The Career Services Department wishes students GOOD LUCK on their fall exams!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A little time for refelction ...
Law students are busy people. This fact remains true no matter where or when you attended law school. While immersed in one's studies, it is often difficult to remember about the moral and ethical obligation future lawyers have to serve the under served through pro bono work. In a recent acceptance speech for a national pro bono award, one Northwestern law student reflected on his service in law school and the impact it had on his life. It is certainly worth sharing for inspiration to give back in your own way as both a law student as a future attorney.
"People often ask me why I volunteer so much. Why do I serve? It’s because I know what it’s like to be in need. I know the pain. I know the heartache, the financial hardships and emotional turmoil. Given that, how dare I ignore the hungry? Who am I to turn my back on the children who have been told they’ll never make it? How can I consider writing articles and pontificate on the foreclosure crisis or Katrina when I have the power to help make it better? I give back because I know from personal experience the type of impact one person can have on another’s life. So I don’t see volunteering as simply volunteering, I see service as an obligation, a duty.... " To continue reading the full text of this moving speech, click HERE.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
10 Tips for Beginning a Successful Legal Career
The Young Lawyer Editorial Board recently published a list of great tips for attorneys entering the work force. Here are their top 10 tips to transition seamlessly into a successful legal career. While some of these tips are geared towards beginning work in a law firm, many are applicable to positions in government or public interest entities.
1. Realize how little you know, and ask questions.
In the coming years, there will be countless situations when you don't ask a question because you don't even know enough about the topic to formulate a question. Failing to disclose your ignorance on a topic when given an assignment will, ultimately, catch up with you. Don't think that, by virtue of being a smart person, you can accept the assignment and figure it out as you go.
If you develop a reputation for having a false sense of confidence, more senior attorneys will ultimately lose their ability to detect when you can actually handle an assignment, and when you are faking it. So if you have a question, ask.
2. But ask your questions at the right time and direct them to the right people.
Feel free to ask for assistance, but make sure you ask the right people at the right time. Questions about the scope or deadline of an assignment, for example, are perfect questions for partners, and should probably be asked at the time you receive the assignment.
Some questions, however, such as how to format a memo or how to find a document in the firm's document management system, are probably better reserved for fellow associates. Try to find a mentor who will support you in your career growth, anticipate your problems and answer your questions (even the stupid ones).
3. Don't live lavishly.
If you receive a big starting salary, don't spend it all. Instead, try to live on about half to three-quarters of your income and save the rest as if you never made it. This will prevent you from living a life that you cannot walk away from, and will make transition to other fields easier. The best way to deal with the prospect of one day having to take off the "golden handcuffs" is to never put them on in the first place.
4. Get to know the staff and be courteous to them.
No matter where you went to law school or who you clerked for, you're no better than anyone else in the office, and you should act accordingly. Most staff members know more about the practice of law than most new associates. They know how to file motions, they know how to serve subpoenas and they likely have relationships with key administrators at the courthouse.
You're going to need the staff members' help, often when you least expect it, and it'll be much easier and painless to get that last-minute assistance if the staff knows and likes you. The same goes for staff at the courthouse and in chambers. Get to know them and be respectful; they can be an important resource.
5. But learn to do it yourself.
Local filing rules can be quite confusing, especially for a new attorney. You need to learn the filing process. Figure out what attachments you need, cover sheets, certificates of service, other forms, etc. For litigators, learn how to electronically file, both locally and the federal courts. For corporate or transactional attorneys, learn EDGAR and the other tools available to you.
While having a good secretary that knows all these things and does them without prompting is great, you need to learn how to do this yourself and be self reliant.
6. Learn the rules of civil procedure.
Yeah, we know you took a Civ Pro course (maybe two) during your 1L year and studied the topic as part of your bar review. But young litigators need to become masters of civil procedure. If you know the rules, you can use them to gain real advantages against your adversaries. (See, for example, Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(d)). And nothing is worse than trying to explain to an irate partner or client that you lost an important motion because you miscalculated the response time.
Ask your librarian or a more senior associate to recommend a good civil procedure treatise and get a copy that you can keep in your office.
7. Become an expert and seek out new opportunities.
Become the office expert on some area so that people come to you as a resource. This may mean spending extra time that you don't get to bill for, but it makes you a valuable member of your firm and will pay off in the long run.
