site visit to determine if the school has come into Title IX compliance as required under our class action law suit. [fbalbum url=”https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151716986742529.1073741828.31672397528&type=1″ limit=12]
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Summer 2013 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: Our Annual Pursuit of Justice Awards, Our Four New Board Members, Free Legal Services Provided to Female Veterans, Senator Barbara Boxer’s Press Conference at CWLC Highlighting Military Sexual Trauma, Two New Grants Focused on Improving Access to Healthcare for Female Veterans