This Just In ...

Congress has just passed legislation that puts an end to the FFELP lending program (the loan program currently used at Florida Coastal). All loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS) will now be processed with the US Department of Education as the lender. This program is called Direct Lending.

There are many positive aspects to Direct Lending.
1) No more lender changes, you will have one lender and one lender only.
2) One single contact during the servicing and repayment of your loans.
3) You will have on line access 24/7 to your Direct Loan account information at www.dl.ed.gov
4) Access to multiple repayment plans.
For the most part the changes will take place “behind the scenes”. The awarding process will remain the same i.e. completing the FAFSA, Institutional Application, award notice, etc. Loan amounts will be the same as before.

It will however be necessary for ALL students to sign a new Master Promissory note with the Department of Education.

On Monday March 29th, you may begin signing your new promissory note at https://dlenote.ed.gov

Financial Aid will also host a town hall meeting on Thursday April 1 in Room 365 from 12:00- 1:00 for you to come and ask questions.

A presentation, ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE REPRESENTATION OF CHILD CLIENTS, is coming to Jacksonville next month. This presentation will be of interest to attorneys who come in contact with children in any area of law: tort, probate, family, dependency, and delinquency. This event will be held Friday April 23, 2010 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm in the Jury Assembly Room Courthouse Annex Building. The speaker is the esteemed Professor of Law Michael J. Dale, Nova Southeastern University. The Jacksonville Bar Association is applying for two hours of CLE credit for attendance at this presentation and a registration form will be available on the Jacksonville Bar website. For more information, contact the Jacksonville Bar Association. .

List of Federal Internships!

If you are interested in working for the federal government, you must check out the below link. Included are internships (year-round) working for the Department of Justice. Most of the positions are located in D.C. but there are other states represented as well.

Click HERE for the complete list.

Federal Jobs NOW Available

The website, USAJOBS is your go-to place for locating excellent federal opportunities nationwide. A recent search found the below jobs available for law students and recent graduates. Log in today (and often) to keep on top of the opportunities available in the federal government!

Wage And Hour Compliance Investigator
General Attorney
Legal Assistant

Supervisory Criminal Investigator

Attorney-Advisor

Consumer Safety Inspector
General Attorney

Supervisory Criminal Investigator
Wage And Hour Compliance Investigator

Washington DC Opportunity

The Civil Rights Division is the agency of the Federal Government primarily responsible for enforcing federal statutes and Executive Orders that prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, and national origin. They are looking for law student volunteers for positions with the Department.
Internship Location: Washington, D.C.

Application Materials: Submit a resume (which includes your country of citizenship), a brief writing sample (no more than 5 pages), and a cover letter which indicates the time period you are available to work.
Qualifications: First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students.
Application Deadline:
Summer applications must be received by March 31, 2010
Fall applications must be received by July 31, 2010
Spring applications must be received by November 30, 2010
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks

Assignments: Interns are primarily responsible for assisting attorneys working on matters related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in federally assisted programs or activities, and Executive Order 13166, which focuses on limited English proficiency matters as related to national origin discrimination in federally assisted and federally conducted programs and activities. The Coordination and Review Section focuses on non-litigation enforcement of these and other nondiscrimination statutes and Executive Orders, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Intern assignments may include assisting in administrative investigations of recipients receiving federal financial assistance from the Department of Justice, and development of implementing regulations, policy guidance documents, legal manuals, and training materials.

TO APPLY:
CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION
COORDINATION AND REVIEW SECTION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Room 5086, NYA Building
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Volunteer Internship Coordinator
Fax: (202) 305-9667
E-mail: crt.volunteervacancies@usdoj.gov (Subject Line: Volunteer Internship, COR)

For more information --> Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt

Fall Externship & Clinic Application Period Is Now Open

The applications for the in-house clinics and non-judicial externships for the Fall 2010 semester are NOW AVAILABLE. The application is currently available HERE and through hard copies in the Clinic Office (Room 255)

The deadline for submitting application materials is Friday, April 16th.

