A WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Deborah Moss-West JD ’94
Now is a time of growth, learning, opportunity, and deep gratitude for the students, faculty, and staff who took action to found the Law Center. “As students, we couldn’t foresee the far-reaching impact the Law Center would eventually have, but we knew we had to get involved. 30 years later it is heartwarming to witness the power of student activism,” explains Delma Locke ’95, Board Chair & founding law student. As we enter a new decade of service, we are committed to being more innovative, embracing fresh ideas and cutting-edge solutions to better meet the needs of our students and those we serve.
Below, we highlight our Workers’ Rights Practice, our Summer Open House, and also, our SCU undergraduate fellow Karla Diaz Fregoso ’25. In the midst of all that is going on, including ongoing challenges to our democracy, the Law Center is blessed to continue working with inspiring students to advance issues that we care deeply about. Please join us as we pause to give thanks at this year’s 30th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 28th. We are honored that California Supreme Court Justice Kelli M. Evans, a distinguished champion of public interest and access to justice, will give the keynote remarks.
With deep gratitude for 30 years of education, advocacy, and service.
Blessings,
Deborah Moss West JD ’94
Executive Director
Consider making a gift to keep our programs strong; we’d be quite grateful.
Workers' Rights Practice
It is fitting to feature the Workers’ Rights Practice, just weeks before the 30th Anniversary Celebration. The genesis of the clinic began in 1993, with a mission to assist day laborers in collecting the wages they were owed. What started as a small initiative to support these workers quickly grew into a vital service for the community, providing much-needed advocacy and legal assistance. Over the years, the clinic has expanded its reach, continuing to uphold the rights of workers and making a significant impact in the lives of many. The Workers’ Rights (WR) practice, ably led by Ruth Silver Taube ’93, is a highly successful program that assists low wage workers in every industry, contributes to policy efforts, and vindicates workplace rights, when needed. The WR practice provides individualized guidance and advice for low-income workers. Services include community education and outreach, advice clinics, brief services, and in limited instances, direct representation.
Ruth Silver Taube '93
The Law Center provides information and advice for problems involving, but not limited to: unpaid wages or wage theft due to minimum wage or overtime violations; employee benefits; discrimination or harassment; health and safety; retaliation from employers; unemployment insurance issues; leave issues; wrongful termination; assistance with claims at the CA Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, the California Civil Rights Department, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board.
“It is gratifying for me to work with law students who develop skills throughout the semester and make a difference in the lives of our low income, predominantly immigrant clients. I am so impressed with the caliber of our students and their dedication to the clients. Our students return as alumni volunteers. It's wonderful,” explained Silver Taube.
We salute our 2023 – 2024 Workers’ Rights Practice Volunteers:
Sarah Abraham
Tim Broderick
Hai Dao ’15
Robert Greeley ’97
Darya Landa ’18
Drew Lewis
Ming Lui ’19
Kasia Markham ’21
Felwina Opiso ’16
Huy Tran ’12
William Jhaveri-Weeks
Ally Phan ’24
"Participating in the Workers' Rights Clinic was a pivotal part of my law school journey. It immersed me in my community, exposing me to labor law injustices faced by many, especially people of color, and brought me into contact with people from all walks of life. I gained valuable insights into unions and learned about clients' legal options alongside them while consulting with my supervisor. The clinic sharpened my client interaction skills, including working with translators. It is an invaluable experience for any law student."
—Ally Phan ’24 KGACLC WR student
Low-income workers seek out the Law Center because they often have nowhere else to turn. Legal assistance helps workers understand their rights, navigate legal systems, and seek remedies to protect their livelihoods and well-being. Positive outcomes not only benefit the individual worker but can also lead to broader changes in the workplace and industry standards.
KGACLC 30th ANNIVERSARY MCLE SPEAKER SERIES
Workers' Right Update - Latest Developments in Employment Law
Over 70 attendees gathered via Zoom on August 27th for an engaging “Latest Developments in Workers’ Rights Law” MCLE as part of the 30th Anniversary Speaker Series offered in partnership with EKO Law. Panelists shared a comprehensive update on recent changes and emerging trends, covering critical issues such as the recent Supreme Court cases of Groff v. DeJoy (religious accommodation) and Muldrow v. City of St. Louis (Title VII adverse action). They also discussed enacted laws and bills including, the rebuttable presumption for retaliation and equal pay cases (SB 497), the workplace violence bill (SB 553), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the indoor heat standard, designated person leave, and reproductive loss and bereavement leave.
Panelists included Marcia Mitchell, Asst. Regional Attorney, EEOC-SF District Office; Ally Phan ’24, Alumni, KGACLC Workers Rights (WR) Practice; Ruth Silver Taube ’93, Supervising Attorney, KGACLC WR Practice.
The speaker series gives the Law Center an opportunity to educate others about the areas of law in which we practice and social justice issues we care deeply about.
To learn more about your workers' rights, view the MCLE presentation materials on EKO Law’s website.
KGACLC Open House
The 2024 Open House on August 3rd was a wonderful celebration of community and collaboration. We gathered for an afternoon filled with engaging activities, delicious food, and vibrant conversation. The event featured a special slideshow in the conference room, showcasing highlights from the past year and offering a glimpse into our impactful projects. Photographs and albums were displayed, providing a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The Open House was a fantastic opportunity to share successes, gather feedback, and strengthen our community bonds. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the event such a success.
Ignatian Fellow Spotlight
Karla Diaz Fregoso ’25
Karla Diaz Fregoso
Karla Diaz Fregoso, a rising senior at Santa Clara University majoring in Political Science and Communication, has made significant contributions to the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center. Karla first joined us in January 2024 through the Ignatian Fellowship, a program by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education that supports SCU undergraduates in deepening their commitment to social justice through community-based learning experiences. During her fellowship, Karla played a key role in developing a commemorative timeline for the Law Center and volunteered as an interpreter for the Workers' Rights Clinics. Karla’s dedication and passion led her to extend her fellowship into a summer role where she continued to excel.
“When I first began my fellowship with KGACLC, I was welcomed by a wonderful community of passionate individuals. Seeing the work in action was truly inspiring, and learning about the Law Center’s history has been a meaningful experience for me. My time at the Law Center has been incredibly enriching and has deepened my understanding of social justice issues,” Karla shared.
We are grateful for Karla’s hard work and enthusiastic spirit, which has made such a positive impact on our community.
30th Anniversary Celebration
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 | 5 P.M. | LOCATELLI CENTER, SCU
We are a little over two weeks away from the EPIC 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Register here! We can’t wait to commemorate 30 years of commitment to work we love, alongside you!
Justice Kelli M. Evans
Join us at the 30th Anniversary Community, Commitment & Courage Celebration, taking place on Saturday, September, 28th – 5:00pm, at the beautiful Locatelli Center on Santa Clara University’s campus. We are honored that California Supreme Court Justice Kelli M. Evans, a distinguished champion of public interest and access to justice, will give the keynote remarks, lending her esteemed presence, wisdom, and much inspiration to this momentous occasion.
To make the 30th Anniversary and Annual Celebration the best yet, we need to hear from you! Share your favorite Law Center memory, story, or photo.
Come join the fun and celebrate education, advocacy, and service!
Share your time, talent, and treasure
Interested in volunteering with the Law Center, funding a fellowship, or joining the Advisory Board? Contact Deborah Moss-West or Board Chair Delma Locke to learn more. Volunteers and supporters keep our program strong!
