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Week of October 19, 2015

Information & Announcements

  • Community Based Federal Work Study Available for Spring 2015 - Deadline to apply January 8, 2016
  • Mandatory 1L Legal Resume and Cover Letter Workshops
  • Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC) hosts office hours in the CSO
  • CareerShift
  • Mandatory Meetings for 2Ls and 3Ls
  • Free ABA Memberships for Students

Fall Recruiting

  • Fall Recruiting: Please Report Callbacks and Offers!

Programming

  • ILAO/PILI Webinar: How to Apply for Internships and Externships
  • October 19-23: ConneCKtions at Dinner Week
  • October 20: Exploring Careers in Small and Midsize Firms
  • October 21: Exploring Careers in Prosecution
  • October 21: Lunch with a Judge
  • October 22: CBA YLS Social Hour
  • October 22: An Evening with the CIA
  • October 23: Alumni/Student Public Service Reception, Washington DC
  • October 23:  Movies on Trial: My Cousin Vinny - Movie Screening and Networking Event (being held at Chicago-Kent!
  • October 26-30: CBA/CBF 2015 Pro Bono Week
  • October 27: Student-to-Student Career Fair
  • October 29: 22nd Annual Pro Bono & Community Service Fair
  • October 29: Women's Bar Association Young Lawyers Panel: Strategizing from the Start
  • November 5: Practice Tracks
  • November 10: Meet the Public Services Employers Reception
  • November 16: SBA 5 Under 5
  • November 17: Government Speednetworking
  • November 18: JIOP/ACC Panel 
  • December 11:  6th Annual Circuit Court Boot Camp: A Practical Trial Litigation Skills Program - Register by October 29

Employment Opportunities

  • 2016 City of Chicago Mayor's Office Fellowship Program - Applications due November 4th
  • PILI 2015 - Apply Now!

Fellowships & Scholarships

  • Faegre Baker Daniels 2L Diversity Fellowship - Application Now Available!
  • Sidley Austin LLP Diversity Scholarship

Job Fairs

Diversity

  • Faegre Baker Daniels 2L Diversity Fellowship - Application Now Available!
  • Sidley Austin LLP Diversity Scholarship
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s 1L Individual Mentoring Program - Registration Now Open!

Resources

  • Government Honors & Internship Handbook & Public Policy Handbook: log-in now available
  • 2015-2016 PSJD Comprehensive Fellowship Guide
  • Equal Justice Works’ Student Debt E-Book: Take Control of Your Future: A Guide to Managing Your Student Debt
  • CSO Resources

Information & Announcements

Community Based Federal Work Study Available for Spring 2015 - Deadline to apply January 8, 2016

Chicago-Kent will have Community-Based Federal Work Study available during the Spring 2016 semester.  Chicago-Kent 2L & 3L students who are Federal Work Study eligible may be paid though Federal Work Study funds to work at government and public interest organizations outside of the law school.  A limited amount of funds are available, and students who have a federal work study award must secure their job placement by the deadline.  Please visit the Chicago-Kent Community-Based Federal Work Study webpage for a more detailed explanation of this opportunity, as well as the form you need to complete in order to participate.  Forms are due in the Career Services Office by Friday January 8, 2015.  Please e-mail Michelle Vodenik (mvodenik@kentlaw.iit.edu) with any questions.

Mandatory 1L Legal Resume and Cover Letter Workshops

The MANDATORY 1L Legal Resume Workshop and 1L Cover Letter Workshop videos are now available to view. Sign in to Panopto using your kentlaw username and password.

All first-year law students must watch these brief videos. These workshops include detailed instructions for how to draft your legal resume and cover letter.

First-year law students may begin meeting with a Career Advisor on Monday, October 26Before your first career advising appointment, you must have watched the workshop videos and have uploaded a legal resume to Symplicity. Please also bring a copy of your legal resume to your first appointment.

Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC) hosts office hours in the CSO

The Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC) will host office hours in the Career Services Office (Suite 360) on:

  • Monday's 4-5 PM
  • Tuesday's 3:30-4:30 PM
  • Wednesday's 11:45 AM -12:45 PM and 4-5PM

If you are interested in volunteering or pro bono projects please visit the PIRC counselors during office hours or visit the PIRC webpage to be added to the PIRC newsletter and to track your volunteer hours. Students who compete 50 hours, or 250 hours, receive an award for their service at a Public Interest Awards ceremony held April. 

