Archives for the Month of February 2008 on CSO Blog
So just what is “Business Law”?
It is Business Law Theme Week here in the CSO and you may be wondering what, exactly, do we mean when we say “Business Law”? The answer, of course, is that practicing business law can mean a lot of different things and we have a lot of resources for you to consult to get a better idea.
• The Vault Guide to Corporate Law Careers is one such resource available in the CSO. This publication provides a basic description of “Corporate Law” and goes into detail on issues such as litigation versus transactional law, what it means to be a transactional attorney, and what specific practice areas generally fall into the category of Corporate Practice. This guide also provides detail about the hiring process and the day-to-day work of attorneys in these practices areas.
• The Official Guide to Legal Specialties by Lisa Abrams is also a useful resource available in the CSO. In this guide, Lisa Abrams devotes an entire chapter to Corporate Practice, including insights from practicing attorneys and information about what skills are most important to corporate lawyers.
• For those of you considering a career that is business-related, but outside of typical legal practice, keep in mind that the CSO also provides guides geared toward careers in consulting and investment banking.
And remember, if you’d like to hear directly from practicing attorneys about their experience in business law, attend our Business Law Career Panel TODAY at noon in Room A57.
Interested in the East Coast? Consider Rhode Island.
Are you interested in living on the East Coast, but not quite sure that you want to practice law in cities like Boston, New York, or DC? Are you looking for a livable city with an interesting legal practice? Consider Providence, Rhode Island.
An hour train ride from Boston, Providence has its own set of legal employers – small firms, large firms, public interest, and government. The CSO visited some of these employers last week and Providence was described as a city where sophisticated legal work is done for sophisticated clients who all just like being in Providence. While salaries might not be the same as those in larger markets, attorneys in Providence say that work-life balance and the ability to quickly integrate into the legal community can sometimes balance that out.
Even better, Providence is a city familiar with Case Western Reserve University School of Law – a quick search on Martindale-Hubbell shows that we have at least 24 alums in Providence. So if you’re thinking about the East Coast, but looking for a market that’s different from some of the larger cities, start networking with Case Western Reserve alums in Providence to find out if it is a good place for you.
Corporate/In-House Guest Blogger
Periodically throughout the year the CSO will be posting blog entries from guest bloggers about various topics. Please note that the views expressed by our guest bloggers are the personal opinion of each blogger and are not necessarily the views and opinions of the CSO. The CSO guest blogger entries are intended as an opportunity for attorneys currently practicing in the legal field to share their insight and advice with law students.
Our guest blogger for the month of February is Matt Drain, Esq. (class of 1977). Mr. Drain works as corporate in-house counsel for Newell Recycling in Georgia. In his blog, Mr. Drain discusses the corporate in-house work environment and the importance of being a good "fit."
"In a recent conversation with outside counsel following a business meeting that he attended, he expressed relief that he has many clients and therefore doesn’t have to depend upon a single, and sometimes difficult, client. Though it’s true that corporate counsel faces greater political and social challenges as to the client than a firm attorney, this is also one of the rewards of being in-house. In the best instances, a rewarding personal and professional bond is created from many shared experiences, both large and small. In the worst instances, and I’ve experienced this unhappily, a virtually unrepairable frustration is made between the attorney and the client through a mutuality of discordant expectations and poor communications.
Consequently, it seems to me that the initial interviews and discussions between the in-house job applicant and the management group are critical. Of course, they want a knowledgeable professional as you want a challenging job that uses and enhances your skills. But the degree of intimacy, the daily contact that can include requests for personal legal advice, calls for a certain amount of intuition on the part of the attorney (and the management) as to whether the “fit” is good. It’s no exaggeration to say that you’ll be joining a family environment, no matter the size of the company, and you have to be comfortable with the other family members. If you’re to work closely with the CFO, ask yourself whether he/she is more brittle and argumentative than you feel comfortable abiding. If they are much like your father, for example, and you know you wouldn’t work with your father, then don’t work for this person. Trust your instincts. A firm is more likely to provide the safe harbor of legal acumen and productivity in avoiding or minimizing personal difficulties: not so in the intimate environment of a business.
An earlier writer discussed the pathway to an in-house position and with those remarks I agree entirely. And now that you’ve managed to get an interview with a corporate legal department, prepare yourself to show not only that you know the relevant law and have useful experience but also that you are the type of person with whom these people will enjoy working. If you’re going to all live in the same house, it’s essential that everyone gets along successfully—including you."
Business Law Week
Considering a Career in Business Law? Then Don’t Miss Business Law Week.
Starting Tuesday, February 26, the CSO will host a week of events focused on business law careers. Check out the schedule of events below.
