Monday, August 31, 2009

Reminder . . .

Today's post is a reminder to check out the FANTASTIC opportunities available with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid posted below. If you are looking for experience, here is a GREAT way to get it!


Thursday, August 27, 2009

PAID & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN JACKSONVILLE


Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) has some incredible paid and volunteer opportunities for law students. There are two programs recruiting for volunteers NOW.

1. Paid Positions For Students Who Are Eligible For Federal Work Study Funds
2. Volunteer Positions For Any Law Student

Paid Positions For Students Who Are Eligible For Federal Work Study Funds
Positions are located in the following units:

A) Predatory Lending Unit
The consumer law unit aggressively addresses consumer finance abuses practiced against low-income, working poor, elderly and members of the armed services. We welcome assistance from all law students who are seeking experience conducting legal and factual research, drafting motions, pleadings and memorandum of law, preparing discovery and discovery responses, investigating business practices related to consumer predatory lending, participating in legislative advocacy and community education projects, preparing and assisting with court hearings, depositions and trials and drafting training manuals. All work is directly supervised by an attorney.

B) Family Law Unit
The work in the family law unit includes drafting (letters, pleadings, memorandum of law), legal research, organizing discovery, and assisting with trial preparation.

C) Intake Unit
The Intake Unit position is under the supervision of the Director of Intake. This position conducts telephone and in-person client interviews to determine applicants’ legal issues (expressed and hidden), gather relevant facts and documents, and provide legal information in a fast-paced environment fostering holistic client services. Training in legal interviewing skills, some substantive law, conflicts of interest, use of case management system, and electronic calendaring will be provided.


If interested in any of these PAID positions, do the following:

1. Email Rita Rosario in Financial Aid to see if you qualify for federal work study funds.
2. If you qualify, send your resume to Lisa Vervynck in Career Services.

2. Volunteer Positions For Any Law Student
Volunteers are needed to serve as law clerks in the Consumer/Predatory Lending Unit. The work will involved helping attorneys prepare for a large case. This may be a great way to get some pro bono hours!!!

If interested in volunteering, send your resume, availability, and a date to set up orientation to Kathryn Jackson with JALA.

THESE ARE AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES TO GET EXPERIENCE.


DO NOT MISS OUT.

Available Internship - National Housing Law Project



INTERNSHIPS AT THE NATIONAL HOUSING LAW PROJECT



As the national legal and policy center focused on advancing housing justice for low-income people, NHLP is committed to nurturing law students who are making a commitment to careers in the public interest. Because housing work extends out into other areas—domestic violence, predatory lending, racial discrimination, public health, equal access — a broad and dynamic arena in which to learn and grow is offered.

Available Positions:
Full-time summer positions are also available; they are usually funded through student-procured fellowships or work-study. Positions are available in NHLP’s Oakland, California and Washington, D.C. offices. NHLP accepts applications on a rolling basis, but students should call first to discuss availability. NHLP offers a supportive and rewarding experience for a diverse and energetic group of students. Our attorneys provide supervision, training, and unique work opportunities in the multi-faceted arena of housing law and policy. Several recent NHLP summer interns have returned after graduation with two-year fellowships supported by Equal Justice Works or New Voices.

For More Information:
Go to the National Housing Law Project Website by clicking HERE.

How To Apply:
Please contact Jim Grow, staff attorney in our Oakland office.
Phone: (510)251-9400 x104 or email at: jgrow@nhlp.org

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

News On Government & Loans


A recent article, "Agencies ramp up student loan repayments" indicated that federal agencies have increased their spending on student loan repayment programs for employees by 22 percent from 2007 to 2008. This information came as part of a report from the Office of Personnel Management which can be accessed here: report


This news is excellent to hear for students with debt who are considering government work but are concerned about loan repayment. For the full text of the article, click HERE.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Department of Justice Deadline is Approaching

How is your application coming along?

The Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) is the Department of Justice's competitive recruitment program for compensated summer internships. Selection for employment is based on many elements of a candidate's background including academic achievement, law review or moot court experience, legal aid and clinical experience, and summer or part-time legal employment. The Department also considers specialized academic studies (including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees), work experience, and extracurricular activities that directly relate to the work of the Department.


FOR SUMMER 2010, APPLY ONLINE BETWEEN JULY 25 AND SEPTEMBER 8, 2009!

Monday, August 24, 2009

What Can You Do As A Law Student?


Did you know that 3rd year law students in Ohio can now handle felony criminal cases? As detailed in an ABA Journal article, the supreme court in Ohio has now allowed third year law students practicing under the third year practice rule to handle felony cases. For more information about this exciting development click HERE.


Are you looking for ways to get experience while in law school? Learn more about the clinical or externship experience at Florida Coastal.

Friday, August 21, 2009

New Jobs For August

CHECK OUT EXCITING NEW JOBS!

Legal Positions In The Washington, D.C. Area

Public Policy Counsel, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Attorney, D.C. Law Students in Court Program
Program Coordinator, Voices for America’s Children
Domestic Violence Staff Attorney, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
Advocacy Attorney, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
Director of Programs, American Constitution Society
Senior Manager, CASA de Maryland
Special Education Staff Attorney
Director, Homeless Persons Representation Project
Staff Attorneys, ABA Commission on Domestic Violence
Chief Counsel/Director, ABA Commission on Domestic Violence
Director of Law School Advocacy and Outreach, Equal Justice Works

Non-Legal Positions:

Director of Communications, Equal Justice Works

Internships/Fellowships:

Equal Justice Works Americorps Legal Fellow: Immigration, National Center for Refugee and
Immigrant Children

Out-of-Town (Legal and Non-Legal Positions):

Executive Director, Grassroots Leadership, Charlotte, North Carolina
Employment Policy Attorney, National Immigration Law Center, Los Angeles, California
Executive Director, Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association, Boston, Massachusetts

Log into Symplicity to learn more information including application instructions.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Attorney General's Honors Program


The highly competitive Honors Program is the only way that the Department of Justice hires entry-level attorneys. Selection for employment is based on many elements of a candidate's background including academic achievement, law review or moot court experience, legal aid and clinical experience, and summer or part-time legal employment.

