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Career Services Office

Career Services Office home page
Week of September 10, 2012

CSO Information & Announcements

  • Welcome 1Ls!
  • September 18 and 19: Mandatory 1L day division orientation.
  • September 18: Mandatory 1L evening/part-time division orientation
  • Mandatory Meetings for Rising 2Ls and 3Ls
  • Fall Resume Books: Opt-In (Sign Up!) Continues
  • New CSO Resource: Videoconferencing for Video Interviews
  • CSO Program Videos Now Available Online!

Fall On-Campus Interviewing Program

  • OCI and Job Fairs: Don't Forget to Report Callbacks and Offers!
  • Be sure to check OCI interview schedules for changes in rooms, times, interviewers, etc.

Programming

  • Exploring Careers Programs Continue
  • ISBA YLD’s Professional Development Lunch: “Getting Your Foot in the Door” September 12
  • CBA YLS Meet the Committees Night - September 20
  • JTBF Speed Networking Program, September 22
  • Explore The Possibilities: Pro Bono & Public Interest Law Opportunities Program, RSVP by September 24
  • Cook County State's Attorney's Office Minority Law Students Reception, September 21
  • Chicago-Kent 7th Annual Public Service Reception, Washington DC, October 26th - Please RSVP.
  • Video on Managing a Legal Career Transition in Tough Times

Employment Opportunities

  • Spring 2013 Law Student Intern Program at the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office: Applications Due September 25
  • AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee - Minority Outreach Program

Fellowships & Scholarships

  • National Law Review Writing Competition: Due October 15
  • Korean American Bar Association 2012 Diversity Scholarship
  • Katten Muchin Rosenman Minority Scholarship:  Applications Due October 1
  • The 2013 Equal Justice Works Fellowship Application is Now Open
  • 2012-2013  Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Opportunities Now Posted
  • American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Women’s Rights Fellowship 2013
  • 2013-14 Fulbright U.S. Student Program Competition
  • Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association:  Writing Competition for Students interested in Securities Arbitration and Securities Law
  • 2012 Shannon Bybee Scholarship Award from the International Association of Gaming Advisors

Job Fairs

  • Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair: Register and apply with employers August 15 through September 13.
  • Chicago-Kent 7th Annual Public Service Reception, Washington DC, October 26th - Please RSVP.
  • 16th Annual National Latino Law Students Association Conference and Employment Expo: October 4-6

Diversity

  • September 21: Cook County State's Attorney's Office Minority Law Students Reception
  • JTBF Speed Networking Program, September 22
  • Korean American Bar Association 2012 Diversity Scholarship
  • Katten Muchin Rosenman Minority Scholarship:  Applications Due October 1
  • 16th Annual National Latino Law Students Association Conference and Employment Expo: October 4-6
  • ABA Minority Trial Lawyer committee seeks Law Student Contributors for its Website
  • AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee - Minority Outreach Program

Resources

  • Updated Vermont Guide to State Judicial Clerkships.
  • 2012-13 Government Honors & Internship Handbook.
  • 2011-2012 Guide to Internships & Fellowships in Reproductive Rights & Justice
  • Web Access for Policy, Political and Human Rights Jobs
  • Access the BYU Intercollegiate Job BankPassword Protected Sites Now Available on Symplicity
  • Law Bulletin Weekly On-line Employment Bulletin
  • Alumni Career Advisor Network
  • International Career Employment Weekly Online
  • PSLawNet Resource is becoming PSJD
  • PSLawNet Fellowship Corner
  • Free Membership to Legal Balance

CSO Information & Announcements

Welcome 1Ls!

Welcome to your first year at Chicago-Kent! We look forward to assisting you in reaching your career goals. According to guidelines adopted by the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP), to which Chicago-Kent College of Law, as well as all other ABA-accredited law schools subscribe, 1Ls cannot come into the career services office until November 1st and cannot send resumes out until December 1st. However, there are still many things you can do to start planning for your future career.

  • Attend the many informational panels and career development workshops the CSO offers during the fall semester to start considering your career interests and options.
  • Check our Record page often for updated information on upcoming programs.
  • Research various career paths and talk to attorneys and upperclassmen to come up with a list of practice areas and practice settings that interest you.
  • Finally, attend the mandatory orientation and resume and cover letter writing workshops in September and October to learn how to prepare the materials you'll need for your job search.

We hope you have a great first semester, and we look forward to seeing you in November!

September 18 and 19: Mandatory 1L Day Division Orientation and September 18: Mandatory 1L Evening/Part-Time Division Orientation

Learn all about Career Services and what we can do for you! The Career Services Office will hold required orientation programs for first year students at the following dates and times:


Mandatory Career Services Orientation Programs:
DAY DIVISION: Come learn about the options and opportunities for summer employment and typical hiring timelines for first year students. A panel of current 2L students will discuss their summer experiences and advice they have for new students.  Attendance is MANDATORY, but students only need to attend one session.

