Newark, NJ Regional Workshop

Friday, February 21st, 2014

On February 10, more than 20 students braved the snow to attend the second of ten PBF regional workshops slated for 2014 at Rutgers School of Law in Newark, New Jersey.

Panelists and organizers for the Rutgers Law workshop: Bottom row (left to right) - Arnold Shep Cohen, Megann McManus, James Gray Pope Top row (left to right) - Eric B. Sposito, Gwynne A. Wilcox, Piel Lora, Meredith Wood Doherty

Entitled Work for Workplace Justice, these workshops provide law students with the opportunity to learn more about PBF Summer Fellowships and what it’s like practicing law for a union, worker center, union-side law firm or government agency.

The lead organizers of the workshop were Gwynne A. Wilcox, Esq., Levy Ratner, P.C., PBF Board member and Co-Chair of the Regional Workshop Committee; and Co-Presidents Piel Lora and Meredith Wood Doherty of Rutgers’ Labor and Employment Law Society.

Gwynne also served as the moderator of the panel comprised of James Gray Pope, Professor of Law and Sidney Reitman Scholar, Rutgers-Newark; Megann McManus, Rutgers Law, '14 and 2013 Peggy Browning Fellow; Arnold Shep Cohen, Oxfeld Cohen, P.C. and Adjunct Professor, Rutgers School of Law-Newark; and Eric B. Sposito, Field Attorney, Region 22, National Labor Relations Board.

"The panel was excellent. It is inspiring to hear from people so passionate about labor law. The Peggy Browning Fellowship presents such impressive opportunities for those looking to pursue experiences in the field," says Michael R. Griffith, student, Rutgers School of Law-Newark.

Piel Lora commented, "Growing up as a child of immigrant parents, I saw my parents' dignity constantly being undermined in workplace spaces. The Peggy Browning Fund provides the opportunity for student advocates like me, who truly want to make a real difference, to participate in a fellowship that empowers us as advocates to help clients who may not have the proper tools, language, or resources to do so."

Professor Pope observed that “just looking at the faces in the audience, I'm sure that everyone got the message that labor-side practice is an exciting field and that Peggy Browning Fellowships are a splendid place to start.”