FOR THE 2009-2010 HONORS PROGRAM, APPLY ONLINE BETWEEN JULY 25 AND SEPTEMBER 8, 2009.

For more information about this AMAZING program, click HERE.

NOW AVAILABLE!!!


The 2009-2010 Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide is now available and full of information about working for the federal government. Topics included in this year's Guide include:

  • WHY WORK FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT?

  • TYPES OF PRACTICE FOR LAWYERS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

  • WHERE ARE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOBS?

  • RESOURCES TO HELP YOU FIND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOBS

  • COMPENSATION AND LRAP

  • HOW DO I MAKE MY APPLICATION A SUCCESS?
Click HERE to learn more!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Looking For State Attorney Experience In Jacksonville?


The worthless check department of the State Attorney’s Office Fourth Judicial Circuit is looking for some law school volunteers for the Fall semester. Work will entail looking up information on and contacting individuals with outstanding capiases. The aim is to help the victims of worthless checks receive restitution as well as save the tax payers dollars by ensuring that these defendants need not be picked up and taken to jail on minor infractions. Interns also perform tasks such as listening in on jail calls and taking notes on evidence that could be used against the defendants. Previous interns have also had the opportunity to view first appearances, jury selections, trials which ranged from first degree murder to trafficking of narcotics, as well as tour the jail, the Florida Department of Law enforcement, and the Medical Examiner’s Office. The State Attorney’s Office is offering an inside look at what it takes to be a prosecutor through practical experience gained as an intern.

This is a volunteer opportunity and not eligible for FCSL credit.

For more information on this amazing opportunity for experience, log into Symplicity TODAY. Spaces are limited.

Summer 2010 Paid Internship


HOT INTERNSHIP OF THE WEEK


Second-Year Law Students - Paid Law Clerk Positions
The Washington State Attorney General's Office hires approximately 45 second-year law students each year for paid summer law clerk positions. To apply and be considered for a law clerk position, interested second-year law students will need to submit ALL required application material (i.e., letter of interest, AGO application form, Conflict Screening Questionnaire, resume, law school transcript and one letter of recommendation). The AGO seeks applicants who are committed to public service as demonstrated by an applicant's background, talents, attitude, and enthusiasm for public law practice. Applicants with a diverse background in education, previous work experience, law school activities, extracurricular activities, community service and areas of interest are also sought. For more information, click HERE.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Friday, August 14, 2009

Children Need YOUR Help



The Florida Bar News recently published a heart-breaking article about the need for volunteers for the Guardian Ad Litem Program. With budget cuts across the board, volunteers are needed to help children in times of crisis. To read the entire article and access information about volunteering click HERE.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Interested In The Department of Homeland Security?


Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the General Counsel is looking for law students and alumni for summer and full-time positions.

The DHS Office of the General Counsel’s 2010 Attorney Honors Program


Honors Program applications will be accepted online from 8/15/09-9/21/09. More information is available by clicking HERE.


The DHS Office of the General Counsel’s 2010 Summer Law Intern Program


Applications will be accepted online from 8/15/09-9/21/09. More information is available by clicking HERE.


Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Searching For A Public Interest Position?


If you are a student or alumni looking for public interest opportunities, it is important to remember some fundamentals in your job or internship search. PSLAWNET has put together a checklist of resources to makes sure you are not missing anything. Also included is information about self assessment, exploring public interest opportunities, interviewing, and networking. Click Public Interest Job Search Fundamentals to access this GREAT resource! It is definitely a wonderful tool to have in your own personal job or internship search.

Friday, August 07, 2009

Are You Ready For Fall???


Some things to think about . . .


  • How does your resume look? Is it updated with your summer experience?

  • Have you updated your new email address on your resume and on Symplicity?

  • Have you read the OCI Memos and know how OCI works?

  • Have you sent thank you notes to your supervisors from summer?

  • Have you thought about volunteer or pro bono work this fall?

  • Have you met with a Career Counselor to discuss your fall job search strategy? (Email Heather to make an appointment)

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Tip For Thursday


Make sure to check your email for the most recent On Campus Interviewing (OCI) Memo. Instructions about how to participate in this recruiting program are outlined. This Fall's OCI employers include some public interest employers, so you will want to make sure not to miss out on a possible interview opportunity.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009


The 2009-2010 Government Honors & Internship Handbook is NOW AVAILABLE!!! Contact Career Services for this year's new password and login information.


This year's Handbook contains information from 55 federal employers and 46 state and local employers, and details of 186 specific programs.


Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Good News For Florida Foreclosure Defense


Attorney General Bill McCollum presented a $2 million check to The Florida Bar Foundation on Tuesday to provide legal help for people facing foreclosure. The money comes from the state's proceeds in a consumer suit McCollum and attorneys general in several other states filed against Countrywide. The case was filed the day before the big lender was taken over by Bank of America, which settled ... to continue reading the full article, click HERE.