Jennie Slater - Raleigh, NC

Jennie Slater earned her J.D. from Elon University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also minored in English and Social and Economic Justice. During law school, Jennie was actively involved in several student organizations, including the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity. One of the most meaningful experiences during her time in law school was teaching a 10-week legal education course to students at the high school she previously attended, where she helped students deepen their understanding of the legal system. In addition to this experience, Jennie completed a legal residency at a transactional law firm. Jennie is passionate about expanding public access to basic legal information and strongly values ensuring that individuals in her community understand their rights, particularly as they relate to their employment.

About Me:

My mother was one of the greatest influences in my decision to pursue a career in law. Growing up, I watched her work tirelessly as a paralegal. She deeply cared about the people she helped, and even when she was mentally and physically exhausted, she never lost her commitment to advocating for others. Witnessing the dedication and compassion she brought to her work inspired me to follow a similar path. I knew that I wanted a career where I could help people, and seeing the meaningful impact she made through her work in the legal field motivated me to do the same.

The most important advice I can give to someone experiencing workplace discrimination is to advocate for yourself and document everything. Maintaining records such as copies of filed documents, correspondence from your employer, and detailed notes of dates and descriptions of negative interactions can be invaluable. Thorough documentation can play a critical role if further action becomes necessary.

My favorite employee rights law is, without a doubt, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This federal law not only prohibits disability discrimination in the workplace, but also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations that allow employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs. The ADA emphasizes the importance of equity in the workplace and promotes a more inclusive environment by encouraging employers to adapt and support the needs of their employees.