The Center for WorkLife Law, housed at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, is hiring research assistants to support the Center’s efforts on behalf of working families. 

Our Work

The Center for WorkLife Law, housed at the University of California, Hastings Law, is a nonprofit advocacy and research organization that seeks to advance gender and racial equality in the workplace and in education. We advocate for financial security for families, through practical research, education, legal advocacy, and direct engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

WorkLife Law’s COVID-19 initiative supports the economic security and health of vulnerable workers—particularly low-wage earners, people of color, people with disabilities, and mothers—by helping them understand and access their rights to leave, income replacement, and job security during the pandemic. To learn more about the Helpline, visit worklifelaw.org/Covid19. To learn more about some of the workers we assist, see our recent New York Times Op-Ed. 

The Position

The Research Assistant (RA) position is particularly well-suited for recent law graduates and law students in the class of 2022 with an interest in employment law, workers’ rights, and gender and racial equity. 

The RA may be involved in all aspects of the Center’s work, including participating in strategy sessions, researching law and policy, and contributing to articles and reports. In particular, the RA will work with the Center’s team of Family Responsibilities Discrimination (FRD) attorneys to address the crisis the pandemic has caused for working families, and support efforts to prevent and respond to discrimination against workers and students who are pregnant or family caregivers. Fellows will gain experience in legal research and writing relating to employment and anti-discrimination law. Under the guidance of the Center’s attorneys, fellows typically produce a significant piece of written work, usually in the form of a legal research memo. 

A portion of this role involves working closely with the Center’s deputy director and attorneys to staff the Center’s legal helpline. The team provides information and advice to workers nationwide about how to protect their incomes, health benefits, and jobs while taking care of their families and their health during the COVID-19 crisis. Under close supervision, the RA will conduct intake interviews, do legal research, develop plans of action, and follow up with callers about their legal rights. Training will be provided on providing direct legal service and the employment laws relevant to this project.

WorkLife Law staff is dedicated to providing professional mentorship to summer interns, including by conducting a mock legal job interview and hosting professional development and networking events.

This position is paid, and the ideal candidate will be available for full time work. Work is conducted remotely.

Position Qualifications

This position is open to recent law school graduates and law students in the class of 2022.

Well-qualified candidates will have:

·      Familiarity with major employment law statutes, including the FMLA and ADA

·      Strong legal research and writing skills

·      Ability to perform duties with a high degree of initiative and professionalism

·      High attention to detail and excellent record-keeping habits

·      Experience working well in group problem-solving situations

·      Keen sense of tact and judgement and strong listening skills

·      Strong oral communication skills and ability to conduct phone calls

·      Previous experience working with the public

·      Commitment to workers’ rights

·      Familiarity or direct experience with the challenges facing low-income families

·      Reliable access to the internet via a computer

·      Spanish language fluency preferred