Tuesday, February 26
Resources Table — Learn about the resources available for your business law job search.
Upper Rotunda, 12:00—1:00 pm
Wednesday, February 27
Student Business Law Panel — Learn how your classmates found their summer positions in business law, the types of employers they worked for, and the types of assignments they worked on.
Room A57, 12:00—1:00pm
Thursday, February 28
Business Law Career Panel — Listen as attorneys discuss their experience in business law.
Room A57, 12:00—1:00 pm
State Court Judicial Clerkships
When thinking about post-graduate opportunities, please be sure to consider state court judicial clerkships. Working as a judicial clerk for a state court can provide recent graduates with the opportunity to strengthen their legal skills while developing relationships within the legal community. Unfortunately, because the application process is not centralized, it can be difficult and confusing to identify opportunities and submit applications. The CSO has a must-see resource available to help you understand and navagate the state court judicial clerkship recruiting process.
Vermont Law School has compiled general information, by court, in its annual Guide to State Judicial Clerkship Procedures. The guide is organized by state and lists pertinent information for judicial clerkship application procedures in each court. The CSO has a copy of this guide available to students in the resource room, and students may also access the guide through the CSO link on Blackboard. Please note that some courts begin accepting applications from students as early as the spring of their second year of law school! Please feel free to stop by the CSO with any questions!
Out-of-State Job Searching and Spring Break
If you are in the process of conducting an out-of-state job search, now is the time to start thinking about how to use your Spring Break. If at all possible, you should schedule a trip to the city where you are job searching during Spring Break. Be assertive and contact potential employers now to let them know the specific dates when you will be in town and try to schedule meetings and interviews. Don’t forget to also contact alumni who work in the city of your choice and schedule networking meetings to obtain advice about the legal market.
Remember, the CSO has alumni lists that are a good starting point for identifying contacts in your city of choice. And if you have questions about how to reach out to employers and networking contacts, stop by the CSO for advice.
After the Interview
Congratulations! You've made it past the initial resume screening process and successfully completed your interview, BUT there are still a couple of things that need to be done. After your interview, you'll want to take time to do the following:
1. Send a Thank-You - It is good practice to always send a thank-you letter, card or email to the attorney(s) you interviewed with, as well as the recruiting administrator, if applicable. Use this as an opportunity to remind the employer of your qualifications and to reiterate your interest in the position. Be sure to send the thank-you(s) as soon as possible after the interview (the very next day is great, but no later than a week after the interview).
2. Evaluate Your Performance - Use each interview as a learning experience. Assess your answers to certain questions to better prepare for future interviews. Jot down questions that surprised you so you can be better prepared to answer them in the next interview.
Please contact the CSO or schedule a meeting with a counselor if you have any questions about the interview process.
Plan Ahead for the Summer – ABA Law Student Division Career Fair
Career fairs can be a great way to meet with and learn about employers of all types from many different places. This summer, consider attending the ABA Law Student Division Career Fair. Occurring in conjunction with the ABA’s Annual Meeting, this one-day Career Fair provides a unique opportunity for law students to meet with representatives from law firms of all sizes, state and federal government agencies, public interest, and non-profit groups for summer and new associate positions, as well as internships and volunteer opportunities.
The Career Fair is structured as a table-talk and resume submission event to provide law students an opportunity to learn more about the firm or agency, while actively gaining valuable career advice.
Registration for the Career Fair will be opening soon. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions and more information visit: http://www.abanet.org/lsd/career/2008/students/home.html.
1L Summer Job Search Panel
Stressed about finding a job this summer? Interested in hearing first hand about the 1L summer job search from current 2Ls? Don’t miss the 1L Summer Job Search Panel!
The panel will give first year students the chance to hear from second year students about different summer opportunities. Be sure to attend if you would like to learn more about how second year students found their 1L summer positions and the type of work that they did. First summer experiences discussed will include small firms, public interest, medium size firms, government, research assistant, in house legal departments, judicial externship, and international positions.
When: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Where: Room A58
Pizza will be served.
NALP's 2008 Online Apartment Exchange
Have you secured a summer position outside of the Cleveland area and wondering where to find housing? Maybe you are also looking to sublet your Cleveland apartment for the summer...
Law students seeking summer housing and students with housing available for the summer are invited to participate in NALP's free online 2008 Apartment Exchange.
It's easy - just visit www.nalp.org and follow the link to the Apartment Exchange. The Apartment Exchange will be available through May 16, 2008.
Alternative Careers Panel
Are you interested in learning for about opportunities for JDs outside the traditional practice of law? If so, then mark your calendars and attend the CSO’s Alternative Careers Panel Monday, February 4th.
When: Monday, February 4, 2008
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Where: Room A57