CareerShift

Chicago-Kent has partnered with CareerShift to help with your job search needs. 
CareerShift is a one-stop search engine that allows users to search and review each and every job posting available (such as those on Monster, Indeed, all other job boards and company websites). 
In addition, users can search for jobs and save your searches, find and save a list of contacts, create resumes and cover letters, and put them together in a targeted e-mail or postal mail campaigns. Then you can track your responses from “Come in for an interview” to “You’re hired.” With CareerShift you can:

  • Search every job listing, including job boards and company websites
  • Get inside contact information immediately, including email addresses, for millions of companies
  • Create and organize all of your documents
  • Confidentially market yourself
  • Remain focused and organized
  • Access your secure, private account from anywhere, anytime, 24/7

Sign up for an account at CareerShift and when prompted use the group access code: kentlawcso

Click on “Tutorials” under the “My Organizer” link to view tutorials on how to use all of the job search resources CareerShift has to offer!

Mandatory Meetings for 2Ls and 3Ls

Each 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 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 check in with your career advisor to form a strategy to accomplish your career goals.  Please bring your most recent, updated legal resume with you to your meeting with your career advisor.

ABA Offers Free Memberships For Law Students

Effective immediately, the American Bar Association will offer free memberships to all students enrolled in law school. The membership grants law students access to resources tailored to their interests and needs, opportunities to build their professional skills plus access to the ABA’s job listings, clerkships, internships and career events.

You can enroll here - http://www.americanbar.org/abalawstudents.

Fall Recruiting

Fall Recruiting: Please Report Callbacks and Offers!

If you receive callbacks or job offers during the fall interview season, please report this to Sandy Minea in the Career Services Office by sending an email to sminea@kentlaw.iit.edu (or email your career advisor directly). 

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 advisor.

Programming

ILAO/PILI Webinar: How to Apply for Internships and Externships

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) and the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) have prepared a short (9 minute) webinar on how to use www.illinoisprobono.org to search for a summer internship or externship. The webinar walks you through the application process and provides tips from partnering legal aid organizations. You can access the webinar here: How to Apply for Internships and Externships.

ConneCKtions at Dinner Week

Date: October 12-23

Mark your calendars for ConneKtions @ Dinner Week, October 19-23. Throughout that week, alumni will be hosting dinners at their homes or restaurants for groups of students. These are great opportunities for informal networking and building connections with alumni! Dinners may be hosted by 1-3 alumni and may include between 2 to 10 students - most take place downtown or somewhere close to public transportation. Registration for the dinners will be first-come, first-served online, with spots opening up to 3Ls and 4Ls on Monday, October 12; to 2Ls on Tuesday, October 13 and to 1Ls on Wednesday, October 14. Watch your email for the links to register.

Please note that you may only sign up for one dinner. You should consider this a professional commitment and no-shows or late cancellations (less than 24 hours) are not acceptable - please check your schedule carefully before signing up.

Exploring Careers in Small and Midsize Firms

Date: Tuesday, October 20
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Room 580

Small and midsize law firms offer a diverse range of practice areas and employ the largest percentage of law school graduates. They are also a significant source of law clerking positions. Join us to learn what such firms look for in applicants, what average salaries are, and how to identify and research this vast array of employers. Panelists will discuss the benefits of working at a small or midsize law firm, their personal career trajectories, and job search and interviewing tips.

Exploring Careers in Prosecution

Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 12:00pm
Location: TBA

On October 21 at 12p, the Criminal Law Society (in co-sponsorship with the CSO) will present a panel of prosecutors from Cook and collar counties to talk about their responsibilities and answer questions about opportunities both during law school and after!  Come prepared to learn about the variety of divisions where law students and recent grads work and also about the application process for the respective positions.  Food will be provided by Kaplan! 

Lunch with a Judge

Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Location: The Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court

The YLS Lunch With a Judge series allows members the unique opportunity to hear from a member of the bench in an intimate setting. On October 21, hear from Judge Raul Vega of Cook County's Domestic Relations Division.

Judge Vega was elected judge in 1982. He has been hearing post decree domestic relations cases for 12 years. Prior to his assignment to the Domestic Relations Division, he heard cases in the Municipal Division. Before becoming a judge, he practiced law for 20 years as a solo practitioner in Cook County. 

