Esta R. Bigler, Esq.
- 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.
We design and deliver training programs for employers looking to expand their talent pool, justice-involved people looking for employment, and community partners to develop training and employment resources.
You will gain the tools to navigate the legal landscape and transform your past experiences into professional strengths. Through strategies like record-reading and digital resume building, you will learn to shift the narrative from risk to resilience and advocate for the career you deserve.
This certificate prepares you to navigate the complexities of employment law as it relates to justice-impacted individuals, equipping you to create effective hiring strategies, often referred to as “fair-chance” hiring.
Resources
The Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative's (CJEI) research and practice-based effort provides criminal records and employment law training to job seekers who have been involved in the criminal legal system, assists employers in rethinking their approach to hiring, engages in research to study reentry practices, and influences policy makers and legislators on criminal justice reform.
Research
See more researchResearchers can collaborate with us on their data sets and contact us to discuss longitudinal studies.
CJEI Stories
See all storiesMeet the CJEI Team
Jodi Anderson Jr.
- Director of Technological Innovation, Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative
Jodi Anderson Jr is the Director of Technological Innovation at Cornell ILR’s Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative, where he is responsible for spearheading the developm
Matthew Saleh
- Director of Research, Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative
Matthew Saleh is the Director of Research at the Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative (CJEI).
Thomas Jones
- Fair Employment Practice Specialist, Cornell University
"I am a purpose-driven individual and a graduate of Cornell's ILR School, currently serving as a Fair Employment Practice Specialist supporting Central HR, CJEI, and CPEP.
Opal D. Bablington
- Customer Service & Registration Representative
