Thinking about going solo?
Here is a short article on things to think about if you are planning to open your own practice.
http://www.nylj.com/nylawyer/crossroads/09/111009.html?hbxlogin=1
November 10, 2009
October 23, 2009
2010 Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowships
Don't miss the information session for the 2010 Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowships coming up:
Thurs., Oct. 29, 12:15-1:45, Rm 55
Pizza will be served!
Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellows receive an award to cover their costs, and in some instances also to provide a modest stipend, as they serve approximately ten weeks as volunteers with a human rights advocacy or service organization of their choosing, worldwide. These fellowships are funded by numerous generous groups and individuals, notably including the Robina Foundation. The program is sponsored by the Law School's Human Rights Center. The event includes presentations and a chance to ask your own questions.
October 1, 2009
Quad School Public Interest Expo (QPIE)
If you are interested in a career in public interest, this is a must! Meet public interest and government lawyers from the local community and learn what it is like to work as a lawyer in public interest or government. This career fair is sponsored by the Minnesota Justice Foundation and the 4 area law schools. This year, the expo will be held right here at the University of Minnesota Law School on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The MJF Clerkship Panel will be held from 4:30-5:00pm in Room 30 and the Expo will run from 5:00-7:00pm in Auerbach and Spannus Commons.
September 25, 2009
Information Session on Public Policy and Urban and Regional Planning
From the Assistant Director for Admissions and Recruitment, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs:
You are invited to an information session to learn more about graduate
programs in Public Policy and Urban and Regional Planning on the
following dates:
Monday, October 5, 2009 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 12:00-1:30 PM
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Monday, February 15, 2010 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:00-1:30 PM
People with interests such as yours have been very successful in our
programs, and in their careers promoting the public good (through the
public, non-profit and private sectors).
We offer concentrations and specializations in Public and Non-Profit
Management and Leadership, Community and Economic Development, Social
Policy, Policy Analysis, Global Public Policy (including International
Development), Science, Technology and Environmental Policy, Women and
Public Policy, Transportation Planning, Environmental Planning, Land Use
and Urban Design, Housing and Community Development, and Regional,
Economic and Workforce Development. We also offer joint degrees with the
schools of Business, Law, Social Work, Public Health, Architecture and
Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering.
The information session will take place in Room 205 Humphrey Center
(Freeman Commons). Beverages and pizza will be served. Faculty and
current students will speak briefly about each of our degree programs
and will also be available to answer questions.
This event is free and open to the public.
Space is limited, so please visit our recruitment events page to RSVP:
http://www.hhh.umn.edu/learn/LearnMore.html
Information about our degree programs can also be found on our website
at www.hhh.umn.edu.
I hope to see you there!
Walter Novillo
Assistant Director for Admissions and Recruitment
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
225 Humphrey Center
301 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612 624 2909
novi0007@umn.edu
www.hhh.umn.edu
September 9, 2009
Missed todays Federal Government Program? Handouts here.
Here are the handouts from today's program on Federal Government Hiring. Feel free to make an appointment with your counselor to discuss opportunities.KSA Handout.pdf, 2009 Government Presentation Handout.pdf, and 2009-10_NALP_Federal_Opportunities_Guide.pdf.
September 8, 2009
Career Panel: Government and Law Enforcement
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
12:30 to 2:00 P.M.
(Discussion and Q&A: 12:30-1:30 P.M. Networking: 1:30-2:00 P.M.)
LOCATION: Room 215 (Wilkins)
Hubert H. Humphrey Center, West Bank
Talk to a panel of professionals working in many interesting government and law enforcement fields. Learn about their career paths, what it requires to do their job, and why you might consider a career in any of these fields. Ask any questions you have.
Attend the whole event or come for as much as you can!
This event is FREE and open to all U of M undergraduate and graduate students. Feel free to bring your lunch--cookies will be served. This event will be great preparation for the Government Job and Internship Fair, October 26th. Learn more at http://mcucsa.org/govjobfair/
Questions? Contact your career office or the Career and Community Learning Center, the career office for the College of Liberal Arts at cclc@umn.edu or 612-624-7577.We look forward to seeing you there!
