Vocare

Students interested in attending the 2009 Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair may sign up for a Symplicity account and submit their cover letter and resume beginning Monday, August 31. Deadline is Sept. 11.

Signing up for a Symplicity account is free. Most student registrations to attend the Conference and Career Fair will be free. To sign up:

1. Create a Symplicity account at https://ejw-csm.symplicity.com/students/. Even though the U of M usues Symplicity you will still need to create a new account.
2. Confirm your email address by clicking on the link that is emailed to you.
3. Update your profile information under "Profile"
4. Upload a cover letter, résumé and transcript, if applicable. Please note that you may not upload writing samples into the system. Bring these to the interview with you.
5. Register to attend the Career Fair under "Events." You must register in order to be admitted into the Conference and Career Fair. A Symplicity account does not constitute as registering.
6. Submit applications to employers through Symplicity

For more information and for tips on how to have a successful Conference and Career Fair, visit the Equal Justice Works website at www.equaljusticeworks.org.

Posted by at 2:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I thought this discussion regarding online reputation management interesting.

"As lawyers participate in social media - Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, just to name a few - there's a growing sense that Internet presence is becoming online reputation. In this episode, co-hosts Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell look at this important new phenomenon and suggest practical ways that you can find and manage your online reputation, while avoiding the most common pitfalls."

Click here to listen to the podcast.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 7:34 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Purpose: To recognize the significant contributions that law students make to under-served populations, the public interest community, and legal education by performing pro bono or public service work.

Eligibility: The Pro Bono Publico Award is available to any second- or third-year law student at a PSLawNet Subscriber School. The recipient will be honored during an Award Luncheon at NALP's Public Service Mini-Conference on Friday, October 23, 2009 at the Washington, DC office of Arnold & Porter, LLP. The Award recipient will receive transportation to Washington, a one-night stay in an area hotel, a commemorative plaque, and a small monetary award.

Award Criteria: Law students are judged by the extracurricular commitment they have made to law related public service project(s) or organization(s); the quality of work they performed; and the impact of that work on the community, their fellow students, and the school. Though a student's involvement in law school-based public interest organizing and fundraising is relevant, actual pro bono and public interest legal work will be the primary consideration.

Nomination Deadline: Nominations must be received by Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 5pm Eastern Time, by fax, mail, or email. Please visit here for the award form.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 4:36 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Thursday, August 27 -- 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Landmark Center, 75 West 5th Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
Cocktail Reception, Cash Bar and Live Music

Speakers:
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (confirmed)
U.S. Senator Al Franken (invited)
Governor Tim Pawlenty (invited)
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Michael Davis (confirmed)
State Senator Patricia Torres Ray (confirmed)

Sponsors: Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Faegre & Benson LLP, Federal Bar Association, Fredrikson & Byron P.A., Hamline University School of Law, Hennepin County Bar Association, Infinity Project, Jesse Bethke Gomez, Latino Communications Network LCN, Leonard Street and Deinard P.A., Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP, Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers, Ramsey County Bar Association, Redmond Associates, Rice Michels & Walther LLP, Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi LLP, Service Employees International Union SEIU, The White House Project, The Women's Foundation, University of Minnesota Law School, University of St. Thomas Law School, William Mitchell College of Law.

This event is free of charge, but space is limited. RSVP no later than Monday August 24, 2009 to: MNSotomayorevent@gmail.com.

Posted by at 2:38 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Step 1: Visit the Minnesota State Bar Association for links to the below associations.

Hispanic National Bar Association
Minnesota American Indian Bar Association
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
Minnesota Black Women Lawyers Network
Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association
Minnesota Lavender Bar Association
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Minnesota Chapter)
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (National)

Step 2: Get involved.

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 7:28 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Check out these practical networking tips

1. GO WITH THE INTENTION TO HELP

Lawyers who go to a meeting or a reception with the sole purpose of finding a new client or landing a job interview usually leave frustrated and discouraged. They miss the fundamental point: Networking is about building relationships.

One of the quickest and most effective ways to initiate or strengthen a relationship is to help the other person. Recipients of your generosity, wisdom or connections will also be more motivated to help you when you need help.

When my coaching clients go to a function, I ask them not to leave until they have helped at least three people. It counts even if all they do is point someone to the restroom or bar. Possibilities for being helpful abound, however.

For example, at a social or business function they can suggest an online resource for a problem, answer a legal or other question, make an introduction to someone else at the event who may be of interest, promise to send a link to an article on the subject of discussion, or go up to talk to someone standing alone.

Most of my reluctant networker clients report that when they attend with the goal of helping, they feel more at ease. Some report, with some surprise, that they actually kind of enjoy themselves.

Click here for the entire post.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 8:00 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Student Veterans and Service Members - get paid for your internship!

If you have an internship that is unpaid or low-paid (less than $1800 a semester), you may be eligible for a U of M Student Veterans and Service Members Internship Grant! Find all the details and application instructions at http://onestop.umn.edu/veterans/gift_aid.html

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 10:24 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There are exciting developments in the Attorney General's Honors Program (HP) and Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)! Highlights include:

* An earlier application deadline and a faster review and selection process.

Don't miss the September 8, 2009 application deadline.

Candidates selected for HP interviews will be notified on or about September 25, 2009. SLIP candidates will be notified in early October.

Government-funded HP interviews will be scheduled October 13-30, 2009. SLIP interviews, mostly telephonic, will begin following notification.

Most first-round offers will be issued by early November.

* The Office of the Solicitor General of the United States is a first-time formal Honors Program participant. The position of Special Assistant to the Solicitor General is open to law school graduates with superior academic credentials and exceptional writing skills. Eligibility is limited to applicants serving in or who have completed a federal court of appeals judicial clerkship.