Closely related, raise your hand at work more often (following a theme from last month's editorial) and request opportunities that you haven't experienced yet or that have not yet been "assigned" to you. Ask for the assignment. For example, if you want the experience of defending a deposition, ask the lead attorney to let you defend some depositions.
8. Network.
While as a new associate you will be busy learning the ropes and working toward making your billable hours goal, you also need to take time to connect with a diverse range of other attorneys and non-attorneys who may be good business contacts down the road. When meeting new people, write down what aspect of their business or experience you find interesting or useful. To start a relationship with someone you met at an event, send a follow-up note to that person to set yourself apart from all the other people he/she met.
Such relationships come in useful when a novel issue arises for your managing partner, and you know the perfect contact to help out with that issue. This only works out, though, if you've done the legwork to maintain a relationship with that person. Calling someone out of the blue and having them not remember you is just embarrassing.
9. Work really, really hard.
In law school, you had almost complete control over when and how you completed your outlining and otherwise managed your time. Now you are expected to focus and make the most of the time in the office, and that can be a challenge.
Firms will no doubt vary with respect to oversight and management of associates, but do not abuse a firm environment that seems really relaxed. The firm may say, "We don't care about face time," and it may very well be true, but all firms will care about your billable hours come year-end. Partners know which associates are the worker bees, and you'll want to have your name on that list.
10. But keep perspective.
As an associate at a firm, you can tend to have "tunnel vision" and get focused on doing just work. That's probably not the best thing for you. It's preferable to get involved with other activities, whether they are bar associations, hobbies, athletics or whatever. Having a life consisting solely of going to work at a firm and then going home every night will not be as rewarding as having other things going on. It is possible to have life outside of the firm; make it a priority.
1. Realize how little you know, and ask questions.
In the coming years, there will be countless situations when you don't ask a question because you don't even know enough about the topic to formulate a question. Failing to disclose your ignorance on a topic when given an assignment will, ultimately, catch up with you. Don't think that, by virtue of being a smart person, you can accept the assignment and figure it out as you go.
If you develop a reputation for having a false sense of confidence, more senior attorneys will ultimately lose their ability to detect when you can actually handle an assignment, and when you are faking it. So if you have a question, ask.
2. But ask your questions at the right time and direct them to the right people.
Feel free to ask for assistance, but make sure you ask the right people at the right time. Questions about the scope or deadline of an assignment, for example, are perfect questions for partners, and should probably be asked at the time you receive the assignment.
Some questions, however, such as how to format a memo or how to find a document in the firm's document management system, are probably better reserved for fellow associates. Try to find a mentor who will support you in your career growth, anticipate your problems and answer your questions (even the stupid ones).
3. Don't live lavishly.
If you receive a big starting salary, don't spend it all. Instead, try to live on about half to three-quarters of your income and save the rest as if you never made it. This will prevent you from living a life that you cannot walk away from, and will make transition to other fields easier. The best way to deal with the prospect of one day having to take off the "golden handcuffs" is to never put them on in the first place.
4. Get to know the staff and be courteous to them.
No matter where you went to law school or who you clerked for, you're no better than anyone else in the office, and you should act accordingly. Most staff members know more about the practice of law than most new associates. They know how to file motions, they know how to serve subpoenas and they likely have relationships with key administrators at the courthouse.
You're going to need the staff members' help, often when you least expect it, and it'll be much easier and painless to get that last-minute assistance if the staff knows and likes you. The same goes for staff at the courthouse and in chambers. Get to know them and be respectful; they can be an important resource.
5. But learn to do it yourself.
Local filing rules can be quite confusing, especially for a new attorney. You need to learn the filing process. Figure out what attachments you need, cover sheets, certificates of service, other forms, etc. For litigators, learn how to electronically file, both locally and the federal courts. For corporate or transactional attorneys, learn EDGAR and the other tools available to you.
While having a good secretary that knows all these things and does them without prompting is great, you need to learn how to do this yourself and be self reliant.
6. Learn the rules of civil procedure.
Yeah, we know you took a Civ Pro course (maybe two) during your 1L year and studied the topic as part of your bar review. But young litigators need to become masters of civil procedure. If you know the rules, you can use them to gain real advantages against your adversaries. (See, for example, Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(d)). And nothing is worse than trying to explain to an irate partner or client that you lost an important motion because you miscalculated the response time.
