Glacier Country News

University of Montana law student Oscar Lemus-Arellano has been awarded the Peggy Browning Fellowship, an initiative named after labor attorney Peggy Browning. The fellowship is designed to provide law students with opportunities in labor law, focusing on economic and social justice.

Lemus-Arellano, who holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, initially worked as a children's therapist. His experiences in the private healthcare system exposed him to challenging working conditions that sparked his interest in labor law. "We had therapists working full time, doing very difficult work, who still needed to go to the food bank because they were not making enough money for groceries," he said. He also noted that some clinics scheduled employees just below the hours required for healthcare benefits.

This led Lemus-Arellano to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 775 in Washington state as a union organizer. There, he represented homecare and nursing home workers and became part of SEIU's own union, humorously named the Staff Union Union due to a clerical error.

His experiences motivated him to attend law school, recognizing the critical role attorneys play in negotiations. "Big companies always bring their own attorneys to the table," he stated. "For laborers to have their own helps balance an already imbalanced power structure."

Lemus-Arellano chose UM Alexander Blewett III School of Law for its Environmental Law Program and Montana's rich labor history. He expressed appreciation for Montana's natural beauty as well.

The fellowship allowed him to attend the 26th Annual National Law Students Workers' Rights Conference in Baltimore last fall. "I connected with so many labor firms and union leaders," he mentioned about the event's networking opportunities.

Looking ahead, Lemus-Arellano aims to work at the intersection of labor and environmental law. "Environmental issues are worker issues," he said, emphasizing the importance of understanding environmental law for advancing worker rights.

With support from Assistant Dean Katy Stack, Lemus-Arellano secured a summer internship that provided valuable practical experience early in his legal education journey. He highlighted the significance of having legal representation during negotiations: “Having an attorney in the room to advocate for your cause can be make-or-break during negotiation.”