* Three United States Attorneys' Offices (USAOs) are formal HP participants this year, hiring 4 entry-level attorneys. Each office has its own eligibility requirements (listed below). Applicants interested in becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) will be able to designate the "U.S. Attorney?s Office" as one of their employment preferences, then, later in the application, select the specific offices. Participating USAOs are:
The Central District of California, Los Angeles, CA: open to law school graduates who are admitted to the bar or have taken the bar with results pending in fall 2009.
The Southern District of California, San Diego, CA: open to law school graduates who are admitted to the bar.

o The District of Puerto Rico: open to all eligible HP applicants, including current third-year law students.

* The USAO for the District of Wyoming remains a formal SLIP participant and it?s offering a position in one of the Nation?s most scenic national parks. Hiring for Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park; the Summer Intern will assist in the prosecution of a range of misdemeanors in Yellowstone National Park.

* Civil Division applicants will be able to designate specific sections of interest.

* Executive Office of Immigration Review applicants will be able to designate geographic areas of preference by city and state, and comment on any geographic restrictions on their assignment.

* The Honors Program application has been expanded to permit applicants serving in post-J.D. legal fellowships to apply online on a conditional basis. OARM will determine whether an exception to policy will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Please visit www.usdoj.gov/oarm for details.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 12:07 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There is one week left in which to nominate candidates for the Minnesota Justice Foundation's Outstanding Service Awards. Each year, MJF celebrates the work of deserving individuals who have made a positive difference in the lives of the people of Minnesota. Candidates can be nominated in six award categories: Law Student Volunteer, Private Practice Lawyer, Direct Legal Service, Advocate, Law School Professor, and Distinguished Service.

Please visit the MJF website at www.mnjustice.org and click on the "Outstanding Service Awards" tab to download a nomination form. Nomination forms may be returned electronically, by email, or by regular mail no later than August 14, 2009. Awardees will be announced on September 10, 2009 and will be honored at MJF's 27th Anniversary Celebration.

Our Anniversary Awards Celebration will take place October 29, 2009 at International Market Square in Minneapolis. Our Keynote Speaker will be Robin Maher, Director of the ABA's Death Penalty Representation Project. The Project's goals are to better inform the bar and the public about the lack of representation available to death row inmates, to address this need by recruiting competent volunteer attorneys and to offer training and assistance to counsel. The Project also aims to propose systemic changes that would assure that those facing death are represented at all stages of the proceedings--from trial through clemency--by qualified, adequately compensated counsel.

Please forward questions or comments to JoAnn McGuire at joann@mnjustice.org or 612-626-9366. Apologies for any duplication of emails; this announcement has been cross-posted to multiple lists.

Thank you. We look forward to receiving your nominations!

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 11:50 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

For current graduate and professional students facing high student debt, this free webinar explains how you can benefit from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, particularly if you are considering a career in public service.

From this interactive webinar, you will learn and be able to ask questions about:

· How Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness work

· What you need to know about loan forgiveness programs while you are in school

· What steps to take after you graduate to manage high student debt

Space is limited, so participants are required to register here.

Presented by Heather Jarvis.

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 7:13 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

For the latest on public interest law, subscribe to the EJW blog.

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Posted by Victor Massaglia at 7:06 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Check out Symplicity for new Work Study jobs that are posted for fall: Minneapolis City Attorney's Office, Central Minnesota Legal Services, Children's Law Center and Volunteer Lawyers Network. Most law students qualify for Work Study, contact Jim Parker, j-park1@umn.edu, to see if you are eligible to apply!

If you are in a current Work Study position, talk to your employer about continuing on for fall.

Any questions contact Dana Bartocci at bartocci@umn.edu.

Posted by at 3:08 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Department of Homeland Security's Office of the General Counsel - two employment programs:

The DHS Office of the General Counsel's 2010 Attorney Honors Program - please note that Honors Program applications will be accepted online from 8/15/09-9/21/09. More information is available here: https://pslawnet.org/uploads/2010_DHS_OGC_Honors_Program_Info.pdf.

The DHS Office of the General Counsel's 2010 Summer Law Intern Program - please note that SLIP applications will be accepted online from 8/15/09-9/21/09. More information is available here: https://pslawnet.org/uploads/2010_DHS_OGC_Summer_Law_Intern_Program.pdf.

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 9:07 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Join students, alumni, and admitted students for a happy hour in DC!

Washington DC Alumni/Student Interview Program Happy Hour
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Location: Front Page Restaurant & Grille
1333 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC

Phone: 202-296-6500
http://www.frontpagerestaurant.com/

It is just across from the Dupont Circle metro (red line). It's also walking distance from the blue and orange lines.

RSVP to Dana Bartocci: bartocci@umn.edu

Posted by at 3:10 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The theme of the July issue of Law Practice Today is "Suddenly Solo." Offering information for those who choose to open a practice and those who may be suddenly thrust into that arena, the issue is available free at www.abanet.org/lpm/lpt/home.shtml.

Posted by at 3:08 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

October 16 & 17, 2009
National Law Students Workers' Rights Conference
at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, MD. Keynote speaker: Wilma B. Liebman, newly-designated Chair of the NLRB. View the Conference Brochure and FAQs.

The Peggy Browning Fund is a nonprofit corporation established in memory of Margaret A. Browning, a prominent labor attorney and member of the National Labor Relations Board. President Clinton appointed Peggy to the NLRB in 1994, and she served in that position until her death in February, 1997.

The Fund's mission is to provide law students with diverse, challenging work and educational experiences in the area of workers' rights. Such unique and positive opportunities will both increase students's understanding of workers' needs as well as promote their entry into the practice of public interest labor law

Posted by Victor Massaglia at 6:27 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)