Tuesday, September 18th, noon, Auditorium
Wednesday, September 19th, room C40

EVENING DIVISION:  Come learn about the options and opportunities for evening students and creative ways to get legal experience. A panel of upper-level evening students will discuss their experiences and advice they have for new students.  Attendance is MANDATORY; students who are unable to attend this orientation will be required to follow specific makeup procedures after the session takes place.

Tuesday, September 18th, 5:30-6:30pm, room 570

 

Mandatory Resume and Cover Letter Sessions: A workshop on developing a legal resume, writing strong and effective cover letters, what to use for writing samples, and how to list references. All 1Ls must attend this program, but you only need to attend one session. If you have any questions, contact kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu.

1L Day Division Students, Tuesday, October 16th at noon, Auditorium

1L Day Division Students, Wednesday, October 17th at 3:00 pm, Room TBA
1L Evening Division Students, Tuesday, October 16th at 5:30 pm, Room TBA

Mandatory Meetings for Rising 2Ls and 3Ls

Each rising 2L and 3L student is required to meet with his or her assigned career advisor by the end of this fall semester.  For those of you interested in a federal court clerkship, applying to larger federal government agencies with early deadlines (e.g. the Department of Justice), or considering participation in the fall public interest job fair Equal Justice Works, we strongly recommend that you schedule this meeting as soon as possible. Given the difficult market it is more important than ever that you work with your career advisor to formulate a comprehensive strategy to accomplish your career goals and if necessary to adjust them to accommodate a longer-term plan for your success. Before attending your career strategy session with your advisor, we recommend conducting some self-analysis regarding the types of law that interest you, the types of settings in which you would like to practice, etc. In addition please plan on bringing your most recent resume with you.

Fall Resume Books: Opt-In (Sign Up!) Continues

Fall Resume Books are now available for "opt-in" for all rising 2Ls, 3Ls and Recent Graduates (2012 class). Employers will be notified that resume books are available on Monday, September 10, 2012, and students are encouraged to opt-in to desired resume books ASAP. Even if you have secured employment for this fall, keep in mind that fall resume books may be used by employers for hiring for Spring or Summer 2013.

For more information about Resume Books, click here.

New CSO Resource: Videoconferencing for Video Interviews

The Chicago-Kent Career Services Office now offers videoconferencing (ISDN and IP options, as well as Skype) to allow employers to interview students remotely. Videoconferencing is a great option for employers and students who cannot travel to conduct interviews.  This videoconferencing equipment is located in Suite 360A, and it is available for students to use in interviewing or other programs upon request.  Please contact the Career Services Office at kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu in advance to reserve use of the video equipment.

CSO Program Videos Now Available Online!

The Career Services Office is pleased to announce that videos of our programming are now available to be viewed online. Most of our programming will be available on our website within 1-2 days of the original program date and will remain available for viewing for 2-3 weeks, due to limited server space. Program videotapes will still be available in our office. A password is required to view these programs. Please call our office at 312-906-5200 or email kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu for the username and password. To watch videos of our programming, go to the CSO's web page, click on the right hand navigation bar "Student Information" and select "Programs and Videos." Or, click here to be taken directly to the page.

 

On-Campus Interviews

OCI and Job Fairs: Don't Forget to Report Callbacks and Offers!

If you receive callbacks/offers during the fall interview season, please report this to our office by sending an email to kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu every couple weeks or so.  Please include from what source you obtained the interview/offer (OCI, resume collect, CCBA job fair, Loyola Patent Fair, etc.).  We keep track of these in order to determine how students are doing and where our students end up working during the summer/after graduation.  Also, if you have any concerns about how your interviews are progressing or questions about the interview process, please make an appointment to talk with a career counselor.

Be sure to check OCI interview schedules for changes in rooms, times, interviewers, etc.

Please remember to check Symplicity frequently during the 2012 Fall Recruiting process.  Changes to room numbers, interviewers, and possibly even changes to your interview schedule itself may occur at any point in the recruiting process. The CSO will not send out emails regarding such changes unless entire interview schedules are canceled. It is your responsibility to continually check Symplicity.

Programming

Exploring Careers Programs Continue

The career services office is starting off the year with a series of “Exploring” panels to familiarize students with a wide variety of careers paths. The “Exploring” series started with the Exploring Careers with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and last through October. The upcoming "Exploring Careers" programs are as follows:

  • Tuesday, October 2 at noon:  State, City and County Government
  • Wednesday, October 3 at 3pm:  Prosecution
  • Tuesday, October 23 at noon:  Legal Aid
  • Wednesday, October 24 at 3pm:  Public Defender/Criminal Defense
  • Tuesday, October 30 at noon:  Small and Midsize Firms

Details on the programs will be included in the Record as the program dates draw closer, so please read the Record regularly!

