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Career Services Office

Career Services Office home page
Week of February 12, 2018

Information & Announcements

  • Mandatory 1L Legal Resume and Cover Letter Workshops
  • 2Ls and 3Ls - Make an Appointment!
  • Interview Preparation and Mock Interviews Available Through the CSO
  • Free ABA Memberships for Students
  • Federal Work Study Applications are being accepted for Spring 2018

Fall Recruiting

Programming

  • February 13: PLI Patent Office Exam Information Session
  • February 13: Air Force JAG Corps Information Session
  • February 14: Judicial Clerkship Informational Session
  • February 14: Marine JAG Corps Information Session
  • February 14: Judicial Clerkship Informational Session
  • February 19-23: Alumni-Student ConneKtions Week
  • February 22: OPT (Optional Practice Training) Workshop for International Students
  • February 26 - March 2: Diversity Week at Chicago-Kent
  • March 1: Hispanic Latino Law Student Association presents Judges Night
  • March 2: Legal Staffing Agency Open House
  • March 7: JD Advantaged Jobs and Networking Program
  • April 13-15: Campus 1871 Ultimate Startup Experience

Employment Opportunities

  • PILI 2018 Summer Internships for 1Ls - Still accepting applications
  • 2018 SEC Student Honors Program - Applications Due February 12
  • City of Chicago Department of Law Summer Volunteer Program - Applications due March 1
  • Illinois Attorney General's Office Summer Law Clerk Program - Applications due March 1
  • 2018 Rule of Law Diversity Internship with Jones Day - Applications due March 5

Fellowships & Scholarships

  • 2017-2018 Asian American Bar Association Law Foundation Scholarship - Applications due May 1
  • 2018 McGuireWoods Diversity Scholarship Program - Applications due May 25

Job Fairs  

  • February 21-22: CareerFair @ Illinois Tech
  • March 1-2: Diversity Attorney Pipeline Program (DAPP) Direct Job Fair
  • August 6-7: Indianapolis Bar Association Diversity Job Fair - Registration opens March 1

Diversity

  • February 26 - March 2: Diversity Week at Chicago-Kent
  • March 1: Hispanic Latino Law Student Association presents Judges Night
  • 2017-2018 Asian American Bar Association Law Foundation Scholarship - Applications due May 1
  • March 1-2: Diversity Attorney Pipeline Program (DAPP) Direct Job Fair
  • 2018 McGuireWoods Diversity Scholarship Program - Applications due May 25

Resources

  • Government Honors & Internship Handbook & Public Policy Handbook: log-in now available
  • 2017-2018 PSJD Comprehensive Fellowship Guide
  • Equal Justice Works’ Student Debt E-Book: Take Control of Your Future: A Guide to Managing Your Student Debt
  • ABA Student Loan Best Practices in the Face of Political Change
  • ABA Law Student Podcast: Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  • CareerShift
  • Practising Law Institute (PLI)  
  • CSO Resources
  • Resources provided by the Chicago Bar Association
  • Lawcountability J.D. - Sign-up information now available!
  • 2017-2018 Chicago Area Law Firm List
  • PracticeTracks Videos

Information & Announcements

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 16thBefore 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.

2Ls and 3Ls - Make an Appointment!

Make an appointment to meet with your career advisor to discuss your recent summer experience, job search status and plans for the Fall 2017 semester. Your career advisor can also show you new updates on many tools to assist you with networking, professional development, and career planning as an upper level law student. Please bring your most recent, updated legal resume with you to your meeting with your career advisor.

Each 2L and 3L student is required to meet with his or her assigned career advisor by the end of the Fall semester. Get a head start and make your appointment today!

Interview Preparation and Mock Interviews Available Through the CSO

The Career Services Office is available to review student resumes and cover letters, and to conduct mock interviews, to help you better prepare for a variety of opportunities! If you have an upcoming interview, please consider scheduling a mock interview with your Career Services counselor. You can schedule an appointment directly through Symplicity! If you have questions about how to schedule an appointment, please email the Career Services Office at kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu.

Free ABA Memberships for Students

The American Bar Association offers 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.