Judge Vega graduated from Loyola University in Chicago in 1982. He graduated from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he majored in Economics and Accounting, in 1979 and from Lane Technical High School in 1975. Judge Vega was born and raised in Chicago. He is bilingual and of Puerto descent. Judge Vega is married and has 3 children.

Pizza will be served compliments of Beermann Pritkin Mirabelli & Swerdlove. See here for more information and to register.

CBA YLS Social Hour

Date: Thursday, October 22
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: The Godfrey Hotel, 127 W Huron St

Join the Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section on October 22, 2015, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Godfrey Hotel for the next Social Hour.

An Evening with the CIA

Date: Thursday, October 22
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Reza’s Restaurant, 432 W. Ontario

Attention lawyers and law students! Ever wonder how the CIA accomplishes its national security mission and the types of professional backgrounds needed to join its ranks?

Learn about career options for individuals possessing a law degree.  Presenters will include an attorney from the CIA Office of the General Counsel and CIA officers representing Operations, Analysis, Outreach and Recruitment. 

The program and panel discussion will begin at 6:30pm and a networking session will follow.  Complimentary food will be served and a cash bar will be available.

There is no fee to attend, but your registration is required.  To register please go to www.CIAevent.eventbrite.com.

Alumni/Student Public Service Reception, Washington DC

Date: Friday, October 23
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Fado Irish Pub, 808 7th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001

Chicago-Kent students and alumni are invited to attend the 10th Annual Public Service Reception on Friday, October 23rd, 5:00-7:00pm 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. 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! Please RSVP here if you plan to attend.

Movies on Trial: My Cousin Vinny - Movie Screening and Networking Event (being held at Chicago-Kent!

Date: Friday, October 23
Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law

Special Pro Bono Week Kickoff Event: Movies on Trial: My Cousin Vinny presented with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP and Chicago-Kent College of Law.

A CLE event where the magic of Hollywood meets insightful legal debate.  Join us for a screening of "My Cousin Vinny," followed by an entertaining and informative panel discussion of the film, including pro bono service. One hour of CLE credit subject to approval.

Click here to register

October 26-30: CBA/CBF 2015 Pro Bono Week

The Chicago Bar Association and the The Chicago Bar Foundation presents 2015 Pro Bono Week.

Friday, October 23

Special Pro Bono Week Kickoff Event: Movies on Trial: My Cousin Vinny presented with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP and Chicago-Kent College of Law.

A CLE event where the magic of Hollywood meets insightful legal debate.  Join us for a screening of "My Cousin Vinny," followed by an entertaining and informative panel discussion of the film, including pro bono service. One hour of CLE credit subject to approval.

Click here to register

Monday, October 26 - 3:00-5:00 pm - Chicago Bar Association
Trans 101: The Changing Landscape of Transgender Law

Hear from experts in a variety of areas of law related to the transgendered community, such as education, employment, and identification. Find out how you can help as a pro bono attorney on both individual cases and large scale reform efforts. Two hours of CLE credit subject to approval.

Click here to register

Tuesday, October 27 - 6:00-8:00 pm - Revolution Brewing
Game Night: A Battle of the Barristers

How does your knowledge of the Chicago legal community and legal-themed pop culture measure up? Come find out! This battle of wits will include questions on access to justice topics such as pro bono programs and legal aid organizations, as well as pop culture and current events-with a legal twist.

Registration: Register as a team of no more than six individuals. To register, email Angela Inzano at ainzano@chicagobar.org with the names of your team members and your team name. Space is limited!

Wednesday, October 28 - 3:00-5:00 pm - Chicago Bar Association
The Americans with Disabilities Act: 25 Years of Life-Changing Impact

The Americans with Disabilities Act is celebrating 25 years as the law of the land. Come hear experts on the ADA talk about the real-world positive outcomes that legal aid and pro bono attorneys have been able to achieve for persons with disabilities. Two hours of CLE credit subject to approval.

Click here to register

Thursday, October 29 - 5:00-7:00 pm - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 
22nd Annual Pro Bono and Community Service Fair 

Presented by the Young Lawyers Section and co-sponsored by the CBF and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. 

Meet with representatives from 50 of Chicago's legal aid, pro bono, community service and mentoring organizations to find an opportunity that fits your schedule, interests and goals. 