Any questions? Speak with Professor McDowell.

Sample Externships Include

U.S. Attorney’s Office
St. John’s County Attorney’s Office
State Attorney
Nassau County Attorney’s Office
Public Defender
Jax Office of General Counsel
Health Care Externship
3 Rivers Tax Project
Fidelity National Corp
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Three Rivers Legal Services
Domestic Violence & Family Law
Other Corporate Placement
Office of Guardian Ad Litem
Housing & Consumer Law
Dept. of Children & Families

Do You Have Debt?

If you have debt, consider attending this free webinar which explains benefits from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA), the most significant law affecting public service in a generation. Whether you are interested in learning about lower monthly student loan payments using Income-Based Repayment or how to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, this presentation shows you how to do it. This free interactive webinar will teach you:

• Who will benefit most from Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• The top three points everyone should understand and convey to student loan borrowers interested in Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Updates on the administration of Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Spaces are limited, so sign up TODAY.

New Positions Available!!!

The Public Policy Handbook has some brand new postings! Log in today to access some great positions for 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls.

For 1Ls and 2Ls:
• America’s Health Insurance Plans (Washington DC) – Center for Policy and Research Internship Program (Spring, Summer, Fall) (unpd) (Health) – Rolling Basis
• Center for Economic and Policy Research (Washington DC) – Summer Research & Outreach Internship – Domestic Program (paid) (Economic Policy, Education, Environmental, Health, Housing, Labor, Public Housing, Tax, Women) – Deadline 3/29

For 3Ls & Recent Graduates:
• Environment America (33 cities nationwide) – 2010 (pd) (Environment/Energy, Global Issues) – Rolling Basis, but ASAP as most applications received by April 1st.

Pro Bono Work ... Are You On Board?

A recent Florida-Times Union editorial discussed a new push in Florida to promote pro bono work among practicing attorneys. The campaign, "One client, one attorney, one promise" focuses on encouraging Florida attorneys to give back to the community through pro bono work. As a law student, you can start this practice now --- both to give back as well as to start networking with practicing attorneys. To read the entire editorial, click HERE.

Clerkship Opportunities

The University of Colorado Law School announces the National Tribal Court Clerkship Program for the Summer 2010. Law clerks have aided federal and state judges for more than a century by providing legal and administrative assistance. Very few tribal judges, however, have enjoyed the benefit of a law clerk’s services. Through the National Tribal Court Law Clerk Program, this might change. Tribal Court judges need assistance over the summer with substantive legal research and writing, and the goal of this program is to send law students from around the country to these courts for summer clerkships.

Although the positions are unpaid, students may be able to earn academic credit subject to meeting the requirements set forth by the student’s law schools.

Tribal Court clerkships and internship postings are posted HERE.

More positions may be added in the spring, so check back periodically. Students should apply to judges and courts directly pursuant the job posting’s instructions, and not through CU Law School or the website itself.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Looking For Money?

Who couldn't use some additonal revenue? Although law students are learning that securing funding for summer work is often difficult. If you have not yet checked out PSLawNet's list of summer funding options, you definitely should TODAY. Many of the opportunties have passed; however, there are still some options available. Click HERE to access the full list.

Being an attorney or law student means you read a lot of Latin. Take a moment today to brush up on your Latin! Cave Idus Martias!

Attention Alumni ... Get Involved!

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid will be offering area attorneys three two-hour continuing legal education seminars over the next three months focusing specifically on small claims and the closely related issue of garnishment. The free seminars, held on Fridays (March 19, April 16 and May TBA) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Jacksonville City Hall, will count for 2.5 CLE credits each. For more information including registration details, click HERE.

Experience Is Key!