Federal Work Study Applications are being accepted
for Spring 2018

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a need-based financial aid program established by the federal government. The FWS program provides employment opportunities for eligible students, allowing them to earn, rather than borrow, a portion of their educational costs. Chicago-Kent students who are FWS eligible may receive payment for their work at government and public interest organizations in the Chicago area through FWS funds. However, the number of positions will be limited due to FWS budgetary limitations, and there are other restrictions and limitations as to where students can be funded to work. Please click here for more information and the required request form.
FWS applications for Spring 2018 are currently being accepted; early applications receive first consideration. Processing may take a week or more; allow plenty of time for approval, and the time it takes to be added to the Chicago-Kent payroll. 

Fall Recruiting

Programming        

PLI Patent Office Exam Information Session

Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Room 370

Join John White from the PRacticing Law Institute and learn about the Patent Office Exam. Topics covered range from the latest information on the Patent Office Exam, recommendations on how to study, how the American Invents Act will impact the exam, who is eligible to take the Patent Office Exam, and when you should be taking the exam.

Air Force JAG Corps Information Session

Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Room 355

Interested in learning more about the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps? Come to an information session on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. to learn more about a career as an Air Force lawyer, and about the application process, from Major Monica Nussbaum of the U.S. Air Force. Please send RSVPs to: kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu, and include “Air Force JAG Information Session” in the subject line. Learn more about opportunities with the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps here

Marine JAG Corps Information Session

Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Rm. 370

Interested in learning more about the U.S. Marine JAG Corps? Come to an information session on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. to learn more about a career as a Marine lawyer, and about the application process, from Captain Tyler Lyons of the U.S. Marine Corps. 

Please send RSVPs to: kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu, and include “Marine JAG Information Session” in the subject line. Learn more about opportunities with the U.S. Marine JAG Corps here.

Judicial Clerkship Informational Session

Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: IIT Downtown Campus (Chicago-Kent) Room 210

Join the Faculty Judicial Clerkship Committee and the CSO for a panel on post-graduate judicial clerkships. Moderated by Professor Rosen of the Chicago-Kent Clerkship Committee, the panelists will discuss their experience as a post-graduate judicial clerk, the reasons why they chose their respective positions, how to find opportunities and the application process.

Featuring:
Professor Mark Rosen, Chicago-Kent Judicial Clerkship Committee
Ann Motto, Judicial Law Clerk, Honorable Joe McDade, United States District Court, Central District of Illinois
Kayla Higgins, Staff Attorney, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
Alexandra Franco, Judicial Law Clerk, Honorable Franklin Valderrama, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division
Alexander Beehler, Judicial Law Clerk, Honorable James P. Flannery, Jr., Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division

Please note that post-graduate judicial clerkship hiring commences very early in the 2L year for some federal judges and continues throughout the 2L year and into the 3L year; students apply to be a staff attorney in the 7th Circuit in the spring of their 2L year, and if selected to interview, interview in the summer between the 2L and 3L year; and Circuit Court clerkships in Cook County are usually obtained after graduation once bar results are received. All students interested in learning about this excellent way to start your legal career should attend. 

Alumni-Student ConneKtions Week

Date: Monday, February 19 through Friday, February 23, 2018
Time: Various 
Location: 
IIT Downtown Campus - Chicago-Kent College of Law 
(Rooms TBD)

Alumni-Student ConneKtions Week is a week-long extravaganza of opportunities for students to network and connect with Chicago-Kent alumni and gain valuable career-related skills. Activities include informational interviews, mock interviews, job shadowing, Coffee ConneKtions and a networking reception.

Informational Interviews: Monday, February 19 and Tuesday, February 20: Conduct a 30-minute informational interviews with a practicing attorney in your interested area of practice.  

Mock Interviews: Wednesday, February 21: Conduct a 30-minute mock interview to work on your interviewing skills. You will spend 20 minutes interviewed by a practicing attorney and then 10 minutes receiving constructive feedback. You must provide your resume in advance. 

Coffee ConneKtions: Thursday, February 22 and Friday, February 23: Join a group of 2-6 students for informal networking hosted by an attorney over coffee at locations outside of the law school building.

Job Shadowing (any time): Shadow an attorney for a half or full day for an opportunity to see firsthand what the practice of law may be like. The specific date and time will be arranged with the attorney once the sign up has been confirmed. 

Please be sure to monitor and check your kentlaw.iit.edu email for information about signing up for one of these opportunities.

