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November 30, 2009
Case Western Reserve University School of Law Summer 2010 Fellowships
Case Western Reserve University School of Law offers numerous summer fellowship opportunities for students interested in public interest, international, environmental, and health law. Through grants by several generous donors, as well as through funding from our academic centers, fellowships are available to current students who wish to pursue unpaid public interest, international, environmental, and/or health law opportunities during the summer. First- and second-year students are eligible for each of these fellowships. All applications, except for SPILF, are due to the CSO by the specified date listed below. SPILF officers set deadlines and handle the SPILF application process. Application forms will be available in the CSO starting December 1st.
The following is a brief description of the fellowships:
Klatsky Human Rights Fellowships
Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Bruce J. Klatsky, Co-Founder of LNK Partners and former Chairman and CEO of the Phillips Van Heusen Corporation, the Frederick K. Cox International Law Center offers two Case law students summer internships at Human Rights Watch in New York City or Washington, DC. Interns are awarded $4,000 for completion of the 8 to 10 week internship.
Application materials: resume; one-page statement of interest; signed application form with expressed geographical preference (application form available in CSO Hot Files)
Deadline: Friday, February 5, 2010
Adelstein Environmental Law Fellowship
The Stanley I. and Hope S. Adelstein Environmental Law Student Summer Grant is awarded to a Case law student who secures an environmental law-related internship or employment in the public interest field (including government employment). The position must be unpaid. The amount of the grant is $5,000 for an 8 to 10 week internship.
Application materials: application (application form available in CSO Hot Files); statement outlining work that will be done during the summer and what the applicant hopes to accomplish during his/her employment
Deadline: Rolling deadline – apply ASAP, but no later than Monday, March 8, 2010
Biskind Public Interest Fellowships
Each year, up to five Case law students will be eligible for Saul S. Biskind Public Interest Summer Fellowships. To qualify, students must do unpaid public interest legal work for 10 weeks during the summer at a nonprofit organization (excluding government agencies). The 2009 summer recipients were employed with the following organizations: Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH; Community Legal Services, Youngstown, OH; Community Legal Services, Warren, OH; and Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago. The summer stipend is $3,500.
Application materials: resume; statement of interest; letter of commitment from employer
Deadline: Monday, March 29, 2010
Social Justice Fellowships
Social Justice Fellowships offer up to $3,500 to students who secure unpaid public service legal work for 10 weeks during the summer at a nonprofit organization OR government agency. A sampling of where the 2009 summer recipients were employed includes the following organizations: State of California Department of Justice, San Francisco, CA; Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Columbus, OH; New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, Whippany, NJ; San Diego Public Defender, San Diego, CA; Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Toledo, OH; Office of the State Appellate Defender, Chicago, IL; Miami Immigration Court, Miami, FL; ARC of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, OH; and Seattle EEOC, Seattle, WA.
Application materials: resume; statement of interest; letter of commitment from employer
Deadline: Monday, March 29, 2010
Law-Medicine Center Stipends
The Law-Medicine Center will offer up to $8,000 in 2010 to students who secure health law-related summer positions with public interest or government organizations that will not pay a significant salary or stipend. No student will receive more than $2,000. In addition, one more $2,000 stipend will be awarded to a Health Matrix journal editor who secures a health law-related summer position with a public interest or government organization that will not pay a significant salary or stipend. The 2009 summer recipients were employed with the following organizations: Senate Aging Committee, Washington, DC; Veterans Affairs Office of Regional Counsel, Bedford, MA; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, DC; EEOC, Washington, DC; and AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, Cape Town, South Africa.
Application materials: application (application form available in CSO Hot Files); resume; one-page description of the position and what you expect to accomplish; Summer Internship Budget
Deadline: Monday, March 29, 2010
Cox International Law Center Stipends
The Frederick K. Cox International Law Center offers stipends of up to $3,000 to Case students who secure international law-related summer internships. During the summer of 2009, students who received this stipend worked for: The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo; Special Court for Sierra Leone; Yugoslavia Tribunal Defense Council; Rwanda Tribunal; International Trade Commission in Geneva; International Justice Mission in Kenya; Supreme Court of India; Cambodia Tribunal, and many more.
Application materials: application (application form available in CSO Hot Files); resume; one-page statement of interest; Summer Internship Budget Worksheet (available in CSO Hot Files) and the
amount (between $1,000-3,000) requested to support summer work
Deadline: Monday, March 29, 2010
Summer Public Interest Law Fellowship (SPILF) Fellowships
Through fundraising campaigns, SPILF raises money from students and other individuals and organizations to support summer fellowships. The number and amount of fellowships vary each year, depending upon fundraising success and the number of applications. The application process and deadline for these fellowships is determined by SPILF.
