Theresa Lau

Policy attorney, coalition builder, and legal advocate focused on advancing gender equity and civil rights

Washington DC-Baltimore Area

About

Civil Rights Attorney with Experience in Impact Litigation, Public Policy, Advocacy, and Direct Services in the areas of Public Benefits, Healthcare, Housing, Police Misconduct, Immigration, and Family.

Experience

  • Senior Policy Counsel, Eradicating Poverty at Southern Poverty Law Center
    Apr 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 4 mos

    Set and effectuate goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics for advancing federal policies that prevent the siphoning of wealth and increase economic opportunities in Black and Brown communities in the South. Lead federal policy workstreams on protecting basic human needs programs, advancing land justice, expanding housing justice, and preserving anti-discrimination laws and economic opportunity. Engage with federal and state stakeholders and coalition partners. Write letters, statements, testimony, factsheets, and other advocacy materials.

  • Senior Civil Rights Counsel, Oversight Team, HELP Committee at United States Senate
    Jul 2021 - Jan 2023 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Identify, formulate, develop, and lead legislative initiatives addressing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in workplaces, schools, and health care settings. Track and analyze legislation and emergent civil rights issues within the committee’s jurisdiction and develop strategies and recommendations for the Senator, the Committee, and Senate offices. Draft and review memorandum, talking points, vote recommendations, letters, reports, comments, and briefs. Work on oversight investigations, reports, and projects. Represent Chair Murray and the Committee in stakeholder briefings and meetings with the administration, advocacy groups, and constituents.

  • Senior Counsel, Strategy & Policy and Reproductive Rights and Health at National Women's Law Center
    Jul 2018 - Jun 2021 · 3 yrs

    Develop, execute, and lead our judicial nominations advocacy work. Review and research nominees' records and identify potential impacts with a gender justice lens. Develop a cohesive narrative and create public-facing material including blogs, op-eds, factsheets, and reports. Lead the organization’s transition personnel process and various cross-cutting transition efforts. Represent the organization at meetings and speaking engagements with policymakers, coalition partners, and other stakeholders.

  • NAPABA Law Foundation Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellow at National Center for Law and Economic Justice
    Sep 2016 - Jul 2018 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Project: Improving access to healthcare for Asian Communities in New York. Litigate complex constitutional issues including Thomas v. Haslam, Robinson v. Purkey, Black Love Resists v. City of Buffalo, Gemmell v. RI DHS. Drafted briefs, wrote memos, analyzed Census data, investigated factual claims, interviewed clients, submitted FOIA requests, and supervised interns. Built healthcare and immigration coalitions, implemented know-your-rights trainings, published advocacy op-ed in NBC News, and wrote federal regulation comments. NCLEJ works with low-income families, individuals, communities, and a wide range of organizations to advance the cause of economic justice through ground-breaking, successful litigation, policy work, and support of grassroots organizing around the country.

  • Student Attorney at Washington College of Law Women and the Law Clinic
    Aug 2015 - May 2016 · 10 mos

    Represented client in a legal separation proceeding and received favorable settlement agreement resolving all issues of alimony and property distribution in front of D.C. Superior Court. Represent client with immigration and tax dispute. Filed briefs, argued motions, and presented hearing in front of D.C. Superior Court for a child custody modification, and was granted favorable client centered court order.