OPT (Optional Practice Training) Workshop for International Students

Date:  Thursday, February 22, 2018
Time: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: IIT Downtown Campus, Room 490

If you are unfamiliar with the Optional Practical Training process,  is important that you attend this information session  on OPT/CPT that will be held on February 22, 2018 at 12:30 in Room 490. Members of the IIT International Center will be present to discuss the process and answer any of your questions. If you have class during this time, please ask your professor if you may be excused to attend the program.

Diversity Week at Chicago-Kent

Date:  Monday, February 26 through Friday, March 2, 2018
Time: Various
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law

Diversity Week is sposnored by the student organizations at Chiacgo-Kent. Throughout the week, the student organizations will host programs and events for students, alumni, faculty and staff. 

Please check back for a complete schedule closer to the event.

Hispanic Latino Law Student Association presents Judges Night

Date:  Thursday, March 1, 2018
Time: 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Front lobby

Join the Hispanic Latino Law Student Association for the 2018 Judges Night. Mingle with Chicago-Kent alumni and students as well as Hispanic and Latino attorneys from the Chicagoland area at a reception honoring the Honorable Franklin Ulysses Valderrama for his contributions to the Latino community and the advancement of Latinos in the legal profession. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with networking over drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres, followed by a ceremony for Judge Valderrama at 6:30 p.m. 

The Chicago-Kent Hispanic-Latino Law Students Association was founded in 1982. HLLSA actively seeks to increase opportunities for Hispanic students to attend law school, provide necessary support for their academic success, and assist students in becoming acclimated to the law school environment.

Legal Staffing Agency Open House

Date:  Friday, March 2, 2018
Time: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Concourse Level

The Career Services Office would like to invite recent graduates, 3L students and LL.M. students to attend a Legal Staffing Agency Open House event at Chicago-Kent on Friday, March 2nd from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Representatives from five local staffing agencies will be on campus to speak with you about the project-based work opportunities that they can potentially connect you with following graduation. Please see below for the list of staffing agencies that will be attending:

After you graduate, project-based work can be a smart way to continue getting legal experience and build your resume while you continue to search for a permanent full-time position. Please consider stopping by for a few minutes to chat with the agency representatives! 


Please RSVP for this event no later than Friday, February 16th by emailing kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu with "Legal Staffing Agency Open House" in the subject line. 

JD Advantaged Jobs and Networking Program

Date:  Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law, 10th Floor Morris Hall

Come hear the following panel of experts in human resources, legal analytics knowledge and risk management, consulting and innovation:

Andrew Baker: Legal Analytics, LexPredict
Jason Dirkx: Knowledge Management, Littler Mendelson
Lisa Gutierrez: Human Resources Leader, IBM
Sasha Kakabadse: Risk Management, Wells Fargo
Britney Macdonald: Consultant, Expert Velocity
Isabella ORtiz: Innovation, Northwestern Innovation
Ashley Rovner: Data Privacy Consultant, Tueoris

Cocktails and appetizers will be served during the networking reception. RSVP to kentcso@kentlaw.iit.edu by 5:00 p.m. on March 5, 2018, with the subject line "JD Advantage." This event is hosted by the Career Services Office.

Campus 1871 Ultimate Startup Experience

Date:  Friday, April 13, 2018 - Sunday, April 15, 2018
Time: 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Loyola University Chicago School of Law

For one weekend a year, 1871 brings together more than 100 students from local universities for the ultimate startup experience. Students come together to share ideas, collaborate and build an original startup business plan with mentoring and coaching from 1871 entrepreneurs. The local weekend concludes with a pitch competition in front of a panel of top leaders in Chicago's tech community for assorted prizes. Click here for more detailed information about the event.

Competition Rules:

  • Teams may have a maximum of 10 people.
  • The company you develop must be able to be used on a mobile device.
  • Your company and app should be made from scratch and not from a device, platform or application you have already started working on.
  • You cannot outsource any of the coding or design components of your startup/app.
  • You do not have to have a functioning app by the end of the weekend, but you will need to create visual demonstrations of what the app and user interface might look like and how it would work.

