Outten & Golden has engaged in several exciting public interest projects with its non-profit partners.
NYU Abu Dhabi Campaign with Human Rights Watch
Since mid-2009, O&G has worked closely with Human Rights Watch on a campaign to persuade New York University to include contractual protections for migrant workers constructing NYU’s new campus on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. O&G became involved in the campaign because of its ties with both NYU and HRW. Thanks to the combined efforts of HRW, O&G, and members of the NYU community, NYU officials agreed in February 2010 to include workers’ rights provisions in their contracts and subcontracts with respect to construction workers and other workers in Abu Dhabi. This is the first step on the long road toward labor fairness for these workers; O&G is committed to remaining involved as the campaign shifts to the creation and implementation of effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
Families @Work Legal Clinic with A Better Balance
In 2009, O&G and A Better Balance started the Families @Work Legal Clinic to provide advice and counseling to low-income workers juggling their work and family responsibilities. Attorneys from O&G’s Family Responsibilities Discrimination Practice Group and A Better Balance offer free consultations to clients about their rights under federal, state, and city laws regarding discrimination based on their family responsibilities and/or pregnancy. Clients can seek advice by calling the Families @Work Legal Clinic hotline at (212) 430-5982 to meet with an attorney in person or by phone.
MFY Workplace Justice Legal Clinic
Outten & Golden attorneys regularly volunteer at the MFY Legal Services Workplace Justice Project legal clinic. We provide free counseling to low-income New Yorkers at the bi-weekly clinic, held at MFY Legal Services’ downtown office.