Who is Rachel Foster, the Cornell alumna and public interest lawyer supporting survivors in the Epstein case?

Rachel Foster (image: LinkedIn/Rachel Foster)

Rachel Foster, a Cornell University alumna and public interest lawyer, has spent over three decades working at the intersection of law, gender-based violence and survivor advocacy. Most recently, as Founding Co-Chair of World Without Exploitation (WWE), she worked alongside survivors connected to the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell case to advocate for the release of court files — a development many survivors described as central to transparency and accountability, as first reported by The Cornell Daily Sun.The issue remains deeply sensitive. For survivors, the release of documents was not about headlines but about recognition, due process and institutional responsibility. Foster’s role, according to public records, organisational statements and reporting by The Cornell Daily Sun, focused on helping survivors organise, coordinate outreach and engage lawmakers through lawful advocacy efforts.

Education at Cornell and Brooklyn Law School

Foster graduated from Cornell University in 1989 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the School of Human Ecology. The discipline examines individual development, family systems and the social structures that shape vulnerability — themes that would later define her professional focus.She went on to earn a Juris Doctor in Public Interest Law from Brooklyn Law School (1991–1994). Her legal training prepared her for work in civil legal services and policy advocacy, particularly for underserved communities.During her time at Cornell, Foster worked with survivors of sexual assault and participated in social justice initiatives. She has credited her academic background for shaping her understanding of trauma-informed advocacy and systemic reform.

A career rooted in public interest law

Foster served for over 22 years as Senior Staff Attorney and Board Secretary at South Brooklyn Legal Services (1993–2016), working on legal matters affecting low-income families. She also held the role of Advocacy Counsel and Board Member at the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York for nearly 13 years, contributing to child welfare and public policy discussions.Between 2014 and 2017, she worked as a Client Advocate at Sanctuary for Families, an organisation supporting survivors of domestic violence and trafficking. From 2013 to 2018, she was Campaign Director at New Abolitionists, focusing on anti-trafficking initiatives.In 2015, she co-founded World Without Exploitation, a coalition aimed at connecting anti-trafficking and gender-based violence organisations to strengthen policy engagement. Through WWE, she helped organise survivor-led advocacy campaigns, including coordinated meetings with lawmakers and public awareness efforts related to the Epstein case, according to The Cornell Daily Sun.

Advocacy beyond the courtroom

Beyond her legal and policy work, Foster founded Heights Advisors in 2006 and co-founded the Brooklyn Cat Cafe in 2016. She has also supported efforts to build domestic violence shelters that allow survivors to keep their pets — addressing a practical barrier many face when leaving abusive situations.

A continuing focus on accountability

The Epstein case remains a serious and complex issue. It has raised difficult questions about how powerful institutions are monitored and how vulnerable people are protected. In this context, Foster has focused on helping survivors make their voices heard in courts and before lawmakers. Her work supports legal and policy-based efforts aimed at accountability and reform.Foster’s career shows how education can shape long-term public service. With a background in human development and public interest law, she has built a path centred on careful, survivor-focused advocacy. Her journey reflects how strong academic training, combined with legal knowledge and ethical responsibility, can lead to meaningful social impact over time.