FAIR ANNOUNCES VICTORIA CHAN IS 2024-26 FAIR FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2024
FAIR ANNOUNCES VICTORIA CHAN IS 2024-26 FAIR FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
[LOS ANGELES] – The Foundation for Advocacy, Inclusion and Resources (FAIR) is delighted to announce the recipient of the 2024-2026 FAIR Fellowship in collaboration with the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA).The program aims to encourage and support law students from diverse backgrounds who aspire to become employee advocates in their future legal careers.
The 2024-2026 FAIR Fellowship is awarded to Victoria Chan, who is expected to graduate from Golden Gate University School of Law in May 2024. Ms. Chan was previously one of FAIR’s 2023 Employee Justice Summer Clerkship award recipients, and was also awarded FAIR’s 2023 John D. Weiss award, given ‘to the student who exemplifies the attributes that John demonstrated during his life: A person with a generous heart who gives without expecting recognition, although so deserving. A person who demonstrates a fierce passion for achieving justice for workers. A person who inspires despite adversities.’
Ms. Chan was selected from a pool of exceptional applicants and stood out for her demonstrated commitment to equity, social justice, and employee rights. She is in the top 7% of her class at Golden Gate University School of Law and has extensive experience in employment law. Prior to attending law school, she worked for nearly 6 years as an advocate in the Workers’ Rights Program at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (ALC). She then worked for the California Labor Commissioner’s Office- Legal Unit after her first year of law school and clerked with Levy Vinick Burrell Hyams LLP in the summer after her second year of law school. She serves on the Board of Directors of a nonprofit dedicated to helping Chinese immigrants from Zhongshan, China. Ms. Chan is fluent in Cantonese and proficient in Mandarin. Ms. Chan’s commitment to workers’ rights stems from her experience growing up in an immigrant community in San Francisco.
“Victoria demonstrates a fierce passion for achieving justice for workers. Her experience shows a strong commitment to social justice, employment law experience, and involvement with the community. Victoria is also a gifted storyteller,” said Navruz Avloni, FAIR Board Treasurer and FAIR Fellowship subcommittee member.
About the FAIR Fellowship: The FAIR Fellowship is FAIR’s most prestigious annual award. It is a unique fellowship that enables a new attorney to work full-time for two consecutive terms: 12 months at Legal Aid at Work and six months at a law practice affiliated with CELA. FAIR will fund a Fellow with salary and benefits during the first 12 months the fellow is working at Legal Aid at Work. The applicant will then be matched with a CELA affiliated firm for the last six months and be paid a salary and benefits by that entity.
The FAIR Fellowship seeks to increase diversity among those practicing employment and labor law on behalf of workers. The program recognizes diversity in various aspects, such as race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, veteran status, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, language, geography, and overcoming personal hardship.
The Fellow will work closely with the supervising attorney(s) of the Legal Aid at Work and a CELA firm in all aspects of the organization’s or firm’s practice. The work performed by the Fellow may include direct services, litigation, public education/outreach, legal research and writing, community service, or any combination of these.
About FAIR: The Foundation for Advocacy, Inclusion and Resources (FAIR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting diversity, advocating for workers' rights, and supporting aspiring lawyers from diverse backgrounds. For more information about FAIR and the FAIR Fellowship, please visit www.fair-foundation.org.
About CELA: The California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) is a prominent statewide organization of over 1,200 attorneys devoted to advocating for the rights of California workers. Committed to promoting diversity in the legal profession, CELA members focus on representing employees in cases of employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, unpaid wages, retaliation and whistleblowing.
About Legal Aid at Work: Legal Aid at Work is a 501(c)(3c) nonprofit legal services organization that has been assisting working families with low incomes for more than 100 years. Legal Aid at Work promotes the rights and economic self-sufficiency of low-wage workers and marginalized communities through free legal services, education, and advocacy at the local, state, and national level.
For media inquiries, reach out to contact@fair-foundation.org.