Sponsored by: The Employer Relations Group and the Career Development Network
September 2, 2009
Applying to the DOJ Honors Program?
If you are applying for the DOJ's Honors Program, start NOW! The application is due Tuesday, Sept. 8, and it is a lenghty application. This past spring a DOJ Attorney presented a great program on working for the DOJ. The power point from the program is attached and will give you more information about the application process.
September 1, 2009
Annual Student Health Law Conference
The American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics (ASLME) Third Annual Student Health Law Conference hosted by Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
This conference, which is attended by law students from law schools throughout the country, seeks to expose law students to the myriad career paths for attorneys in health and life sciences. The conference provides an introductory session on health law, panels on a variety of employment opportunities in health law, and a networking reception with the conference speakers. In the past, over 180 law students from dozens of law schools as far as the west coast attended the conference. In the current market, I would expect an even greater attendance. Career paths that will be represented include academia, compliance, private firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, drug and device companies, health insurers, and hospitals. Speakers for this year's conference have been chosen for their health law expertise. They know the hiring process both as prospective employees and as employers. They are well suited to provide support and guidance to the next generation of health attorneys during these tenuous economic times.
For more information about the conference, please visit the ASLME website http://www.aslme.org/Calendar
August 31, 2009
Public Interest Career Fair! Equal Justice Works Student Sign Ups Open Monday, August 31!
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.
August 10, 2009
Law Student/Graduate Opportunities at Dep't. of Homeland Security
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.
August 7, 2009
Going Solo?
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.
July 31, 2009
Prepare for Law School Success During Your Pre-1L Summer
University of Minnesota alum Nena Street provides excellent tips for pre-1Ls.
"Waiting for law school to start this fall and wondering what you should be doing to prepare? Here are my top 7 tips for using your pre-1L summer to prepare for law school success."
For the entire post, visit Prepare for Law School Success During Your Pre-1L Summer.
Thanks Nena!
V
July 29, 2009
Navigating the Career Development Process
Are you wondering how to begin your job search? Check out this article in the July issue of Hennepin Lawyer, by two of our very own, Dana Bartocci and Vic Massaglia.
July 10, 2009
Open Letter to Law Students from the National Association for Legal Career Professionals (NALP)
View and print in PDF format: Open Letter to Law Students (PDF)
As employer members of NALP, we have developed this letter to give students additional insight into employers' perspectives on the recruiting process. We think the following suggestions will help you interview more efficiently within the broad provisions of the NALP Principles and Standards for Law Placement and Recruitment Activities, and particularly the "General Standards for Timing of Offers and Decisions."
For the entire letter at NALP's website, click here.
V
May 25, 2009
National Latino Law Student Association Career Fair
From the NLLSA website:
The National Latino Law Student Association (NLLSA) is pleased to announce our 13th Annual National Latina/o Law Student Conference, which will be held September 25-27th, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. This year, we are excited to have DePaul University’s Latino Law Student Association chosen to be our host for this annual prestigious event!
V
May 8, 2009
Managing a Legal Career Transition in Tough Times: A Special Video Presentation
As a public service, NALP, the National Association of Legal Career Professionals, and ALI-ABA, the American Law Institute / American Bar Association, have teamed up to offer Managing a Legal Career Transition in Tough Times — a 75-minute presentation by Marcia Pennington Shannon and Susan G. Manch of Shannon & Manch LLP, who generously donated their time and talent to this special project to assist lawyers and graduating students who are currently seeking employment.
To view this great video, go here.
Thank you to our colleagues at Touro Law.
V
February 18, 2009
LGBT National Career Fair and Legal Education Conference
The National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Bar Association is a national organization of LGBT judges, lawyers, law students and other legal professionals committed to promoting diversity within the legal profession. Each year, the LGBT Bar hosts the only national career fair and legal education conference. Last year, the career fair featured 169 recruiters and over 590 students from across the country.
WHEN: September 10-12, 2009
WHERE: Brooklyn, NY
*For more information visit LGBTbar.org/Annual
Thank you to our friends at Barry University School of Law Career Services .
