Fall 2010 Educating Law Students on the Rights and Needs of Workers Joseph Lurie, President Mary Anne Moffa, Executive Director Matthew Epstein, PBF ’07 Mine Safety Advocacy – As Needed Today As In Decades Past oal mining is an otherworldly That fellowship led me to a clerkship staff, the prior connection through The thing, whether on the surface after law school with a Department of Peggy Browning Fund made it an easy C or underground. The mines Labor administrative law judge, working match for both sides. are strangely barren in parts and busy on coal mine and longshore workers’ Among my colleagues at work is in others; at times eerily quiet and compensation cases, lawsuits on behalf of another Peggy Browning Alumnus, then earth-shakingly loud. It can take immigrants who were wrongfully denied David Jaklevic, PBF ’08. Already an hour to travel from end to end of an we have settled cases that languished for underground coal mine the size of a major a year or more for lack of staff to deal city, or the mine can involve 36-inch with them. In addition, my colleagues ceilings and no more than a skeleton crew. and I will try cases on our own, a rare However, one thing remains constant: opportunity for young lawyers. Better it continues to be one of the most still, we have the opportunity to make dangerous jobs in the world. My a difference. Mining accidents are not grandfather was an underground coal inevitable; they can be prevented by miner in Western Pennsylvania at a proper planning and safe practices. much worse time, but the string of Thanks to my experience as a Peggy recent major accidents is a sad reminder Browning Fellow, I will be able to help. that there is much more to be done. Editor’s Note: Other PBF Alumni are The path to my current job started also involved in this cause. Steven Grubbs, in 2007, when I was a law student with Kwame Samuda, Rory Smith and Chris an interest in employment law looking Williamson all work at The Federal Mine for a summer job. Through The Peggy Matt in full miner gear preparing for a visit Safety and Health Review Commission. Browning Fund, I was able to intern at the to the Bailey Mine in Green County, PA - the Jenny Hayhurst is from a coal mining largest underground mine in the country. Philadelphia Regional Solicitor’s Office of family and was a Peggy Browning Fellow the U.S. Department of Labor, helping their pay, and whistleblower lawsuits. This at the United Mine Workers this summer. experienced lawyers on mine-safety cases, summer, when I was looking to move on Although she is still in school, she is looking along with OSHA, ERISA, and Fair from my clerkship and the Philadelphia forward to pursuing a career in mine safety Labor Standards Act matters. Solicitor’s Office was looking to hire more labor law when she graduates. Peggy Browning Alumni Pursue Justice for Workers Alumni Making Strides Since working as a Peggy Browning Commission. He is working in a newly to be part of the process that ensures Fellow at the International Brotherhood created satellite office in Pittsburgh, miners are protected and that a safe of Teamsters in the summer of 2009, PA. Steve told us, “I am from southern working environment is maintained.” Steven Grubbs has graduated from West Virginia where coal is king. I West Virginia University College of actually went to high school only Law and found employment as a law five miles away from the Upper Chris Williamson, PBF ’09 at clerk to administrative judges in the Big Branch mine explosion last NLRB’s Contempt Litigation & Federal Mine Safety and Health Review spring. Because of this I am very happy Compliance Branch, is now working for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the independent “I am sure that having Peggy Browning Fellow on my resume adjudicatory body that hears cases helped me to get this job and would like to thank you for prosecuted by MSHA and appealed providing me with that opportunity.” - Steven Grubbs (continued on page 3) www.peggybrowningfund.org Students Inspired to Pursue Social Justice Another Successful Peggy Browning Conference A beautiful fall weekend served as New this year, and well received, was the backdrop for this year’s National an opportunity for students to attend Law Students Workers’ Rights a Friday afternoon Congressional Staff Conference on October 15 & 16 at the Briefing on Capitol Hill. National Labor College in Silver Following Saturday’s keynote address, Spring, MD. Over 220 Peggy Browning students attended a series of interactive Fellows, mentors and law students workshops led by labor law practitioners, from across the country participated - law professors and activists in the public a significant increase over past interest and labor community. The years. students were brimming with enthusiasm about the conference and their feedback For Peggy Browning Fellows, the and suggestions will be incorporated The Conference Friday Night Panel Discussion followed a viewing of the film The Philosopher conference began with the Wrap-Up into the planning for next year. (To Workshop where Fellows and their Kings. Two of the