News & announcements for the week of
November 19, 2001

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Strategies for Excellence: Law as a Profession 2002
A Program for Second Year Students
Wednesday, February 6, 2002

Strategies for Excellence: Law as a Profession, a graduation requirement, is mandatory for all second-year students.  The law school created the program in 1995 in response to the call for law schools to provide professionalism training.  Since then, practitioners have volunteered to share their time and expertise with students on how to hit the ground running as new law school graduates.  During the program, practicing attorneys provide detailed information about law as a profession, share insight into employer expectations, and discuss how to enhance the skills you've already acquired in the workplace to maximize your career success.  The American Bar Association has recognized Chicago-Kent as a national leader in the area of professionalism by awarding us the prestigious E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award in 1997. 

Please keep in mind that the program does NOT focus on job search strategies or specific practice areas, as the Career Services Office offers a variety of job search and practice specific programs throughout the academic year. 

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To increase students' understanding of the expectations employers have of new attorneys;
  • To help students better understand the many factors beyond law school critical to professional success;
  • To emphasize the importance of civility and respect in the profession and to encourage students to build successful relationships with adversaries and colleagues from the beginning of their professional careers; and
  • To inspire students to strive for professional excellence and outstanding service to clients.

Registration

The registration deadline for all 2L day and evening students, as well as any 3L & 4L students who have yet to attend, was November 16, 2001.  If you have yet to register, please do so before Thanksgiving break. Because each student must indicate breakout session preferences, pre-registration is required and may be completed on-line using the above link, which will take you to webmail. After logging into webmail, click on the "Web for Students" Icon and select Professional Day Registration. Break out session assignments are done on a first-come, first-serve basis so the earlier you register, the better chance you'll have of attending the breakout sessions of your choice.

Note for 3L day students: 3L day students, who didn't attend the program last year, will have to attend the evening program in 2002. You will automatically be registered for the evening program when you submit your registration form.

Note to 1Ls: We know that many of you are eager to participate in this award-winning program, but students must have finished their first year of law school to attend. So take advantage of your day off on February 6th and look forward to next year when you will be able to participate! Or, if you really want to get involved this year, we need student volunteers to help us the day of the program. If you're interested in volunteering, please e-mail profday@kentlaw.edu.

Schedule of Events

Strategies for Excellence: Law as a Profession 2002 will be offered twice on February 6th, once for day students, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., and again for the evening division, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.  Classes for the rest of the student body will be canceled that day. 

Speakers

We are very excited about the caliber of speakers who have graciously volunteered their time to speak to students at Strategies for Excellence: Law as a Profession 2002.  This is a chance to meet and impress legal employers from the Chicagoland area.  Therefore, professional attire is required.   Keep your eyes on this section during the next 2 months for a list of breakout session speakers, as well as, keynote and distinguished speakers.

If you have questions about Strategies for Excellence: Law as a Profession 2002, please e-mail profday@kentlaw.edu.


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