By: Joshua C. Black, Esq.
With the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month, the country lost a historic figure, a legal giant and a passionate advocate for the rights of women, people of color, and LGBTQ communities. As the longest-serving woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Ginsburg was a trailblazer who fought for issues that are more relevant today than ever in the workplace.
Ginsburg advocated for workplace equality, equal pay for all genders and putting an end to employment discrimination, all of which resonates with the work our law office does every day. As an employment attorney, I represent people who are mistreated at work because of race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, and disabilities.
Ginsburg started her career as an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney where she argued six landmark gender-equality cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Her passion for equality was a guide for the way she carried herself as a member of the Supreme Court for 27 years.
When I was in law school, we read opinions from each of the justices. They each had their own style, flair, and underlying viewpoints that came through in their writings. Ginsburg’s approach to the law resonated with me especially because she was concerned about people and how the Court’s interpretation of the law would affect the community.
This approach to law motivated me to pursue employment law and inspires me in my practice to this day. At my office, our focus is to help people who are underserved. We advocate for the little guy and strive to be a voice for people who are voiceless.
I have a sense of responsibility to amplify people’s voices with my experience and expertise about employment and labor law. Most of our clients have been treated unfairly, disrespected, and put in vulnerable situations. Because of Ginsburg’s advocacy during her tenure on the Supreme Court, we have rulings about discrimination that assist us in getting justice for our clients. Her mission made that possible.
As an Arizona employment attorney, I am dedicated to helping clients resolve workplace disputes quickly and seamlessly. Assisting clients, negotiating, and bringing resolution to injustices in the workplace is my mission. In this way I believe I can carry on Justice Ginsberg’s legacy of fighting for those who are otherwise marginalized by our society.