The concept of practice groups within the Federalist Society was
advanced only two years ago. Fifteen practice groups were established
including the Labor and Employment Practice Group. I was asked to
chair the group and with the able assistance of Lawyers Division
Director, Leonard Leo, we were able to identify a group of vice
chairmen who have contributed significantly to our success. Our
initial Executive Committee included: Tammy McCutchen, Publications,
Matkov, Salzman, Madoff & Gunn, Chicago, IL; Whitney Adams,
Programs, Washington, DC; Peter Kilgore, Membership, National Restaurant
Association, Washington, DC; Robert Pepper Crutcher, Bar Activities,
Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P.
A first priority was membership and we are proud to advise you
that we now have over 375 members. Another priority was our newsletter
and this issue is our fifth. Tammy McCutchen, with the able assistance
of Mark Parenti, Houston, Texas, was responsible for our success
in this endeavor. A number of you have contributed articles, and
we have received numerous positive comments as to their quality.
We have presented substantive programs in 1996 and again in 1997
at the National Lawyers Convention in Washington, D.C. which were
well received. In addition to these ongoing efforts, in 1998 we
intend to add four additional committees: Union Activities and Individual
Employment Rights Chair: David C. Askin, Houston, TX; Discrimination
and Disability Law Chair: John Irving, Washington, DC; State Employment
Law Chair: E. Scott Smith, Atlanta, GA; Pro Bono Outreach Co-Chairs:
Debbie Goswami, Jackson, MS and Rex H. Reed, Springfield, VA. Our
Executive Committee has been reconstituted. I will continue to serve
as the practice group's chairman and the rest of the committee members
are listed in a pull-out in the center of this issue.
We are planning two programs in 1998. The first will be on Labor
and the Political Process and the second will be on Alternative
Dispute Resolution. These are in addition to our programs at the
National Lawyers convention which will be held in early November
1998. We intend to allot additional time at the convention for a
meeting of the practice group to become better acquainted and to
exchange ideas on how we can better contribute to the goals of the
Federalist Society. We will also be issuing a Resource Directory
early this year which will identify members of our group and their
particular interests. I urge each of you to become involved in an
activity of your choice. The Labor and Employment Practice Group
will be a success only as a reflection of the interest and participation
of its members. Please contact a vice chairman, Leonard Leo, or
me and let us know of your interest to serve on a committee, write
an article, assist with a program, or to otherwise participate in
the work of the practice group. We are off to a grand start and
I have every confidence that we will continue to be an important
part of the Society.
Willard Z. Carr, Jr.
Labor and Employment Practice Group Chairman
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