2021 Peggy Browning Fellows

2021 Peggy Browning Summer Fellows Brandon Wright JD’22 Wayne State University Law School Detroit, MI United Auto Workers (UAW) Detroit, MI Brandon didn’t know much about unions growing up, except that they were the reason his grandpa had a decent retirement. He had his first experience organizing with United Students Against Sweatshops in college, supporting ATU Local 836 in its contract negotiations. When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, Brandon decided to step up his game and joined his local branch of the Industrial Workers of the World. He attended Organizer Training 101 and his eyes were opened to the radical potential of direct action. Most importantly, he realized his personal combination of eggheadedness and working-class loyalty was probably well suited for labor law practice. Emma Woods JD’22 University of Wisconsin Law School Madison, WI United Auto Workers (UAW) Detroit, MI A Metro-Detroit native, Emma became interested in economic justice from a young age. As a first-year law student she volunteered at the Unemployment Appeals Clinic, a local non-profit that assists claimants who are appealing unemployment insurance denials. She has since become student manager, training other students to be advocates. Emma also worked at the Neighborhood Law Clinic, which provides pro bono legal services in the areas of wage and hour and rental housing law. In law school, Emma serves as community liaison of the Labor & Employment Students Association, competes on the Moot Court team, and is a member of NLG and TAA. Ever the Michigander, she is excited to be working for a union that has had such a large impact on her community, and is looking forward to a Coney dog in her near future. Jason Vazquez JD’23 Harvard Law School Cambridge, MA Greater Boston Legal Services Boston, MA Jason came to law school devoted to pursuing a career in labor and employment law. He grew up in a small town in Ohio, and his commitment to the labor movement was sparked when he began working nearly full-time in the food industry as a college student. After witnessing the cruelties of wage labor, the miseries of poverty, and the indignities of economic exploitation, he resolved to fight for a more equitable economic system. Jason graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in history and spent a year working as a substitute teacher before starting law school. In law school, he has been involved with the Labor and Employment Action Project, the Labor and Employment Lab, The Harvard Immigration Project, La Alianza, and the Harvard Latinx Law Review . Kevin Vazquez JD’23 Harvard Law School Cambridge, MA Take Root Justice New York, NY Growing up in a small town in Ohio, Kevin graduated magna cum laude with a degree in history and political science from the Ohio State University. He developed an interest in economic justice during the many hours he spent in low-wage service jobs before, during, and after college. In law school, Kevin has been involved with the Tenant Advocacy Project, the Labor and Employment Action Project, and Harvard Defenders. He is also a member of La Alianza, an editor of the Harvard Latinx Law Review , enrolled in the Labor and Employment Lab, and a student contributor to the OnLabor blog. After graduating, Kevin plans to practice labor law as a union attorney. He is very excited to zealously advocate for workers this summer.