Click here to register  / Click to view PDF of Event Inf

Student-to-Student Career Fair

Date: Tuesday, October 27
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Location: Second Floor Cafeteria

Tap into one of the best resources available for information about legal fields; your fellow students!  On Tuesday, October 27th from 12:00 pm to 1:30pm in the Second Floor Cafeteria, hear experienced law students speak about the work they have done as law clerks, interns, and externs, and networking with attorneys practicing in a variety of practice areas, including

  • Civil Rights
  • Civil Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Environmental
  • Entertainment
  • Family
  • Immigration
  • Intellectual Property
  • Labor/Employment
  • Prosecution
  • Tax............And many more areas! Food will be served!

22nd Annual Pro Bono & Community Service Fair

Date: Thursday, October 29
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Presented by the CBA Young Lawyers Section and co-sponsored by the CBF and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. 

Meet with representatives from 50 of Chicago's legal aid, pro bono, community service and mentoring organizations to find an opportunity that fits your schedule, interests and goals. 

CBA Members - Click here to register  / Click to view PDF of Event Info

Students who are not CBA members can register by sending an email to ainzano@chicagobar.org with their first name, last name, and law school name. 

October 29: Women's Bar Association Young Lawyers Panel: Strategizing from the Start

Date: Thursday, October 29
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Loation: Jenner & Block, 353 N Clark

Join the Women’s Bar Association Young Lawyers Group to hear distinguished panelists discuss what new lawyers need to know when starting out and choosing their practice areas:

Panelists

  • Reena Bajowala, Partner at Jenner & Block LLP
  • Patrick Gallagher, Ph.D., Senior Associate at Duane Morris LLP
  • Michele Jochner, Partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP
  • Eleni Kouimelis, Partner at Winston & Strawn LLP

Lunch will be served. The event is free, but space is limited.  See here for more information and to register.

Practice Tracks

Date: Thursday, November 5
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: Chicago Bar Association, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Attorneys representing approximately 50 practice areas will attend Practice Tracks, a program held at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court (next to the John Marshall Law School) on Thursday, November 5, 2015 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm.  Practice Tracks provides students with the opportunity to talk informally with attorneys about careers in a variety of practice areas.  Practice Tracks is your chance to determine how job seekers are faring in a particular segment of the market, what it is like to practice in a specific practice area, which credentials are helpful in finding employment in that area, what skills you should emphasize when applying, and more!

Even though the participating attorneys volunteer their time and participation for Practice Tracks, that does not indicate job openings at represented organizations.  However, this program has proven to be an extremely effective means of networking and obtaining helpful information about prospective employers in a variety of different settings and practice areas.  To benefit from and make the most of this program, you may obtain business cards from practitioners in your areas of interest, and later reach out to those attorneys for an informational interview.

Meet the Public Services Employers Reception

Date: Tuesday, November 10
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 25 E. Pearson,
Kasbeer Hall on the 15th Floor

Save the date for the Meet the Public Service Organizations Reception on Tuesday, November 10, 2015.  Come learn about non-profit and government agency volunteer, intern and employment opportunities!  The event will take place at Loyola University School of Law, 25 E Pearson St, in Kasbeer Hall on the 15th Floor.  Contact your career advisor with any questions.

SBA 10 Under 10

Date: Monday, November 16
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Morris Hall, 10th Floor Event Room

Join the SBA for its "10 Under 10" Alumni Networking Event! Come meet, greet and network with at least ten recent Chicago-Kent alumni who have graduated in the last ten years and are now practicing law in a variety of different fields. This event is a great way network with alumni without any pressure. All of the featured attendees remember exactly what it's like to be in your shoes. The event even boasts a history of getting students jobs from their new connections!

Government Speed Networking

Date: Tuesday, November 17
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: Morris Hall, 10th Floor Event Room

Come speak with Federal, State, and Local Government alumni about their careers. Students (either one-on-one or in small groups) will rotate to a new attorney every few minutes, and have the opportunity to meet all the attorneys in the room. The evening will conclude with a reception providing an opportunity for you to speak further with state and local government alumni. Students MUST RSVP! Send RSVPs to: kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu with Government Speed Networking in the subject line. Space is limited.

JIOP/ACC Panel

Date: Wednesday, November 18
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: TBA

Chicago-Kent students who have participated in the Judicial Internship Opportunity Program and Association of Corporate Counsel Minority Law Student Summer Program will discuss their experiences applying, interviewing and working with a judge or corporation over the summer.

