Looking For Some Motivation?

A recent article outlines the benefits of pro bono and public service for those who commit their time providing their help as well as the benefits for the communities they serve. For some inspiration, read the authors' thoughts in 'The Greatest Feeling in the World': What Giving Does for the Giver by clicking HERE.

Alumni Spotlight ... Look What Florida Coastal Alums Are Doing!!!

Folio Weekly recently published an article touting the excelelnt work of Florida Coastal graduate, Kara Roberts. Kara is a staff attorney at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid where she works for the Refugee Immigration Project. To learn more about Kara's work and how you can help her cause, click HERE.

It's wonderful news to hear about all of the excellent contributions our alumni are making in the world of public interest!!!

PAID Summer Public Interest Position

NALP seeks a law or graduate student to work full-time as its PSLawNet Summer Publications Coordinator, editing and producing NALP’s PSLawNet Comprehensive Fellowship Guide during the summer of 2011. The employment period is approximately 10 weeks. The position is ideal for a law or graduate student who has editing experience and is interested in public interest law and/or nonprofit administration. The Publications Coordinator serves as an integral part of the PSLawNet team.

Specific responsibilities associated with producing the 2011 Fellowship Guide -
• Research and update all PSLawNet online fellowship listings for use in the print
fellowship guide. This is accomplished through outreach (email and phone) to several
hundred employer organizations;
• Search for new fellowship listings to be added to the guide;
• Edit content and layout for publication;
• Other tasks as assigned.

This is a full-time, summer position, requiring a 10-week commitment. The Coordinator will
report directly to the Director of Public Service Initiatives, and will also receive guidance from

Qualifications
• Must be a current law or graduate student;
• High level of familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Word is preferred, as is the ability to
run data merges using these programs;
• Basic familiarity with legal public interest organizations and government agencies is
preferred;
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy;
• Excellent communication skills (on phone and in person) and comfort in collaborating
with project partners;
• Basic web content management knowledge/abilities preferred;
• Abilities to: work independently and be self directed, pay close attention to detail, handle
multiple tasks and deadlines, carry out delegated assignments, and maintain friendly
working relationships with colleagues.

Compensation
Stipend will be provided at $675 per week for a 40 hour work week (at a maximum of 10
weeks). No health, dental, retirement, or other benefits accompany this position.

For the application procedures, click HERE. The deadline for applications is March 11, 2011.

Student Spotlight: Caroline Cowan

Three Rivers Legal Services recently highlighted third year law Florida Coastal law student, Caroline Cowan for her exemplary public service. While at Three Rivers, Caroline has worked on a variety of legal issues while interning with us. For example, she has researched various legal issues (e.g. landlord/tenant, child custody, debt collection, unemployment comp, foreclosure, evidence, municipal code enforcement, veterans' disability, tax), Drafted Answers (foreclosure complaints), drafted Petitions (summary administration, formal administration, homestead exemption, expungement), Orders (summary administration, formal administration, homestead exemption), Appeals (unemployment comp, veterans' disability), Motions (to dismiss, for default judgment), Drafted Wills, Edited Custody Arrangement Pamphlet, Drafted Advice Letters (debt collection, unemployment comp, probate), Ineligibility Letters, Demand Letters, and Closing Letters, and Completed a Tax Return for 2009

Caroline says that she has learned much while interning at Three Rivers because has worked on so many different legal issues. Working here has made her realize what she really likes doing and what she wants to avoid in the future. In Caroline’s opinion she has received ... to continue reading the entire article and learn more about Three Rivers, click HERE.

Your Opinion is Needed!

PSLawNet is beginning a large-scale website redesign to ensure that we provide you with the most comprehensive and useful resource for law students and attorneys looking for public interest legal jobs.

We need your input to guarantee that PSLawNet makes the changes to the website’s design, job search functions, career resources, and social media interfaces to ensure that we best serve you. Please go here to complete our short survey (should take you no more than 5-10 minutes).

To thank you for your time, completion of the survey by individuals with PSLawNet job seeker accounts will give them the opportunity to enter a drawing for a gift card.

• First Prize Winner: $100 gift card
• Second Prize Winner: $50 gift card
• Third Prize Winner: $50 gift card

Thank you for taking the time to complete our survey! Please feel free to contact us at pslawnet@nalp.org with any other feedback.

There are over 25 new public interest jobs/internships posted in the Symplicity Document Library this month. Make sure to stay on top of the postings and apply early!

