FROM ASSISTANT DEAN STEPHEN SOWLE

Class Rank GPA Cutoffs
Class of 1998 (1994 evening entrants and 1995 day entrants)

top 10%: 3.591
top 25%: 3.392
top 33%: 3.297
top 50%: 3.161

Class of 1999 (1995 evening entrants and 1996 day entrants)

top 10%: 3.516
top 25%: 3.253
top 33%: 3.121
top 50%: 2.940

FROM THE REGISTRAR

Exams on computers
The deadline to sign up to use a computer for a Spring semester exam is Friday, March 27, 1997.

FROM THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES

Academic Support Teaching Assistant Applications
Teaching Assistant applications will be available beginning Monday, March 23, in room 544. If you did well in one or more of your first-year classes, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and are enthusiastic about working with new first-year students, then we want you! TA's for both the fall and spring semesters are chosen from this semester's applicants, so apply now even if you are only interested in being a TA for a spring semester class. (These applications are for substantive courses only -- not legal writing.) If you have any questions, please e-mail EBERGER or CMATHENY or stop by the Student Services Office (rooms 544/546).

More First Aid Training!
American Red Cross Instructor and Chicago-Kent student Stu Weg will be holding two first aid training classes in April. The first class, "Standard First Aid and First Aid Basics," will be held on Saturday, April 4, from 12:00-4:00 p.m. The cost is $17.25 and an ARC Certification in First Aid will be awarded to all who complete the course. The second class is entitled "First Aid When Help is Delayed," and this class will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. The cost for this course is $6.25 but no certification is awarded upon completion. These programs are available to all students, staff and faculty at Chicago-Kent. For more information or to reserve a space in either class, e-mail SWEG or EBERGER.

Race Relations Roundtable
Last Thursday, several of your classmates participated in a roundtable discussion on race relations in America sponsored by the Clinton Administration as part of President Clinton's "One America in the 21st Century - Initiative on Race." I would like to thank Howard Rosenburg and Devin Williams for representing Chicago-Kent at the event.

Exam Preparation Video
February's Exam Writing Workshop video, presented by the Minority Legal Education Resource Consortium, is available for overnight checkout. If you are interested in the video, please stop by room 544 to check out the tape.

Weekly Links
Do you know what day it is today? Not only is March 16 the birth date of both Jerry Lewis and Erik Estrada, but, in 1915, this was the first day of operations for the Federal Trade Commission. Tomorrow is not only St. Patrick's Day, but also the historic day on which the first rubber band was patented in 1845 and the opening day for the National Gallery of Art in 1941. Find out what happened in history on any given date by checking out these sites:

    This Day in History            www.historychannel.com/thisday/
    Today in All kinds of History  www.interprep.com/datebook/
    The Old Farmer's Almanac       www.almanac.com

FROM THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID

Key Bank will continue to process and disburse federal Stafford Loans (0% guarantee fee) and the LawAchiever Private Loan. If you would like more information about Key Bank's loan programs, please feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office at 312-906-5180 or e-mail FINAID.

FROM CAREER SERVICES

Student Worker Position Available in Career Services
The Career Services Office is looking for a student to work between 10 - 15 hours per week. Applicants should be available to work until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday and/or Thursday. Applications are available in Suite 360. Please e-mail Dana Beaird (DBEAIRD) with any questions.

Are You Looking for a Summer Clerk or Attorney Position?
The annual Career Services Jobathon is underway and we need your help! Last week several student volunteers called legal employers to solicit available clerking and entry-level attorney positions. However, we need more help! The Jobathon will continue next month from Monday, April 6, through Thursday, April 9. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Three timeslots are available each hour between 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on these days.

If you volunteer to help make the calls, you're able to see these positions and apply early before we enter them all into our database for the rest of the student body! Last year, over 60 new jobs were gathered from the Jobathon. The time commitment needed is at least an hour and at most whatever you can do.

If interested, please e-mail Charis Runnels (CRUNNELS) or Dan Shapiro (DSHAPIRO), the Jobathon Chair of the Student Careers Committee, to let them know when you can come in to make some calls.

Interested in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
There are eleven summer internship positions (Paralegal Specialist) available with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5. Please visit their web site at www.epa.gov/region5/jobs/ for more information.