January 13, 2009
2009 Patent Law Interview Program
The Loyola Patent Law Interview Program is a two-day interview program held in Chicago each summer that brings together patent law employers and law students from across the country to interview for summer associate positions and post-graduate employment. The 2009 Patent Law Interview Program will be held on Thursday, July 30 & Friday, July 31 at the Embassy Suites Chicago - Downtown/Lakefront at 511 North Columbus Drive in Downtown Chicago.
Click here for a list of employers that participated in last year's program.
Click here for a list of law schools that participated in last year's program.
Each year roughly 1,500 law students register for the program, submit their resumes, and bid on interviews with the nation-wide employers that interest them. The program is entirely employer selected - which means that participating employers review the resumes submitted to them and choose the law students they are interested in interviewing at the program. Roughly half of the students registered for the program are selected for interviews each year.
For additional information, go here.
January 6, 2009
Political Appointment Positions
President-elect Obama's transition website has a direct job application page for political appointment positions throughout the executive branch. It is at http://change.gov/page/s/application. Prospective job applicants who are interested in career, civil service (not political appointment) positions are still directed to the OPM website at http://www.usajobs.gov
Thanks Christina.
V
December 15, 2008
Pride Law Fund Fellowships
Pride Law Fund funds several Summer internship opportunities for those seeking experience in the areas of sexual orientation discrimination, individual rights litigation, direct legal services to people with HIV/AIDS, and other legal issues of concern to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community. In 1999, Pride Law Fund created the Tom Steel post-graduate fellowship to fund a recently licensed lawyer for a full year of work on a project addressing the needs of the LGBT community.
Previous fellowships have funded work on impact litigation in the areas of employment, education and family law; developing legislative/educational strategies on the issues of privacy and sodomy law reform; developing legal materials to assist clients with family law questions; documenting sexual orientation and HIV related discrimination in youth and minority communities; compiling national surveys of sexual orientation and HIV nondiscrimination laws; providing direct legal services to people with HIV/AIDS; and developing educational information on the issues of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth, military personnel and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Pride Law Fund’s Fellowship Program has provided critical support for projects at such diverse organizations as the AIDS Benefits Counselors, the American Civil Liberties Union, National Center for Lesbian Rights and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, among many others.
For more information about Pride Law fellowships, go here.
(Thanks to our friends at Touro Law CSO.)
December 6, 2008
New Free ABA Publication Offers Success Strategies for Women Lawyers of Color and Law Firms
New Free ABA Publication Offers Success Strategies for Women Lawyers of Color and Law Firms
(This posting is from a NALP bulletin article)
Building on its 2006 research study, Visible Invisibility: Women of Color in Law Firms, the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession has published a new 16-page report entitled From Visible Invisibility to Visibly Successful: Success Strategies for Law Firms and Women of Color in Law Firms . Based on a qualitative scan of policies, programs, and strategies undertaken by firms as well as on confidential one-on-one interviews and informal dialogues with women of color partners in national law firms, this new report suggests key success strategies both for firms and for individual women lawyers of color. The report can be accessed as a free PDF from a link on the ABA Commission on Women's homepage (www.abanet.org/women) or by going directly to www.abanet.org/women/woc/VisiblySuccessful.pdf. (The 2006 research study, Visible Invisibility , is available from the NALP Bookstore at a cost of $40 plus shipping for members or $50 for nonmembers.)
November 17, 2008
Check Out WetFeet
WetFeet is up and fully functioning for all U of M - Twin Cities students!!
For anyone who isn't aware of this tool, WetFeet is a fantastic resource for advice and information on careers in business and industry. The site includes articles, videos, and 100+ page "insider guides" that are completely downloadable and printable. Normally these guides retail for around $30 a copy if you were to buy one off of amazon. This is a wonderful, information-rich resource - so please check it out for yourself and promote it widely with your students.
To access WetFeet:
Go to https://www.lib.umn.edu/articles/ejpass.phtml?id=wetfeet
Or access WetFeet via the University of Minnesota Libraries Web site at http://www.lib.umn.edu/ --- select the letter “W� under Indexes and Databases A-Z.
