Philadelphia Mayor Appoints Rutgers Law Professor to Commission on Human Relations

For Immediate Release

CAMDEN --  Sarah Ricks, a clinical professor at the Rutgers School of Law—Camden, was appointed to the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) by Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter on Jan. 8.

The commission enforces Philadelphia’s antidiscrimination laws governing employment, housing, public accommodations, and the delivery of city services.

"I am thrilled that Sarah has agreed to serve on the Commission. Her extensive legal expertise, good judgment, and commitment to working in the public's interest make her a wonderful addition to this estimable group," said Nutter in announcing the appointment.  "Under the leadership of these eight Commissioners, in coordination with commission staff, I look forward to once again making the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations a preeminent human rights agency."

"The Rutgers–Camden law school community is proud of Sarah Ricks, and certain that she will serve the citizens of Philadelphia excellently," says Rayman Solomon, dean of the Rutgers School of Law—Camden.  "Her appointment is another example of how Rutgers Law faculty apply their expertise and skill in their communities, as well as in their classrooms."

Under Philadelphia's laws, in employment, public accommodations, and delivery of city services, it is illegal to discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, or gender identity. In addition, in employment and delivery of city services, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age.

In housing, Philadelphia’s laws make it illegal to discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, any age, physical disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, the presence of children, or the source of an individual's income.

A resident of the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia,  Ricks is a clinical professor and co-director of the Pro Bono Research Project at Rutgers School of Law—Camden, where she teaches the courses Civil Rights, Advanced Legal Writing, Public Interest Legal Research, and Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research.  She received her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Columbia University’s Barnard College, and her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where she co-founded the Yale Journal of Law & Feminism and was named the outstanding female graduate of 1990.

Ricks joins Rue Landau, executive director, and the other PCHR Commissioners, whose biographies are below:

Rabbi Rebecca T. Alpert is associate professor of religion and women's studies at Temple University.

Regina Austin is the William A. Schnader Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. She is a leading authority on economic discrimination and minority legal feminism.

Fernando Chang-Muy is the Thomas O'Boyle Lecturer in Law at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, where he teaches Refugee Law and Policy. He also lectures on Immigration and Social Work, and on organizational effectiveness, at the Graduate School of Social Policy and Practice.

Thomas H. Earle is the CEO of Liberty Resources, Inc., a non-profit, consumer driven organization that advocates and promotes independent living for persons with disabilities.

Chukri Khorchid is the founder and director of the school board of the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia.

Nicholas D. Torres is the president of Congreso, a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen Latino communities through social, economic, education, and health services; leadership development; and advocacy.

Kay Kyungsun Yu is a partner with Pepper Hamilton LLP, where she is a member of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group and the ERISA and Employment Litigation Practice Group.

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