Public Employee Press

Legal service celebrates Law Day

Staff of DC 37's Municipal Employees Legal Services gathered at union headquarters May 3 to celebrate Law Day. "Law Day stands for the principles of justice and equality under the law," said MELS Associate Director Bob Martin.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts and acting state Supreme Court Justice Matthew Cooper, who began his law career at MELS when it was a pilot program, were guest speakers.

"You do our union a great service and I thank you on the behalf of our members," said Roberts, who was a driving force in establishing MELS as one of the nation's first union legal services programs. "Lillian has been at our side from day one to make sure union members get the best service," said MELS Director and Chief Counsel Joan L. Beranbaum.

Cooper called his experience at MELS the best job he has ever had. "This is where I learned to be a lawyer," he said. "And I got to be on the right side of issues."

MELS celebrates Law Day to honor the work of the legal profession at DC 37 and to show the connection between working people and organized labor.