A recent article written for UK law students offers some universal truths for U.S. law students. While some of the advice is definitely aimed specifically for a UK audience, the importance of getting legal experience while in law school is emphasized with the same importance students on the other side of the pond should follow. Some of our favorite advice states that law students should do pro bono work because it "provides a great opportunity to gain experience in the legal sector as you will have direct contact with clients. It also demonstrates a commitment to the profession." For more advice on the importance of getting legal experience for law students across the globe, click HERE.

Any Interest In Criminal Law?

One way to really impress your interviewers is to keep up-to-date with what is happening in the law. If you are able to express an interest and knowledge about current events in the subject area where you are interviewing, not only will your interviewers be impressed but you will be memorable. What a great way to make a lasting impression and stand out from other candidates!

If you are interviewing for a position in the criminal law field, take a moment and read this recent article about recent cases which may have an affect on Miranda warnings (remember Criminal Law?). One of the cases took place in Florida ... This is just one example of way to keep current in your area of interest.

Mark Your Calendar

The Florida First District Court of Appeal will hear cases at Florida Coastal on March 10th and 11th. The judges on the panel are Judge James R. Wolf, Judge Joseph Lewis, Jr., and Judge Simone Marstiller.

Oral arguments will take place in the Appellate Courtroom each day beginning at 9 a.m. This is a tremendous opportunity to observe the Florida appellate court in action without having to travel to do so. Students are encouraged to drop in to hear at least a portion of the arguments. The First DCA judges understand that students will be coming and going to attend classes; therefore, you are free to come and stay as long as you can. Also, please remember to be very quiet and respectful while observing the arguments.

The dress is professional attire and students are asked to remove any hats and silence cell phones and beepers before entering the room.

Interested in learning more about managing student debt? Register today for a free webinar that walks you through what to expect with your student loans. Getting educated about your options is a great first step!

Lawyers Doing Good Work

For something light on a Friday, take a moment and read an article about a friendly competition the State Attorney & Public Defenders Office had to raise money for The Blood Alliance. Click HERE to learn who won and what the "prize" entailed ...

What's Going On In The Federal Government?

With all the snow and storms this year, there is a push for allowing more flexibility to telecomuting. In a recent Editorial in The Washington Post, it is noted that U.S. Must Do Better at Enabling Federal Employees to Telework. For more information about this interesting concept, click HERE.

The Institute for Justice is now taking applications for its annual law student conference held each July in downtown Washington, D.C. Thirty students from the nation's top law schools take part in this three-day conference on shaping the world through the IJ way of public interest litigation.

The annual conference covers IJ's four litigation pillars: First Amendment rights, school choice, economic liberty and private property rights. These topics are taught alongside others rarely discussed in law school, such as: natural rights theory, public interest litigation tactics, cutting-edge constitutional theories, media skills, and the use of social science research. The faculty combines IJ attorneys and staff members with leading law professors and legal experts including Randy Barnett, Roger Pilon, and Todd Zywicki. After attending this crash course in public interest law, the IJ-Way, participants are able to recognize and seize public interest opportunities in the future.

This year’s conference will be held July 23rd through the 25th at The George Washington University. The application deadline is Monday, March 15th and interested students can apply at www.ij.org/students

New Partnership For Pro Bono Work In Jacksonville

A recent article, Northeast Florida Medical Legal Partnership to expand pro bono services, described a new partnership in Jacksonville, focusing on both medical and legal needs to low-income populations. The article notes, "two professions that have in the past worked separately to help Jacksonville’s low-income community have now joined forces in the Northeast Florida Legal Medical Partnership (NFMLP) to provide integrated medical-legal services to our area’s low-income and vulnerable populations. The law firm of Holland and Knight, representatives from medical associations, hospitals, law firms, and bar associations met Feb. 2 for a kick-off meeting of the newly formed .... to continue reading about this exciting new partnership, click HERE.

Think Pro Bono!

Pro Bono Work is a GREAT idea for all law students. If you are looking for a list of possible pro bono work, look no further. The ABA has compiled a fantastic list for opportunities nationwide. Look for your opportunity today.