Public Employee Press

Robin Roach heads union Legal Dept.


As DC 37's new general counsel, Robin Roach will lead the union's Legal Dept., which litigates cases on behalf of the union and its members.

"The general counsel's office has a pivotal role in identifying issues that present challenges to the union and responding with meaningful solutions to concerns that are in the interest of our membership," said Roach.

She cited contracting out and privatization of city services as some of the many key concerns.

Roach supervises the staff of the Legal Dept. and crafts legislation to protect and provide benefits for members. She also serves on various boards and committees in the interest of DC 37 members and retirees.

Roach credits mentors

Roach first joined DC 37's legal team in 1991 after graduating from Brooklyn Law School.

As senior assistant general counsel beginning in 2004 and associate general counsel since 2008, she has helped supervise the union's lawyers for almost a decade.

"I am very fortunate to have worked with five previous general counsels, from whom I have learned much," said Roach, who was mentored by the late Joel Giller, former general counsel, who retired in 2004 (see here).

"My job is to provide guidance to the union and its membership by helping the leaders understand the legal issues that affect them," she said.