Great Resource To Review

Here is your new issue of Opportunities in Public Affairs, with hundreds of sought-after jobs in the Washington, DC area all focused on Jobs in Government Affairs & Policy, Public Relations & Advocacy, Media & Journalism, and Entry Level Jobs & Internships. These jobs are on Capitol Hill, in non-profits, think tanks, institutions, the government and in corporations and professional firms.

To read Opportunities in Public Affairs January 11, 2011 issue on-line, click: http://www.opajobs.com/login_subs.php

If you need login information, contact careerservices@fcsl.edu

Exellent Opportunity In Jacksonville

This semester, the Family Nurturing Center would like to recruit students to help at the Center. For students who are able to commit at least one year, they can appear on behalf of the Center at domestic violence hearings and provide new client orientations.

Available Court Days:
Duval Domestic Violence – Monday and Wednesday Mornings
Nassau Domestic Violence – Tuesday Mornings

Available Orientation Days:
Monday morning and afternoon
Wednesday morning
Thursday afternoon

For students who are only able to commit to the current semester, the Center has non-legal pro bono service hours available for the student who can lead study hours and work with children on reading Monday – Friday between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. This opportunity can be customized (for example, two students may want to team up and volunteer together for one hour doing a story and snack for children ages 4-6 on Tuesdays).

The Center will have an open house for any interested students on Friday, Jan. 7th from noon to 1 p.m. in room 465. Pizza will be served! Students should R.S.V.P. to leigh@fncflorida.org

Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) expects to sponsor a paid intern program during the summer of 2011, awarding summer intern fellowships in New Jersey public interest legal organizations to rising 2nd and 3rd year law students. In past years, students have been employed in Legal Services programs as well as other public interest entities, such as the Association for Children of New Jersey, the American Friends Service Committee, Community Health Law Project, and Jersey Battered Women's Service.

Students placed in this summer program gain experience in a wide variety of legal issues. While specific responsibilities vary considerably according to individual placement, the range of activities typically includes client interviewing, legal and factual research, drafting legal documents, administrative agency appearances and, for students who have completed two years of law school, court appearances and more significant case involvement. Fellows interested in policy and research have participated in client needs assessment studies and the investigation of the rights of children; helped to draft pleadings on major litigation; and conducted research in the areas of education, civil rights, welfare policy and public and private housing.

2010 Interns were paid at a rate of $550 per week for rising 2nd year students and $750 per week for rising 3rd year students. Placements are typically for a 10 week period. All interns will participate in a multi-day orientation in late May, at least one mid-summer event (usually a meeting with the Chief Justice) and a closing luncheon to recap the summer and discuss public interest opportunities.

The program is competitive and particularly seeks people who have demonstrated their commitment to helping the disadvantaged through their prior work, extracurricular activities during school, and volunteer efforts. Grades, honors and personal achievements are also important.

To apply, you must complete a Deborah T. Poritz Summer Public Interest Legal Fellowship application. All applications will be considered in the order in which they are received and hiring decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Interested students are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications may be submitted electronically, by facsimile or via US Mail.

Staff Attorney Position Available

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), founded in 1920, is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with more than 500,000 members and is dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the Constitution. The National Security Project of the ACLU’s National office in New York City seeks applications for a full-time Staff Attorney. The Staff Attorney will work with the Project’s team of lawyers on civil liberties and human rights issues relating to national security.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Applicants should be prepared to contribute to all aspects of the Project’s litigation and non-litigation work, including but not limited to:

• Litigate national security/civil liberties cases in the trial and appellate courts.
• Develop new cases and non-litigation advocacy projects relating to national security and civil liberties.
• Manage case development and conduct client and witness interviews.
• Serve as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work, and advance ACLU policy goals through public education, organizing, and participating in coalitions.
• Develop and write advocacy materials for audiences comprised of lawyers and non-lawyers.
• Communicate with the media about the work of the ACLU’s National Security Project and the work of the ACLU more generally.
• Work in collaboration with other members of the ACLU’s National Security Project, other Projects within the ACLU’s Legal Department, and particularly the other Projects within the Center for Democracy.
• Supervise legal fellows and law students.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

The applicant should possess the following qualifications:

• J.D. degree and a minimum of four years of litigation experience required, preferably including experience litigating cases involving national security and civil liberties issues.
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest generally and civil liberties in particular.
• Excellent legal research, writing and verbal communication skills.
• A demonstrated ability to engage in complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
• Must be able to work independently as well as within a team.
• A demonstrated ability to manage cases without close supervision.
• Experience in motivating and directing staff.
• Experience dealing with the media.

