The most common employment problem for which CLS clients seek representation is their criminal records. As a result, CLS has done some of the most cutting-edge legal work in the country for helping employment clients with criminal records.

Our legal work on behalf of people with criminal records who are seeking employment is broad.

• We directly represent hundreds of people with criminal records every year.  Click here for information about the types of cases that we take.

• We indirectly represent thousands more, through impact litigation, policy advocacy and legislative advocacy.

• We provide community education and technical assistance both to service providers that work with people with criminal records and to ex-offenders themselves.

This website has information about:

"Cleaning up" a criminal record in Pennsylvania

How to get a pardon of your conviction in Pennsylvania

Employment rights and restrictions based on criminal records

Special rules on criminal records in elder care and child care

Resources for advocates working on employment issues for ex-offenders

If you need information about Philadelphia's One-Stop Center for Ex-Offenders, where they may be able to help you find a job, click here

To get back to the Employment main page, click here