Please note that if you receive credit for an externship, you are not eligible for Case Western Reserve fellowship funding.
Posted by cld30 at 04:18 PM
November 23, 2009
'Tis the Season for Networking!
This winter, be sure to take advantage of all of the networking opportunities that holiday parties and gatherings inevitably provide. Remember, you should be prepared to network in every professional or social situation. Make an effort to introduce yourself to new people at these events, keeping in mind that although not everyone you meet will be a lawyer, chances are they know a lawyer. You want to find a way to casually work into the conversation the fact that you are a law student at Case Western and you’re actively researching the legal market. Don’t forget that, according to author Kimm Walton in her book “Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams,” statistics show that 90% of legal jobs (both first and lateral jobs) are the result of effective networking. There are countless success stories of students who found their dream jobs through networking with casual contacts at parties and picnics. So enjoy the holiday season and be sure to use the festivities to your advantage. Happy networking!
Posted by cld30 at 04:24 PM
November 20, 2009
When Drafting Applications & Interviewing: Remember What Employers Want
When you apply for a job, you know exactly what you're looking for. You want a company you love, great co-workers, a decent salary, a culture where you fit in and, most importantly, you want to love what you'll be doing.
But do you ever consider what the employer is looking for in its employees?
While it is important to tailor each application and interview to the specific qualities of each employer, there are some universal traits that all employers look for in their candidates. Make sure your application materials and interviews are addressing these things as well.
For a good article on what these universal traits are and how to approach them, see this article written by Rachel Zupek for CareerBuilder.com.
Posted by cld30 at 04:22 PM
November 19, 2009
Traveling through Hopkins over the Break?
Good news! You can do a little employer research while waiting to board your flight. Check out this article on Cleveland.com about the free wi-fi service at Hopkins International Airport that started this week.
Posted by kcc17 at 05:33 PM
November 18, 2009
Employer Outreach Updates
During the fall 2009 semester, the CSO has met with approximately 42 employers to bring employment opportunities to Case Western students and learn inside information that cannot be obtained on the website.
Employers the CSO has met with include the New York City Department of Education, Bricker & Eckler, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the District of Columbia Public Defender, and many more. If you are interested in learning about any of the employers the CSO has met with, or would like the CSO to reach out to employers that interest you, please contact your career counselor.
Posted by fmf9 at 11:50 AM
November 16, 2009
What NOT to Include on Your Resume
As the semester is coming to a close many of you will be turning your attention to your job search over winter break. Before you start sending your resume out to potential employers, you must make sure it is updated and ready to go (perfect). As a 2L or 3L, that means adding any recent work or volunteer experiences, any new activities or honors, and possibly any recent CLEs or lectures you've attended. As a 1L, that means drafting your first legal resume, which can look very different from the resume you are accustomed to. The CSO is here to help review your resumes and offer suggestions for improvement, but we thought it would be worthwhile to highlight the items that you SHOULD NOT include on your resume. According to Kimm Walton, author of Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams, employers do not want to see the following on your resume:
1. An Objective Line - Legal employers assume that your objective is to get a job with them - no need to state the obvious, as it just takes up precious room on your resume.
2. A "Personal" Section - Things such as date of birth, marital status, SSN, etc. Employers are not even allowed to ask you this information in an interview! Why would you voluntarily divulge it on your resume?
3. A "Summary of Qualifications" Section - Phrases like, "talented, independent thinker." These are subjective evaluations that people like to make themselves.
4. References, or "References Available Upon Request" - You need to have a separate document with your references information. All legal employers will assume you have references to offer upon request - again, no need to state the obvious.
5. Schools That Admitted You - What might have been is irrelevant.
6. LSAT Score - No matter how high you scored, it's just not something to include on your resume. Leave it out!
Posted by cld30 at 05:40 PM
November 12, 2009
Resumes and Cover Letters: Basic Tips From Employers
If you are a first year student, you are probably at work at updating your resume and drafting cover letters after attending one of the CSO’s Resume and Cover Letter Workshops this week. As you do so, remember those employers emphasize the following:
• Make sure that any cover letter and resume that you submit to an employer is free of typos. A typo in a cover letter or resume almost always gives the employer an automatic reason to stop considering the resume no matter what else is listed on it.