More information on JIOP and ACC is below.

JIOP: The application process for the Summer 2015 Judicial Intern Opportunity Program opened on November 3rd for second-year law students.  Applications for first-year law students (1L) will be accepted December 1st, in accordance with NALP Guidelines. Applications must be submitted by January 9, 2015.  To learn more, click here.

ACC: The Chicago ACC Diversity Summer Internship Program places top law students with diverse backgrounds from select Illinois law schools in internships in Chicagoland corporate legal departments.  The internships expose the students to in-house practices and career possibilities in corporate legal departments.  Applications for the Summer 2015 Diversity Summer Internship Program are due in February of 2015.  To learn more about this opportunity, go here:  http://www.acc.com/chapters/chic/InternshipProgramInfo.cfm

6th Annual Circuit Court Boot Camp: A Practical Trial Litigation Skills Program - Register by October 29

Date: Friday December 11 (Register by October 29)
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: The Chicago Bar Association, 321 South Plymouth Court

Taught by sitting judges and very experienced practitioners, this information packed seminar gets excellent reviews (see testimonials above and below) and will help you improve your litigation skills at the state trial court level.

You will learn important procedural issues that commonly trip up attorneys, receive concrete tips and learn how to avoid the frequent mistakes made by attorneys at all levels.

The insight and instruction you receive from the Circuit Court judges on our panels is invaluable, as is the opportunity ask questions throughout the program. 

See here for more information and to register.

Employment Opportunities

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

2016 City of Chicago Mayor's Office Fellowship Program - Applications due November 4th

The Office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago is in the process of recruiting graduate students for the 2016 Mayor’s Office Fellowship Program.

The Mayor's Office Fellowship Program is a wonderful opportunity for graduate students in any concentration who will be enrolled during the summer and are interested in local government and public policy. Fellows have the opportunity to learn about municipal government and participate in a unique, hands-on experience in the development of new policy and program initiatives. Participants research policies and evaluate their potential benefit to Chicago, draft memoranda for Mayor’s Office senior staff on upcoming issues and new initiatives, and participate in a variety of talks and tours that provide insight into how City government operates.

Selection Process

This year, the Mayor’s Office will again be participating in the two-step application process. Prospective Fellows should visit www.cityofchicago.org/mayorfellowship to begin the application process. Initial applications will be screened for qualification and applicants will be selected to move on to the Second Step of the application process which includes submitting:  a written response to a policy problem and a personal statement to the Mayor’s Office directly. Applicants who reach the Second Step will also be interviewed and based upon the results of the interview process and written documents, a final selection of fellows will be made. Specific details can be found at www.cityofchicago.org/mayorfellowship.

Candidates are selected on a nationwide basis from public and private colleges and universities. Candidates must be current students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.0 on a 5.0 scale. Fellows are not classified as full-time employees. Residency in the City of Chicago is required upon starting the fellowship program. Relocation is at the applicant’s expense. Fellows are paid at a rate of $20 per hour.

International students must have an F-1 Student Visa and must be a full-time student. International students are required to have a social security number/card which states “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION.”

Students who are Deferred Action Recipients are eligible to apply. Students must provide their Employment Authorization Document at the time of hire. In addition, if a student is selected for a Fellowship Position, they must also have a social security card.  If they do not have a social security card, they can obtain one by following the instructions on this link:  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/deferred_action.pdf

The application period will close on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 11:59:59 p.m.

For further information, please contact Kathryn O’Connell, Director of the Fellowship Program at 312-744-6655 or kathryn.o’connell@cityofchicago.org. 

PILI 2015 - Apply Now!

PILI’s online application system is now open for the 2015 Fall Semester. The agencies that will host fall Interns are: Coordinated Advice Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS), Center for Disability & Elder Law, Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Equip for Equality, LAF Chicago, and the National Immigrant Justice Center. PILI Interns work 200 hours during the 2015 Fall Semester in return for a $2,500 stipend.  

In order to apply for the PILI stipend, all applicants must go through the online application system. Applicants must first register with www.IllinoisProBono.org, and may only apply once they have had their registration confirmed. Applicants may apply for all of the available positions in the fall if they are interested, and can upload a customized cover letter for each agency. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled, so APPLY NOW!  For more information and to apply, go here: http://pili.org/internships/intern-how-to-apply

Fellowships & Scholarships

Faegre Baker Daniels 2L Diversity Fellowship - Application Now Available

Faegre Baker Daniels invites second-year law students committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession to apply for its 2015 Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship program.