You can access instructions here: http://www.lib.umn.edu/site/moreinfo.phtml?id=4889 http://internshipprograms.com/
September 26, 2008
Is Public Interest Law Right for You?
Is Public Interest Law Right for You?
By Jennifer Wimberly, program associate at the Florida Bar Foundation in Orlando, Florida.
"If you went to law school because you wanted to “help people� when you graduated, there’s a good chance that public interest law is the right career choice for you. However, there are several important points to consider before you accept a public interest job.
How comfortable are you with regular client contact? More importantly, how comfortable are you with having regular contact with low-income clients? Most public interest law clients have incomes at or below the Federal Poverty Level. For 2007 that meant a single mother with two children had a total monthly income of $1430.
If you are interested in legislative or policy work and you are not interested in hands-on client work and litigation, you need to find out exactly what your duties will be before you accept a public interest law job. Look for a job where you will be regularly conducting research and writing memos on public policy issues. Otherwise you may find yourself miserable in a job where you must regularly meet with indigent clients and maintain an active litigation caseload." The entire article is located at http://www.abanet.org/yld/tyl/sept08/wimberly.html
August 15, 2008
Career Services Online Workshops
Check out these 10-minute workshops offered by the University of Minnesota. Although the legal job search as well as the legal profession as a whole have many nuances, you will be able to glean useful, universal career and professional development advice.
* Topics include
Resumes, CVs, & Cover Letters
Interviewing
Job Search Strategies
Job Fair Tips
Graduate/Professional School
Job Offers & Salary Negotiation
Transition to Employment
Transitioning from Student to Professional
* Please consult the Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) for specific advice regarding your legal job search and career development strategies, documents, salary negotiation, etc.
July 30, 2008
Army JAG Visit
Late last June I had the opportunity to attend the US Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps Career Services Conference in Washington D.C. We had a packed agenda and learned a lot. Here are some of the topics that were covered:
* Professional & Personal Rewards of Service with the JAG
* Life of a New Army Judge Advocate
* An Overview of Practicing Law in the Military
* Application Process
* Overview of International and Operational Law Practice in the Army JAG
* Career Progression
We have a binder of print material from the conference in our office. Also, visit Army JAG for more information.
A JAG representative will be visiting the Law School this fall.
V
July 5, 2008
ILSA Internship Opportunity
Interested in learning more about international law? Then check out the International Law Students Association.
"The International Law Students Association is a non-profit association of students and lawyers who are dedicated to the promotion of international law. ILSA provides students with opportunities to study, research, and network in the international legal arena. The organization's activities include academic conferences, publications, the global coordination of student organizations, and the administration of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition."
The CPDC also has information at its website for you to review.
V
July 4, 2008
Litigation or Transactional Law Career: Some Advice to Law Students
Jeff Lipshaw, a professor at Suffolk Law School, provides thoughts about choosing a ligation or transactional practice.
"A reader who is interning in a NYC corporate law firm, and about to enter law school, saw my earlier post alluding to the creative possibilities in transactional work, and sought advice about choosing between transactional work and litigation work. I'm happy to share some thoughts.
1. Mostly I will be talking about big firm practice, but I should issue a disclaimer. There's big firm practice, and there's mega-firm practice. The reason it's important to make the distinction is because I'm looking backwards at a career in which many of the fulfilling aspects came later, after I did my time in the trenches (both in litigation and corporate). So there is a substantial period of learning how to chop the wood before a new lawyer gets to build, much less design, the house. My perception is that period is shorter in big firms outside of the financial centers. You will probably take on more responsibility more quickly at a big firm in Detroit than Chicago, in St. Louis than Los Angeles, in Salt Lake City than New York."
Visit Professor Lipshaw's entire post at Legal Profession Blog.
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Top 100 Blawgs
Criminal Justice Degrees Guide has identified 100 Blawgs (law blogs). I found this site helpful for it is organized by various legal topics of interest. Explore.
V
April 28, 2008
When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People...
