Legal Advocacy Fund
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, is the nation's largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination in higher education. Since 1981 the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund has helped students, faculty, staff, and administrators in higher education challenge discriminatory practices such as sexual harassment, denial of tenure or promotion, pay inequity, and inequality in women's athletics programs.
Since 1981 the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund has contributed more than $1.3 million to more than 100 cases involving women fighting sex discrimination in higher education. LAF offers plaintiffs financial assistance and outreach for their cases. LAF does not engage in litigation.
LAF provides case support to cases focused on a sex discrimination issue in the workplace or in academia that have the potential to set or reinforce precedent that will benefit women. Individuals can suggest such cases to LAF to support on a year-round, rolling basis.
The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund does not provide legal advice, but it does offer referrals through a network of legal experts. Network partners provide initial consultations to individuals considering or conducting sex discrimination litigation and can help them by:
- Identifying whether they have a claim for sex discrimination
- Locating research reports, statistics, and other resources
- Gauging the strength of their suit and pinpointing legal strategies
- Determining alternatives available to fight the sex discrimination
- Assessing the ramifications and consequences of their options
- Referrals to Network participants are provided at no charge
- The 300 Network members are encouraged to provide a consultation at a reduced fee or pro bono rate
For Help: Please contact laf@aauw.org for a legal referral relating to sex discrimination in the workplace.
To access the Legal Resource Referral Network click here
Access legal information, case examples, statistics, answers to frequently asked questions, and outside resources on various sex discrimination topics
The Wider Workplace
Campus-Specific
LAF's 10 Tips for Dealing with Sexual Harassment