NYSUT - New York State United Teachers

Office of the General Counsel
Albany area (Latham), NY

This is the 2025 fellowship for this mentor organization.

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) represents more than 600,000 people who work in, or are retired from, New York's schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities, including teachers, teacher aides and assistants, college and university faculty and professional staff, school bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, cafeteria workers, nurses and healthcare professionals. NYSUT is a federation of more than 1,200 local unions, each representing its own members, and is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA).

NYSUT's Office of General Counsel provides representation and guidance in a variety of settings in both the public and private sectors. Our Peggy Browning Fellows work directly with staff attorneys to provide research, writing, and litigation support across a broad spectrum of labor and employment matters. During the 10-week program, we provide our Peggy Browning Fellows with the opportunity to assist staff attorneys with representation of teachers, school related professionals, nurses and other public and private sector employees and local unions in a variety of matters such as disciplinary proceedings, arbitrations, federal and state court litigation, and proceedings before agencies such as the Public Employment Relations Board and the National Labor Relations Board. We make a concerted effort to provide our Peggy Browning Fellows with opportunities to attend proceedings and meetings outside of the office in order to be exposed to the “real life” practice of a union-side attorney. Fellows will become familiar with the intricacies of the New York State Education Law. The work of our Fellows directly assists NYSUT members and locals because they work closely with staff attorneys and managing attorneys providing legal research and writing, interviewing clients and potential witnesses, and providing input in legal strategy sessions regarding the variety of matters that NYSUT’s Office of General Counsel handles. Fellows may also be involved in legislative policy matters that are pertinent to the organization.

This year, NYSUT is offering to host one (1) Peggy Browning Fellow at its Albany,NY Area Office (NYSUT Headquarters). The stipend for this Fellowship is $22.00/hour, with the expectation that Fellows will work 35-40 hours per week. We expect Fellows to be able to work a remote or hybrid remote/in office schedule with attendance at some in-person appearances. We are looking for hard-working students with a demonstrated interest in the labor movement and the rights of working people.

At NYSUT OGC, we believe in creating a work environment free of barriers, where individual outlooks and talents are respected and valued. NYSUT is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, age, or disability

Applicants for the PBF fellowship in NYSUT's Latham office should address cover letter to:

Jennifer Coffey, Associate General Counsel
New York State United Teachers, Office of General Counsel
800 Troy-Schnectady Road
Latham, NY 12110