Upcoming Career Services Programs

Mock Interview Appointments Still Available: Don't miss this opportunity! One of the best ways to prepare for job interviews is to participate in a mock interview session. Career strategist Deborah Gutman will conduct mock interviews in the Career Services Office on the following days:

     Wednesday, March 18     12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m.
     Thursday, March 19      12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m.

Slots are filling up fast, so make an appointment NOW in the Career Services Office or call (312) 906-5200. You must leave a resume at the reception desk prior to the date of the interview. Please give notice of any cancellation at least 24 hours in advance.

Job Search Strategy Workshop Featuring Deborah Arron, author of "What Can You Do With a Law Degree?" on April 4, 1998 This is big news! Deborah Arron, author of What Can You Do With a Law Degree? and Running from the Law, and co-author of The Complete Guide to Contract Lawyering, will be presenting a four-hour workshop at Chicago-Kent on the afternoon of Saturday, April 4.

Ms. Arron, a former civil litigator, speaks at law schools and bar association functions across the country about identifying and finding jobs inside, outside and around the law. Participants will receive a copy of the third edition of her highly-rated book, What Can You Do With a Law Degree? which retails for $29.95. The cost for Chicago-Kent students and recent graduates is only $25. More information and registration instructions can be found on Handout #88. Register early -- seating is limited!

Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams! Noted author Kimm Alayne Walton, J.D., author of Guerrilla Tactics for Getting the Legal Job of Your Dreams, will present a career development seminar that has led law students and lawyers nationwide to satisfying employment in the practice of law. The program will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, in the Ogilvie Auditorium. This program will coincide with the Student Bar Association's Law Week. The SBA is sponsoring a reception immediately following the program in the 10th Floor Event Room. Watch the Record for more details.

Other Special Opportunities: Handouts Available in Career Services

1Ls, 2Ls: $1,000 Loan Repayment Grant from NAPIL for students in public interest:
Chicago-Kent's very own Kent Justice Foundation (KJF) has been selected as one of 50 law schools to give a $1,000 loan-repayment award to a student who wished to work in one of nearly 150 Legal Services groups nationwide, focusing in either domestic violence of housing or homelessness. For more information, pick up Handout #89 and/or e-mail KJF or Doug Harvath.

AFL-CIO Minority Outreach Program:
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Lawyers Coordinating Committee is undertaking a minority outreach program. The goal of the program is to recruit highly qualified minority law students for paying clerkship positions in union-side law firms and legal departments beginning this summer. A list of LCC law firms and legal departments that have agreed to participate in the outreach program is available as Handout #75. Clerkship candidates should contact the participating firms directly, but must reference "AFL-CIO minority outreach program" in all correspondence.

1998 Pro Bono Students America Law School Workshop and Awards Reception:
On March 24, 1998, the PBSA is having its annual workshop and awards reception at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, CA. For information and a registration form, pick up Handout #79.

Scholarships/Fellowships

3Ls: Fellowships for The Legal Aid Society of New York City, Civil Division:
The Civil Division of The Legal Aid Society of New York City wishes to sponsor third year law students for fellowships in public interest law, such as the Skadden, NAPIL Open Society and Partner Fellowships and Soros Fellowships. They will also consider sponsoring applicants for other fellowship, internship or funded programs. Applicants may develop projects in a wide range of poverty related issues. See Handout #83 for details.

1Ls, 2Ls. 3Ls: State of California Judicial Administration Fellowship Program:
The Judicial Administration Fellowship Program prepares professionals to work in California's complex and changing court environment. Graduate studies in Public Administration complement hands-on experience in the California Judicial Council and the Administrative Office of the Courts. The fellowship is for 11 months; applications must be postmarked April 3, 1998. For additional information, see Handout #84.

3Ls: Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., NAPIL Fellow:
The National Association for Public Interest Law has approved an application for a NAPIL Partner Fellowship in the East St. Louis, Illinois office of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance; therefore LLLA is now accepting applications from prospective fellows. The Fellow will staff a new program, Project Independence. The fellowship is a two-year position starting Sept. 1, 1998. See Handout #66 for more details about the Project and the fellowship.

Internships/Externships

3Ls: U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Legal Honors Intern Program:
The HUD is accepting applications for its 1998-99 Legal Honors Intern Program, which is the primary means of hiring at the entry level. Selectees will enter the training program as law clerks. An original and two copies of the application materials must be postmarked by March 30, 1998. See Handout #90 for details.