ISBA YLD’s Professional Development Lunch: “Getting Your Foot in the Door” September 12

Date:  Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Time:  Noon
Location:  ISBA Chicago Offices. 20 N. Clark, Suite 900

The first program in a four part series aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in advancing their career.   The premiere lunch will feature three esteemed panelists who will discuss how to get your first job in the legal profession whether you are interested in working at a small firm, large firm, or for the government.

  • Gina DeBoni, Managing Partner, Romannucci Blandin
  • Pat Driscoll, Head of Civil Actions Bureau, Cook County State’s Attorney
  • Tom Fahey, Managing Partner, Ungaretti Harris, LLP

Cost: $10 includes lunch.

For general inquiries, please contact Matt Coleman at mcoleman@ridgeassoc.com; Jessica Durkin at jessica@mdr-law.com; or Heather Pfeffer, at  heather.pfeffer@gmail.com.

CBA YLS Meet the Committees Night, September 20

Come out and meet the Young Lawyer Section’s practice and specialty committees - everything from Bankruptcy to Estate Planning to Women in the Law - on Thursday, September 20, 2012, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the CBA (at 321 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago, IL 60604). Meet and mingle with YLS leaders, enjoy complimentary appetizers and cocktails, and sign up for committees. RSVP to yls@chicagobar.org. Nonmembers and law students welcome.

Cook County State's Attorney's Office Minority Law Students Reception, September 21

Date: Friday,September 21, 2012
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Place: John Marshall Law School, Room 3 East
315 South Plymouth Court

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office is dedicated to diversity and making sure that all segments of the community are aware of the employment opportunities available. On Friday,September 21, 2012, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office is holding its 8th Annual Minority Law Students Reception. The evening will consist of a short program followed by a networking reception.

The event is being held at John Marshall Law School and will begin at 5:30pm. Registration for the event will begin at 5:15pm. Students are being asked to RSVP for this event to April Evans at 312-603-1871 or April.Evans@cookcountyil.gov.

JTBF Speed Networking Program, September 22

The Just the Beginning Foundation ("JTBF") invites law students to attend its Speed Networking event on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.

JTBF is an organization of judges, lawyers, and other citizens committed to diversifying the legal profession by creating pipeline programs for students from middle school to law school. As part of JTBF's biennial conference, the Speed Networking event will offer law students the opportunity to receive individual career advice from attorneys in a variety of practice areas.

The event begins at 9:00am. Space is limited. RSVP to redding.tiffany@gmail.com or candace.r.jackson@gmail.com

Explore The Possibilities: Pro Bono & Public Interest Law Opportunities Program, RSVP by September 24

The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), the Chicago Area Law School Consortium (CALSC) and Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) has organized a law student program,  Explore The Possibilities: Pro Bono & Public Interest Law Opportunities. The program will take place on Saturday, September 29th from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Chicago-Kent.  This program will include the following speakers:

A Panel Discussion on Internships & Fellowships Opportunities
Learn about PILI Internships and Fellowships, Equal Justice Works Fellowships and Skadden Fellowships as well as incorporating pro bono and public interest law in law school and your career.

  • Sheerine Alemzadeh, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (Skadden Fellow)
  • Jarrett Knox, Cook County Office of the Public Guardian (former EJW Fellow)
  • Chanda Rice, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (former PILI Fellow)
  • Jill Roberts, Cabrini Green Legal Aid (former PILI Intern)

Group Mentoring Sessions
Meet with leading attorneys in private, government and public interest law practice including:

  • Colleen Bisher, Office of the Attorney General
  • Sean Morales-Doyle, Despres, Schwartz & Geoghegan Ltd.
  • Elizabeth Lewis, McDermott Will & Emery
  • Jessica Schneider, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law
  • Margaret Wakelin, Equip for Equality

Presentation on Job Strategies
The presenter will offer practical advice on writing effective resumes and cover letters and also share tips on developing strong networking and interviewing skills.
• Susan J. Curry, Director of Public Interest Law and Policy at The University of Chicago Law School

SPACE IS LIMITED and advance registration is required by September 24th for this complimentary program.  RSVP by sending an email to rsvp@pili-law.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Allison Smith at asmith16@kentlaw.iit.edu.

ISBA YLD’s Professional Development Luncheon: “Taking Charge” October 9

Date: Tuesday October 9, 2012
Time:  Noon
Location:  ISBA Chicago Offices. 20 N. Clark, Suite 900

This program is the second in a four part series aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in advancing their career.   This luncheon will feature three esteemed panelists discussing how to take your legal career to the next level.

