Two University of Arizona Law Students Awarded Peggy Browning Fellowships
University of Arizona Law rising third-year JD students Adrian Braude and Conor Klerekoper have been awarded Peggy Browning Fellowships. This summer, Braude will work for Lubin and Enoch, PC in Phoenix, AZ, representing plaintiffs and unions. Klerekoper will work at the Center for Progressive Reform in Washington, DC., a think tank that researches and writes policy for worker protections, government accountability, and environmental justice.
The Peggy Browning Fund is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of Margaret A. Browning, a prominent union-side attorney who was a member of the National Labor Relations Board from 1994 until 1997. Peggy Browning Fellowships provide law students with unique, diverse and challenging work experiences fighting for social and economic justice. These experiences encourage and inspire students to pursue careers in public interest labor law.
“It is an honor to be awarded a fellowship that has served as a launching pad for so many advocates for workplace justice. This fellowship will allow me access to a network of accomplished people who fight for workers' rights,” said Braude. “I hope to gain more experience with labor and employment law by spending time with passionate, experienced attorneys in the field. I also look forward to getting to do more hands-on work with clients.”
Braude grew up in Scottsdale, AZ, as the son of two South African immigrants. After earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama and worked as a deputy finance director on a political campaign. His time on the campaign coincided with the Red for Ed movement in Arizona, and it was during this time he witnessed the power of organized labor to improve the lives of workers. Last summer, he worked at Lubin & Enoch, PC representing plaintiffs and unions. He plans to use his law degree to fight for the rights of workers.
Klerekoper is the son of an Irish immigrant mother, who worked housekeeping jobs after moving to the United States. The family story came full circle in the summer of 2022 when Conor worked as a summer law clerk for Unite HERE Local 11, a union whose rank-and-file membership largely consists of housekeepers. During the school year, he participates in University of Arizona Law’s Workers’ Rights Clinic, providing legal services to low-income individuals who are victims of employment violations. In his free time, he has volunteered for Amazon Labor Union’s ALB1 unionization campaign and volunteers with Tucson Tenants Union, working to protect renters and houseless folks in Pima County.
“My goal coming to law school was to join the labor movement and work towards a sustainable future built around environmental justice, egalitarian principles, and worker protections, by fighting for the people,” said Klerekoper. “One thing that I think is vital for the legal field is strong policy work. So often, through litigation, many have to be harmed to find adequate redress and legal change. With policy work, the goal is to change the law before it creates the harm. My goal for this summer is to become a strong policy writer, and hopefully have my work aid legislatures in writing policy to protect workers and the environment.”
This year, the Peggy Browning Fund accepted over 105 law students into their nationwide fellowship program, the largest cohort in history. Securing a Peggy Browning Fellowship is a challenging process, with more than 550 applicants competing for the honor this year.
“Past Peggy Browning Fellows have gone on to do enormous things within the legal labor movement," said Klerekoper. "I hope that my work as a Fellow shows that I intend to dedicate my life to the struggle for justice through the collective agitation by workers.”