As we navigate the complexities of our modern legal landscape, it is vital to do more than just observe the challenges of our time; we must challenge ourselves to think about how we create a more equitable history now. How do we take the principles of justice and use them to build a sustainable, fair future for everyone? 
I have spent my career at the intersection of law and public discourse. My role isn’t just to provide commentary; it is to act as a strategic translator for the issues that define the present. Whether I’m providing educational legal commentary on the latest in workplace laws and AI, or hosting my Legal Lens radio show and podcast, my mission remains consistent: helping educate and enlighten people on the legal and policy issues that impact their everyday lives.
I was honored to welcome Attorney Lauren Barnes to the Legal Lens podcast this week. As the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Public Justice, Lauren is a veteran complex litigator who has spent decades holding powerful interests accountable. Her work sits at the critical intersection of litigation and advocacy, focusing on how we can use the legal system to dismantle systemic oppression.
In this episode, we peel back the layers of the judicial system to see why impact litigation is essential.
Listen to the full conversation with Lauren Barnes below:
Navigate the Episode:
- 1:30 – Lauren Barnes’ Background & The Sabbatical that Led to Public Justice
- 6:10 – What is Public Justice? Creating a Foundation for Legal Advocacy
- 6:52 – The Four Pillars: Students, Environment, Poverty, and Access
- 14:40 – The “Right to Hug”: Challenging the Ban on In-Person Jail Visitation
- 27:47 – How Litigation Influences Systemic Change and Policy
- 32:50 – A Message of Hope: The Courage of the Client
Who Is Attorney Lauren Barnes?
Attorney Lauren Barnes brings over 20 years of experience as a complex litigator to her role as Acting CEO of Public Justice. Before taking the helm of the organization, Lauren spent nearly two decades at a firm specializing in class actions, specifically holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for antitrust violations. Her transition to the nonprofit world was preceded by a transformative sabbatical that allowed her to reflect on how to use the “levers of power” for systemic change rather than just case-by-case litigation.
“I worked at a firm. I did class actions. I sued drug companies… mainly on behalf of consumers. While I thought that was really important work… I also often felt like there was some other way in which I wanted to be using the other levers of power to try to have some systemic change in the world.” — Lauren Barnes
What Is Public Justice? The People’s Law Firm
Public Justice is more than a law firm; it is a legal advocacy organization dedicated to protecting consumers, workers, students, and the environment. Founded 44 years ago by a group of trial lawyers, the organization focuses on choosing cases that don’t just win for one person but set a precedent that changes the system for everyone. This is known as “impact litigation.”
“Public Justice is a legal advocacy organization that’s really all about unrigging the system and fighting for consumers and for workers, students, the sustainability of the earth, and so much more… We take on the cases that others don’t or that others won’t.” — Lauren Barnes
The Four Pillars: Students, Environment, Poverty, and Access
To achieve its mission, Public Justice focuses on four key areas. The Student Civil Rights Project fights for equal educational opportunities and against discrimination. The Environmental Enforcement Project holds corporate polluters accountable via citizen suits. The Criminalization of Poverty Project ensures that the legal system does not penalize people simply for being poor. Finally, the Access to Justice Project serves as the overarching umbrella, fighting to keep courthouse doors open for all by dismantling barriers like forced arbitration and court secrecy.
“We have four main project areas for our cases… our student civil rights project… Environmental Enforcement Project… our criminalization of poverty… and the fourth, this was my entry point to Public Justice, it’s our access to justice project.” — Lauren Barnes
What Is the “Right to Hug?” Upholding Visitation Rights for Jailed Loved Ones
One of the largest moving parts of our conversation centered on Public Justices’ leadership on what is called “Right to Hug” cases and legal initiatives. According to Barnes, many jails have replaced in-person visitation with video calls, often incentivized by contracts with private companies. Public Justice is fighting to reinstate the right for children to see their parents in person, and the rights of other family members and loved ones to in-person visits.
“In a lot of our jails across the country… they have been looking for money. There are privately owned companies that have a monopoly on jail communication contracts now… and in a lot of these jails, the companies pay the sheriffs a percentage of the profits… so there’s this incentive to encourage no in-person visitation.” — Lauren Barnes
Related Podcast Episode: The Rule of Law Under Stress: Attorney Deepak Gupta on Why the U.S. Supreme Court Still Matters
The Important Role of the Judicial Branch
Barnes argues that the judicial branch often serves as the last line of defense for the Constitution. Lauren shares how Public Justice has used litigation to limit the efforts of the Department of Education to reduce the work of the Office of Civil Rights, an agency charged with protecting the civil rights of the public..
“One part of the system that’s really holding the line is the judicial branch… The system changed a little bit in response to the legal advocacy that was going on.” — Lauren Barnes
A Message of Hope: The Courage of the Client
Despite the darkness of these systemic challenges, Lauren finds immense hope in the individuals she represents. It is the courage of everyday Americans—like cancer survivor Susan Parisi, who stood up to bait-and-switch schemes—that fuels the work of Public Justice. These clients remind us that we are all part of the same fabric, fighting for the universal rights to work, live, and love without being penalized for who we are or how much money we have.
“I find a huge amount of hope when I think about the clients that Public Justice has had the privilege to represent… the courage that they bring to the table to fight for what they believe in… it’s really clear that we’re all part of the same fabric, right? We care about the same basic things.” — Lauren Barnes
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I have dedicated my career to helping litigants resolve their legal disputes through the mediation and dispute resolution process. My mission as the host of the Legal Lens radio show and podcast is to empower you with objective, expert-driven insights born from years of practice at the intersection of law and society.
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Follow the work of Public Justice and Lauren Barnes at publicjustice.net.
Angela’s Other Work
Learn more about my book – The Workplace Transformed: 7 Crucial Lessons from the Global Pandemic – here – https://angelareddock-wright.com/book/
Learn more about my work as an employment and Title IX mediator here Angela J. Reddock-Wright | Signature Resolution and on LinkedIn @Angela J. Reddock-Wright, Esq., AWI-CH.
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This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment or civil rights law attorney in your state or city.