• Make sure that your cover letter is addressed to the correct person and the correct employer. And make sure, if you mention particular practice areas in the cover letter, that the employer actually has those practice areas. Employers dread receiving a cover letter that is addressed to someone else, that is addressed to the wrong firm, or that mentions working in a practice area that the employer does not have.
• Make sure that you can talk in detail about everything that is listed on your resume.
• Do your best to make sure your cover letter specifically explains why you are interested in the particular employer. Employers can tell when they are receiving a mass-mailed cover letter and most employers prefer to see a letter that specifically explains why you are interested in working for the particular employer.
• Do your research. Your cover letter should demonstrate that you a familiar with and interested in the work done by the employer.
Feel free to schedule an appointment with the CSO to discuss resumes and cover letters. Remember that the CSO is available to review your cover letter and resume, provide substantive suggestions, and help you avoid typos! We’re also available to answer any questions you have about the job search process.
Posted by kcc17 at 02:39 PM
CMBA Minority Programs
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18th: Minority Clerkship Info Session for First-Year Students. Representatives from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association will hold an information session for the Minority Clerkship Program. Representatives will describe the program and answer any questions you might have. This program provides first year minority law school students at the two local law schools with the opportunity to work as a summer associate in a local law firm, corporate legal department or public sector position. The program is also open to law students who are Cleveland area residents but attend law school out of the area. The program not only affords selected students with a valuable work experience but also serves as a substantial resume builder. The application process, timelines, interviews and placement will be discussed. Please make every effort to attend this meeting if you are an eligible first year student. Room A64 12PM – 1PM.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16th: Minority Judicial Externship Info Session for 2Ls. Representatives from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association will hold an information session for the Minority Judicial Externship Program. Representatives will describe the program and answer any questions you might have. The application process, timeline, interviews and placement will be discussed. Please make every effort to attend this meeting if you are an eligible second year student. Room A62 12PM – 1PM.
Posted by kcc17 at 09:50 AM
November 09, 2009
Creative Ways to Distinguish Yourself
In a competitive job market it is more important than ever to do everything you can to distinguish yourself from other candidates. You should always keep your eyes open for opportunities to set yourself apart from the crowd, and creative ways to market yourself to potential employers. To help give you ideas of how to take your job search to the next level, the Career Services Office suggests you consider instituting the following strategies:
1. Read regional legal and business publications. Most of you probably already read the daily news paper, whether hard copy or online, so why not add a publication or two to help keep you abreast of the most important current events and legal trends. You’ll find all sorts of useful nuggets of information, such as changes in law firm status (new offices opening, new practice areas, firm mergers), upcoming conferences, seminars and events, and law firm open houses. Crain’s Cleveland is one example of a local business publication that will keep you in the loop. Mark your calendar to attend as many of these advertised events as time permits.
You will inevitably find articles written about issues in specialties that interest you. Use this find to your advantage by contacting the author of the article to set up an informational meeting. Writers love to be complemented on what they’ve written, so think of how flattered the individual will be when you reach out to them for advice on a specific topic.
2. Write something! Strong legal research and writing skills are of utmost importance to most legal employers, so anytime you can demonstrate those skills is an opportunity you do not want to pass up. Outside of Law Review and various other journals here at the law school, there are many other opportunities to showcase your writing abilities. Consider writing an article for a bar association legal publication. Perhaps as a result of reading legal and business publications, you come across a cutting-edge topic that piques your interest. Jump on this thought and turn your interest in the topic into an insightful article. You could even take it a step further by contacting professionals and practitioners in that particular specialty as you conduct research for your article.
Another great way to showcase and strengthen your writing skills is to seek out writing competitions to take part in. Many of these writing competitions carry cash prizes and receive only 3 or 4 entries each year. The CSO often posts writing competition advertisements on the bulletin board right outside our office, and we have a binder filled with writing competitions. You can also search the writing competition database on the Student Home Page of the law school intranet. Various writing competitions are also listed on the ABA’s website: www.abanet.org/lsd/competitions/writing-contests/home.html.
3. Spend some time volunteering. Volunteer opportunities exist everywhere – bar association functions, CLEs, conferences, alumni functions – the list goes on and on. Volunteering is an easy way to network and it is also an item you can add to your resume. Engaging in volunteer activities show potential employers that you are enthusiastic, social (rainmaking potential!), and that you know how to manage your time. Be sure to talk to a CSO counselor if you are looking for events or organizations to volunteer with. As mentioned in a previous Docket article, we have a Volunteer Opportunities Handout available in the CSO, but we certainly encourage students to create their own volunteer opportunities as well.