HOW TO APPLY

Login to Symplicity today for all the application details. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before January 1, 2011.

The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) is seeking full-time law student interns for its 2011 summer program. EBCLC is the community-based clinic for Berkeley Law School (University of California, Boalt Hall) during the academic year, and provides free civil legal services to low-income clients of Alameda County, California. During our summer session, EBCLC welcomes students from all law schools.

Students handle their own cases under the day-to-day supervision of staff attorneys in one of the following practice areas:
• Clean Slate: Criminal Records Remedies (administrative, regulatory, policy advocacy)
• Health: Public School-based Legal Services Project (multidisciplinary)
• Health: HIV/AIDS Project and Medical-Legal Partnership (multidisciplinary)
• Health: Immigration (administrative with some litigation)
• Housing & Eviction Defense (litigation)
• Income Support (administrative, regulatory, policy advocacy)
• Neighborhood Justice Clinic (self-help services, litigation)

For more information including application instructions, login to Symplicity.

Funded Summer Positions

The Peggy Browning Fund Fellowship Program recently announced 2011 Summer Fellowships as well as a School Year Fellowship available to law students.

2011 Summer Fellowships
Over 40 funded positions in labor-related organizations throughout the United States.

2011-2012 School-Year Fellowship
1 funded part-time position in Chicago

Information available at http://www.peggybrowningfund.org/. Application deadline: January 14, 2011

Hint: There are some really terrific positions available this year ..... don't miss out on applying!

27 New Positions Avaiable!!!

Have you checked out the Symplicity Document Library lately? On my last look, there were 27 new public interest positions (legal, non-legal, fellowships, and internships) located nationwide. If you haven't looked lately, make one of your New Year's resolutions to become an active Symplicity user!

Are you searching PSLAWNET regularly? If the answer is no ... make sure to add this website to your list of places to visit frequently. If not, you will be missing GREAT opportunities like the one below.

EARTHRIGHTS INTERNATIONAL (ERI) - http://www.earthrights.org/ - is seeing law students for summer legal internships in Washington, DC. Legal interns provide legal research, writing, and program support for ERI activities all over the world. Law students may be J.D. or LL.M. students, but must have at least one year of U.S. legal training by the time of the internship.

ERI is currently counsel on several matters, including a landmark lawsuit against Chiquita for its funding of Colombian paramilitaries, and lawsuits against Occidental Petroleum and Union Carbide for environmental damage to communities in Peru and India, respectively. Legal interns participate in various projects associated with these cases, including legal research and writing and assistance in all phases of litigation, as well as other legal work including development of new cases, monitoring and exploring developments in international human rights and environmental law, researching and utilizing other mechanisms of corporate accountability, and helping to coordinate with and assist other groups bringing domestic or international cases. Interns work directly under ERI's Legal Director and may provide legal support for other ERI programs, including its campaigns, educational programs, and human rights reporting.

Qualifications
•A demonstrated commitment to protecting human rights and the environment
•Independent and creative thinking skills
•Excellent legal research and writing skills
•Ability to handle sensitive client relationships and protect the confidentiality of our work and our communications
•Proficiency in standard computer applications, especially Word and WordPerfect
•Proficiency in languages, especially Spanish, is desirable but not required

For full application instructions, login to PSLAWNET today! The deadline is December 18, 2010.

Summer 2011 Legal Internship

The Brennan Center For Justice at New York University School of Law is seeking law students to work on policy advocacy, research, and litigation initativeies at the the federal, state, and local levels. The internship will commence on May 31, 2011 and last for 10 weeks.

Qualifications: Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills; initiative, imagination, and versatility; and a passion for issues.

For more information, log into Symplicity today.

HandsOnJacksonville Is Looking For Volunteers!

Do you have some time to volunteer this holiday season?

School: Biscayne Elementary
Address: 12230 Biscayne Blvd., 32218
Phone No: 904-714-4650

Decorating/distribution Day Thursday, December 2, 2010 - Volunteers still needed
Arrival time: 6 P.M.
Report to: The front office
Parking: The front parking lot
Volunteers are needed to place backpacks and gifts on each student’s desk as well as toss gold tinsel in the hallways. Some heavy lifting is required so strong women and men are most welcome.

