Julie Su

Julie Ann Su is an American attorney and government official who has served as Deputy Mayor of New York City for Economic Justice since March 2026. A lifelong workers' rights advocate, Su rose to prominence as the lead attorney in the landmark 1995 El Monte Thai garment slavery case, freeing 72 immigrants from forced labor. She served as California Labor Commissioner, California Secretary of Labor, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor, and Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Joe Biden. Su is known for her aggressive enforcement of wage and safety laws and her ability to translate legal language for marginalized communities. As of 2026, she is also a visiting professor at UC Berkeley School of Law. Born on February 19, 1969, in Madison, Wisconsin, she is a second-generation American. [edit]

Julie Ann Su was born on February 19, 1969, in Madison, Wisconsin, to immigrant parents. Her mother came to the United States from China on a cargo ship because she could not afford a passenger ticket; her father is from Taiwan. Growing up, Su translated for her parents, an experience that shaped her understanding of language and power. The family moved to Cerritos, California, where Su attended Whitney High School, a nationally recognized public school.

She went on to Stanford University, graduating in 1991 with a BA in political science and economics. At Stanford, two experiences redirected her from working with young people toward workers' rights. She saw how difficult it was for children to watch their parents work around the clock yet not make enough to survive. One summer, she waited tables and saw firsthand how tipped workers endured mistreatment. She later said, "I know the transformative power of a good job, because I have lived it." Su then earned her JD from Harvard Law School in 1994, planning to become a translator in the language of law for marginalized people. She also recalled that her family had "a little bit more breathing room as a family" when her parents had better jobs. [edit]

Su began her legal career as a Skadden Fellow at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles, where she served as Litigation Director. In 1995, she was the lead attorney in the El Monte Thai garment slavery case, freeing 72 Thai immigrants from a sweatshop. The case brought her national recognition and set the tone for her career.

In 2011, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Su as California Labor Commissioner, overseeing the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. She was credited with a renaissance in enforcement and creative approaches to combating wage theft. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed her as California Secretary of Labor. In July 2021, she was confirmed as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor. When Secretary Marty Walsh resigned in March 2023, Su became Acting Secretary, serving for the remainder of the Biden administration without Senate confirmation to the permanent role. She focused on enforcing child labor laws, smoothing labor conflicts, and building worker power.

After the Biden administration, Su served as a Resident Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics in spring 2025 and joined UC Berkeley School of Law as a visiting professor in 2025-2026. In March 2026, she was appointed Deputy Mayor of New York City for Economic Justice under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. [edit]

Julie Su's public image is that of a fierce workers' rights advocate and a progressive public servant. Media portrayals emphasize her enforcement record, her role in the El Monte case, and her tenure as Acting Labor Secretary. She is known for her ability to connect with immigrant communities and her no-nonsense approach to labor law. Unlike entertainers, she has no traditional fandom; instead, she is respected within labor and policy circles for her dedication to economic justice. [edit]

Julie Su commands a focused sphere of influence defined by policy impact rather than global celebrity, operating at the intersection of labor law and high-level government administration. Her visibility is concentrated among policymakers, labor unions, and advocates for economic justice rather than the general public. iFANN has evaluated her profile and determined that she currently holds no placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific Top-100 lists. While her career milestones like the El Monte case and her tenure as Acting Secretary of Labor are historically significant, they have not translated into a quantified rank within the current fame index. Consequently, there is no formal fandom name documented for Julie Su; her supporters are best described as political allies, constituent communities, and industry partners rather than a fanbase engaged in celebratory culture. Unlike entertainers who cultivate dedicated followings with specific names and rituals, Su's audience engages through professional channels, policy advocacy, and civic participation. The absence of a named fandom reflects her role as a public servant whose legacy is built on legislative enforcement and legal victories rather than pop culture phenomena.[edit]

Julie Su speaks both Mandarin and Spanish, a skill set she explicitly linked to her decision to attend law school. She once stated her goal was to become a translator in the language of the law for those who were marginalized, discriminated against, and exploited. This mission drove her early work on the landmark El Monte Thai garment slavery case, which freed 72 immigrants from forced labor and launched her career. As a Skadden Fellow, she began her legal journey before rising to become California Labor Commissioner and later serving as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor. Her appointment as Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor lasted nearly two years without Senate confirmation to a permanent role, a reflection of her steady hand during leadership transitions. In late 2025, she made history as the first person appointed to the newly created position of Deputy Mayor of New York City for Economic Justice under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. A defining moment in her recent career occurred when she shifted her approach to emphasize how progressive policies could lift the broader economy, engaging directly with business leaders to support affordability agendas. She continues to serve as a visiting professor at UC Berkeley Law, bringing decades of experience to the academic sphere while maintaining her core philosophy: "I love working alongside workers to help them realize their own power."[edit]

Julie Su is the daughter of immigrants. Her mother came to the United States from China on a cargo ship because she could not afford a passenger ticket; her father is from Taiwan. She grew up translating for her parents, an experience that informed her career. As of 2026, Su has not publicly disclosed any information about a spouse, partner, or children. [edit]

Julie Su has worked closely with several prominent political figures. Governor Jerry Brown appointed her as California Labor Commissioner in 2011. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed her as California Secretary of Labor in 2019. President Joe Biden nominated her as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor in 2021 and for Secretary of Labor in 2023. She succeeded Marty Walsh as Acting Secretary of Labor. In 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed her as Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice. [edit]

Julie Su has maintained a private personal life throughout her career. No credible sources have reported on any romantic relationships, dating history, marriage, or children. As of 2026, her relationship status is not publicly known. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Julie Su's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $2 Million. As a career public servant, her wealth accumulates through government salaries earned over decades of service. Her financial trajectory includes tenures as California Labor Commissioner (2011-2018), California Secretary of Labor (2019-2021), U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor (2021-2023), and Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor (2023-2025). Her current role as Deputy Mayor of New York City for Economic Justice also provides a government salary. She has not engaged in business ventures, endorsements, or significant investments outside of her public service. Her net worth reflects a lifetime of public service rather than private-sector wealth accumulation.[edit]

Julie Su's recognition has come primarily through appointments and honors rather than traditional awards. She was awarded a Skadden Fellowship in 1994 to begin her legal career. She has not won any major entertainment or arts awards. [edit]