Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2003

Abstract

While in law school, in the late 1950's, I decided that I wanted a career in labor law, representing unions. I asked my labor law professor what firms I should consider. He told me there was one firm nationwide that stood out from all the rest: Goldberg, Feller and Bredhoff. He warned, though, that the firm was very small, and the chances of getting a job there remote. I did some research and discovered that the firm had only four lawyers: three partners (Arthur Goldberg, Dave Feller, and Elliot Bredhoft), and one associate (Jerry Anker). The firm was General Counsel to one of America's largest unions, United Steelworkers of America (which at that time had 1.3 million members). It was also General Counsel to the Industrial Union Department of the AFL-CIO (the continued embodiment of the CIO after its merger with the AFL). When I applied to the firm, I received a polite letter advising that the firm was not hiring, and I shuffled off to my second-choice, the Department of Justice. Two years later, John Kennedy was elected President, and chose Arthur Goldberg to be Secretary of Labor. The firm, bereft of its senior partner, but still General Counsel of the Steelworkers and IUD, announced that it was looking for a new associate. I pounced.

Comments

http://www.law.berkeley.edu/students/jrnlorgs/journals/

Publication Citation

24 Berkeley J. Emp. & Lab. L. 265-274 (2003)

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