The Peggy Browning Fund Honors Basil Paterson

On January 28, 2010, The Peggy Browning Fund honored Basil A. Paterson, Esq. and James Conigliaro for their lifetime achievements on behalf of working people. These honorees have left indelible marks on the labor movement and have inspired a new and diverse generation of young labor advocates.

Mr. Paterson has devoted his legal career to championing the rights of unions and working people, not only as co-chair of the labor practice at Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C., but also as New York’s Secretary of State, Deputy Mayor of New York City for Labor Relations and Personnel, State Senator and other positions in city and state government. He is a rare combination of legal advocate, government servant and fighter for justice.

As Directing Business Representative of District 15, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Mr. Conigliaro leads the largest District in the IAM, representing thousands of workers in the Northeastern United States.

Margaret A. Browning was a prominent labor attorney and the first union lawyer appointed a Member of the National Labor Relations Board. The Peggy Browning Fund, a not-for-profit corporation established in her memory, provides law students with diverse, challenging work and educational experiences.