Looking For Experience?

If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer with juveniles? The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Jacksonville Duval House has a need for volunteers.

Duval House is a moderate risk juvenile commitment facility for boys that have been adjudicated delinquent. The juveniles generally have committed serious property offenses and their offending is characterized by frequent and repeated law violations. Duval House is for boys ages 14-18 who have been assessed as moderate risks to public safety and require 24-hour awake supervision. The Duval House is a 24 bed facility.

Duval House has a need Mentors. Every month Duval House holds mentoring sessions at the facility. Mentoring involves visiting the facility and eating with the boys, playing basketball with them and basically just being a good influence/example and showing that you care by simply coming out.

Dinner will be served from 5-5:30. If you would like to eat with the young men, please notify the facility so that they will have a head count for the evening meal.

You can find a description of the facility by clicking the following HERE

If you are interested in volunteering, please call Duval House at 904-573-2411.

Federal Jobs In Florida

Last week, an interesting federal position as an Investigative Assistant in Jacksonville was posted on USAJobs. Remember, opportunities in the federal government become available ALL OF THE TIME and across the nation. It is important to check back often and apply to many opportunities of interest!.

Get Experience Now!

A SERIES OF INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS REGARDING IN-HOUSE CLINICS AND NON-JUDICIAL, CREDIT-BEARING EXTERNSHIPS WILL BEGINS THIS WEEK.

PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL SESSION AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TIMES.

Friday, Jan 29th 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 Room 365
Mon, Feb 1st 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Room 450
Wed, Feb 3rd 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Room 550
Thurs, Feb 4th 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Room 250

INFORMATION REGARDING BOTH SUMMER AND FALL, 2010 OPPORTUNITIES AND APPLICATION PROCESS WILL BE DISCUSSED.

Interested In Death Penalty Work?

If you are interested in exploring internship and employment opportunities in capital defense offices across the United States, check out this great site. Excellent opportunities are listed by state and are a great idea to explore if this is an area of interest for you.

The Numbers Are In

According to a recent report, the percentage of law students expecting to graduate with more than $120,000 in student debt is continuing its upward climb. Twenty-nine percent of law students surveyed said they expect to owe more than $120,000 at graduation, up from 23 percent in 2008, 19 percent in 2007 and 18 percent in 2006.

Where is any relief? Make sure that you are keeping tabs on federal programs designed to encourage public service in exchange for loan forgiveness. Now is the time to start doing your research on all of your financial options so that you can plan for the future.

Check out a recent Blog post which helps explain these programs. The first step towards managing your debt is getting educating about all of the great forgiveness programs.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Headquarters Summer Legal Intern Program provides valuable and challenging professional opportunities for outstanding law school students. Our goal is to provide our summer interns with a better understanding of the FDIC's role in our financial system while providing an opportunity for public service. Our summer interns are assigned to a variety of projects within one section of the Legal Division that will provide significant legal experience.

FDIC summer intern appointments begin in mid May and may not exceed September 30, 2010. Although a summer intern appointment can not exceed September 30th, it is possible that interns from local schools may continue as part-time legal interns during the school year.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the 2010 Program, you must:

1.be enrolled in your first or second year of an American Bar Association accredited law school, and
2.be a United States citizen.
Candidates who have, at minimum, a B average or equivalent or are in the top 33 percent of the law school class are preferred. When deciding which candidates are qualified for an interview, we look at the total application package including undergraduate record (GPA), law school courses and grades (GPA), law review or law journal participation, national or regional moot court competition participation, and other special qualifications (such as another advanced degree, foreign language skills) or life experience. Writing samples will be evaluated for legal research, analytical and writing skills (i.e., organization, grammar, spelling, and persuasiveness).

For more information, click HERE.

Looking For Inspiration? Consider Pro Bono Work

Florida attorneys have shown a committment to pro bono work. In a recent article, attorneys working for the Guardian ad Litem program in Tallahassee talk about their important work in representing children across the state. It's not too early to start now. Contact your local Guardian ad Litem office to learn how you can help a child today!

Are you interested in Public Policy Work? Check out the NEW Public Policy Handbook which outlines summer positions for law students across the country. Some agencies are taking applications NOW so it's a great time to start looking. Contact Career Services for the password to access the database below. There are positions for all class years listed!

New 2010-2011 Public Policy Handbook

United States Attorney's Office Summer Externship Available!

