Kati Griffith

Kati Griffith is the Jean McKelvey–Alice Grant Professor at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, with an associate appointment at the Cornell Law Faculty. Her research focuses on the intersection of immigration and workplace law, emphasizing protections for low-wage workers.

• Education: Cum laude graduate of NYU School of Law (Root Tilden Public Interest Scholar), with prior research in Mexico and El Salvador as a Rotary and Fulbright Scholar.
• Professional Roles: Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Diversity, and Faculty Development; Research Fellow at NYU’s Center for Labor & Employment Law.
• Research Themes: Explores legal frameworks governing immigrant workers, wage theft, franchising employment dynamics, and the role of worker centers in labor advocacy. Her work often bridges immigration enforcement and employment rights.
• Scientific Awards:
  • Cornell ILR MacIntyre Awards for Exemplary Teaching (2010, 2015)
  • Robert Stern Award for Teaching and Mentoring (2019)
  • Stephen H. Weiss Junior Fellow (2018)
• Publications: Author of 21 scholarly papers on topics including immigrant labor rights, joint employment theory, and labor policy. Notable works include analyses of the Fair Labor Standards Act, franchising contracts, and immigration enforcement at workplaces.