AFL-CIO - American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (Summer 2027)

Office of the General Counsel
Washington, DC

This is the 2027 fellowship description for this mentor organization.

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a democratic, voluntary federation of 65 national and international labor unions that represent nearly 15 million working people. The AFL-CIO strives to ensure all working people are treated fairly, with decent paychecks and benefits, safe jobs, dignity, and equal opportunities. We advance legislation to create good jobs by investing tax dollars in schools, roads, bridges, ports and airports, and improving the lives of workers through education, job training and a livable minimum wage. We advocate for strengthening Social Security and private pensions, ensuring fair tax policies, and making high-quality, affordable health care available to all. We fight for keeping good jobs at home by reforming trade rules and providing worker protections in the global economy. We stand firm in holding corporations accountable for their actions. We help make safe, equitable workplaces and give working people a collective voice to address workplace injustices without the fear of retaliation. We fight for social and economic justice and strive to vanquish oppression in all its forms.

To further these goals, the Office of the General Counsel provides advice and guidance to AFL-CIO officers, staff, and affiliated unions on a host of legal and programmatic issues. The Office is also active in appellate litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Courts of Appeal, the NLRB, and other tribunals on issues of importance to union members and workers generally.

The Peggy Browning Fund Summer Fellow will perform legal research and writing on a variety of topics covering multiple areas such as the NLRA, FLSA, Title VII, OSHA, and immigration laws. The Summer Fellow may also assist with legislative, regulatory, and public policy matters as they arise. Applicants should possess excellent research, writing and oral communication skills, and have a demonstrated commitment to the labor movement and to issues affecting working families.

The AFL-CIO prefers 2L applicants who will have taken a labor law class by the end of their 2L year. In addition to the requirements under the PBF application (cover letter, application form, and essay), applicants must submit a law school transcript and legal writing sample.

The AFL-CIO will provide a total stipend for the ten-week fellowship of $10,000. The fellow will work on site at the AFL-CIO's Washington D.C. headquarters.

Address cover letter to:

Matt Ginsburg
AFL-CIO General Counsel
c/o Kasmira Pope: kpope@aflcio.org