Ask your librarian or a more senior associate to recommend a good civil procedure treatise and get a copy that you can keep in your office.
7. Become an expert and seek out new opportunities.
Become the office expert on some area so that people come to you as a resource. This may mean spending extra time that you don't get to bill for, but it makes you a valuable member of your firm and will pay off in the long run.
Closely related, raise your hand at work more often (following a theme from last month's editorial) and request opportunities that you haven't experienced yet or that have not yet been "assigned" to you. Ask for the assignment. For example, if you want the experience of defending a deposition, ask the lead attorney to let you defend some depositions.
8. Network.
While as a new associate you will be busy learning the ropes and working toward making your billable hours goal, you also need to take time to connect with a diverse range of other attorneys and non-attorneys who may be good business contacts down the road. When meeting new people, write down what aspect of their business or experience you find interesting or useful. To start a relationship with someone you met at an event, send a follow-up note to that person to set yourself apart from all the other people he/she met.
Such relationships come in useful when a novel issue arises for your managing partner, and you know the perfect contact to help out with that issue. This only works out, though, if you've done the legwork to maintain a relationship with that person. Calling someone out of the blue and having them not remember you is just embarrassing.
9. Work really, really hard.
In law school, you had almost complete control over when and how you completed your outlining and otherwise managed your time. Now you are expected to focus and make the most of the time in the office, and that can be a challenge.
Firms will no doubt vary with respect to oversight and management of associates, but do not abuse a firm environment that seems really relaxed. The firm may say, "We don't care about face time," and it may very well be true, but all firms will care about your billable hours come year-end. Partners know which associates are the worker bees, and you'll want to have your name on that list.
10. But keep perspective.
As an associate at a firm, you can tend to have "tunnel vision" and get focused on doing just work. That's probably not the best thing for you. It's preferable to get involved with other activities, whether they are bar associations, hobbies, athletics or whatever. Having a life consisting solely of going to work at a firm and then going home every night will not be as rewarding as having other things going on. It is possible to have life outside of the firm; make it a priority.
Monday, November 23, 2009
New Legislation Proposed!
Congress is taking action to make government service possible for more young people! The Partnership for Public Service is excited to announce that the Roosevelt Scholars Act of 2009 (S. 2789)has been introduced in the Senate by Senators George Voinovich (R-OH) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
The Roosevelt Scholars Act will attract our nation’s best and brightest to work for the federal government. Roosevelt Scholars pursuing degrees in high-skill, high-need fields will receive tuition, room and board, and a stipend, in exchange for a federal service commitment – the civilian equivalent to the military’s successful ROTC program!
For more information on Roosevelt Scholars and to learn how you can help, click here.
The Roosevelt Scholars Act will attract our nation’s best and brightest to work for the federal government. Roosevelt Scholars pursuing degrees in high-skill, high-need fields will receive tuition, room and board, and a stipend, in exchange for a federal service commitment – the civilian equivalent to the military’s successful ROTC program!
For more information on Roosevelt Scholars and to learn how you can help, click here.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Great Position For Graduates
3rd Judicial Circuit Trial Court Law Clerk
Date: November 16, 2009 Closing Date: Open Until Filled Position Number: 09340
The essential function of the position within the organization is to assist the judiciary with case management, pending litigation and issues, and/or process criminal and civil appeals. The position is responsible for drafting memoranda, opinions, orders and reports; conducting legal research; reviewing briefs and case files; and advising judges on pending litigation and issues. The position works under general supervision of the Chief Judge or designee.
The position of Trial Court Law Clerk is a professional position that entails research for and writing of legal memoranda, draft opinions and orders in all types of circuit and county court matters, including appeals from county court (both civil and criminal), complex civil litigation, constitutional questions, complex family law cases and criminal matters, including post conviction motions and related civil matters such as petitions for extraordinary relief filed by or on behalf of sentenced inmates, pretrial detainees and other litigants. Work is performed under general supervision of the Court Administrator, Judges, and is reviewed in progress, as necessary, and upon completion.
For more information including requirements and application instructions, log into Symplicity today!
