Voices from Across My Office: Personnel, Labor and Employment Division
At the Office of the Attorney General, we’re proud of the broad array of work we do on behalf of the District, and the hundreds of employees who make our agency run. “Voices from Across My Office” is a new blog series highlighting some of the people behind our efforts and the variety of work they do to support, defend, and stand up for District residents. This week’s spotlight is on the Personnel, Labor and Employment Division.
About the Personnel, Labor and Employment Division
Our Personnel, Labor, & Employment (PLED) team works on behalf of District residents to ensure government personnel decisions are made fairly while supporting the needs of the District government. The division represents District government agencies in administrative and personnel related matters, including providing advice and representation to OAG. It also provides training and compliance services to District agencies on privacy and security issues as needed.
At our core, DC government is comprised of people who want to make life better for residents. It is critical to make sure that the District is retaining dedicated personnel who can do this important work. By ensuring the best individuals are in working in District government, PLED is helping build trust between residents and local government, and enabling our government to operate more effectively. As part of this work, our PLED team assists with collective bargaining negotiations with labor unions before they go to the Mayor for approval and represents the District government in disputes with employees.
Below are some of the unique and exciting members of our Personnel, Labor and Employment Division who work tirelessly on behalf of District residents.
Staff Spotlights
Name: Charity Stubbs
Title: Paralegal
Time at OAG: 4 years
What drew you to the public service?
When I was a kid, a government employee went above and beyond for me when I was going through the process of declaring emancipation. That was a hard time for me, but this woman — who I still remain close with — literally changed my life. Therefore, I knew I had to find a path in life where I could serve others.
Tell us about a previous professional experience that is helping you in your current role.
I got my start at OAG as an intern in the Civil Litigation Division. I was able to work with closely with senior attorneys and paralegals — who ultimately became mentors to me. From them, I learned how to do the job well. Luckily, they liked my work, and I’ve been here full time with PLED ever since!
What do you love the most about working in PLED?
It’s our job to make sure that personnel decisions reflect the values of District residents. Ensuring we keep the best employees, while equally ensuring we dismiss the ones who don’t meet our standards is critical to building trust with the public. To be candid, it’s always not easy work — but our work helps keep the government running and that is why I find it rewarding.
Last book you read?
I just finished a collection of poetry by Langston Hughes. My favorite poem was Cultural Exchange because of its influence during the Civil Rights era. It helped humanize the struggles of what the Black community was going through at the time.
Name: Stephen Milak
Job Title: Assistant Attorney General for Personnel, Labor, and Employment Division
Time at OAG: 2 years
How would you describe your job and how does it impact District residents?
We ensure that District agencies are staffed with responsible, trustworthy, and dedicated public servants. When the District can bring in these kinds of people, all residents benefit!
Why did you become a lawyer?
My mother was a law teacher who taught inner-city Baltimore students. Growing up, I always heard her talk about law and the importance of her students knowing their legal rights. Even though I come from a family of teachers, without her, I don’t think I would have taken an interest in law.
What drew you to work in employment law?
If you ask someone to list the top three things that matter to them — 9 times out of 10 they will include their job on that list. Employment law is high stakes, and there is always another individual — another human being — on the other side. So, it’s important to get it right.
What is a previous job you had unrelated to the law that helps you in your current role?
I took a year off in between undergrad and law school to teach English. In my current role, I’m writing all the time. I’d like to say that my experience teaching English helps me when it comes to those kinds of assignments at work.
Name: Jhumur Razzaque
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Personnel, Labor & Employment Division
Time at OAG: 5.5 years
What is your day-to-day like at OAG?
Because we work on behalf of all District agencies, no day is the same. But generally, my day is spent poring over details of law, writing briefs, and attending virtual mediations and hearings. And like everyone else during the pandemic — A LOT of e-mails!
What drew you to work in employment law?
Before coming to OAG, I worked on a few employment law cases as an associate at a law firm. This experience piqued my interest in employment law and led me to want to work in this area of law full-time.
What is something you learned about this job that you didn’t know going into it?
Before coming to OAG, I worked in the private sector. I litigated cases before the District Court of Maryland in various counties and I also litigated cases before the D.C. Superior Court; however, I never practiced administrative law. A majority of my cases in PLED are before administrative tribunals, which was quite a change. The rules and procedures are different in administrative tribunals and that took some adjustment. But now, I know my way around administrative law pretty well.
Do you have a pre-trial ritual?
I relentlessly study the file all the way up until a hearing starts. If the hearing starts at 9, I’m still reading notes until 8:59. I might recite my opening argument out loud and then always tell myself — I am going to come out on top. It doesn’t always happen, but it happens often!
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you want to be?
That’s tough — but I’d have to say I’d want to be an actress. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a Hollywood star?
