Recommended Academic Background for Practicing Labor Law

Most labor practitioners, both union and management, agree on one point of advice to students: Take as many labor-related courses as are offered and can be squeezed into your academic schedule. An interesting educational pattern was reflected among survey participants, most of whom reported that they do not take advantage of labor courses while in law school: all now feel that this omission slowed their ability to begin practicing on their own. While some practitioners tried to fill in the gap with seminars and courses offered through local bar associations and continuing legal education programs, all believed that law school courses would have been preferable.

Most practitioners noted that, unfortunately, the selection of labor electives offered by most schools is limited usually to basic labor law courses only. Some related electives that would be important for skill development include courses in administrative law, EEO courses, civil procedure, employee benefits, clinical courses, pensions, ERISA, collective bargaining, evidence, constitutional law, legislation, contracts, negotiations/mediation, and, as one practitioner noted, bankruptcy.

Membership on a law review or legal scholarly journal is another law school experience deemed valuable for practice preparation. A Washington, D.C., union practitioner pointed out that such experience facilitates the development of comprehensive legal research and writing skills. These skills are of great assistance in the preparation of appellate court briefs, which, the practitioner indicated, are a large part of his particular law practice. Many other attorneys also recommended participation in moot court for the practice it provides in oral advocacy skills.

Although most legal educators do not recommend any prescribed prelaw curriculum, those students who have already decided on a specialization in labor law may find the advice that labor practitioners had on undergraduate course selection helpful.

Management attorneys recommended selecting undergraduate electives very carefully, and suggested that a business, finance, or economics background would set the foundation for the clear understanding of business practices necessary for an easy entry into a corporate position. Other recommended electives include: labor relations, English, public speaking, statistics, personnel administration, and industrial relations. Union attorneys suggest additional courses in accounting, mediation, negotiation, and any counseling courses. Having taken such electives, college graduates with an interest in labor law would come to law school with a strong background in business practices, economics, people management, and personnel theories.