Date: November 16, 2009 Closing Date: Open Until Filled Position Number: 09340
The essential function of the position within the organization is to assist the judiciary with case management, pending litigation and issues, and/or process criminal and civil appeals. The position is responsible for drafting memoranda, opinions, orders and reports; conducting legal research; reviewing briefs and case files; and advising judges on pending litigation and issues. The position works under general supervision of the Chief Judge or designee.
The position of Trial Court Law Clerk is a professional position that entails research for and writing of legal memoranda, draft opinions and orders in all types of circuit and county court matters, including appeals from county court (both civil and criminal), complex civil litigation, constitutional questions, complex family law cases and criminal matters, including post conviction motions and related civil matters such as petitions for extraordinary relief filed by or on behalf of sentenced inmates, pretrial detainees and other litigants. Work is performed under general supervision of the Court Administrator, Judges, and is reviewed in progress, as necessary, and upon completion.
For more information including requirements and application instructions, log into Symplicity today!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), America's foremost advocate of individual rights,
is a non-partisan organization founded in 1920. With more than 5 National offices and over 50
affiliates throughout the country, it is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier public
interest law firms. The Drug Law Reform Project of the ACLU seeks highly motivated law students for the Summer of 2010 internship opportunities in Santa Cruz, California.
is a non-partisan organization founded in 1920. With more than 5 National offices and over 50
affiliates throughout the country, it is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier public
interest law firms. The Drug Law Reform Project of the ACLU seeks highly motivated law students for the Summer of 2010 internship opportunities in Santa Cruz, California.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Interns may work with one or more of our staff attorneys. Legal interns will assist in all aspects
of the Project’s litigation docket including, but not limited to:
• Assisting with the full panoply of appellate and district-court litigation
• Assisting with the drafting of briefs and motions for litigation before the U.S. Supreme
Court, Courts of Appeals and trial courts
• Assisting with discovery; meeting with clients
• Assisting in the preparation of expert and percipient witnesses for courtroom testimony
• Helping to devise new litigation and assisting with Project’s non-litigation advocacy work
• Some travel may be required
Interns may work with one or more of our staff attorneys. Legal interns will assist in all aspects
of the Project’s litigation docket including, but not limited to:
• Assisting with the full panoply of appellate and district-court litigation
• Assisting with the drafting of briefs and motions for litigation before the U.S. Supreme
Court, Courts of Appeals and trial courts
• Assisting with discovery; meeting with clients
• Assisting in the preparation of expert and percipient witnesses for courtroom testimony
• Helping to devise new litigation and assisting with Project’s non-litigation advocacy work
• Some travel may be required
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• The position is open to 1L, 2L, and 3L students
• Applicants should have excellent writing and communication skills
• Applicants must possess the initiative to see projects through to completion
• Applicants should be self-motivated and committed to civil rights and civil liberties issues
• Experience with drug issues is not required, but preferred
The application deadline for second and third-year law students is December 1, 2009. The
application deadline for first-year law students is January 15, 2010. Applications will be
reviewed on a rolling basis. Full application instructions are located on Symplicity.
• The position is open to 1L, 2L, and 3L students
• Applicants should have excellent writing and communication skills
• Applicants must possess the initiative to see projects through to completion
• Applicants should be self-motivated and committed to civil rights and civil liberties issues
• Experience with drug issues is not required, but preferred
The application deadline for second and third-year law students is December 1, 2009. The
application deadline for first-year law students is January 15, 2010. Applications will be
reviewed on a rolling basis. Full application instructions are located on Symplicity.
Jacksonville Externships In Environmental Law
Below is a list of available externships in the environmental program during the Spring 2010 semester. There are a few focused on government and public interest!
For each externship you wish to apply for, please send (1) a cover letter address to the supervisor, (2) a resume, and (3) an unofficial transcript. These materials should be sent to Maureen Jordan before Monday, November 23. You may apply for as many or as few of the positions as you wish.
Governmental Positions
1. Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Supervisors: Jeff Close & Rick Rachal
2. City of Jacksonville, Environmental Quality Division
Supervisor: Dana Brown
Note: EQD Externs must have completed the Environmental Law course.