  • Shawn Kasserman, Partner, Corboy & Demetrio
  • Paula Holderman, ISBA’s President-Elect, Chief Attorney Development Officer, Winston & Strawn
  • Mary Sabatino, Partner, Wiedner & McCauliffe

Cost: $10 includes lunch.

For general inquiries, please contact Matt Coleman at mcoleman@ridgeassoc.com; Jessica Durkin at jessica@mdr-law.com; or Heather Pfeffer, at  heather.pfeffer@gmail.com.

Chicago-Kent 7th Annual Public Service Reception, Washington DC, October 26th - Please RSVP

Chicago-Kent students and alumni are invited to attend the 7th Annual Public Service Reception on Friday, October 26th, 5:30-8pm at Fado Irish Pub, 808 7th Street Northwest  Washington, DC 20001. This event is held annually for Chicago-Kent students attending the Equal Justice Works Conference & Career Fair, and Chicago-Kent Alumni in the DC area. To attend the reception, please RSVP by Tuesday, October 23rd to kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu. This annual event provides the opportunity for Chicago-Kent students to meet with Chicago-Kent Alumni in the Washington DC area. Appetizers and beer/soda will be provided. Don't miss this great networking event, held in connection with the Conference & Career Fair!

Video on Managing a Legal Career Transition in Tough Times

As a public service, NALP and ALI-ABA are pleased 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 3Ls who are currently seeking employment.

To watch the video, please click here.

Employment Opportunities

Please check Chicago-Kent's job posting system ("Symplicity") on a regular basis. Check out Symplicity's general instructions for more information.

Spring 2013 Law Student Intern Program at the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office: Applications Due September 25

The USAO for the Northern District of Illinois is responsible for prosecuting all federal crimes within the district. The Office also represents the United States and its departments and agencies in civil proceedings filed in federal court and in the Seventh Circuit. The primary goals of the Law Student Intern Program are to provide law students with the greatest possible exposure to and participation in federal trial and appellate practice and to obtain excellent legal talent to assist this Office in handling its multitude of cases.

Projected No. of Volunteers: 15
Internship Location: Chicago, Illinois

Application Materials: Resume, personal statement reflecting your background and your interest in participating in this program, legal writing sample, three letters of recommendation (preferably legal), and law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable).  Recommendation letters, whether or not submitted in sealed envelopes, may be included by the student with the application materials. Please make every effort to include them with the application to avoid delay.

Qualifications: Students must be second-year or third-year law students by the beginning of the spring term. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Due to the sensitive nature of the work performed by the Office, all
offers to candidates are conditioned upon the successful completion of a required background investigation. Interns are not permitted to work in a legal capacity-private or public- during the internship.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Minimum Weeks Required: Spring Internship - 16 hours per week for 12 weeks

All application packages must be submitted by post-mail to the district contact below by September 25:
Dirksen Federal Building
219 South Dearborn Street, 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
ATTN: Monica LeKostaj, Administrative Assistant for the Law Student Intern Program
Telephone: (312) 353-1091
Email: monica.lekostaj@usdoj.gov (for questions only)

Academic credit: Work-study or academic credit may be available through a student’s law school. Students must make arrangements through his/her law school. This Internship is not compensated. No matching contributions available; all compensation must be provided by law school.
Assignments: The work of the law student interns includes assisting in all aspects of trial preparation, legal research, writing memoranda of law, drafting pleadings and appellate briefs, assisting in preparation and taking of depositions, assisting in pretrial conferences and trials of civil and criminal cases.

Web Site: http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/interns.html

AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee - Minority Outreach Program

The AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee created the LCC Minority Outreach Program to encourage diverse law students to apply for summer clerkship opportunities at LCC law firms and legal departments. The outreach program seeks to introduce diverse law students to the practice of law in the labor movement and to encourage them to join the ranks of union-side attorneys in the ongoing battle for social and economic justice.The program includes a networking conference, at the conclusion of which, students are placed in the LCC Mentor Program. Through this program LCC attorneys provide guidance and support during and after the students' clerkships. Students interested in applying at a law firm or legal department should apply directly to the employer. Click here for a listing of participating employers. To learn more about the program and the networking conference, please click here and here.

Fellowships & Scholarships

National Law Review Writing Competition: Due October 15

Submission Deadline: October 15, 2012

NLR Fall 2012 Suggested Topics:
1) Immigration Law; 2) Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform

Submissions are now being accepted for consideration for publication in the March issue of the National Law Review (NLR).

Please note that although students are encouraged to submit articles pertaining to the above-listed topics, they may also submit entries covering current issues related to other areas of the law. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15, 2012.   The winning articles from this month's NLR 2012 Law Student Writing Competition will be published online in March. The top article(s) chosen will be featured on the NLR home page.  Up to 5 runner-up articles may also be posted in the NLR searchable database.

