Career Services Office:
News & Announcements for the Week of
February 21, 2000

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PROGRAMS

To pre-register for any of the following programs, please stop by the CSO or e-mail kentcso@kentlaw.edu with the title, date and time of the program you wish to attend.  Walk-ins the day of the program are ALWAYS welcome. 

Interviewing Skills for 1Ls
How does a legal interview differ from other interviews?  How do you prepare for an interview? What are hiring attorneys looking for in new hires?  How do you sell yourself effectively?  On Tuesday, February 22nd at 12:00 p.m. in Room 580, and Wednesday, February 23rd at 5:15 p.m. in Room 570, the CSO will discuss the basics of a legal interview, answer strategy questions and provide resource suggestions to help you prepare for legal interviews.

Study Abroad Opportunities with Santa Clara University
Professor Philip Jimenez from Santa Clara University will be at Chicago-Kent on Thursday, February 24th at 12 p.m. in Room 170 to discuss his school's summer study abroad programs for law students.  Come learn more about seeing the world while gaining law school credit! (1Ls are encouraged to attend.)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

ATTN: 1Ls, 2Ls: Cook County Public Guardian
The Disabled Adults Division of the Cook County Public Guardian is currently accepting applications for volunteer externs for immediate PT positions.  Accepted applicants will have top priority for summer externship opportunities.  Students will have the opportunity to work in a variety of practice areas including but not limited to Elder Law, Disability and Mental Health Law, Probate, Trusts and Estates and Real Estate.  Law students with a 7-11 license will make frequent court appearances for motions and have the opportunity to work on larger contested litigation.  Send resumes to Adam M. Stern, Cook County Public Guardian's Office, 69 W. Washington, Suite 1800, Chicago, IL 60602. 

Citizen Advocacy Center
The Citizen Advocacy Center, located in downtown Elmhurst, is a community legal organization designed to strengthen the voices of citizens and their civic skills and to make government more accountable to the people.  They are seeking volunteers who want to contribute to a wide range of legal projects and to develp "law plus" skills, such as writing letters to the editor, organizing democracy workshops, publishing "how-to" brochures, and public speaking.  See Asha Vishwanath or the the Grey Files in the CSO for detailed information on the organization and how to apply.

ATTN: Minority Students: Judicial Extern Opportunities
The Antitrust Section of the American Bar Association has just inaugurated a special program to recruit and fund six minority law students to serve as externs to Chicago-area federal and state Judges during summer 2000.  The program is eight weeks and externs receive a stipend of $1500.  Further information and application materials are available in the CSO.  Please see Asha Viswanath.  Applications are due March 1, 2000.

ATTN: 1Ls, 2Ls: Office of the District Attorney, Bronx County, NY
The Office of the District Attorney, Bronx County, NY is accepting resumes from 1Ls and 2Ls interested in interning during summer 2000. Prospective candidates should send their resumes, along with a cover letter, a copy of their law school transcript, a writing sample, and three written reference letters to: Maria T. Rivero, Assistant District Attorney, Director of Legal Recruitment, Office of the District Attorney - Bronx County, 198 E. 161st St., Bronx, NY 10451. 

Judicial Clerkships with the State of New Jersey
The CSO has received extensive information on judicial clerkships with the state of New Jersey.  Please see the NALP Federal and State Judicial Clerkship Directory on the CSO resource shelves if interested.

ATTN: 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls: Centro Romero Seeks Volunteers
Centro Romero, a non-profit institution founded in the 1980's to provide for the economic and social well being of Hispanic immigrants, is seeking volunteers to begin immediately.  Interns will work under attorney supervision on all types of cases involving family law and immigration law, including political asylum.  Centro Romero is also accredited under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711.  Interested students should send or fax a resume to: Ms. Angela M. Salse, Director of Legal Services at Centro Romero, 6216 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60660: Fax (773) 508-5399.

Senator Fitzgerald's Office Seeks Interns
Senator Fitzgerald's Chicago office  is currently seeking interns for the spring and summer.  Interns will have the opportunity to work alongside the Senator's staff assisting in various duties including casework.  The intern program is designed for law students who have an interest in government.  Interested students should send a cover letter and resume to: Office of Sentaor Fitzgerald, Attn: Laura Anne Miller, 230 South Dearborn, Suite 3900, Chicago, IL 60604.  Questions?  Call Laura Anne Miller at (312) 886-3506.

