WorkLife Law has been selected as a Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge Awardee. The $2.5 million award will enable WorkLife Law to launch Expecting Change: Supporting Pregnant and Postpartum Workers. Over the next three years, WorkLife Law will train 10,000 women’s healthcare providers to help their patients access the workplace accommodations and leave they need to stay healthy and financially secure. The award will also double the capacity of WorkLife Law’s free legal helpline that offers direct support to workers.

With WorkLife Law’s support, California has now enshrined rights to parental leave, pregnancy accommodations, and anti-discrimination protections for all postsecondary students. This new law will ensure no California college student will have to choose between their family and their education.

WorkLife Law has released new resources – available in English and Spanish – explaining the range of legal protections that can help NICU families keep their jobs while caring for their infant. We recognize the incredible strain these families are under and are committed to making sure they have the legal support they need.

WorkLife Law is thrilled to welcome two new leaders to our Advisory Board: Katz Banks Kumin partner Colleen Coveney and obstetrician-gynecologist Ryan Yoshimura Shields, MD.

Colleen and Ryan bring extraordinary experience, expertise, and wisdom to WorkLife Law’s Advisory Board.

A big welcome to Nanjibah Khan, our new Pro Bono Intern! Nanjibah is a 3L at the University of Virginia School of Law, where she has served as President of Women of Color and currently participates in the Youth Advocacy Clinic. Before law school, she worked as a paralegal in mass tort defense.

Nanjibah earned her B.A. in Philosophy from Virginia Commonwealth University. Outside of law school, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her little sister.

WorkLife Law’s efforts to secure justice for working people and students who are pregnant, postpartum, or caring for family members took on new dimensions this year. We’ve had to defend federal rights we previously took for granted, while expanding what’s possible at the state and local level. While our work may have shifted, we’re still creating wins for pregnant people and family caregivers nationwide. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a Committee Statement today with guidance for ob-gyns on supporting their patients’ workplace safety during pregnancy and postpartum. The guidance, also published in the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, was co-authored by WorkLife Law Co-Director Liz Morris. 

On June 23, 2026, WorkLife Law Co-Director Liz Morris was invited to address the full California Civil Rights Council — the state body responsible for drafting and adopting the regulations that interpret and enforce California’s powerful anti-discrimination laws. The timing was significant: four of the Council’s seven members — including Chair Candice Cho — were appointed by Governor Newsom earlier this year and were attending their first meeting.

Staff Attorney Leah Kennedy testified before the California Senate’s Governmental Organization Committee on June 23 in support of AB 1729 (Lee), a bill to modernize the state’s telework policy and require agencies to provide written justification before limiting remote work for state employees.

WorkLife Law is excited to welcome two Summer Legal Fellows to our team: Morgan Gaspar and Jenna Harris.