For complete rules and deadlines, please see the Submission Guidelines. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to all your law students and LLM Candidates.

If you have any questions regarding this competition, please contact lawschools@natlawreview.com.

Katten Muchin Rosenman Minority Scholarship:  Applications Due October 1

Minority students who have completed their first year of law school are eligible to apply for the Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Minority Scholarship Program. Two $15,000 scholarships will be awarded to students participating in our 2013 Summer Associate Program—one in our Chicago office and one in our New York office. The recipients will be selected based on several criteria, including superior academic achievement, leadership experience and personal qualities that reflect the potential for outstanding contributions to Katten and to the legal profession.  Please e-mail Allison Smith at asmith16@kentlaw.iit.edu for an application.  Applications are due by October 1, 2012.

All inquiries relating to the Minority Scholarship Program should be directed to:
Grace Johnson
Attorney Recruiting Manager,
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
525 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60661-3693

grace.johnson@kattenlaw.com

Korean American Bar Association 2012 Diversity Scholarship

The Korean American Bar Association of Chicago is pleased to announce its 2012 KABA Diversity Scholarship Program.

This year, KABA, with the generous support of Dykema Gossett PLLC, will award two scholarships of $1,000 each to assist qualified law students with their academic expenses.  These scholarships will be awarded at KABA’s annual banquet at the Union League Club on September 22, 2012.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must (i) be a law student attending a law school in Illinois, and (II) be a person of color or a person whose background or experience would otherwise contribute to the diversity of the legal profession.  IN selecting each recipient of the scholarship, KABA will evaluate a number of factors including, but not limited to, the applicant’s (i) commitment to diversity, (ii) commitment to the Korean community, (iii) commitment to public interest work, (iv) academic excellence or growth, (v) financial need, (vi) career aspirations, and any other relevant factors.  No one factor is required or dispositive. 

For an application, please contact Allison Smith at asmith16@kentlaw.iit.edu.

The 2013 Equal Justice Works Fellowship Application is Now Open   

As a participant in the largest postgraduate legal fellowship program in the U.S., Equal Justice Works Fellows create dream jobs with nonprofit organizations. Fellows receive a salary and are eligible for loan repayment assistance. The 2013 Equal Justice Works Fellowship Application is now open.

Please visit the Equal Justice Works website for up-to-date information on sponsor preferences, suggestions for writing a good fellowship application and more.  In addition, we will be providing a free, informational webinar "How to Create a Successful Application for the Equal Justice Works Fellowships" on Monday, August 6, 2012.   Students interested in attending the webinar can register here.

2012-2013  Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Opportunities Now Posted

Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship opportunities for 2012-2013 have been posted.  In partnership with AmeriCorps, this program allows Fellows to make a lasting impact on the communities they serve by facilitating pro bono opportunities and expanding the legal resources in low-income and underserved communities. A living allowance is provided and an educational award is earned after successful completion of the program. Recent graduates (within 3 years of graduation) apply for positions starting in July, for position that may begin as soon as the August or September.

A summary can be found on the Equal Justice Works website.  Please note that applications must be submitted directly to the host site – do not apply to Equal Justice Works.

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Women’s Rights Fellowship 2013

The Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation's (ACLU) National Office in New York City seeks applicants for sponsored fellowships, such as Skadden, Equal Justice Works, Liman and other public interest fellowships, beginning in the Fall of 2013.

Founded in 1972 by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Women's Rights Project has been a leader in the legal battles to ensure women’s full equality in American society. WRP is dedicated to the advancement of the rights and interests of women, with a particular emphasis on issues affecting low-income women, women of color, and immigrant women. WRP has overall responsibility for implementing ACLU policy in the area of gender discrimination. WRP conducts direct litigation, files amicus curiae briefs, provides support for ACLU affiliate litigation, serves as a resource for ACLU legislative work on women’s rights, and seeks to advance ACLU policy goals through public education, outreach, and participation in coalitions. WRP has been an active participant in virtually all of the major gender discrimination litigation in the Supreme Court, in Congressional efforts to promote gender equality, and in other significant public education on behalf of women and girls.

The Women’s Rights Project has three core priority areas of focus: education; violence against women and girls; and employment. Cutting across these priority areas, WRP seeks to incorporate an international human rights framework into its litigation and advocacy efforts.

