Joan C. Williams

Joan C. Williams is a Distinguished Professor of Law (Emerita) at the University of California College of Law, San Francisco, where she also serves as the Director of the Center for WorkLife Law. With a focus on combating discrimination and promoting equality, Williams founded the Equality Action Center in 2024 and WorkLife Law in 1998. Her contributions to the legal profession and work-family field are recognized in her receipt of multiple awards, including the Myers Outstanding Book Award in 2001 and an honorary degree from the University of Utrecht in 2017.

Williams' scope of work extends beyond academia to encompass practical interventions in corporate settings. In 2014, she introduced "bias interrupters," a data-driven approach to interrupting bias in organizations. This concept is further expanded in her book "Bias Interrupted: Creating Inclusion for Real and for Good," which seamlessly merges evidence-based research with actionable advice. Her proficiency in this field is validated by the widespread viewership of her TED talk, "Why corporate diversity programs fail -- and how small tweaks can have big impact," which boasts over 1.3 million views.

An influential author, Williams has penned several books that address various aspects of work, family, and class dynamics. Titles such as "White Working Class: Overcoming Class Cluelessness in America" and "What Works for Women at Work: Four Patterns Working Women Need to Know" offer insights into the unique challenges faced by different societal groups. Her book, "Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back," was published in 2025. Williams' expertise and perspectives have been sought internationally, as seen in her feature on the Korean public television documentary, “A Conversation with Joan Williams,” discussing South Korea's low fertility rate.