The AFL-CIO Union Lawyers Alliance Diversity, Outreach, Opportunities, and Recruitment (DOOR) Program Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Diversity, Outreach, Opportunities, and Recruitment (DOOR) Program?
The AFL-CIO Union Lawyers Alliance (ULA)–a network of approximately 2,000 union-side attorneys representing unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO—created the Diversity, Outreach, Opportunities, and Recruitment (DOOR) Program to encourage law students of color to apply for summer clerkship opportunities at ULA law firms and legal departments. The outreach program seeks to introduce law students of color to the practice of law in the labor movement and to encourage them to join the ranks of union-side attorneys in the ongoing battle for social, racial, and economic justice. To enhance their summer experience, students participate in the ULA DOOR Law Clerk Networking Conference, which features workshops and presentations on labor law practice, union organizing and representation, politics and legislation. The conference is two days and usually held on the second weekend in June at the AFL-CIO Headquarters in Washington, DC.
2. What constitutes a law student of color for purposes of the DOOR?
The Diversity Outreach and Opportunities Recruitment (DOOR) focuses on the recruitment of law students of color. We do not define who is a law student of color; if you identify yourself as a person of color, you are eligible to participate.
3. How do I apply?
The Diversity, Outreach, Opportunities, and Recruitment (DOOR) Program is not its own separate hiring program. Thus, you do not “apply” to the DOOR. If you are interested in participating, apply directly to the employer. The website lists the employers. To apply, send a resume and cover letter detailing your interest in labor law and public interest work to the employer, in addition to any other materials requested by the employer. Availability of positions and hiring varies by firm and legal department and hiring decisions are the sole discretion of the law firm or legal department.
4. If I am hired, does that mean I automatically get to attend the conference?
The individual law firm or legal department decides whether it is able to send its law clerk to the conference. Many but not all DOOR students are able to attend. Students who clerked at firms and legal departments during the fall and spring semesters may be able to participate in the DOOR conference. Send your information to ULA ula@aflcio.org or 202-637-5214.
5. Who pays my expenses to attend the conference?
DOOR participants are eligible for lodging reimbursement, at a maximum of two nights. Your employer is responsible your transportation costs to and from the conference. The ULA will be providing meals during the conference.
6. What if I am working at an ULA firm that is unable to send me to the conference?
While there is no substitute for the networking and learning opportunities provided during the conference, if yourULA employer is unable to send you to the conference, you can still participate in the DOOR program. In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was held via video conference. For future conferences we may enable the video conference option in addition to the live program. Please contact us if you are interested at ula@aflcio.org or 202-637-5214, with your name and employer and tell us you’d like to participate in the program.
7. What happens during the conference?
The conference provides law clerks with an informative overview of the major challenges and opportunities facing today’s labor movement. Union staff, labor law practitioners and members of the ULA Minority Caucus lead discussions on various topics. The program often includes the following panels: Researching Labor Law, Organizing and the Law, Union-Side Labor Practice: Contract Enforcement, Finding a Job as Union-Side Labor Lawyer, NLRB Practice and Immigration. Past conference agendas can be found here.
8. Is the conference all there is to the program?
No. While the conference is the highlight, the program continues throughout the year. Upon completion of the DOOR Law Clerk Networking Conference, each interested attendees are matched with mentors, who are ULA lawyers who provide guidance and support during and after the students’ clerkships. In addition, students continuously receive information on job opportunities, resume and cover letter review and updates on student-centered union activities. DOOR participants are also eligible to have their resumes placed in the ULA resume bank for review for job openings at firms an d union legal departments.
9. Can attorneys apply to the program?
No. The DOOR is just for current law students, including those clerking during the summer following the end of the third year.
10. Where can I get additional information?
Please visit https://ulaarchives.org/public/door or contact the ULA at ula@aflcio.org or 202-637-5214.