WRP is particularly interested in sponsoring a candidate to work on a project advocating for the rights of survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. The project will combine litigation and advocacy with community outreach and public education. WRP staff will work with the chosen candidate to develop the fellowship proposal.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The fellows will be participating in trial litigation at all levels of federal and state courts, including but not limited to:

  • Conducting legal and factual research;
  • Interviewing clients;
  • Drafting briefs and pleadings, and amicus curiae briefs;
  • Assisting in discovery and motion practice;
  • Providing support for ACLU affiliate litigation;
  • Serving as a resource for ACLU legislative and policy work;
  • Advancing ACLU policy goals through public education, organizing and participating in coalitions.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • J.D. degree or expect to receive one by the Fall of 2013.
  • Knowledge of legal issues involving women’s rights discrimination, violence against women, or housing is preferred but not required.
  • Skilled at complex legal analytical work.
  • Demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
  • Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team.
  • Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks.
  • Excellent computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Commitment to the mission and goals of the ACLU and advancing women’s rights.

COMPENSATION

The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.

HOW TO APPLY

Individuals interested in receiving WRP sponsorship should send a letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the potential project areas described above, a resume, an unofficial transcript, the names and telephone numbers of three legal references, and a legal writing sample to via e-mail to hrjobsWRP@aclu.org - reference [WRP-12/ACLU-W] in subject line – or by mail to:

Human Resources
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
[Re: WRP-12/ACLU-W]
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this career opportunity.

We encourage applicants to send materials as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until a decision is made.

Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association:  Writing Competition for Students interested in Securities Arbitration and Securities Law

The Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (“PIABA”) is again sponsoring a writing competition for students interested in Securities Arbitration and Securities Law.   First Prize is $1000, Second Prize is $750, and Third Prize is $500. Competition winner(s) will be posted online at the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association website. The PIABA Bar Journal Board of Editors will publish the first place paper, and may, at their option, elect to print additional submissions.

The submission may address any aspect of Securities law; Securities arbitration; The Federal Arbitration Act, Title 9, US Code, Section 1-14; or FINRA Code of Arbitration, effective April 16, 2007 and any changes or proposed changes to that Code.  The writing can be based in theory or practice, but should ultimately advocate a position on the topic area chosen.  The competition is open to all students who attend a law school in the United States. Full-time students who are not law students but who write law-related papers as part of a course at an American law school are also eligible. 

To enter, students must submit entries electronically to rsringo@piaba.org with the subject heading, “2012 Writing Competition”. Entries must be received via e-mail no later than midnight September 10, 2012 and shall include the required entry form. The contestant’s name and other identifying markings such as school name are not to be on any copy of the submitted entry. Please click here for more information.

 

Job Fairs

Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair: Register and apply with employers August 15 through September 13.

Friday, October 26 & Saturday, October 27
Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 20022

Would you like to connect with public interest employers from all across the country and meet fellow, public interest-minded students, graduates and practitioners in the field? Then you should attend the Equal Justice Works 2012 Conference and Career Fair. With more than 125 public interest employers, 1,200 public interest law students and workshops to help you navigate your public interest career, you won’t want to miss it. * Chicago-Kent students are invited to attend a Public Service Reception with Chicago-Kent Alumni on Friday, October 26th, from 5-7pm, at Fado Irish Pub, 808 7th Street Northwest  Washington, DC 20001. This event is held exclusively for Chicago-Kent students attending the Conference & Career Fair, and Chicago-Kent Alumni in the DC area. To attend the reception, RSVP by Tuesday, October 23rd to kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu. 

Students begin to register and apply for interviews with employers at the Career Fair on Wednesday, August 15. Employers are added continually during the August 15th - September 13th registration/application period, so check back often! 

Students and graduates attending the Equal Justice Works 2012 Conference and Career Fair must register on the JusticeWork! site even if only attending for a conference session or the Table Talk informal interview opportunities. If a student decides not to attend, he/she will have until 5 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, October 16 to cancel his/her registration and receive a full refund of the $25 registration fee. Cancellations after this time will not be refunded.

Note: Due to NALP guidelines, 1L students are not eligible to interview with employers during the Equal Justice Works Career Fair. However, 1L students may informally talk to employers during Table Talk on Friday and Saturday.

View schedule and workshops pages to learn more about this year’s event.

IMPORTANT DATES
May 1 - September 6: Employer registration
August 15 - September 13: Student and recent graduate registration and interview application
August 15 - October 16: Law school professional registration
September 14 - October 11:  Student registration only for those not seeking an interview (may attend conference workshops and Table Talk)
September 20 - October 4: Employer application review and interviewee selection
September 20 - October 11: Students accept or decline interviews
September 26: Last day to reserve a hotel room at our discounted rate
October 16: Last day to cancel student registration with full refund
October 26 - 27: Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair

Chicago-Kent 7th Annual Public Service Reception, Washington DC, October 26th - Please RSVP

Chicago-Kent students and alumni are invited to attend the 7th Annual Public Service Reception on Friday, October 26th, 5:30-8pm at Fado Irish Pub, 808 7th Street Northwest  Washington, DC 20001. This event is held annually for Chicago-Kent students attending the Equal Justice Works Conference & Career Fair, and Chicago-Kent Alumni in the DC area. To attend the reception, please RSVP by Tuesday, October 23rd to kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu. This annual event provides the opportunity for Chicago-Kent students to meet with Chicago-Kent Alumni in the Washington DC area. Appetizers and beer/soda will be provided. Don't miss this great networking event, held in connection with the Conference & Career Fair!

