Law Students Picket Interviews

A small group of law students yesterday protested a campus visit by a recruiter from a law firm accused of employing union-busting tactics.

The recruiter was from the Washington-based firm of Seyfarth and Shaw, which the AFL-CIO has recently listed as being among the 17 law firms in the country that practice union-busting tactics.

The thin double line of protesters--fewer than 20 in all--paled in comparison to the crowd of 150 or more law students who gathered in front of the Charles Hotel an hour later to protest the presence of another law firm--Chicago-based Baker and McKenzie--which protesters alleged practices discrimination.

"It's a lot easier to get people to turn out for a discrimination rally than for one against union busting," said Steven R. Donziger, a law school activist.

After the brief protest of Seyfarth and Shaw, the thin group of demonstrators made its way to the fourth floor of Griswold Hall, where the firm's recruiter was to meet with law students.

The attorney agreed to have the protesters follow him into the room and for about 20 minutes, he willingly defended himself and his firm against the students' accusations.

Lucy H. Koh '89, a demonstrator at the rally, said it is not often that groups have the opportunity to speak with the sources of their displeasure, as they did in this case.

"We were really lucky that the attorney was willing to speak with us," Koh said.

The protesters, with their bright signs and chants, stood out among the many law students dressed in business suits who walked past them yesterday afternoon on their way to various interviews.

A few of the interviewees stopped to watch.

"It's gotten to the point where they're protesting everything," said law student Christopher P. Lu as he passed. Lu had two interviews on his schedule yesterday.