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April 30, 2009
Get Involved in your Legal Community
There’s no better time than this summer to make a new effort to get involved in the legal community that you’re interested in joining after graduation. This is not just about networking, although making professional contacts and learning about career opportunities are good reasons to become more involved. Getting involved in your legal community is also about engaging in a substantive way with the people who you hope to make your colleagues when you graduate from law school. It is about staying up-to-date on the most important legal issues in your legal community. And it is about working to make yourself a well-rounded, knowledgeable, and connected law student and future lawyer.
How to get involved? Simple – join local professional organizations and attend their events. Lunchtime section meetings of the local bar association, such as the CMBA here in Cleveland, are a perfect way to meet the people who are working in the area in which you’re interested. In particular, young lawyers groups within local and state bar associations help to connect you with people who were recently in your shoes and who might have new tips and advice to help you develop your own career. Specialty bar associations, such as the Federal Bar Association (which has chapters around the country, including one here in Cleveland), allow you to learn about ongoing issues of importance and to stay updated on recent events.
And don’t forget about non-legal opportunities to get involved in your community! Community service and volunteer work allow you to contribute to your local community and meet people who are making a difference. Sports activities, such as the Lawyers Have Heart 10K run in DC (in June 2009) or intramural sports through a local bar association, are also a great way to meet people.
The opportunities to get out there and get connected – in person – are endless. If you’re looking for creative ways to become involved in your local community this summer, talk with your CSO counselor before you head off for the summer. We can help your brainstorm some great ways to get involved.
Posted by kcc17 at 11:20 AM
April 28, 2009
Ohio State Bar Association Public Service Fellows Program
The Ohio State Bar Association recently announced a newly established Public Service Fellows Program to assist 2009 law school graduates and recently admitted lawyers as they attempt to enter the profession in these challenging times. This program will give students interested in acquiring experience while they continue to pursue a permanent position a chance to do meaningful work while providing legal assistance to the underserved.
Students graduating from law school in May 2009 can apply to become OSBA Public Service Fellows. Applicants must work an average of between 20 and 30 hours per week as a volunteer between August 24 and December 11, 2009. Fellows may chose to be placed either with a legal service office or with the newly created Law & Leadership Institute. Fellows will work under the direct supervision of an attorney, and may be asked to interview clients, prepare legal filings, including briefs, research, etc. Any required training and orientation will be provided by the legal services programs and the Law & Leadership Institute.
To review the program description and application or for additional information click here.
The OSBA will accept applications for the first phase until Wednesday, May 20.
Posted by kcc17 at 04:55 PM
April 20, 2009
Updating Your Symplicity Account
In an effort to have the most current information regarding where you have worked or where you will be working this summer we are asking that each of you take just a few minutes to fill out the employment profile information in Symplicity. If you are still seeking employment, please follow the steps below once you have accepted a position. This information is helpful to us when meeting with you, meeting with employers, and advising other students in the future. Additionally, the CSO uses this information to update The Inside Scoop on Blackboard each summer.
To enter your employment information in Symplicity, please follow these easy steps:
1) Log in to Symplicity
2) Click on the Profile tab
3) Click on the Employment tab
4) Click the Add New button
5) Be sure to include Placement Type (1L summer, 2L summer)
Please stop by the CSO if you have any questions and thank you in advance for updating your employment information.
Posted by cld30 at 09:00 AM
April 17, 2009
Classes are ending and I’m still seeking work. What should I be doing?
Firstly, don’t panic. Remember that employers do not necessarily operate on or even consider the academic calendar in their hiring decisions. The CSO is still receiving job postings and employers are still seeking to fill needs in their offices. If you are still seeking at this point, here are five things you should be doing to position yourself for securing employment:
1. Keep a positive attitude and remain calm. Yes, it’s a difficult time to be conducting a job search, but employers want positive and upbeat people working for them. So stay positive and know that the right opportunity for you is out there; you just have to find it.
2. Follow up with all applications you’ve sent out but have received no response to, no matter how long ago you replied. Make the phone calls and find out whether the position has been filled and, if it hasn’t, suggest that you are available for an interview and would be more than happy to come in and speak with them.
3. Touch base with all of your personal and professional networking contacts, especially those you haven’t talked to in a while. Give them an update on the school year and let them know you’re still seeking employment. Remind them of the opportunities you’re looking for and ask them for any additional advice and referrals they might have.
4. Continue to make new contacts. Do this by getting alumni names from the CSO, using martindale.com and firm websites to identify people you’d like to speak with, attending CLE events and social events where attorneys may congregate.
5. Continue to stay in contact with the CSO about your job search. Remember that we remain open our normal business hours (8:30 – 5:00) during reading days, exams, and the summer break.