Pitching Rules:

  • Your presentation must be created and presented in Microsoft PowerPoint
  • You have 3 minutes to pitch your company to a panel of judges and 2 minutes for questions from the judges
  • You must choose 1 person from your team to pitch
  • You will be judged on the following categories:
    • The originality of your idea
    • The realistic potential of your business
    • Your revenue plan
    • How well you pitch
    • Overall design

Click here to apply. The application deadline is Friday, February 2, 2018. Applicants will be notified of the status of their acceptance by Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

Employment Opportunities

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

PILI 2018 Summer Internships for 1Ls -
Still accepting applications

PILI's Law Student Internship Program connects law students from across the country with legal service agencies in Illinois. Interns work 400 hours full-time during the summer, with PILI ensuring quality supervision by experienced agency attorneys, and providing extra educational, networking and mentoring opportunities.

Through this program, PILI helps its partner agencies increase their impact while also helping its Interns develop their legal and client interaction skills, build their professional networks, and strengthen their commitment to public interest law and service.

Applicants will apply directly through the PILI website. PILI offers Internships at 27 different legal service agencies in Illinois, and each applicant may apply to up to 10 agencies. You can review the list of agencies approved to host PILI Interns here.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all agencies have completed their hiring. Please note that each agency supervisor handles hiring differently: some make hiring decisions early in the application period, while others wait until later. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure the fullest consideration of their application.

Questions? Contact PILI’s Executive Director, Michael Bergmann, by email or by phone at 312-832-5129.

2018 SEC Student Honors Program -
Applications Due February 12, 2018

The Securities and Exchange Commission is now hiring first-year law students for its 2018 Summer Honors Program. Though these are volunteer positions, they offer students responsibilities and experiences that promote their careers. Over the course of the ten-week program, students work with Commission staff on projects particular to the Division or Office to which they are assigned. Students participate in seminars/workshops on various aspects of the federal securities laws. Students are asked to commit 40-hours per week for at least 10 weeks. The Summer 2018 Student Honors Program will start Monday, May 21, 2018 and conclude on Friday, August 3, 2018. 

Law students will be assigned to work with SEC staff members on projects and assignments that cover a broad range of the Commissions' work. Assignments may vary based on the Regional Office the student is assigned. Assignments range from supporting litigation to assisting with drafting new regulations to helping with reviews, exams or public outreach. In the regional offices, students work either for litigators or investigative attorneys in the Division of Enforcement or the Exam Staff that is part of the Office of Compliance Inspections & Examinations. For information about the opportunities and the work that students do in specific regional offices, please read the SEC's website.

For more information and if you wish to apply, click here.

City of Chicago Department of Law Summer Volunteer Program -
Applications due March 1, 2018

The City of Chicago Department of Law is interested in highly qualified law students to participate in its Summer Volunteer Program. This program is designed to provide participants with a challenging volunteer opportunity that reflects the demands and rewards of public service. The Law Department will select well-rounded applicants, who have exhibited academic excellence and an interest in public service, from law schools across the nation. Participants in the program are not compensated by the City of Chicago.

Typically, participants will be assigned to one of the practice divisions within the Law Department. The participant will be assigned a supervisor/mentor who will coordinate the assignments given to the participant and, together, the participant and the supervisor will determine the start date and the date on which the program will end for the individual.

Applications for the Summer Program are due Thursday, March 1, 2018.. Click here for more information and application instructions!

Illinois Attorney General's Office Summer Law Clerk Program -
Applications due March 1, 2018

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan invites and encourages law students to apply to serve as volunteer law clerks in her office. The Illinois Attorney General's Office provides excellent opportunities for law students to improve their skills and knowledge in a wide range of subject areas, including consumer protection, government representation, civil rights, environmental enforcement, antitrust, complex civil litigation, civil and criminal appeals, and criminal law enforcement.

Working closely with attorneys in the Chicago, Springfield, or regional office, law clerks investigate facts, review documents, research legal issues, and draft legal memoranda, correspondence, and pleadings. Advanced students who qualify for a 711 license are encouraged to obtain such a license so that they may appear in court under the supervision of an Assistant Attorney General.

Applications are due Thursday, March 1, 2018. Click here for more information and application instructions!

2018 Rule of Law Diversity Internship with Jones Day -
Applications due March 5, 2018

the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is seeking applicants for the Rule of Law Diversity Internship (ROLDI). With the generous support of the Jones Day Foundation, ABA ROLI will cover certain expenses for interns, including travel to/from the Washington, DC area, housing, and commuting to/from the office. 