Students with at least a 2.5 gpa who will have completed all 1st year required courses at the end of this semester and are U.S. Citizens, are invited and encouraged to apply for a credit bearing (up to 6 credit hours) summer externship with the office of the U.S. Attorney. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain practical legal experience, especially in the criminal area. Positions are available in the Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers offices.

Interested students must complete an application packet consisting of a cover letter (letter of interest), resume, unofficial transcript, writing sample and USAO pre-interview questionnaire. Blank questionnaires are available in the clinic office, Room 255. Your cover letter should state the city for which you wish to be considered and you may only indicate one city choice. Make sure that your e-mail address and daytime telephone number are provided. Your cover letter should be addressed to the following

Judith Hoberman, Human Resources Specialist
United States Attorney’s office, Middle District of Florida
400 N. Tampa Street
Tampa, Florida 33602

Application materials must be submitted to Professor McDowell or Cleopatra Smith in the clinic office. The deadline for submission of application materials is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26th. You must follow this application process if you wish to earn credit if selected.

Feel free to contact Professor McDowell if you have any questions.

Refugee Immigration Project

The Refugee Immigration Project at JALA provides immigration assistance to only certain types of immigrants: refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasians, victims of human trafficking, special immigrant Iraqis & Afghanis, etc. Most of the work involves helping these clients obtain their green cards, citizenship, employment authorization, and to bring family members to the U.S. Law student volunteers and/or (for credit) externs/interns, particularly those who speak the following languages are needed: SPANISH, FRENCH, ARABIC, FARSI, NEPALI, or BURMESE, and/or who have had immigration class/clinic experience. Law students should also apply for a (paid) summer internship with our project through the Florida Bar Foundation.

If you are interested in working with our project, please send a resume by email to: nancy.hale@jaxlegalaid.org. Include information about any past immigration work, class and/or clinical experience, along with information about the language(s) you speak and your fluency level in understanding/speaking/reading/and writing. There is a special need for SPANISH SPEAKING students.

Spring Break 2010 Farmworker Justice Immersion Project

The Spring Break 2010 Farmworker Justice Immersion Project will provide 30 FCSL student volunteers the opportunity to assist Florida Legal Services Inc. Migrant Farmworker Justice Project (“FLS”) lawyers collect and acquire critically needed field evidence that that will be used in the development and prosecution of new and ongoing farmworker cases. Spend your Spring Break making a difference in the lives and working conditions of one of the nation’s most exploited communities - - farmworkers. This year’s Spring Break 2010 Farmworker Justice Immersion Project focuses on two specific farmworker populations, workers in the fern industry and seasonal migrants who are used to harvest potatoes on Northeast Florida’s potato farms. FCSL students can expect to do client interviews, advocacy outreach, and spot legal research based on conditions and field data collected during the week’s outreach activities. The Project will run from March 15th through March 19th.

Registration, Training and Other Details

1. An informational meeting will be held on January 21st at noon.

2. Registration will take place on January 28th at noon and interested students will have the opportunity to register and meet with FLS lawyers.

Students interested must attend the January 28th registration session and two February training sessions conducted by FLS lawyers. FCSL student volunteers will receive pro bono credits for their participation and will obtain invaluable experience in working with clients, advocacy and legal research and writing. Interested students should watch for information about the initial meetings in January.

For further information, you can contact Professors Hornstein and Millard.

Attention 2L Students - Do You Want To Clerk

The Florida Supreme Court is accepting applications NOW for clerkship opportunities following graduation. For all of the necessary information, click HERE. It is not too early to start thinking about what your career as a lawyer will look like.

Interesting Internship

Lawyers Without Borders offers unpaid internships to law students on a tri-semester basis: Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall. Applications are currently being accepted for Winter/Spring Term (January-May 2010) and Summer 2010.

Applications are generally due and will be reviewed at least 3 months before the start of the new internship term. All internships are unpaid, and our interns typically live in the region or within a one-hour commute of our offices. As a general rule, LWOB engages 7-10 interns per semester and 10 or more in summer. Otherwise qualified summer intern applicants who can volunteer for the entire summer (10 or more weeks, uninterrupted) will be preferred.

Interns are required to

•speak and write fluent English,
•have a commitment and drive to make a difference in the pro bono legal or human rights sectors
•work well in a team environment.
•during school term, commit to a minimum two full days per week and a minimum of six (6) uninterrupted weeks in summer
•be prepared to work on tasks that range from mundane administrative tasks to challenging research.*

For more information including all requirements, click HERE.

