Among the group of 75 litigators and 25 corporate attorneys, Noreen stands out as a public interest attorney. Also on the list of honorees are ERA Board member Gay Grunfeld (partner at Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP), famed former San Francisco city attorney Louise Renne and current California attorney general Kamala Harris.

Farrell was recognized for her leadership of ERA as well as her lawyering in Bojorquez v. ABM Industries,  Mansourian et al. v. Regents of of the University of California, and Brust et al. v. Regents of the UC. In describing to the Daily Journal why she took these cases on, Noreen said ERA picks cases based on areas in school and the workplace where there’s an “epidemic of injustice.”

Farrell has been with ERA for eight years. Prior to serving as ERA’s Interim Executive Director for the past two months, Farrell was the director of ERA’s litigation and legal programs as Managing Attorney. She has led ERA’s efforts to address sex discrimination at schools and in a variety of industries through policy work, legislative reform, and impact litigation. Farrell’s vision has led to ERA’s development of robust campaigns to empower girls at school, working families, and marginalized women workers. Farrell has written extensively and lectured across the nation on class action issues, equal pay, family leave, caregiver discrimination, and other civil rights issues. She is a graduate of Yale University and the University of California Hastings College of Law.

Beth Parker, ERA’s Board Chair, says: “The Board is thrilled to have Noreen become the permanent Executive Director. She is passionate about ERA’s issues, deeply committed to the organization’s mission, and has worked tirelessly the last few months to assume a host of new responsibilities. We are confident that she will be able to lead ERA as it continues its ground breaking legal work for women and girls.”

Farrell has focused ERA’s employment discrimination practice on the most marginalized of women workers facing sexual harassment and unfair treatment – from retail workers in Dukes v. Wal-Mart to restaurant workers in Donaldson v. Lori’s Diner to janitorial workers in Bojorquez v. ABM. She obtained a multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of casino workers subjected to sexual harassment and wage and hour violations. Most recently, Farrell secured a landmark trial win in a Title IX case against the University of California on behalf of women wrestlers seeking equal sports opportunities, which resulted in a $1.35 million settlement. Farrell also obtained significant injunctive relief through settlement for a related class of student athletes.

Farrell has been a leader committed to providing free legal services to the most needy. She has invigorated ERA’s provision free legal advice and counseling to thousands of workers and students each year through ERA’s free national Advice & Counseling hotline. Under her leadership, ERA is developing a wrap-around legal services clinic providing various services for immigrant women workers who have been sexually harassed or assaulted at work. She has focused ERA’s efforts on providing prompt interventions for pregnant workers facing unfair treatment at work and is collaborating with national policy makers to improve federal law protections. Farrell also takes seriously the important role ERA plays in training the next generation of advocates, having mentored hundreds of law clerks and lawyers throughout her career.

According to Farrell: “I am honored to take the helm of ERA. This organization has been impacting change for the better across the country for nearly four decades. Its strength lies in our talented staff, committed board, fearless co-counsel and colleagues, and most importantly, the women and girls we all serve. I look forward to continuing our pursuit of social justice and thank the community for its incredible support of ERA’s work.”

About ERA

Equal Rights Advocates (ERA), founded in 1974, is a national civil rights organization dedicated to protecting and expanding economic and educational access and opportunities for women and girls. Through its campaign approach—incorporating public education, legislative advocacy, and litigation—ERA seeks to assist women and girls throughout a life-long continuum: ensuring equality in their educational experience, combating sex discrimination in the workforce, and advocating for workplaces hospitable to working families. To learn more about ERA’s work, visit www.equalrights.org.