FaegreBD offers up to four Fellowships annually that provide professional experience and mentorship to second-year law students from populations historically underrepresented in the legal profession.

Fellowship awardees will each receive:

  • A 10-week paid summer clerkship as a summer associate in the firm’s Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Silicon Valley or South Bend office in 2016.
  • Formal education, training programs and hands-on legal experience through FaegreBD’s summer program.
  •  Guidance from a mentor lawyer.
  •  A $10,000 stipend at the conclusion of the summer associate term.
  •  Eligibility for consideration for full-time employment as an associate with the firm.

Applicants for the Diversity Fellowship must be enrolled in a J.D. program at an accredited U.S. law school with an anticipated graduation date of 2017.

Candidates must complete the online application, including a cover letter indicating office preference, a resume, a law school transcript and a two-page personal statement describing how or why they will contribute meaningfully to diversity and inclusion at Faegre Baker Daniels and/or in the legal profession.

For more information and to complete the application, visit FaegreBD.com/Fellowship. Students are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible.
The Fellowship program supports Faegre Baker Daniels' ongoing commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. FaegreBD invests in recruiting a diverse workforce by supporting pipeline programs, attending multiple diversity job fairs, and conducting on-campus outreach to diverse law student populations. For more information, visitFaegreBD.com/Diversity and http://www.faegrebd.com/Legal-Careers-Summer-Associate-Program.

Sidley Austin LLP Diversity Scholarship

Sidley has long been one of the most prominent and progressive proponents of law and diversity. Our mission is to attract and retain outstanding lawyers of varied backgrounds who reflect the global marketplace that we serve. Through the leadership of our Diversity Committee and Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women, we are working to become a more diverse and inclusive organization.

To further promote diversity within the legal profession and to support Sidley’s diversity policies, the firm created the Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Initiative for second year law students. Sidley will award a limited number of Diversity & Inclusion Scholarships in the amount of $20,000 (less any applicable withholdings and taxes) to selected 2016 Sidley summer associates.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

A Scholarship applicant must:

  • Be a full-time law student in your second year of classes at an accredited law school.
  • Submit the following documents: Current law school transcript with all first year grades;
    • Resume;
    • Completed application form; and
    • Personal statement (500 words or less) addressing what you believe demonstrates your qualification for the Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship, including, potentially, a description of your academic and personal strengths; exceptional contributions, through community service or otherwise, to the cause of diversity; and/or how you have overcome adversity, such as a personal or family history of educational or socioeconomic disadvantage, and have demonstrated the tenacity and talent to excel in the legal profession.

Scholarship recipients will be selected from among the eligible applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities and who also have demonstrated exceptional ability, including through:

  • Demonstrated contributions to diversity initiatives or to diversity and inclusion more generally, such as in the area(s) of racial or ethnic diversity, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, veteran status, and/or other areas underrepresented or otherwise important to diversity in the legal profession; and/or
  • Other extraordinary contributions or accomplishments; and/or
  • Demonstrated ability to overcome adversity, such as first-in-family college attendance or socioeconomic disadvantage; and/or

Past participation in and/or interest in assisting with the diversity and inclusion initiatives of the firm such as the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative or a Sidley 1L Diversity Summer Mentorship Program.

Expectations of Scholarship Recipients

Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship recipients must join Sidley’s summer associate program after their second year of law school.

The Sidley Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship is intended to defray the costs of the recipients’ legal education.

How to Apply

Complete the Sidley Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship application (see here to access the application) and send it, along with a resume, current official law school transcript and personal statement to scholarship@sidley.com or Sidley Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship, c/o Jennifer Connelly, Sidley Austin LLP, One South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60603

Application Timeline

Given the highly selective nature of the Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship and the limited number of Scholarships available, students are encouraged to submit applications at their earliest convenience. We strongly prefer to receive the application by the time of the candidate’s call-back interview.

Please note that the Scholarship application is not an application for employment. You must apply separately for a summer associate position.