The ABA is recruiting for the initial class of Jones Day Interns for the summer of 2018. ROLDI is an initiative to diversify the workforce engaged in the promotion of the rule of law abroad by offering summer internships to students who are from historically underrepresented populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQI individuals, and persons with disabilities; and are geographically removed from Washington, DC and do not have the connections, means or other resources to obtain an internship.

Jones Day Interns will have an opportunity to work on a variety of rule of law programs, including current programs in one or more regions in which ABA ROLI operates, research and evaluation, and outreach and communications.  They will also have the opportunity to attend events and activities in the foreign affairs, international development, and legal communities, including visits to the Congress, the Supreme Court, Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development.

Program Eligibility: While open to all students who will have completed their third year of undergraduate studies, priority will be given to law students currently enrolled at an accredited law school and students who have been accepted to enroll at an accredited law school.

Program Duration: Late May - Early August 2018 (interns will commit to 9 weeks)

Program Application Deadline: March 5, 2018

For more information, please click here.

Fellowships & Scholarships

2017-2018 Asian American Bar Association Law
Foundation Scholarship -

Applications due May 1, 2018

The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area Law Foundation (“AABA Law Foundation”) was established in February 2009, and is a non-profit, charitable and educational affiliate of AABA that is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The AABA Law Foundation engages in activities toward the following goals:  (a) provide financial assistance to Asian Pacific American law students who have demonstrated academic excellence and social leadership; (b) support the development of internships and fellowships in the area of public interest and community service relating to the Chicago-area Asian Pacific American community; (c) assist in conducting legal scholarship and education with respect to legal issues affecting the Chicago-area Asian Pacific American community; and (d) develop and support programs to educate the legal profession and Asian Pacific American communities in the Chicago-area regarding legal issues affecting those communities.

As part of achieving its goals, each year the AABA Law Foundation awards scholarships to law students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving the needs of the Asian Pacific American community, and who will continue to serve the needs of the Asian Pacific American community through pro bono, public interest, and/or public service legal work. A connection to the Chicago area is preferred. This year, the AABA Law Foundation intends to award one scholarship of $5,000 to a law student who has exemplified that commitment. 

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted by Tuesday, May 1, 2018. For more information and application instructions, please click here.

2018 McGuireWoods Diversity Scholarship Program -
Applications due May 25, 2018

McGuireWoods’ annual Diversity Scholarship Program will award up to eight $5,000 scholarships to diverse current first-year law students with an expected graduation year of 2020, who are committed to contributing to and supporting diversity within the legal profession. Applicants are considered based on their involvement in community activities and diversity related student organizations, personal achievements, and law school and undergraduate academic performance.

Applications must include a completed application form, current resume, undergradute and first semester law school transcripts, and a personal diversity statement. For a copy of the application form and more information about the scholarship, please log on to Simplicity and click here.

Job Fairs

CareerFair @ Illinois Tech

Date:  Wednesday, February 21, 2018 to Thursday, February 22, 2018
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Illinois Tech Main Career Center

Illinois Tech offers a tech-focused, hands-on, relevant and rigorous curriculum—paired with real-world, team-based projects—that prepare our students and alumni to hit the ground running in the workplace. Companies attend our Career Fairs to recruit individuals within the fields of engineering, computer science, information technology management, social science, business, food science, architecture, psychology, manufacturing, science (life and physical), and more. Career Services hosts Career Fairs each year on the Mies (main) Campus during the fall and spring semesters, as well as smaller fairs throughout the academic years.

Registration details coming soon.

Diversity Attorney Pipeline Program (DAPP) Direct Job Fair -

Date:  Thursday, March 1, 2018 to Friday, March 2, 2018
Time: All Day
Location: Chicago, IL (Details to be announced)

The DAPP Direct Job Fair will give 1L law students the opportunity to interview for an eight to ten-week paid internship with a law firm or corporation during the summer of 2018. Women of color in-house counsel will conduct interviews on behalf of both law firms and corporations. The students who receive internships will also attend our client-readiness boot camp where they will participate in seminars, taught entirely by women of color attorneys, on navigating their summer internships, understanding law firm and in-house cultures, and how to stand out amongst their fellow interns. Applications are due January 12, 2018.