Record Handouts
The CSO receives numerous notices throughout the year about internships (paid & unpaid); fellowships; judicial clerkships; and miscellaneous opportunities that would be of interest to our students.  Detailed descriptions are maintained on our Special Opportunities & Record Handouts web page.  Recent entries include:

Scholarships

Patrick Stewart Human Rights Scholarship
Founded in 1996 and fully funded by the actor and activist, Patrick Stewart, and the Joseph Drown Foundation, the Patrick Stewart Human Rights Scholarship provides a unique opportunity for student activists to do applied human rights fieldwork.  Recipients plan their own summer internship with a local or global human rights organization or develop a summer project lasting six weeks to four months to promote human rights awareness.  Brochure/application available from Amnesty International's National Field Program in Washington D.C. at 202-544-0200 or nfp@aiusa.org. Applications are due March 15, 2000.

Proctor & Gamble Scholarship
The Proctor & Gamble scholoarship, in the amount of $5,000, is for relocation and living expenses for a U.S. or Canadian law student who spends a year as a FT, visiting student at Franklin Pierce Law Center.  The purpose of the scholarship is to aid members of under-represented groups in the flow of new lawyers practicing patent law in the U.S.  See Asha Vishwanath, Resource Manager, for information and application form. Applications are due April 30, 2000.

The Federal Communications Bar Association Foundation's Robert E. Lee Scholarship and Internship Fund:
Looking for Funding for a Summer Internship in Communications Positions with Government Agencies?  The Federal Communications Bar Association Foundation will award stipends to several law students from its Robert E. Lee Scholarship and Internship Fund.  The Foundation will award at least four $2500 stipends to law students employed as unpaid summer interns in communications positions with government offices.  See Asha Vishwanath for application.  Application deadline is March 31, 2000.

JOB FAIRS

14th Annual Patent Law Interview Program
Loyola University Chicago School of Law is coordinating and hosting the 14th Annual Patent Law Interview Program.  If you have an undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering or a technical science and you are interested in practicing patent law, you may want to consider registering for the program.  The program gives qualified law students from across the country the opportunity to interview with patent law firms, as well as law firms, corporations and government agencies with patent law departments.  Last year, 120 employers from across the country participated, along with more than 900 registered students from 115 accredited law schools.  The program will be held at the Chicago Marriott Suites O'Hare on Thursday, August 3rd, Friday, August 4th, and Saturday, August 5, 2000.  There will be some employers who will interview one day, some who will interview two days, and some who will interview all three days.  To register for the program, see Barbara Clemmer in the CSO ASAP.  Registration forms must be completed and returned to the CSO by February 25, 2000.

SEMINARS

Networking and Interviewing Workshop
The Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association is hosting a Networking and Interviewing Workshop on February 23, 2000 from 8 - 9:30 a.m. at the CBA, located at 321 S. Plymouth Ct.  $15 for CBA members/$25 for non-members.  Call (312) 554-2056 to register.

Estate Planning
The Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association is hosting an Estate Planning Career Day on February 24, 2000 from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. at the CBA, located at 321 S. Plymouth Ct.  It will be a forum discussion by hiring partners who will discuss all aspects of an estate planning career.

Drafting of Special Needs Trusts
The North Suburban Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association are co-sponsoring a bread & butter luncheon seminar entitled "Drafting of Special Needs Trusts."  The seminar will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2000 from 12 - 1:30 p.m. at the Second District Court House in Room 201, located at 5600 Old Orchard, Skokie, IL.  Brian Rubin, noted estate planning attorney for disabled persons, is the featured speaker.  Reservations are required.  Call Howard Augustus at (847) 729-0797.

Government Services Career Opportunities Forum
Thinking of a legal career in the government sector?  Be sure to attend the Government Services Career Opportunities Forum on Saturday, March 4, 2000 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CBA, located at 321 S. Plymouth Ct.  Meet with representatives from over twenty-five government agencies who will be on hand to answer questions, provide employment contact information, and collect resumes.  The forum will expose young lawyers and law students to a wide range of government employers.  See the CSO bulletin board for a sampling of participating employers.  The cost is $10 per person.  Registration forms are available in the CSO or register by phone at (312) 554- 2056.

CONFERENCES

International Law Career Day
The International Law Career Day is being held on February 25, 2000 at Chicago-Kent.  This is a day long conference designed to introduce students to International Law and to opportunities available in this field.  The day will begin with introductory remarks at Chicago-Kent followed by a series of panels.  Lunch will include a presentation by a keynote speaker followed by on-site presentations for students  by participating firms, corporations and organizations.  You can find more information about the day and register on-line at www.kentlaw.edu/student_orgs/ilsa/careerday.html.

