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Education and Training

The Labor and Employment Law Program offers multi-perspective forums and conferences that address current legal topics affecting the workplace. 

Legal Education

Social Justice and Employment

Social Justice and Employment
Esta Bigler teaching at Cayuga Correctional Facility

The Labor and Employment Law Program has been working in areas of social science research, social justice, and employment discrimination for over 20 years through its national conferences, seminars, and training programs. Its Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative (CJEI) was founded in 2014 and has grown into separate entity, now part of ILR's Outreach Strategic Initiatives Incubator.

 

ILR Program Helps People with Criminal Records Return to Workforce

Cornell Chronicle
Through the Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative, School of Industrial and Labor Relations legal experts are helping people with criminal records get jobs – an effort that not only changes the course of people’s lives, but helps employers find motivated workers at a time of historically low unemployment.
NY Retail Council Training
ILR Program Helps People with Criminal Records Return to Workforce

Listen: Candid Conversations about Criminal Record Clearance

Esta Bigler speaks with Rashawn Davis, a policy analyst at The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, about why employment is an important component of reducing recidivism and increasing safety.
Rashawn Davis interviewing Esta Bigler
Listen: Candid Conversations about Criminal Record Clearance

Listen: Cornell Collaboration Delivers Hope

Listen to Esta Bigler ’70, in a conversation with Cornell colleague Rob Scott, discuss her work with incarcerated men seeking jobs.
Cayuga Correctional - Esta Teaching
Listen: Cornell Collaboration Delivers Hope

About Us

  • Director, Labor and Employment Law Programs, ILR School

Esta Bigler, Esq., is Director of Cornell University ILR’s Labor and Employment Law Program and Director of ILR's NYC Government and Community Relations.

  • Deputy Director, Labor and Employment Law Program

As Deputy Director of ILR’s Labor and Employment Law Program, Cecilia Oyediran designs curriculum and provides instruction on workplace law to employers and workers, including social equity partici

  • Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives
Sara joined the Labor and Employment Law Program in 2022, bringing many years of experience in program administration, curriculum development, and addressing the learning needs of nontraditional

  • Program Coordinator, Labor and Employment Law

Tomisha joined the Labor and Employment Law Program in 2023 as Program Coordinator.

In the News

Media Stories

The fine line higher-ed must walk when providing cannabis courses

Esta Bigler discusses how higher education cannabis programs occupy a uniquely fraught space on legal minefield between state and federal laws.
ILR conference center building
The fine line higher-ed must walk when providing cannabis courses