From Ross Guberman's Legal Writing Pro site:
April 8, 2008
Best Selling Legal Career Guide Updated and Expanded
Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams, 2nd Edition, by Kimm Walton, 2008.
* The long-awaited second edition of this bestseller has finally arrived! This essential and very readable handbook is now significantly expanded to over 1,300 pages. Kimm Walton's informal and infectious style, wit, and humor remain, however. She covers every aspect of the job search, from exploring practice areas to conquering the large firm without stellar grades.
Note that we have copies of this comprehensive text in the CPDC.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Secret to Being Happily Employed for the Rest of your life
Chapter 2: Figuring Out What the Heck the Job of Your Dream Is
Chapter 3: Getting the Most Out of Your Career Services Office
Chapter 4: The Most Important Element of Your Image
Continue reading "Best Selling Legal Career Guide Updated and Expanded" »
February 28, 2008
How to find the "hot" practices?
FAQ from email: How do I find the "hot" practices? A question for another time is whether, having found the "hot practice," you would rather sort lint than do the work...
Identifying “hot� or “hottening up� practices isn’t rocket science. Students and lawyers must pay attention to the news – not just Britney and sports – but the actual news that covers the economy or politics or human rights or whatever you care about. Pay attention to the economy in the city or state in which you hope or plan to work. Finally, abandon all magical thinking about how law practice works. For example:
1. Real Estate Development If you want to work for real estate developers in 2008, you must create Plan B. If it isn’t clear why this is so, Google "Subprime Mortgage," read the last 10 weeks of the Wall Street Journal or The Economist and then listen to NPR for a week.
2. Structured Finance With some layoffs already appearing, early 2008 may not be the best time to have Structured Finance as a first career goal. Certainly the work will continue, but at a sharply reduced rate. If a summer or a first year associate is picking practice groups, there are many others which will last through and beyond any recession that may happen. (litigation, tax, ERISA, intellectual property)
3. Subprine Practice - Alternative Energy - Technology Careful readers of legal newspapers, newsletters or other materials, might find reference to firms that have created “Subprime Practices Groups,� Alternative Energy and/or Technology groups. Why? Because smart lawyers are always trying to see around the corner in the economy. Getting in on the ground floor is a good idea, and smart law students always look carefully at where the economy is heading and they try to get to the front of the line. Smart law students express interest (based on some research) in these areas.
Holding on to a practice area that is in a steep decline, either because the business has gone or the partner who was generating 90% of your work has departed without associates is nothing but magical thinking. From my headhunter days: A wonderful firm (and I call it wonderful because of what its management did) lost an international trade partner who left with his book of business and none of his five associates. The firm, to its eternal credit, and offered them oil and gas regulation work. Four of the five said “Gosh. I’ve been waiting all my life for oil and gas regs to appear on my desk.� The fifth, who had just bought a condo and had a new wife who had just quit her job, was the lone holdout. “I want to do international trade and only international trade,� he insisted. He was out of the firm in three months and was unemployed for a period of time.
In a shaky economy, students and lawyers should be focused in professional development, skill building and networking and paying obsessive attention to the economy, to new businesses and new industries.
January 7, 2008
More On Line Resources
Although I don't advocate using the Internet solely for those seeking employment, I do suggest it be a part of students and clients strategy to find a job. Career expert Richard Bolles asserts that only 4 to 10% of job seekers land a job via the Internet. He does, as I, advocate the net be used extensively in the research stage of the career development process.
Here are more (I posted a similar article earlier in the year) websites I'd like to pass on to you.. The first one listed include "70+ [Internet] Tools For Job Hunting" and is a terrific resource.
http://mashable.com/2007/07/21/job-hunt
http://www.jobhuntersbible.com
http://www.quintcareers.com
http://iseek.org
http://www.mnwfc.org/jobseekers.htm
http://www.collegerecruiter.com/jobs/
October 4, 2007
Employer Research: Just Do It!
Career expert Richard Bolles as well as law firm recruiters suggest that “[w]herever possible, you must research the organization [firm]…before going in for an interview.� For employers, your efforts will reflect your interest and understanding of the organization. For you, it will help you determine if they are a good fit for you.
