COMMENTS SECTION: WHAT GRADUATES HAVE TO SAY...
"The Institute offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves
in an area of law at an early point in their legal education. Speaker
events, seminars, journals, and relevant course offerings give students
an understanding of many of the issues they will face as practitioners.
Students leave the program with more than a working knowledge of the core
concepts in labor and employment law; students leave the program with
the skills and contacts necessary to become successful labor and
employment lawyers."
Bryan Diemer '99,
Baum, Sigman, Auerbach, Pierson, Neuman & Katsaros
"The Labor and Employment Law Program not
only prepared me for a career as a field attorney with the NLRB, it also
prepared me to excel at the position."
Clifton S. Facey, Jr. "00,
National Labor Relations Board
"While I do not practice in the Labor and Employment law area-I
am an Employee Benefits attorney-the Certificate Program was worthwhile
for me because I was introduced to a related area of practice and gained
very many practical skills which I have applied to my own area of practice.The
professors and the practitioner-instructors who participate in the program
are excellent at providing real-world examples to illustrate the concepts
which are introduced in the course materials."
Niki Kanellopoulos ’99,
Katten Muchin Zavis
"IIT Chicago-Kent's Labor and Employment Certificate Program provided
me the basic skills and knowledge to walk into my position as an Assistant
Counsel with the National Treasury Employees Union. The program combines
the best of both worlds: basic law with hands on skills that you need
as a day-to-day lawyer."
Jennifer Kukac '99,
Assistant Counsel, National Treasury Employees Union
"The Institute gave me a lot of great opportunities that I would
have had a hard time getting on my own, including work with IEA and working
on the Journal. In particular, I don't know that I would have had the
freedom to
take a union-side labor law position if i hadn't received scholarships
in my 2nd and 3rd years. My employer was impressed with the range of labor
and employment law classes offered at Kent, and the fact that the labor
movement was really a consideration in the way the Institute was structured.
I met a lot of people who share my interests and learned to tolerate those
who do not share my views. I was well-supported academically and feel
like I was really prepared to practice labor law."
Andrea Laicona '00, VanBourg,
Weinberg, Roger & Rosenfeld
"I chose to attend Chicago-Kent College of Law, in part, because
of the Labor/Employment Law Certificate Program. The Program provided
me with a thorough, indepth understanding of both labor and employment
law issues. During my interviews with law firms, many partners and associates
were really impressed with this unique, specialized program. The professors
who teach the curriculum have a wealth of academic knowledge and practical
experience. In my position as a summer associate with a law firm and in
my current role at GE Capital, I have applied much of the information
I learned from my Labor/Employment law classes."
Susan Meister ’00,
Director - Employment/Operational Legal Practices
GE Capital
"The Program provides law students with a great opportunity to consult
with labor and employment practitioners. The Program's practice of assigning
alumnae(i)/mentors to consult with students allowed me to speak with experienced
attorneys about the everyday practice of law and helped me clarify post-graduation
career paths. Overall, the Program has the right mix of academics and
"real-life experience," which provides a solid foundation to
any law student who has an interest in labor and employment law."
James Powers’98,
Seyfarth Shaw
"I realize the benefits of my participation
in the Institute's certificate
program every day in the course of my labor and employment practice. The
program is relevant, dynamic, and connected with respect to every facet
of the profession."
Kimberly E. Schwegel ’99,
Seyfarth Shaw
"The Certificate Program in Labor and Employment Law has enabled
me to distinguish myself from other job applicants in obtaining employment
across the country (Baum Sigman Auerbach Pierson & Newman LLP in Chicago,
Bryan Cave LLP in St. Louis and Gorsuch Kirgis LLP in Denver). Because
of the comprehensive course work, I obtained a background in almost every
aspect of labor and employment law before I even graduated from law
school. Since then, my practice has mirrored the diversity of my education;
as I have represented both unions and management, litigated employment
cases under federal and state law for plaintiffs and defendants, counseled
employers on general HR matters and represented multi-employer pension
and welfare benefit plans under ERISA."
Jeremy D. Shook '98,
Gorsuch Kirgis
"Chicago-Kent offers unique advantages to the prospective labor
and employment lawyer through a combination of excellent substantive
training, practical experience and unparalleled networking opportunities.
Having the Chicago-Kent Labor and Employment Certificate on your resume
opens many doors, not just in Chicago, and sets you apart from the pack.
I have been in the legal job market twice thus far: once in preparation
for graduation and a second time after the the firm I worked for was
dissolved. Both times my certificate was a major topic of discussion
and my affiliation with Chicago-Kent and the faculty of the Institute
for Law and the Workplacewas pivotal in helping me secure a position."
Terence P. Smith ‘00,
Jackson Lewis
"Seeking the Certificate was one of the best decisions I made. The
combination of classroom study, the externship, the mentoring
program, and the opportunity to attend seminars presented at the
school or to write for the journals really prepared me for life after
law school. I was able to talk intelligently and confidently in job
interviews, some of which came about because of the Certificate
program. I was very comfortable to start as a first year associate
practicing in the area. Finally, the professors associated with the
program are committed to the students. The interaction and
advice they provide is invaluable. I strongly encourage anyone with
any interest in labor and employment law to enroll."
Philip Strzalka ’98,
Doh. Lones & Albertson
"The reason that I chose Chicago-Kent for law school was the certificate
program in labor and employment law provided through the Institute for
Law and the Workplace. The program and the professors are top notch and
I feel that I have a real competitive advantage in the labor relations
arena. If you're interested in a career in labor and employment law, I
would highly recommend enrolling in the Institute. I'm glad that I did."
Kirk Williams ’00,
Manager-Labor Relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
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