16th Annual National Latino Law Students Association Conference and Employment Expo: October 4-6

The National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA) will host its 16th Annual Conference at UCLA Law School in Los Angeles, California from Thursday October 4 - Saturday October 6, 2012. 

The conference theme, “Movimiento: The Movements of Latinos in Education and Advocacy,” will challenge and encourage participants to consider the historical struggles and victories within the formal education and legal systems, as well as the possibilities for using our personal education to make change through current and future advocacy.  This Conference will focus on various historical and current movements including anti-discrimination, immigration, resegregation, economic justice, health care reform, juvenile and criminal justice, and more.  Career panels, the expo, and networking events will provide opportunities for participants to explore work in entertainment law, elected office, impact litigation, and direct service in non-profit, government and the private sector. This weekend-long conference will bring together more than three-hundred diverse law students, professors, practitioners, judges, elected officials, and prominent community leaders to understand and tackle these urgent issues.

Please click here to learn more about the Conference and for registration information!

 

Diversity

September 21: Cook County State's Attorney's Office Minority Law Students Reception

JTBF Speed Networking Program, September 22

ABA Minority Trial Lawyer committee seeks Law Student Contributors for its Website

As part of the Minority Trial Lawyer Committee's ongoing efforts to increase the quality of its website while also providing additional platforms for its members to increase their public visibility, the committee is currently seeking contributors for the News and Developments section of our website. Contributors to the News and Developments section would have the opportunity to write brief (between 250–750 words) "blog-like" entries about emerging topics that are relevant to the MTL's broad membership. If you are interested in submitting contributions to the MTL's News and Developments section or would like more information about this exciting opportunity, please contact Brian Josias.

AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee - Minority Outreach Program

see the Employment Opportunities section for more information

Resources

2011-2012 Guide to Internships & Fellowships in Reproductive Rights & Justice

Back by popular demand, Law Students for Reproductive Justice is pleased to share the latest edition of the 2011-12 Guide to Internships & Fellowships in Reproductive Rights & Justice.  This one-of-a-kind tool can help guide interested law students toward summers, semesters, or careers in reproductive justice advocacy.  The Guide contains listings for legal internships and fellowships at 75 non-profit organizations across the country. The Guide may be accessed in the Symplicity Document Library; please log onto Symplicity, click on the "Documents" tab, and then click on "Document Library."

Updated Vermont Guide to State Judicial Clerkships

The Vermont 2012 Guide to State Judicial Clerkship Procedures is now available and may be accessed online. For username and password information, please log onto Symplicity, click on the "Documents" tab, and then click on "Document Library."

2012-2013 Government Honors and Internship Handbook

The 2012-2013 Government Honors & Internship Handbook is now available and may be accessed online. For username and password information, please log onto Symplicity, click on the "Documents" tab, and then click on "Document Library."

Web Access for Policy, Political and Human Rights Jobs

Chicago-Kent students can access Policy Jobs (www.policyjobs.net), Political Jobs (www.politicaljobs.net), Human Rights Jobs (www.humanrightsjobs.com), Ethical Jobs (www.ethicaljobs.net), and Journalist Jobs (www.journalistjobs.net) by using the Login details that can be obtained through Symplicity. Please see the instructions in the entry directly below for details on how to access password information via Symplicity. Please note that the passwords for these sites are case sensitive.

Password Protected Sites Now Available through Symplicity

To access password protected sites including:

  • The Federal Government Honors & Internship Handbook; The Vermont Guide to State Judicial Clerkships; The BYU Intercollegiate Job Bank; and
  • The Four or More List of Chicago Employers

Log into Symplicity and select the “Documents” tab. Within Documents, select “Document Library.” The links for the sites listed above will be listed there. Clicking on each link will take you to a page with a username and password, which you should write down before clicking the link on the page. If you have any difficulties accessing Symplicity or the individual sites, please contact the Career Services Office by emailing kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu.

Access the BYU Intercollegiate Job Bank

Kent students and alumni now have an additional resource for their job searches. The BYU Intercollegiate Job Bank compiles entry level job postings from schools throughout the country. This resource will be especially useful for students and alumni conducting an out-of-town job search, but through this service you can also access the postings of other Illinois and Chicago area schools. To access this resource, log into Symplicity and select the “Documents” tab. Within Documents, select “Document Library.” The link for the Job Bank will be listed there. Clicking on the link will take you to a page with a username and password, which you should write down before clicking the link. The link takes you to the BYU Alumni page, and the Job Bank is about halfway down the page. After clicking that link you will be prompted to enter the user name and password. Then you will have access to a drop list of all 50 states. Picking a state will give you access to the job postings from the schools in that state. If you have any difficulties accessing the Job Bank, please contact the Career Services Office by emailing kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu.

