You Should Be Checking Symplicity

Start August off right by checking Symplicity at least once a week. New opportunities are posted often.

Have you seen the opportunities for ...

• Coast To Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. - Attorney (new graduates welcome to apply)


• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (D.C. law clerk position for Spring semester)


• Legislative Counsel - National Abortion Federation (new graduates can apply to this DC position)

Sign in to Symplicity to learn more about these and other positions!

Kudos to Florida!

According to a recent press release, Florida to be first state where caseworkers can immediately upload photos, GPS coordinates and case files in real time. Governor Charlie Crist applauded the Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) development of an advanced new Remote Data Capture Solution ... [the device] is expected to revolutionize the way caseworkers and child protective investigators record and store critical information pertaining to child welfare visits. For more information about the Florida Department of Children and Families' in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas click HERE.

One more day ...

Good Luck on Day 2 of the Bar Exam!!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL COASTAL LAW BAR TAKERS!!!

Public Interest Job Available

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. in Fort Myers is looking for a STAFF ATTORNEY. The Application Deadline is 08/14/2009.

As a member of the bargaining unit covered by union contract, full-time attorney will provide civil legal assistance to low-income persons on such matters such as housing, public benefits, employment, and education law.

Applicants will need a demonstrated committment to advocacy on behalf of people in poverty. Excellent oral and communication skills.

For more information, log into Symplicity

Do You Want To Be In Court?

The Office of State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit is hiring an Assistant State Attorney!! Log into Symplicity for the application instructions. Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2009.

The job entails prosecutorial criminal casework requiring preparation of legal documents, legal research, taking of depositions, and interviewing of witnesses, victims and other parties to ascertain facts of case for prosecution. Trial work includes case preparation for court presentation, examining and cross-examining witnesses/defendants, and summarizing cases for presentation for jury and non-jury trails.

APPLY TODAY!

The Guardian ad Litem Program in Jacksonville is hiring!!

If you have an interest in family law and working in Jacksonville, you may want to consider this position. Applications are only accepted through Thursday, July 23rd.... so apply TODAY to be considered!!!

For the full program description and application instructions click HERE.

True Stories About Student Debt

Does the thought of law school loans and repayment make you nervous? Take a moment and read an article from The Washington Post which discuss real people dealing with loans, debt, and repayment. Also discussed are the BRAND NEW federal programs you should think about when evaluating your own financial status. Remember, you are certainly not alone when discussing these issues. To read the full article, Lifelines In The Student Loan Sea click HERE.

New Jobs & Internships For July

Make sure to log into Symplicity to read more about some of these great (and available) positions.

Legal Positions:

Policy Director, National Immigration Law Center

Executive Director, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Instructor, University of the District of Columbia

Immigration Staff Attorney, Tahirih Justice Center

Non-Legal Positions:

Program Assistant, National Employment Law Project

Investigators, Children’s Law Center

Managing Director/Campaigns, Amnesty International
Campaign Director/Immigrant Rights

Amnesty International Receptionist/Intake Specialist

Office Manager, Relman & Dane, PLLC
Pro Bono Program Coordinator, Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc

Director of Advocacy and Social Justice, So Others Might Eat (“SOME”)

Legal Administrative Assistant, Tahirih Justice Center

Internships/Fellowships:

Student Career Experience Program, U.S. Census Bureau
Student Temporary Intern Positions, U.S. Census Bureau
Presidential Management Fellows Program, U.S. Census Bureau

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

Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, San Mateo, CA
Coordinator, National Activist Network, Amnesty International, New York, NY
Director of Events, Amnesty International, New York, NY

Field Organizer, Amnesty International, San Francisco, CA
Policy Advocate, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Los Angeles, CA
Assistant Corporation Counsel, New York City Law Department, New York, NY
Country Information and Advocacy Officer, Jesuit Refugee Service, Bangkok
Staff Attorney, Center for Constitutional Rights, New York, NY
Legal Caseworker and Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, American Gateway, Austin, TX

Available Legal Fellowship Positions

Three more Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship positions have become available. For more information regarding positions working with foreclosure and immigration issues, click HERE.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office is Hiring!

Check out Symplicity for all of the information regarding the ENTRY level position with the State Attorney's Office in Miami. The practice areas include children, education, and juvenile issues, criminal law and death penalty work.