Topics to Research
• Areas of Practice
• Location of offices
• Firm Size
• Biographies of lawyers – be discreet here
• Clients they are representing
• Cases they are working on
Where to Look
Employer's Website – Their ‘Mission Statement’ - bios, 'About the Organization', etc.
NALP Directory/NALP Form - The annual NALP Directory of Legal Employers, www.nalpdirectory.com, is the most widely used directory in legal recruiting. The 2006-2007 edition includes information on more than 1,700 employers nationwide and is an invaluable tool for job searchers, career counselors, and legal recruiters alike. The CPDC has a hardcopy of the directory if you are interested.
Martindale - The Legal Personnel Locator offers free access to data on an extensive network of key non-lawyer staff members, including management personnel, librarians, marketing professionals and paralegals.
American Lawyer - The American Lawyer covers the most significant legal business stories and the most important legal news stories. Often the two overlap. Corporate governance, bankruptcy, and the Supreme Court, are all topics that we address through our special perspective.
Daily News
Newspapers, radio, and TV
University Faculty/Staff Members – You will be surprised how in touch these individuals have with the legal and business communities.
August 16, 2007
Online Job Search Strategy and Resources
Online job searching (as well as responding to job ads) is typically a
passive activity and a small percentage of one's time should be spent
using this strategy to find an actual position. The candidate's goal,
in my mind, is to get him or herself in front of potential colleagues
and/or employers to learn and to promote his or her abilities. Am I
saying don't use this strategy? No. 'You can't win the lottery without
buying a ticket', and adding an online strategy to your search may
increase one's chances. Heck, I got my previous job through an ad that
I responded to online. But it certainly shouldn't be your only method.
* Using online resources can help you understand the various legal
markets, learn about practice areas, and find people who are doing the
work you want to do (your future colleagues).
Continue reading "Online Job Search Strategy and Resources" »
June 18, 2007
A Visit to the Air Force JAG’s School
I recently spent time at Maxwell Air Force Base, in Alabama, attending the Corps Career Services Officer Conference hosted by the Judge Advocate General (AFJAG). The purpose of the conference was to inform law school career service professionals about the training, recruiting, and the day-to-day life of an AFJAG member.
We had the opportunity to tour the city of Montgomery, the air base, AFJAG School, and the base legal department. There were many speakers varying in age, length in service, and deployment experience. We met with brand new JAGs who had just completed Commissioned Officer Training and their JAG training as well as with many seasoned professionals, one of whom was a Brigadier General. Topics of the sessions included the JAG, the armed services in general, recruiting and accessions, opportunities, and the realities of deployment.
I found the conference to be extremely helpful in learning about legal opportunities in the military. Of course, it's not for everyone, but if you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact me. As many of you know, I was in the Air Force for many years and would be happy to talk to you about my experience at the conference as well as my time in the military. http://www.jagusaf.hq.af.mil/
January 3, 2007
New Year’s Resolutions for Your Career Development
Happy New Year and welcome to 2007. We hope you had a wonderful holiday break.
Here are five resolutions to consider making for your personal career development:
1. If you don't already know, decide what you want to do, where, and for whom you want to do it. "This is the number one reason people have trouble finding a new job. They don’t know what they want. Take the time to figure it out, and you'll be way ahead of the rest of the crowd."
2. Work on your resume and cover letters. Do these marketing tools accurately and strongly promote your skills and experiences? Do they reflect what you have to offer a law firm or potential employer and why you would want to work for them?
3. Build relationships with "new" people who work for employers you'd consider working with. Who are your future colleagues? Find them now! Join school-related clubs, professional/industry associations, and go to their meetings. Volunteer and/or perform informational/investigative interviews.
4. Retain or rekindle relationships with people from your past. "Stay in touch (or get back in touch) with old friends, school mates, colleagues, neighbors, long-lost relatives, etc. Let them know about your job hunt and help them with theirs." Ensure they all have a copy of your resume and know what you are looking for (and where).