Job Fairs

Equal Justice Works 2015 Virtual Conference and Career Fair

While the annual EJW Conference and Career Fair has attracted employers and law students from across the country for twenty years, there are some who are unable to attend the in-person event due to time and/or financial constraints. EJW is excited to pilot the Equal Justice Works 2015 Virtual Conference and Career Fair to connect more students and employers!

The virtual event will take place from 12 – 3 p.m. EDT on Friday, October 30. Registration is free and open through October 27.

Employers are registering now and will continue to register and post positions over the next few weeks. Registered employers include: California Appellate Project, Death Penalty Litigation Clinic, and Public Advocates.

As this is a pilot event, it will have a smaller number of attendees than our in-person Career Fair.

Learn more about this opportunity here!

Diversity

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s 1L Individual Mentoring Program - Registration Now Open!

The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) is excited to offer a unique professional development opportunity to diverse 1L law students.  LCLD believes that success in law school is the first step to a successful legal career. To support the success of diverse students in law school, LCLD is launching the 2015-2016 LCLD Success in Law School Mentoring Program in over 30 cities around the country, including Chicago. Participating mentees will be paired with an experienced lawyer in Chicago, from one of LCLD’s Member organizations. Mentees will also have an opportunity to participate in the LCLD Group Mentoring Program, which includes networking events and substantive informational programming. 

LCLD has recruited lawyers from its Member organizations to provide one-on-one mentoring to qualified law students. These volunteer Mentors can help you achieve the professional goals you've set for yourself. Our Mentors not only have their experiences in law school to share, but also their experience of the profession, including networking, practice area choice, and knowledge of the legal job market.

To register for the Individual Mentoring Program, please complete the form located here. Mentee registration is NOW OPEN! While LCLD has enlisted a substantial number of volunteer Mentors, this is a "first come, first serve" opportunity, so please act quickly.

Faegre Baker Daniels 2L Diversity Fellowship - Application Now Available!
(See above)

Sidley Austin LLP Diversity Scholarship
(See above)

Resources

Government Honors & Internship Handbook and Public Policy Handbook: log-in now available

The Government Honors and Internship Handbook and the (separate) Public Policy Handbook are now available!  To access the handbooks, use the link, login and password, which can be found in the Document Library in Symplicity.  Note that many 3L/post-grad government honors program and 2L summer/semester internship program deadlines are very early in the semester; log in now to avoid missing an opportunity!

2015-2016 PSJD Comprehensive Fellowship Guide

The 2015-2016 PSJD Fellowship Guide is an online compilation of post-graduate fellowships.  To access the database and for information about how to effectively use the database, visit https://www.psjd.org/2015-2016_Comprehensive_Fellowship_Guide.  Note that many fellowships have very early fall semester deadlines; 3Ls that are interested in applying for post-graduate fellowships should access the Guide now!  

Equal Justice Works’ Student Debt E-Book: Take Control of Your Future: A Guide to Managing Your Student Debt

Take Control of Your Future: A Guide to Managing Your Student Debt, is now available free on the EJW website.

Take Control of Your Future is a comprehensive guide to managing student debt, with chapters on understanding student loans and loan consolidation, planning before borrowing, income-driven repayment plans and a step-by-step guide to earning Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

CSO Resources

The Chicago-Kent Career Services Office has access to hundreds of helpful career resources. A majority of these resources are available in Symplicity under the red "Resources" tab (in the "Document Library"). Some of these resources include:

  • 2014-2015 Government Honors and Internship Handbook
  • Chicago Area Law Firm List
  • 2013-2014 Guide to Internships & Fellowships in Reproductive Rights & Justice
  • Updated Vermont Guide to State Judicial Clerkships
  • BYU Intercollegiate Job Bank
  • DePaul Law School International Guide and Job Resource
  • Music Attorney Registry
  • Prosecution Handbook
  • Public Defender Handbook               
  • Public Interest Job Search Handbooks
  • Various handouts related to the job search, including “Researching Legal Employers,” “The Out of State Job Search,” “Salary Negotiations” and “Writing Samples”

And many more!

Chicago-Kent students can also access various websites like: Policy Jobs (www.policyjobs.net), Political Jobs (www.politicaljobs.net), Human Rights Jobs (www.humanrightsjobs.com) and Ethical Jobs (www.ethicaljobs.net) by using the Login details that can be obtained in the Symplicity "Document Library" (under the Resources tab).

Speak with your Career Advisor today about the various resources available through the Career Services Office!

CALENDARS

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