2010 NLG Convention Coverage II

We, The Lawyers, Report from the 2010 NLG Convention …

Thom Cincotta
The Guild’s national convention is a perennial jolt in the arm for progressive and radical lawyers, law students, and legal workers from all over the country. This year’s event was held in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter at an exquisite historic hotel, the Monteleone. Hopping clubs along Frenchmen and Bourbon streets, delicious Cajun food, and amazing brass jazz were a lively backdrop to the convention, which fulfilled its role as a reminder of the spirit of resistance that binds us as organization.

My personal highlights (aside from rooming with Urszula’s son, Sebastian) include two fiery speakers on What Happened to Working Class Consciousness. Jaribu Hill, director of the Mississippi Worker’s Center for Human Rights, gave us a reality check in her talk on “diapers, rape, and the Klan,” where she described how, just a few days before the convention, workers at a catfish plant in the Delta were forced to wear Pampers when the bosses denied them bathroom privileges. Steward Acuff, a former organizing director for the AFL-CIO, put today’s economic crisis in perspective as part of a sustained, systematic public policy designed to crush workers’ power. Lambasting the so-called “jobless recovery,” Stewart shared how average take-home pay today is worth less than in 1973. To great applause, he said, “When people talk about the free markets and free market solutions, they’re full of shit.”

Every time I attend convention, I am struck and nearly overwhelmed by the wide scope and quality of Guild members’ work. I attended a workshop led by Ben Manzi (MovetoAmend.org) and Roxana Orell on resistance to the Citizens United case that opened the flood gates for corporate donations to campaigns. A young lawyer from Philly, Mike Lee, also inspired me during his talk on setting up shop as a progressive attorney. Mike offers a discount to clients who will sit through his free 3-hour “Know Your Rights” clinic.

As usual, the conversation ended too soon to feel like we could reach consensus on what needs to be done.

Ewelina Mroczka & Jonathan Messinger, Two First Timers

New Orleans, though devastated by Hurricane Katrina, never lost its soul, including its activist politics and warm hospitality. The Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter was packed with many of the NLG’s brightest who came together to fight for justice and equality for all people.

During the day, we participated in seminars that focused on immigration law, labor law, and criminal law among other salient topics. Various NLG committees and projects – National Immigration Project, National Police Accountability Project, Military Law Task Force Committee, International Committee, Labor & Employment Committee – held daily workshops (six or seven per day).

The evenings featured receptions with much of the wonderful food and music for which Nawlins is renowned, celebrations of international solidarity with lawyers and human rights defenders from many countries. On Friday, the Guild hosted a well-attended and fun Student Party with musicians including Rusty Lazer and Big Freedia.

On Saturday, there was a United People of Color Caucus Anti-Racism Training and an Anti-Racism Workshop that examined and explored interpersonal and structural racism and the systemic inequality that comes with it. That afternoon, the Free Palestine Subcommittee had a workshop based on the topic “What is the role and/or importance of Academic and Cultural Boycotts in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement?” Later that afternoon at the Plenary, we all voted on resolutions and amendments for the upcoming year.

Saturday evening, there was a banquet with our Massachusetts director, Urszula Masny-Latos, receiving the 2010 National Legal Worker Award for her hard work, dedication, and passion to the Guild! We found her inspiring acceptance speech the highlight of the Convention. On Sunday, the final day of the Convention, attendees joined a 3-hour Solidarity Tour where we were able to view up close the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the slow rebuilding process that has followed.

All in all, a very inspiring event! Let’s all march on and not miss the Philadelphia Convention October 12-16, 2011!

Thom Cincotta, a member of the Board of Directors, is an attorney at Political Research Associates.
Jonathan Messinger has a law office in Danversport. Ewelina Mroczka works at the Law Office of Jonathan Messinger.