Selected students must be available to participate in first-round Skype interviews on January 19, 2018. A select group of students will then be invited to attend the job fair in Chicago, Illinois on March 1 – 2, 2018. The job fair will commence with a welcome reception on Thursday, March 1, 2018 where students will be eligible to receive scholarships to assist in their law school expenses. Interviews will take place on March 2, 2018. Anticipated placements will be in a variety of markets, including but not limited to the Midwest, the DMV area, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Palo Alto, and Los Angeles. DAPP will begin to notify selected students on March 12, 2018. Selected students must attend the client-readiness boot camp in May 2018 before beginning their summer placements.

For background, DAPP's year-round scholars program for first-year women of color law students teaches them to excel academically, provides professional development and mentoring, and finds paid internships for their 1L summers and teaches them how to be client-ready before beginning their summer positions. The scholars program now runs at four different law schools in the Chicago area – Northwestern, IIT Chicago-Kent, DePaul, and Loyola. You can learn more about DAPP and what we are doing to support the pipeline of women of color lawyers by viewing our video here or by visiting our website.

Any questions regarding DAPP Direct should be sent to admin@dapprogram.org

Indianapolis Bar Association Diversity Job Fair -
Registration opens March 1, 2018

Date:  Monday, August 6, 2018 to Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Time: All Day
Location: Hilton Indianapolis

Are you passionate about starting your career in a Midwestern city that has both cosmopolitan style and small-town charm? Looking to meet legal employers from large, medium and small firms, as well as government agencies, corporations and members of the judiciary? Get a jump start on creating lasting relationships at the 2018 IndyBar Diversity Job Fair.

Employers will be hiring clerks or interns, not offering permanent placement; they will expect to interview 2Ls or those graduating spring 2020/2021 based on full or part-time status.

Student registration will open on March 1, 2018. There is NO FEE to participate in the fair. More information can be found online here.

Diversity

Diversity Week at Chicago-Kent
February 26 - March 2, 2018

[See Above]

Hispanic Latino Law Student Association presents Judges Night
March 1, 2018
[See Above]

2017-2018 Asian American Bar Association Law
Foundation Scholarship -

Applications due May 1, 2018
[See Above]

Diversity Attorney Pipeline Program (DAPP) Direct Job Fair -
March 1-2, 2018
[See Above]

Indianapolis Bar Association Diversity Job Fair -
Registration opens March 1, 2018
[See Above]

2018 McGuireWoods Diversity Scholarship Program -
Applications due May 25, 2018

[See Above]

Resources

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

The Government Honors and Internship Handbook and the 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! 

2017-2018 PSJD Comprehensive Fellowship Guide

The 2016-2017 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 http://www.psjd.org/2017_-_2018_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.

ABA Student Loan Best Practices in the Face of Political Change

In today’s political climate, many questions surround the future of America’s student loan repayment programs. The current White House administration has put forth a number of proposals to change key aspects of the income-based repayment and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs. While it remains to be seen whether these changes will be adopted and passed by Congress, the next elected president is expected to have a significant impact on the future of student debt in America. The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have differing visions for federal student loan programs, which could have a significant impact on your repayment strategy.

In the ABA's Student Loan Best Practices in the Face of Political Change webinar, you'll learn:

  • What you should consider when choosing between federal loan programs and private student loan refinancing
  • How borrowers can save $20,200+ over the life of their loans on average by refinancing
  • How the current proposed changes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and income based repayment programs may affect your student loan repayment strategy

ABA Law Student Podcast: Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you plan to go into public service, you may have heard about public service loan forgiveness (PSLF for short). This economic incentive offers student loan forgiveness following a minimum period of service and on-time payments towards the borrower’s debt. The cost of this benefit is aimed at making public work more attractive.

In this extended two-segment episode of ABA Law Student Podcast, hosts Fabiani Duarte and Madison Burke interview Bryan Tyson, the executive director of the Georgia Public Defender Council and Jonathan Rapping, co-founder of Gideon’s Promise. 

In segment one, you will hear from Bryan about the debt to income gap, his organization’s survey of public defenders about PSLF, and the increased importance of public defenders outside the practice of law.

