By: Jeremy DaCruz

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the National Lawyers Guild Law for the People Convention in Southfield, Michigan. Against the backdrop of a challenging 2025 for the Guild and rising fascism in the United States, radical lawyers, legal workers, and law students came together to learn and build community. Over the next few paragraphs, I will provide some reflections on the convention from my perspective of a first-time attendee, a Massachusetts Chapter Board Member, and a co-chair of the Labor and Employment Committee.

While the workshops and keynote speakers (Rashida Tlaib and Steven Donzinger) were incredible, the real highlight for me was getting to connect with lefty lawyers from around the country. I met like-minded attorneys, law students, and legal workers from Tennessee, Oregon, Alabama, New York, Texas, and Michigan. While the Northeast was well represented, I especially appreciated the opportunity to connect with my comrades from the South. Their struggles for human rights and progressive values were nothing short of heroic.

I was also reminded about another special aspect of the Guild: it is a truly intergenerational space. There were law students exploring various careers, new lawyers trailblazing progressive paths, and legal workers and seasoned attorneys who have spent decades as Guild members. Many of these more experienced attorneys offered me advice on steps to take in my own professional journey as a progressive attorney.

Both the Massachusetts Chapter and the Labor and Employment Committee were well represented. The Labor and Employment Committee sponsored two excellent workshops: “Workers, Private Sector Unions, and Labor Law at the Edge of a Cliff” and “Protest Movements and Staying on the Job.” The first explored the challenges and possible opportunities for the labor movement if the Supreme Court strikes down the NLRA. The second explored ways that intrepid attorneys and their activist clients are fighting against workplace doxing and discipline in response to their political speech.

 Regarding our Chapter, we had a solid group of attendees who participated in panels and governance sessions. As one of the Guild’s largest and most storied chapters, I found myself fielding questions from smaller chapters on how to grow membership, sustain oneself financially, and continue to do important work. Most of the time, I referred these questions to Massachusetts Chapter members with more experience.

If the opportunity presents itself to attend an NLG Convention, I highly recommend that you do. The convention reminded me that the Guild is not only where we go to do good work, but it can be a place of community and solace. The Guild reminds me that none of us are alone in our fight for an egalitarian, liberatory, and progressive future.

P.S. If you would like to join the labor and employment committee please email  nlglabor@gmail.com.

Photos (below) by Jeremy DaCruz, Eden Williams, and Urszula Masny-Latos.