Summer Internship Available

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is accepting applications for the 2010 STIPDG Internship Program. Funded by the FHWA's Office of Civil Rights' On-the-Job Training Supportive Services Program, the objective of the STIPDG is to students with hands-on experience and on-the- job training while working on current transportation-related topics and issues. The STIPDG is open to all qualified applicants but is designed to provide qualified women, persons with disabilities, and members of diverse groups with summer opportunities in transportation where these groups have been under-represented. To apply for this year's program, visit https://secure.twc.edu/twc/default.jsp

For more information including all the details you need to know, click HERE.

Don't forget ... the Peggy Browning Fund summer work applications are due on Friday! Click HERE for all of the great information about these PAID summer positions nationwide!

The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking attorneys for the offices listed elsewhere in this announcement. ICE is the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, and our attorneys help enforce the immigration and customs laws of the United States. The responsibilities of the position consist primarily of daily representation of the government in removal proceedings before Immigration Judges, frequently involving applicants for asylum or for other remedies under the U.S. immigration laws. Additional duties may include providing legal advice to the other ICE components and providing litigation support to U.S. Attorneys' Offices in immigration and/or customs matters. The positions may involve significant travel for extended periods of time. Candidates must have immigration or customs law experience and/or experience litigating criminal or military cases before courts or administrative tribunals. Please do not apply unless you have the required experience.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from an accredited law school and be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) in good standing as of the date of application. Applicants must submit the following documents: (1) a resume, (2) a law school transcript (if the J.D. degree was received within the past 5 years), (3) a writing sample, and (4) a cover letter detailing the skills, legal experience, and interests that qualify them for the position. The cover letter also must include the following information: Applicant's full name; home address; home and work e-mail addresses; home, work, and cell phone numbers; name of law school; year of graduation; and year admitted to the bar. Applicants who are current or former Federal employees also should attach, if readily available, their most recent Form SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent document. Applicants may apply for a maximum of 3 locations and must list the location(s) in priority order in the e-mail subject line. Applicants who apply for more than 1 location also must note that fact in the cover letter, listing the locations in priority order and stating their nexus to them (i.e., city of residence). These documents must be submitted via e-mail to applications.OPLA@dhs.gov. The attachments must be in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe PDF format. The positions will be filled at the GS-11 through GS-14 levels, depending on such factors as the selectees' experience and current salary.

For more information, click HERE.

Start The New Year With A Job Search

Legal Positions in Washington, D.C.
Civil Trial Lawyers, Tax Division, Department of Justice
Trial Attorneys, Tax Division, Department of Justice
Trial Attorney, Legal Services Section, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Trial Attorney, Juvenile Section, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Trial Attorney, Neighborhood and Victim Services, Office of the Attorney General
for the District of Columbia
Sexual Assault Staff Attorney (Contract Attorney), Women Empowered Against Violence
Attorney-Public Interest, Legal Aid Justice Center
Policy Counsel, The Constitution Project
Coordinator, The Constitution Project
Immigration Staff Attorney, Tahirih Justice Center

Non-Legal Positions in Washington, D.C.
Advisory Board Member, Community Legal Interpreter Bank
Legal Assistant, Legal Aid Justice Center
Legal Assistant, Children’s Law Center
Census Organizer, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center

Internships/Fellowships
Spring/Summer 2010 Law Students, The National Senior Citizens Law Center
Spring 2010 Internships, Kids in Need of Defense
Summer 2010 Law Clerk and Internship, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center

Nationwide Legal and Non-Legal Positions
Development Director, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, New York, New York
Resident Scholar in Economics, Carnegie Middle East Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Director of Finance, National Employment Law Project, New York, New York
Academic Director, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Executive Director, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Still Snoozing ....

The Blog is still enjoying a long winter's nap but will be back for the New Year on January 11, 2010. Make sure to check us out early and often. January is a VERY BUSY time of year for students interested in government and public interest opportunities! In fact, if you have not checked out the PAID summer internship opportunities you are already missing out. See below for more information.

1. Florida Bar Summer Fellowship Program
These are PAID summer positions in public interest agencies around Florida. A great way to get some experience this summer! Deadline is January 21st!

2. Peggy Browning Fund Summer Fellowships
These are 50 PAID summer positions located nationwide in cities including Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, and more! A great way for get national experience in the area of labor and employment law! Deadline is January 15th!