Adding some creativity to your job search may be exactly what you need to catch an employer’s attention. Use the above suggestions to get started, and take a look at Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams, by Kimm Walton, for additional unique strategies.
Posted by cld30 at 12:33 PM
November 06, 2009
Finding the Right Firm… For YOU
For those of you concentrating your search on law firms, you might be finding yourself wondering the best ways to differentiate one firm from another. Perhaps you've looked at each firm's size, practice areas, and rankings and now find yourself with a lengthy list of firms that look all very similar to each other. How do you determine where you should focus your job search efforts?
All law firms, like all law students, have unique personalities and characteristics. It is important to determine the things that are most important to you in your work experience. Then do some research to find which firms best match what’s important to you. Here are some tips to help you get started:
• Talk with your classmates who previously have worked at the firm to get their opinions (check out the Inside Scoop on Blackboard for where your classmates have worked over the summers).
• Find out what you can about the firm's summer opportunities. Do students rotate through different practice groups, or do they assign students to one group for the whole summer? Do students have any input in their assignment?
• Who are the firm's clients? If you were to work there, would you be representing individuals, business entities, or municipalities? Does the firm mostly represent the pharmaceutical industry, banks, or technology firms? You can find this information through the firm's website and by searching for the firm’s name (or a particular attorney in the firm) in the caselaw databases on Lexis and Westlaw.
• Does the firm have a particular niche practice area that appeals to you?
• What opportunities does the firm offer for professional development? For third-year students, what are the firm's expectations for their new associate development?
• What type of work would you be engaged in? How is work distributed and how much responsibility are law clerks and summer associates able to assume? For third-year students, how aggressive must associates be about pursuing their own work?
When you visit the firm, either for networking purposes or for an interview, keep your eyes and ears open. You can gather a lot of information just from sitting in the reception area or while being led around the firm during your interview. What is the "feel" or "vibe" in the office? Are doors opened or closed? Is it silent as a library or is there lively conversation? Do the attorneys and staff seem relaxed and generally content, or is there a feeling of tension in the air? Watch the way people interact with each other. Try to speak with as many attorneys in the firm as possible to help you gain a well-rounded perspective.
These are just a few suggestions to help you find your best fit for law firm employment. You must determine for yourself what is important to you, weighing the plusses and minuses of each firm. Remember that the end goal is to find a place where you will be happy both professionally and personally.
Posted by hdd5 at 11:18 AM
November 05, 2009
Resume and Cover Letter Workshops for First Year Students
First year students, please remember that next week (the week of November 9th) you must attend one resume and cover letter workshop. Learn how to turn an incoming student resume into an effective legal resume and how to draft high-impact cover letters. You will leave the workshop with a better understanding of the purpose and format of a legal resume and cover letter.
The workshop is offered four times and each first year student MUST attend one session. Be sure that you RSVP through the Symplicity system.
Monday, November 9 at 12PM in A57
Tuesday, November 10 at 4PM in A57
Wednesday, November 11 at 1PM in A57
Thursday, November 12 at 12PM in 157
Posted by kcc17 at 09:06 AM
November 03, 2009
Keep Updated on the CSO's Outreach Efforts!
Thank you to those students who completed the geographic survey! As a result of your comments, the CSO has multiple outreach trips planned, starting with DC this week and outreach meetings in Cleveland throughout the month. Next month we will be visiting with employers in New York!
We look forward to advising you about career options in NYC and the other regions we have recently visited, including Columbus and Chicago.
Keep your eyes open for updates about our trips. Be sure to check out the bulletin board outside of the CSO to review our recent travels and employer meetings. Make sure to stop by the bulletin board every so often to see where the CSO has been and which employers we have met with.
If you have suggestions for future trips or specific employers you would like to learn more information about please feel free to stop by the Director of Employer Outreach’s office or visit your career counselor.
Posted by fmf9 at 05:30 PM
November 02, 2009
1L Orientation Sessions
Attention first year students!
Remember that this week the CSO will be holding mandatory 30 minute orientation sessions. Students will be introduced to Symplicity, the CSO's online job posting system, and will become familiar with the career development resources available through the CSO. CSO staff will also discuss the next steps in your summer job search process.
Mark your calendars to attend one of the following sessions, and be sure to sign in on the attendance sheet before you leave!
Monday, November 2 at 12pm in A59
Tuesday, November 3 at 12:30 in A59
Wednesday, November 4 at 12pm in A59
Thursday, November 5 at 4pm in A59
Posted by cld30 at 10:30 AM