NASWA Attorney Group Connects Workforce Attorneys from Across the Country
NASWA’s work touches many policy areas, but you may not know about one group that often spans all areas within the workforce agency: the Attorney Group. Composed of attorneys who advise state agency leaders, the Attorney Group regularly connects to share information and learn from each other.
In 1991, NASWA’s UI (Unemployment Insurance) Committee requested that a “legal conference” be added to the annual UI Directors’ Conference, and the Attorney Group was born. The group expanded to include more workforce issues after the passage of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 due to increased legal requirements. Since 2018, the group has met at the NASWA SUMMIT.
During the pandemic, the Attorney Group started monthly virtual calls which further strengthened relationships among the members. Elizabeth Green, General Counsel with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and an active member, finds great value from her participation:
“One of the silver linings of the pandemic was the opportunity presented for elevated engagement in, and support provided by, NASWA’s Attorney Group. The frequent virtual meetings provided a critical platform to discuss in real time the ever-evolving circumstances and challenges and to collectively problem solve with similarly-situated colleagues. This Group remains a key network for collaborating on any number of complex matters specific to state workforce agencies. Importantly, the care shown for one another extends well beyond the legal issues we may be facing; true camaraderie has been established and grows as the result of this important Group.”
Andrew Rubsam, Senior Attorney with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Services, has both participated in and presented during legal workshops at NASWA’s annual SUMMIT. Andy has found the Attorney Group to be a helpful resource:
“I have made important professional connections and learned how to handle unique situations. During the pandemic, sometimes the other attorneys in the group didn't have all the answers but I still valued the fact that my state wasn't alone in dealing with difficult issues.”
Last year, a subset of the Group, led by Nancy Macirowski, Assistant Attorney General in Maine, worked with NASWA staff and our Workforce Labor Market Information Committee to develop comments in response to USDOL's request for information on UI confidentiality regulations. Nancy is a longtime member of the group and values being part of a larger group:
“Although I am the sole legal counsel for the unemployment program in a small state, the NASWA Attorney Group makes me feel that I am part of a larger practice group. The collective knowledge, support and collegiality of the NASWA Attorney Group helped me face the challenges experienced by the state unemployment systems during COVID.”
GET INVOLVED
The Attorney Group is currently developing workshop content for legal sessions during this year’s SUMMIT. To join the group or for more information, please contact Julie Squire (jsquire@naswa.org).