In segment two, you will hear from Jonathan about student debt’s barrier to public service, the lifelong commitment of student loans, and concerns about poor people not getting justice in the event of PSLF cuts or caps.

Listen now!   

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

Log in to Symplicity for the link and password to access CareerShift (search “CareerShift” in the Document Library).

Practising Law Institute (PLI)

Practising Law Institute (PLI) invites law students to attend most of its live CLE programs, or view its live or archived Webcasts, for free, on scholarship (see PLI’s student scholarship form). They are all great sources of cutting-edge, practice-oriented content, and the live programs are terrific networking opportunities.

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:

  • 2016-2017 Government Honors and Internship Handbook
  • Chicago Area Law Firm List
  • 2014-2015 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 about the various resources available through the Career Services Office!

Resources Provided by the Chicago Bar Association

The Chicago Bar Career Center is the place to go to find legal industry professionals, jobs, and resources. Legal professionals can search for jobs, post resumes, and browse career resources to help them in all stages of their career. Employers looking for quality candidates can post jobs, search resumes, and connect with prospects. Have you visited a premier resource to connect career opportunities with highly qualified legal professionals - ? Whether you're searching for a new career or searching for a new hire, the CBA Career Center provides multiple avenues to help you achieve your goal. See below for a summary of services.

Job Postings
Finding a new job or making a career switch isn't always easy. We understand and offer a variety of assistance to members to help ease the path to the future you imagine. Seewww.chicagobar.org/careers for a full list of resources.

Career Assistance Committee

Get tips and feedback from professional speakers as well as your colleagues at monthly meetings at the CBA. Past topics have included resumes, interviewing, salary negotiation, state of the job market and more. Sign up to receive email notice of meetings at www.chicagobar.org/committees. Free and open to all members. 

Career Advancement Program 
The CBA has partnered with local career counselor Kathy Morris to help lawyers navigate the Chicago legal job market. With over 25 years of experience, Kathy shares her intimate knowledge of our local market in complimentary one-on-one career counseling sessions at the CBA, seminars targeted to experience level and practice area, and more. Learn more atwww.chicagobar.org/CAP

Online Career Center
Search job openings and post your resume plus get everything you need to make your resume stand out, ace the interview, advance your career, and navigate the digital world through social media at www.chicagobar.org/careercenter. Our online career center also allows you to set up efficient job alerts that deliver job openings right to your inbox. 

CBA Job Flash
As a supplement to the online career center CBA members receive the “Job Flash” in their inbox. The newsletter contains a current list of both local and national job openings. Not getting the Job Flash? Check your member profile at www.chicagobar.org and make sure your email is on file with the CBA (or call 312-554-2135).

Lawcountability J.D. -
Sign-up information now available!

Lawyers and law students are facing a significantly tighter job market and a heightened level of competition for new business. This new era requires them to build consistency into their habits while more closely connecting to clients, prospects, and colleagues. Law students and lawyers seeking to raise their profiles, however, struggle with execution due to an absence of accountability. Lawcountability® is a cloud-based platform (developed by Chicago-Kent alumnus Ari Kaplan) designed to solve that problem. To watch a demo, visit http://lawcountability.com/students/.

To register for a FREE account, visit http://lawcountability.com/students/ and click on Register For a Free Account Here. Enter their information with the code LCJD2017! - this will instantly create an account and you should immediately receive a unique password with a welcome e-mail. 

2017-2018 Chicago Area Law Firm List -

The Chicago Area Law Firm List is a spreadsheet of the private sector law firms in the Chicagoland area with 4 or more attorneys. Students can use the list to identify firms that include their practice areas of interest. The Chicago Area Law Firm List can be found in the Symplicity Document Library, under the Resources tab.

PracticeTracks Videos

The Career Services Office has added a "Practice Tracks" video series provided by the Chicago Bar Association for law students interested in learning about various practice areas from current practitioners. These videos may be accessed using Panopto and are located in the Practice Tracks subfolder for Career Services. Current videos offer discussions about the following practice areas:

  • Technology Transactions
  • Real Estate Law
  • Personal Injury Law
  • Labor and Employment Law
  • Health Law
  • Federal Taxation Law
  • Family Law
  • Estate Planning
  • Corporate Law



 

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