Marcy Karin

Students in the Civil Justice Clinic’s Work-Life Policy Unit at the College of Law recently provided legislative lawyering services to a national business membership organization in conjunction with its 2010 Best of Congress project.

Matthew Cullimore, a 2010 alumnus, and Taylor Jones, a third-year law student, under the supervision of Marcy Karin, an Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the law school’s Work-Life Policy Unit, represented Corporate Voices for Working Families, co-sponsor of the awards. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization represents the private sector on public and corporate policy issues involving working families, and develops and advances innovative policies that reflect collaboration among the private sector, government and other stakeholders.

Each Congress the group recognizes U.S. senators and representatives who advance bipartisan legislation on Capitol Hill on behalf of working families, effectively advocate to further these policy issues, and treat their staff members right. The 2010 winners were announced in the August/September edition of Working Mother magazine.

To read the articles click here.

“Behind the scenes, Matthew and Taylor played a pivotal role in supporting the selection of the 30 Congressional members recognized,” Karin said. “Among other things, they analyzed pending legislation related to workforce readiness, work and family balance, workplace flexibility and family economic stability in the context of the current legal and political landscape on these issues.

“They also provided plain English summaries of relevant legislation and policy initiatives for inclusion in Working Mother’s online coverage of the recipients,” she said. “Corporate Voices and Working Mother graciously gave Matt, Taylor and me a byline on their stories describing why each Republican and each Democrat was being recognized as one of the Best of Congress for working families.”

Karin said the students’ research helped frame the issue for Working Mother media, and is reflected in the entire package of stories.

“It was a great experience for our students, and provided them with the opportunity to learn how to read the text of bills and articulate what they mean in words non-lawyers understand,” she said.

Karin also is quoted in two of the Working Mother articles, one on the family-friendly nature of the current Congress, and the other on the work-life benefits that members of Congress offer their own staffs.

“The dynamic is changing,” Karin told the magazine. “There’s a lot more bipartisan interest in things like workplace flexibility and paid sick days. We’re seeing a lot of renewed interest on Capitol Hill.”

At the invitation of Corporate Voices for Working Families, Karin attended a Sept. 22 reception in Washington, D.C., where the awards were presented to 14 senators and representatives, and the Clinic was recognized for its work.