Attorneys in this office generally begin their employment in a training program lasting approximately two months and then proceed to trial division assignments. The office is staffed by over 300 attorneys and a support staff of approximately 900. The legal staff is approximately 50% female, and approximately 44% minority. The office provides a wide variety of criminal prosecution experience, including general misdemeanor and felony trial work, as well as assignment to specialized divisions. These specialized divisions include Sexual Battery, Career Criminal/Robbery, Senior Trial Counsel/Homicide, Economic Crimes, Domestic Crimes, Public Corruption and Racketeering/Organized Crime.

For more information and application instructions, log into Symplicity.

Searching For Public Interest Opportunities

Many students interested in public interest law find themselves wondering . . . "Where do I even begin?" This Blog is full of amazing resources (Look on the LEFT column) and links out to wonderful websites full of information about opportunities. One of our favorites is listed HERE and provides links to non-profits, federal agencies, public interest organizations and MORE.

Happy Searching!

Is There A Raise In Your Future?

Last week, Congress had several bills under consideration, including legislation that would affect federal employees. Part of the discussions included a potential 3.4 percent pay increase for military members in 2010. Other provisions discussed a change in benefits and retirement for federal employees.

For more information and details about this exciting pending legislation, click HERE.

Enjoying the Blog?

If you are enjoying the Government & Public Interest Blog, make sure you tell a classmate. The more input we have from our loyal followers, the more we can tailor the information we find to your preferences. Have something you want to see focused? Feel free to email us and let us know.

Did you know there are Blogs on every law subject imaginable? From Administrative Law and Elder Law to Constitutional Law and everything in between, experts from across the country are blogging about topics of interest. To access a list of hundreds of law-related blogs, visit the ABA website by clicking HERE.

Thanks for your support and input.

Happy Reading!

Getting Ready For OCI

Last week, you should have received an email from the Career Services Department outlining the first steps of the On-Campus Interview Program this Fall. Remember, government agencies also participate in OCI, so you will want to make sure to pay attention to the deadlines and apply.

Keep your eye out for follow up emails throughout the summer!!!

Questions? Email Lisa.

Hiring In Federal Agencies

A recent Washington Post article, Federal Agencies Could Add 120,000 Area Jobs suggests that Washington, DC and federal government work may be the place to be looking for employment. The Food & Drug Administration and the Defense Department are both named as agencies looking to expand with newly created positions. What great news in a time when so many positions are being eliminated!

To read the entire article, click HERE.

To access a list of federal government agencies, click HERE.

Interested In Applying With The Federal Government?

The application process for federal government positions may be getting easier. With increasing frequency, commentators are discussing the need to do away with the KSA portion of the application process. Instead of relying on applicants answers to vague and cumbersome questions, federal agencies are being asked to consider an applicant's resume. This move is seen as potentially revamping the entire way federal employees are selected. To read more about this issue, click HERE.

EQUAL JUSTICE FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE

If you are graduating in May 2010 and are interested in public interest, you need to know about the Equal Justice Works Fellowships.

Fellowship Timeline

July 7, 2009
The 2010 application will be available online

Sept. 17, 2009
The application and supporting paperwork are due to Equal Justice Works by 5 p.m. EDT

Nov. 2009
Interviews begin for selected candidates

Dec. 2009 and Jan. 2010
Interviews continue; Fellowships are offered on a rolling basis

Sept. 2010
Class of 2010 Fellows begin service

To learn more about this FUNDED post-graduate opportunity, click HERE.

Student Loan Relief Is On The Way

Still unconvinced about the new federal loan forgiveness programs? Read a recent ABA Journal article, "Student Loan Relief on the Way For Law Grads" which continues the discussion about the College Cost Reduction & Access Act and the many benefits for law students. The Act became effective on July 1st.

If you don't know this . . . you should

Yesterday was a huge day in the world of student loan and loan forgiveness. On July 1st, The College Cost Reduction & Access Act went into effect. The two portions of this Act which could be of interest to all law students with federal loans includes:

1. Income Based Repayment (for ALL types of employment)

2. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (for public service)

To read all about the Act to see if you qualify and if it makes sense for click on the names of the two programs above. For more information about the differences between the two programs, click HERE.

HINT ... If you have federal student loans, it is worth knowing about this programs!

Applying For Federal Jobs Becoming Easier?

Good news for anyone who has considered applying for a federal position. The Office of Personnel Management plans to ask agencies to stop requiring job applicants to fill out the time-consuming questionnaires as known as KSA's. This effort would make the job search process more efficient and accessible for applicants. To read the entire article discussing this promising idea, click HERE.

To get a list of federal jobs hiring now, click HERE. (Hint . . . there were 239 postings for "attorney" last week)