5. Keep track of your accomplishments and the people who can provide a recommendation. Be organized and follow-up where appropriate. Remember that career development is a life-long activity,
The CPDC has many resources available to help you accomplish all of the resolutions above. Make a resolution to visit us often this year.
1 - Posting based on and quoted from http://www.job-hunt.org/onlinejobsearchguide/article_new_years_resolutions.shtml
October 20, 2006
Public Service Resource: PSLawNet
PSLawNet, NALP’s Public Service Law Network Worldwide, is a network of over 170 law schools and more than 11,000 law-related public interest organizations in the U.S. and around the world.
Through its online database, PSLawNet provides a comprehensive clearinghouse of public interest organizations and opportunities for lawyers and law students. Users can perform customized searches of public interest opportunities around the world, ranging from short-term volunteer and paid internships to full-time jobs, fellowships and pro bono opportunities.
PSLawNet facilitates a sharing of public interest resources and expertise by:
* Sponsoring the NALP/PSLawNet Public Service Mini Conference, an educational meeting for law school public interest advisors
* Appearing on and initiating a variety of panels and programs on public interest issues at other conferences nationwide
* Presenting annual Pro Bono Publico awards to formally recognize law students for outstanding pro bono commitment
* Publishing an annual edition of The Comprehensive Fellowship Guide – The Ultimate Resource for Lawyers and Law Students, containing the most extensive information available on post-graduate fellowships
* Providing information on a wide variety of public interest events, job fairs, and other resources through links on our website.
September 30, 2006
CLE (Continuing Legal Education) answers a BIG question
Curious about what it's like to be The Lawyer representing clients in the office and/or in court? Can't quite fathom what a banking regulator, divorce lawyer or real estate finance practitioner might do all day?
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) provides the answer, and it's free to students. CLE is required in all but a handful of states, and you can find programs for virtually all practices and both Ethics and Law Practice Management live and on the web.
WHO PRESENTS CLE? In addition to commercial providers, some sponsors are international, national, state and local bar associations and their sections; specialty bars (MN Intellectual Property Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers), U of MN Institutes and the U of MN alumni association.
WHERE CAN I FIND CLE? Live CLE can be at a bar association office, in the Law School or at events (dinners with speakers on legal subjects). Some public and private employers provide CLE for their attorneys through in-house training programs Commercial providers, bar associations and law schools also offer CLE webcasts.
WHY SHOULD I BOTHER?
1. To learn about practice from people who are doing the work. Because so much of law school is theoretical, you can use CLE to supplement theory with exposure to practical problems.
2. To explore areas that interest you before you use up three credits or commit to an employer to do work about which you may know virtually nothing. This may be the ultimate 'try before you buy."
3. To prep for your summer or post-JD employment. If you know what you will do in your first job, why not supplement what you have learned in school, in Clinic or in your previous employment? Your employers will be impressed that you have invested your own time in your career.
4. To meet lawyers. If you go to live CLE, you will meet lawyers, who traditionally swarm law students who are smart enough to identify themselves at the doughnut breaks.
Continue reading "CLE (Continuing Legal Education) answers a BIG question" »
September 22, 2006
Looking Outside of OCI
On September 21, 2006, the CPDC offered a program designed to give you some pointers to search for jobs outside of the OCI process. If you missed this program, fret not. Go to the CPDC On Line Media Site, click on the link "Looking Outside of OCI", and you will be able to stream the audio. Also available are handouts in a pdf format. Note that you must have RealPlayer to listen to the program.
Click 'continue reading' below for other CPDC on-line programs that are available.
June 21, 2006
In-House Counsel: Sound Interesting?
Many lawyers and law students express interest in eventually working for a corporation as in-house counsel. The attraction of this type of position is premised on satisfying work and a long-term relationship with a single client (and no client development responsibilities) combined with more "reasonable" hours. A recent New York Times article, "The Lure of the In House Job", (NYT, 6/16/06) explores this phenomenon. It can be found at the following link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/16/business/16legal.html
Whatever the advantages of working in house, remember that being the only lawyer in the room carries burdens as well as boons. You still need to be a solid lawyer, but you also need to think much more clearly about your client's needs as a business.