Expanding SwAA’s Legal Capacities – Staff Attorney

July 24, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: pr@standwithasianamericans.com

STAND WITH ASIAN AMERICANS WELCOMES ANNIE RUAN AS STAFF ATTORNEY TO EXPAND ITS LEGAL CAPACITIES IN COMBATING ANTI-ASIAN WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION

July 24, 2026 (Los Angeles, CA) — Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA), America’s first legal civil rights organization focused primarily on combating anti-Asian workplace discrimination, announced the hiring of Annie Ruan as Staff Attorney.

Ruan joins SwAA with a background in California labor and employment litigation, where she represented clients in a wide range of workplace disputes involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour compliance, and other employment-related matters. Her legal experience, combined with her commitment to public service, positions her to support SwAA’s mission of expanding access to justice for Asian Americans facing discrimination in the workplace. Ruan succeeds Michael Roberts, who previously served as Legal Director, and SwAA thanks him for his time with the organization. 

A fluent Mandarin and Cantonese speaker, Ruan has long been dedicated to serving immigrant and Asian American communities through legal advocacy and volunteer service. Throughout law school and her legal career, she volunteered with organizations including the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association Legal Clinic and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association, providing legal assistance to Chinese-speaking community members. She also interned with the Alliance for Children’s Rights in Los Angeles and the Health Justice Alliance legal clinic in Washington, D.C., where she worked to improve access to legal services for underserved populations. 

“As a first-generation Chinese immigrant, I have seen firsthand how language barriers, cultural stigma, and limited access to legal resources can prevent members of our communities from obtaining the help they deserve. I have always been looking for opportunities to serve and am honored to join SwAA as a Staff Attorney. I look forward to advocating for the people in Asian American communities.”

As Staff Attorney, Ruan will support SwAA’s litigation, legal advocacy, and community education efforts, helping Asian Americans understand and enforce their workplace rights while partnering with employers and community organizations to advance equitable workplaces. Her experience representing clients in employment matters and her passion for community-centered advocacy will strengthen SwAA’s efforts to combat anti-Asian discrimination nationwide.

“Annie’s arrival is another marker of the momentum we have built over the past year,” said Rachel Lee, President and General Counsel of SwAA. “With Annie’s subject matter expertise, litigation experience, and track record of serving our community on the ground, we are not only strengthening the legal muscle behind our mission but leaning into our bias toward service and action. As SwAA continues to combat the discrimination Asian American workers face daily, we’re excited to bring on another advocate who is ready to roll up her sleeves and fight for those in need.”

Co-founder and Board Member Justin Zhu stated, “We are delighted to welcome Annie to SwAA. Her legal expertise and dedication to civil rights will deepen our impact and help us serve more members of the Asian American Community, and her lived experience as a first-generation immigrant also strengthens our team’s capacity to represent across the Asian American diaspora.”

Board Member April Moh added, “Too many Asian workers in America suffer discrimination in silence, unsure of where to turn or whether anyone will listen. Annie’s arrival sends a clear message: someone is listening, and someone will fight for you. Her linguistic skills and deep community roots will help us reach those who need us most.”

SwAA was founded in 2021 in response to rising anti-Asian hate incidents and has evolved to focus on anti-Asian discrimination in the workplace through legal advocacy, education, and community organizing. In 2024, SwAA launched its Workplace Justice Fund to provide legal, emotional, community, and psychological support for those facing discrimination in the workplace. If you are experiencing workplace discrimination, please report it using our online portal at https://justice.standwithasianamericans.com/report-discrimination/.

You can support SwAA in its mission by contributing to the Workplace Justice Fund. Individuals and organizations can donate by visiting https://standwithasianamericans.com/donate/ or contacting donate@standwithasianamericans.com.   

Everyone has a role that they can plan in making the workplace and world more equitable. Please visit https://standwithasianamericans.com/ to learn more about how you can join SwAA in its fight to create a world where everyone in the Asian American diaspora is empowered to exercise their civil and human rights for themselves and those most vulnerable among us. 

You can also engage with SwAA on the following platforms: