NYC Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis vows to enforce human rights law

By Carol Tanjutco, J.D.

NYC Commissioner of Human Rights Carmelyn Malalis gets the word out about revitalized human rights law, advocating equality in the labor and employment practices, addressing stakeholders at the recently concluded conference of the Association For Conflict Resolution of Greater New York  at Cardozo Law School.

Filipino-American lawyer Carmelyn P. Malalis was appointed Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights in November 2014 by Mayor Bill de Blasio. She is a staunch advocate of employees’ equal rights, with a successful history of combating prejudice, discrimination and harassment in the workplace, though her representation of employees from a variety of industries and income level.

Her dual role as Chair and Commissioner enables her to lead the investigation of complaints for human rights violations, discrimination and retaliation in employment, housing and public accommodation, while providing outreach, training and educating the public about the law, and how to work with governmental as well as non-governmental organizations with similar functions.

Lawyer Denise Shaw, President of the Association For Conflict Resolution of Greater New York (ACRGNY), is no stranger to the Filipino-American community where she  volunteered her services. She honored Human Rights Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis for her noted advocacy against discrimination.

First Deputy Commissioner General Counsel Melissa Woods, with Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis and ACRGNY member lawyer Carol Tanjutco, during the ACRGNY honorary cocktails.

During the recently concluded annual conference of the Association For Conflict Resolution of Greater New York (ACRGNY) held at Cardozo Law School, the president Denise Shaw introduced Carmelyn Malalis. The honored speaker stressed the need to coordinate with stakeholders, rebuild best practices for mediation to avoid prolonged litigation that results in eviction from housing and displacement of children in public schools. She cited cases of employment discrimination based on credit history, the public is not aware that New York law is broad and protects against such discrimination.

Public housing in New York also raised difficult challenges for those with criminal conviction and just came out from prison. Ms Malalis has submitted 5 bills for legislation, reflecting her initiatives that will enforce  equality, gender protection and non-discrimination in the workplace and in housing accommodations. The Commission has advisory capacity working with the New York City Council legislation.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Malalis was a partner at Outten and Golden LLP, a firm she joined in 2004, where she co-founded the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Workplace Rights Practice group, among other leadership roles, and won several awards and recognition of her peers, including the Arthur S Leonard Award (The NYC Bar Association), a Community Vision Award (The Lesbian & Gay Law Association of New York), a Pro Bono Publico Award (The Legal Aid Society), an inaugural Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 Award (The National LGBT Bar Association) and a Visionary and Policymaker Award as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the US (Filipina Women’s Network).

Raised by her immigrant parents at New Jersey, Ms Malalis earned her J.D. from the Northeastern University School of Law and received a B.A. in women’s studies from Yale University. She and her spouse lives in Brooklyn with their two children.