Posted by kcc17 at 09:52 AM
April 14, 2009
Upcoming CSO Events
WEDNESDAY, April 15 at 12PM in room 158: United States Department of Justice: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S HONORS PROGRAM and SUMMER LAW INTERN PROGRAM. Valerie Priess, a trial attorney in the Tax Division at the Department of Justice, will be on-campus to talk with law students. All law students at Case Western Reserve University School of Law are invited to learn more about the opportunities available for new attorneys and interns at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Valerie will provide an overview of the Department’s legal employment programs. She will also offer practical advice to law students on how to apply to these programs. (If you are a 3L entering a clerkship or have other questions about permanent opportunities at the DOJ, you should also feel free to attend.)
THURSDAY, April 16 at 12PM in room A61: Economic Development in an Economic Downturn. Join David Ebersole, a class of 2008 graduate, in a discussion about his work experience in economic development. Learn how he’s using his law degree in a non-traditional way at the City of Cleveland, assisting the City with economic development efforts. Pizza will be served.
WEDNESDAY, April 29 at 9AM: Coffee with the CSO. Take a study break and drop by the CSO for a cup of coffee at our final “Coffee with the CSO” for this Academic Year.
Posted by cld30 at 03:31 PM
April 09, 2009
Debt Repayment Options - Equal Justice Works Resources
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) is legislation that forgives student debt and limits monthly loan payments when you meet certain requirements. This legislation becomes fully effective on July 1, 2009. If you’re looking for more information on the CCRAA, including information on how to take advantage of this debt repayment resource, Equal Justice Works has great new resources available online. In fact, Equal Justice Works has launched a whole new web resource regarding student debt.
Visit the Equal Justice Works online resource center at: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resources/student-debt-relief/default. You’ll find a comprehensive overview of the provisions of the CCRAA and many practical tools including simple checklists, calculators, lists of loan repayment assistance programs, FAQs and podcasts.
Posted by cld30 at 10:03 AM
April 06, 2009
Federal Government Jobs
Did you know that in the next five years, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) projects that more than 550,000 federal employees - one-third of the entire permanent workforce - will leave the government? Furthermore, OPM projects that by 2017, 40% of all current federal employees will retire! Do you need anymore statistical information to persuade you that right now might be an ideal time to consider a career in federal government?
These and other statistics are readily available on the website www.makingthedifference.org. This is a must-see website for anyone interested in learning more about job opportunities within the federal government. For instance, did you know that there are 29,814 general attorney positions in the federal government? Or how about the fact that 84% of federal jobs are actually located outside of Washington, DC?
Applying for a federal government job can be a confusing process, thanks in part to the KSA's (knowledge, skills and abilities) that applicants must highlight. This website helps students navagate through the process, answering any questions you may have along the way. Be sure to check out the "Law Jobs in Federal Government" page here. You'll find all sorts of useful information about legal federal government jobs.
Posted by cld30 at 12:26 PM
April 03, 2009
Professional Development Series: E-Professionalism
Studies show that more and more employers are doing online research about potential candidates for employment. It is important that you understand the key principles for maintaining a professional online presence. This workshop will focus on maintaining professional online etiquette—from your Facebook page to your email correspondence.
MONDAY, April 6 at 12PM in room A57. Lunch will be served.
Posted by kcc17 at 02:45 PM
April 02, 2009
Judicial Clerkships
A Judicial Clerkship can be a satisfying beginning to a legal career and can be a unique transition into the legal world after law school. When thinking about a clerkship it is important to research the types of judges that accept post-graduate clerks and what type of judge you would like to work with.
There are several categories of courts that accept clerks: U.S. Circuit Courts, U.S. District Courts, U.S. Bankruptcy Courtcs, and state courts (including Supreme Courts and Appellate Courts). There are also other federal judges who do not fall into the categories above. A few examples are the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed forces, U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
If you would like to start your legal career clerking with a judge, be sure to attend the session on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 in Room A57 at the noon hour with Dean Entin.
The session is devoted to learning about the application process for judicial clerkships, the differences between state and federal clerkships, the timeline for applying, the necessary materials, factors to consider when selecting references and the different method of applying.
To learn more about different Judges and clerkship opportunities, stop by the CSO resource room to get up to date information.
Additionally, the Federal Judiciary Center website provides judges' biographies and the site will allow you create a list to compare the different judges.
Posted by kcc17 at 10:28 AM
April 01, 2009
Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair
The Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair is a relatively new initiative designed by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association's Diversity and Managing Partner Committees. In 2005, the first annual HDLJF was held in Kansas City, Missouri. This job fair, held on August 7-8, encourages students to make Kansas City their first choice to begin their career.
Who May Register
All 2L (graduating in 2011) and 3L (graduating in 2010) Law Students and 2009 Law Grads are invited to participate regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality or disability.
How to Register
Student Registration began March 26, 2009.
To register for this event, please email your registration request to heartlanddiversity@kcmba.org. Please include in the request your full name, the name of your college or university, your expected graduation date and a permanent email address. After submitting your request, an ID and password will be assigned to you so that you may access the Fair's web database and upload registration information needed for employers (i.e., cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample). The registration deadline is June 20, 2009.
For information and registration, please visit www.heartlanddiversity.org
Posted by kcc17 at 11:05 AM