Rebellious Lawyering Conference
The Rebellious Lawyering Conference is being held February 25 - 27, 2000 at Yale Law School.  The weekend will include panel discussions and the keynote address by Peter Neufeld, Co-Founder and Director of the "Innocence Project."  To learn more about the conference or to register, log on to www.reblaw.org

University of Virginia School of Law Conference on Public Service and the Law
The University of Virginia School of Law's first Conference on Public Service and the Law will be held March 3 - 4, 2000.  The conference will allow law students from across the country to participate in informal workshops with lawyers from various fields of public service practice.  There are no registration fees for attending the conference.  A limited number of travel stipends are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  To learn more about the conference, check out www.geocities.com/uvaconference.

Shaking the Foundations: The West Coast Conference on Progressive Lawyering
The Shaking the Foundations Conference will be held at Stanford Law School March 3 - 5, 2000.
The conference is organized by law students for law students, activists, and legal practitioners.  The goal is to encourage law students to devote their careers to the stuggle for social justice, to expose students to the broad range of work being done to further progressive goals, and to provide a forum for discussion of creative legal and non-legal strategies.  Limited travel stipends and registration waivers are available.  See Asha Vishwanath or visit www.law.stanford.edu for details and upcoming deadline dates. 

Year 2000 Penny Severns Illinois Women in Government Conference Award Program
Illinois Women in Government (IWIG) is a bi-partisan organization that encourages students interested in local, state, and federal government to apply for paid attendance at the 2000 conference.  The 17th annual conference will be held at the State Capitol in Springfield April 26 - 28, 2000.  The purpose of the conference is to encourage more women to seek elective and appointive office at all levels of government, educate women about governmental issues and the political process, to promote participation in public affairs, and to provide a forum for women's issues.  The award will include the cost of registration, conference meals, mileage allowance or train/bus fare, and lodging costs.  Each award recipient will be matched with a mentor - either a state government official or private sector leader. See Asha Vishwanath for application information.  Application deadline is March 10, 2000.

MISCELLANEOUS

Spring Office Hours
Starting Monday, January 17th, the CSO will observe Spring Hours as follows:

  • Monday, Thursday & Friday                                            8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday & Wednesday                                                    8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays as follows (1/22, 2/19, 3/11, 4/15, 5/13)          9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
NOTE:The CSO will only be open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7th, the week of Spring Break.  We will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8th.

ATTN: Illinois State Bar Association Law Student Members

  • The ISBA is seeking nominations for the Law Student Division Public Service Award.  The award is awarded annually  to a law student participating in activities that enhance professional responsibility and provide service to the public.  Nomination forms are available in the CSO.  Nominations must be submitted by March 31, 2000. 
  • The ISBA's new Law Student Clerkship Networking Program is now available on their webpage at www.ISBA.org.  The website not only gives students an opportunity to view several placement positions are once, but it also offers ISBA member firms and lawyers in need of a clerking service, the availability of listing their position right on the site.  If you want more information regarding the Law Student Clerkship Networking Program, contact Teri Litwiller at 1-800-252-8908 or teri@isba.org.
Free Sullivans Judicial Profiles
The CSO has extra copies of the 1998-1999 Illinois Judicial Directories.  If you are interested in a hard cover book to add to your legal library that will give you insight on federal, state, and county judges who may be hearing your cases, please see Asha Vishwanath in the CSO. 

Public Hearings on Adult Guardianship - Your Input is Vital!
On March 7, 2000 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 11 E. Adams St, Suite 500, public hearings will be held on the adult guardianship system in Illinois to share your concerns and experiences.  The public hearings are being sponsored by the Guardianship Reform Project to help develp a model for reforming the state guardianship system.  Written, e-mail (egenbar@worldnet.att.net) and oral testimony (5 minute limit) are welcome.  For more information, call E.G. Enbar at 1-800-537-2632, ext 312.

Need to Sublet Your Apartment this Summer?
If you are leaving town this summer and need a subletter, summer associates of various firms in the Chicago area are looking for apartments to sublet this summer.  Check out the contact information below. 

  • Chapman and Cutler - Call Ann Rainhart at (312) 845-2997 or submit detailed information about the apartment to the following address:  Ann Rainhart, Legal Personnel and Recruitment Manager, Chapman and Cutler, 111 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603.
  • Lord, Bissell & Brook - Send information regarding address, rent, parking, etc. to Kerry Jahnsen, Recruiting Coordinator, Lord, Bissell & Brook, 115 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60603.  Fax (312) 896-6455.  Email: kjahnsen@lordbissell.com.
  • Schiff Hardin & Waite - Forward detailed information about available apartments by email, lbeltran@schiffhardin.com, or mail to Lilly Beltran, Law Student Recruitment Coordinator, Schiff Hardin & Waite, 6600 Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60606

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