Saint Nicholas Discovery Day Friday, December 3, 2010 – Volunteers still needed
Arrival time: 7:45 - 8:00 A. M. (schools begins at 8:30)
Report to: Front Office. Please have drivers license ready.
Parking: The front parking lot
Coffee and light breakfast will be served

On the morning of Friday, December 3rd more than 6,000 children will come to school and find that their hallways have been decorated with gold tinsel. The students will find backpacks stuffed with books and toys on their desk and volunteers to read The Secrets of Saint Nicholas book. Volunteer readers will need to borrow a copy of the book from a student. Volunteers are encouraged to engage the students in a conversation about other ways they can show giving at school and home. You may also ask the teacher about reading another story of their choice. A live Saint Nicholas will also make his rounds visiting the children.

For more information, contact Jacqui Scuncio.

The Florida Bar Foundation’s 2011 Legal Aid Summer Fellowship application is now available on-line. Please note that the application deadline date is January 19, 2011. Applications submitted after January 19, 2011 will not be considered.

Information about the Florida Bar Foundation’s 2011 Legal Aid Summer Fellowship Program is available on Symplicity. The Florida Bar Foundation’s Legal Aid Summer Fellowship Program is a great opportunity for law students to work at a Florida legal aid program for eleven weeks during the summer to get hands-on experience while solidifying their commitment to practicing public interest law upon graduation.

We encourage students to have their application reviewed by Career Services staff or Career Development staff prior to submission.

Selection Criteria:
Among the several factors to be considered in the selection of successful applicants are:

 The depth and breadth of the applicant’s commitment and experience in working with the low-income community;
 The applicant’s passion, insight, and personal commitment to public service and pro bono work;
 The applicant’s background and personal story, including their minority status, cultural diversity, and poverty experience;
 The applicant’s future career goals and employment objectives;
 The thoughtfulness, care, and clarity the applicant puts into completing the application; and
 The applicant’s writing skills and academic achievements.

Where Can the Application be Found:
The on-line application and other materials can be found on the Foundation’s website (http://www.flabarfndn.org/), by following these steps:

1) click on the Grant Programs tab at the top of the homepage,
2) scroll down to Law Student Assistance,
3) click on the Legal Aid Summer Fellowship Program button.

Applicants will need to review and print out the 2011 Program Placement List (found at the Legal Services Summer Fellowship Program webpage) before submitting their application. Students may list up to 4 program placement preferences on their application.

The Polaris Project is current seeking law students to serve as Senior Legal and Policy Fellows in their Policy and Legal Department. Fellows will assist with advocacy and policy development for stronger comprehensive state and federal laws on human trafficking.

Responsibilities Include:

conducting legal and statutory research, monitoring pending legislation, preparing legislative outreach materials, including action alerts, advocate and legislator briefs, communicating and providing assistance to legislators and other policy makers, providing technical assistance during the bill drafting process, and helping to build and assist coalitions in support of legislation. Responsibilities may also include direct lobbying, outreach and the preparation of training materials for law enforcement and others. Deadline: December 24, 2010. Check PSLawNet for application details.

Interested In Animal Law?

Compassion Over Killing (COK) - http://www.cok.net/ - is seeking Litigation Interns for Summer, 2011 (unpaid). Compassion Over Killing is a national nonprofit (501(c)(3)) animal advocacy organization. Working to end animal abuse since 1995, COK focuses on ending and preventing cruelty to animals in agriculture. The 2011 Summer Litigation Interns will work with COK’s Legal Advocacy Program in our West Coast office in Torrance, California.

The Summer Litigation Interns will work on litigation projects aimed at protecting farmed animals; most of these projects are plaintiffs’ litigation. These projects will likely employ a variety of legal theories, relating to areas such as state criminal cruelty laws, false advertising and unfair competition laws, tort liability, environmental protection laws, administrative law, tax, and corporate law. The interns will have opportunities to research new projects as well as assist heavily with ongoing projects. They will work closely with Compassion Over Killing’s general counsel.

Qualifications
Excellent research and writing skills are required. In addition, the Litigation Intern should be interested in exploring novel approaches to protecting animals through litigation. Candidates with a background and interest in animal protection are preferred, although it is not required.

Application Instructions

Interested law students should apply with cover letter, resume, writing sample, list of three references, and law school transcript to Compassion Over Killing’s general counsel Cheryl Leahy at cleahy@cok.net

Need A Job Or Internship?

During the past week PSLawNet has posted:

** 45 new attorney positions

** 48 internships

** 20 law related opportunities.

Additionally, there are currently 1,222 active opportunities in our job database. To search the database visit PSLawNet.