3. Saint John’s County Attorney’s Office
Supervisor: Patrick McCormack
Public Interest Positions
4. St. John’s River Keeper
Supervisor: Michael Howle
5. Public Trust Environmental Institute of Florida
Supervisor: Andrew Miller
Notes: Several of the externship supervisors have indicated they will hire 2 externs. Additional private firms have agreed to accept externs in Fall 2010. Preference may be given to students who have declared their intent to complete the environmental law certificate program. Externship supervisors may prefer students who have taken environmental law courses or are enrolled in environmental law courses for Spring 2010. Interviews will be conducted before the end of the exam period whenever possible.
For each externship you wish to apply for, please send (1) a cover letter address to the supervisor, (2) a resume, and (3) an unofficial transcript. These materials should be sent to Maureen Jordan before Monday, November 23. You may apply for as many or as few of the positions as you wish.
Governmental Positions
1. Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Supervisors: Jeff Close & Rick Rachal
2. City of Jacksonville, Environmental Quality Division
Supervisor: Dana Brown
Note: EQD Externs must have completed the Environmental Law course.
3. Saint John’s County Attorney’s Office
Supervisor: Patrick McCormack
Public Interest Positions
4. St. John’s River Keeper
Supervisor: Michael Howle
5. Public Trust Environmental Institute of Florida
Supervisor: Andrew Miller
Notes: Several of the externship supervisors have indicated they will hire 2 externs. Additional private firms have agreed to accept externs in Fall 2010. Preference may be given to students who have declared their intent to complete the environmental law certificate program. Externship supervisors may prefer students who have taken environmental law courses or are enrolled in environmental law courses for Spring 2010. Interviews will be conducted before the end of the exam period whenever possible.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Michael Maggio Immigrants' Rights Summer Fellowship
The Michael Maggio Immigrants' Rights Summer Fellowship was established jointly in 2009 by the America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CHRCL), and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIP/NLG), to commemorate the life and legal contributions of Michael Maggio.
The primary mission of the fellowship program is to strengthen law students' long-term commitment to promote justice and equality for vulnerable immigrant groups. Fellows will be chosen by the three sponsoring organizations, and will be selected based on the strength of their proposed host site and project.
The Maggio Immigrants' Right Fellowship program will select its first recipient in 2009, for summer 2010. One summer fellowship will be awarded to a law student each year.
Please see http://www.maggiofellowship.org/ for application form and additional information.
The current deadline is December 4, 2009. of the National Lawyers Guild
For more information, click HERE.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
New Public Interests Positions In Symplicity
Area Legal Positions In Washington
Pro Bono Manager, Children’s Law Center
General Counsel, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Attorney Advisor, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Trial Attorney, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Attorney Advisor, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Staff Attorney, Children’s Law Center
Staff Attorney, Hogar Immigrant Services of Catholic Charities
Bilingual Domestic Violence/Family Law Staff Attorney, Ayuda
Case Manager, Ayuda.
Director of Advocacy, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Non-Legal Positions:
Program Assistant, ABA Commission on Immigration
Executive Assistant/Intake Coordinator, Children’s Law Center
Administrative Associate, DC Employment Justice Center
Development Consultant, Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment & Appeals Project
Health Access Project Investigator, Children’s Law Center
Pro Bono Program Coordinator, Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc.
Advocates Program Co-Director, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
Executive Director, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
Out-of-Town (Legal and Non-Legal Positions):
Detention Attorney, American Friends Service Committee, Newark, New Jersey
Program Specialist, UConn Department of International Services & Programs, Storrs, Connecticut
Pro Bono Manager, Children’s Law Center
General Counsel, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Attorney Advisor, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Trial Attorney, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Attorney Advisor, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Staff Attorney, Children’s Law Center
Staff Attorney, Hogar Immigrant Services of Catholic Charities
Bilingual Domestic Violence/Family Law Staff Attorney, Ayuda
Case Manager, Ayuda.
Director of Advocacy, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Non-Legal Positions:
Program Assistant, ABA Commission on Immigration
Executive Assistant/Intake Coordinator, Children’s Law Center
Administrative Associate, DC Employment Justice Center
Development Consultant, Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment & Appeals Project
Health Access Project Investigator, Children’s Law Center
Pro Bono Program Coordinator, Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc.
Advocates Program Co-Director, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
Executive Director, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
Out-of-Town (Legal and Non-Legal Positions):
Detention Attorney, American Friends Service Committee, Newark, New Jersey
Program Specialist, UConn Department of International Services & Programs, Storrs, Connecticut
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