Law Bulletin Weekly On-line Employment Bulletin

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin is now offering a free on-line Legal Employment Weekly e-blast of open jobs in the Chicago area. Every issue contains up-to-date job postings, an article and sign-up sheet from the Illinois Paralegal Association, and an Ask an Expert column. You can view each week's installment at http://jobs.lawbulletin.com/ELEW.pdf or you can sign up to receive the "E-LEW" in your own inbox. To receive the weekly email, go to http://jobs.lawbulletin.com and select the "E-LEW" tab at the top of the page. At the bottom of the page, click on the link and complete the resulting form.

Alumni Career Advisor Network

In an effort to help you connect with a strong network of Chicago-Kent alumni, the Office of Alumni Relations and Office of Career Services are happy to announce a new Alumni Career Advisor Network. Alumni from around the world are available to discuss issues such as practice trends, legal markets in specific geographic areas, and other career-related topics. This is an excellent opportunity to start building your personal network with Chicago-Kent alumni!To search for an Alumni Career Advisor, all you have to do is log-in to the Chicago-Kent Alumni Online Community:First Time Login Instructions:

  1. Go to www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/firstlogin In the Constituent ID field, enter your Banner CWID.
    To find your Banner CWID login to http://my.iit.edu. Once you are logged, on the right side of your screen you should see a box called IIT Personal ID numbers. The Banner CWID is the number beginning with “A.”
  2. In the Class Year Field:
    1. If you are an LLM student, enter LLM If you are a Visiting student, enter LV
    2. If you are a JD student your Class Year will be three characters. The first letter for all class years will be L. The second letter is your division. The third is your year number.
      Examples: A 2nd year night student’s class year is LN2. A 1st  year day student’s class year is LD1.

During your first time login you will create a username and password. Afterwards, you may log in directly at www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/advisorsearch using the username and password you created. If you need assistance with your first time login, please contact the Office of Career Services at kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu or visit Suite 360.

International Career Employment Weekly Online

International Career Employment Weekly's goal is to make it easy for international professionals to keep abreast of all current job opportunities in their field. They collect information on current international job openings with governments, government contractors, United Nations agencies and other intergovernmental organizations, private voluntary organizations working overseas, corporations involved in international trade and finance, engineering firms, associations, foundations, student exchange organizations, universities, and state governments and present that information to job seekers in a clear and concise format. The Career Services Office subscribes to this resource in an online format. Contact kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu for the username and password.

PSLawNet Resource is becoming PSJD

PSLawNet is a premier resource for career-related information in legal and law-related public interest work. Students and alumni from over 170 law schools search our site every day to find internships, fellowships, pro bono opportunities, and jobs in public service. Chicago-Kent College of Law is a member school, therefore you have unlimited access to search the database for FREE. The PSLawNet website is filled with useful resources for public interest-minded law students and graduates, as well as those who may simply be exploring their options.

As of August 27, 2012, PSLawNet is now PSJD, a redesigned website that retains all of PSLawNet’s content but that adds easier navigation, enhanced searching, and new tools for job-seekers and employers alike.  PSLawNet users will be able to log in to PSJD with existing PSLawNet login credentials, and our job-seeker “email alerts” will continue uninterrupted.  As of August 27th PSJD will be found at http://www.psjd.org. To register, go to http://www.psjd.org, click on "sign-up now" to create an account using your email address and your own password. List Chicago-Kent College of Law as your school.

PSJD Fellowship Corner

Interested in pursuing a fellowship upon graduation? Then be sure to check out PSJD's "Fellowship Corner" which includes the full text of Yale's Fellowship Application Tips for 2002-2003, along with the expanded Appendix listing print and online fellowship resources. The site also contains a Fellowship Calendar with a chronological listing of application deadlines--a big help for potential applicants in planning and preparing their materials. Visit the Fellowship Corner at: http://pslawnet.org/postgraduatefellowships

Free Membership to the Legal Balance

The Legal Balance, an exclusive online community for women attorneys in Chicago, is offering a free one-year membership to Chicago-Kent students. The Legal Balance offers women attorney-specific benefits tailored to help you succeed, including: access to member-only networking events, an extensive resource library, weekly email digests, and inside information from a community of successful female attorneys.  To request your free membership, email thelegalbalance@thelegalbalance.com and mention that you are a Chicago-Kent student.

CALENDARS

.: Main Chicago-Kent event
   calendar

.: Academic calendar

.: CLE calendar

.: Alumnae/i event calendar

.: Admissions calendar

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