four panelists included learn more about the conference workshops, Cyrus Mehri, PBF Advisory Board member mentors reported on their summer facilitators and content visit our website, and moderator Angelia Wade, Associate General experiences. www.peggybrowningfund.org) Counsel of the AFL-CIO. Fellows Learn at Work Thanks to the Following: This year, fifty-three Peggy Browning Fellows were placed in positions with unions, government agencies, worker centers and union-side law firms. Conference Sponsors In their own words, a few of the Fellows share their experiences: Guardian Sponsor Liz Dedrick – Northeastern Jason Usher – University of University School of Law Maryland School of Law I spent this summer fully I really had no idea what to expect American Federation of Teachers immersed in the work of one of as a Peggy Browning Fellow with the most dynamic, effective and the International Brotherhood of member-centered labor union locals Teamsters in Washington, DC. in the country during a very tumul- Among other assignments, the most Fellow Sponsor tuous, but exciting time – UNITE enjoyable part of the summer was HERE! Local 2. Representing sitting in on negotiations with the bus LABORERS’ WallAmalgamated Street Associates is proudINTERNATIONAL to UNION OFsupport NORTH AMERICA hotel and hospitality workers in San driver division. Being able to see Transit Union Francisco, Local 2 has been with- first-hand the tactics and strategy The Amalgamated Transit Union On behalf of the 500,000 members of the out a contract with the major hotels Laborers’ International Union used during the negotiations proudly supports the Peggy Browning Fund’sThe Peggy Browning Fund of North America efforts to develop the next generation we salute the in the city since August of 2009. was remarkable – recognizing the of advocates for workers’ rights Peggy Browning Fund and congratulate them through its 12th Annual National on their As a result, I was able to witness skill and patience required to draft a Law Students Workers’ Rights Conference. 12th Annual National Law Students Congratulations To Workers’ Rights and participate in an increas- amalgamated transit union THE PEGGY BROWNING FUND national contract that’s agreeable to Conference. Lawrence J. Hanley, International President As You Celebrate The Robert H. Baker, International Executive Vice President 12TH Annual National Law Students Oscar Owens, International Secretary-Treasurer ingly aggressive contract cam- Workers Rights Conference both sides. It was also amazing to see For Supporting Champions of Social Justice, TERENCE M. O’SULLIVAN ARMAND E. SABITONI Economic Vitality and General President General Secretary-Treasurer Developing future leaders of the world paign that involved everything from … Finding the celebrated companies of tomorrow how finding a keyword within a case For your hard work, commitment and dedication We Salute You! collective bargaining to workplace From the StaffWE and 350,000 PROUDLYmembers of SUPPORTwww.wsalj.com from many years ago led my boss to 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Union GeorgeTHE Gresham &PEGGY Maria Castaneda BROWNING FUND actions by members and strike actions. Advocate President SponsorSecretary-Treasurer revive a case that he thought was in the and My work spanned the gamut from The 12th Annual National Law Students trasher. This summer has reemphasized Workers’ Rights Conference researching a wide variety of my passion and commitment to the Jules Bernstein* * * legal issues and helping to resolve labor cause! and LindaBest Wishes Lipsett member grievances to marching on to the picket line. (continued on page 3) WILMA B. LIEBMAN 2010 Peggy Browning Fellows Generations of Sheet Metal Workers and salute All Students Attending the Conference “I had two goals in mind this summer. First, I wanted to The Peggy Browning Fund ˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜ explore labor law and see what kinds of opportunities O'DONOGHUEIn its mission to& ensure that future generations of the nation’s talented law students gain greater insight into the need for economicPITTA and social & justice.GIBLIN LLP O'DONOGHUE LLP LABOR * EMPLOYMENT * EMPLOYEE BENEFITS We are proud to sponsor it offered. Second, I wanted to gain general legal Attorneys at Law _________________________________The National LawPITTA Students Workers’ BISHOP Rights Conference DEL GIORNO. & GIBLIN LLC CONSULTING AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS experience. My Peggy Browning Fellowship allowed The Attorneys and Staff of 120 Broadway, 28th Floor SheetNew York, Metal New York Workers10271 O’Donoghue & O’Donoghue Telephone (212) 652-3890 me to achieve both goals.” Int’l.Facsimile Assoc. (212) 652-3891 - Chris Rendall-Jackson Are Proud to Support The Peggy Browning Michael J. SullivanFund’s Joseph J. Nigro Harvard University Law School, United Steelworkers of America General President General Secretary-Treasurer Twelfth National Law Students Workers’ Rights Conference _________________________________ 4748 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.