1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls: Internships with Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Inc. (FLAC):
FLAC, one of Florida's largest not-for-profit organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting the basic human rights of immigrants of all nationalities, is offering unpaid internship and volunteer opportunities. See Handout #87 for details.

2Ls, 3Ls: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
The U.S. EPA's Region 10 Office of Regional Counsel in downtown Seattle, WA, is accepting applications for one or two summer 1998 externship position. Externs will be expected to conduct legal research, prepare pleadings and motions in administrative cases, draft legal memoranda, and attend negotiations and meetings. Applications must be submitted on or before March 20, 1998. Handout #76 provides more information.

Judicial Clerkships/Interns

2Ls, 3Ls: State of Maine Superior Court
The Superior Court of Maine is seeking applicants for one-year clerkships beginning in August 1999. Interviews will be scheduled for late May or early June, 1998. The deadline for applications is April 10, 1998. See Handout #78 for details. You should also see Professor Vivien Gross for assistance in selecting clerkship opportunities and navigating the application procedures.

1Ls, 2Ls: Internships with Wisconsin Circuit and Appellate Court Judges:
The Wisconsin judicial system is offering law students the opportunity to work as unpaid interns with circuit and appellate court judges throughout the state during the summer of 1998. More than 75 judges across the state wish to participate in the program. Applications will be accepted through May 1, 1998. See Handout #70 for more details. You should also see Professor Vivien Gross for assistance in selecting clerkship opportunities and navigating the application procedures.

2Ls, 3Ls: United States District for the Northern District of Illinois:
Judge Philip G. Reinhard of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois in Rockford, Illinois, is now accepting applications for a two-year clerkship to begin in August 1999. Interviews will be in March and April 1998 in Rockford. See Handout #67. You should also see Professor Vivien Gross for assistance in selecting clerkship opportunities and navigating the application procedures.

FROM THE INFORMATION CENTER

Tutorial
Do you wonder what state legislators intended when they passed a law that is involved in a case you are researching? Then you should come to this week's tutorial on Illinois Legislative History to learn how to find the documents which contain this information.

The tutorials are being presented by the Reference Staff of the Information Center and the schedule is posted on the 9th floor bulletin board. You don't have to sign up for them; just show up by the Reference Desk at the scheduled times. If you have any comments about the tutorials or the times when they are offered, we will be happy to have them. Send them to Lenore Glanz (e-mail: LGLANZ).

Spring Break Hours:          Information Center      Document Center
Saturday, March 28           9:00am - 5:00pm         9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, March 29             CLOSED                  CLOSED
Mon.-Thurs. March 30-Apr. 2  9:00am - 10:00pm        10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday, April 3              9:00am - 4:00pm         9:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday, April 4            CLOSED                  CLOSED
Sunday, April 5              Regular Hours Resume

Learn Courtroom Skills with Interactive Videos
A collection of lessons that teach legal skills is available in room 680H. The programs are ideal for evidence courses, trial advocacy workshops and clinical programs. By adding a laser disc or CD-ROM to a computer, students can play the role of a litigator in a simulated trial. The user may raise objections and interrupt the proceedings at any time. An explanation of the judge's ruling will appear whenever an objection is sustained or overruled.

Some of the lessons available are: "Interactive Courtroom," "Client Interviewing," "Evidence Objection," "Cross Examination-Evidence Tactics," and "Direct Examination-Evidence Tactics."

You may reserve room 680H at the Information Center Service Desk with your student ID.

FROM THE LEXIS REPRESENTATIVE

     Monday       9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
     Wednesday    3:00 -  4:00 p.m.
     Thursday     9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Please note that any changes to this schedule will be posted on the LEXIS bulletin board in lab 700.

If you are an evening student, I do apologize for not having evening office hours this semester (on the other hand, if you have questions, you can ask me in class). Please email LEXISQ to set up a meeting time. Additionally, the LEXIS rep is always availble to answer questions via email via LEXISQ.

Win Cash!
You might have seen the Westlaw competition asking you to submit your suggestion for improving KeyCite. Double your chances for winning cash by submitting your idea to LEXIS-NEXIS. Enter a drawing to win A $25,000 GRAND PRIZE, a $10,000 First Prize and a $5,000 Second prize! Email your name, mailing address, phone number, law school and year of graduation along with your suggestion to lawschool@lexis-nexis.com. Or visit our web page at www.lexis.com/lawschool.

For more information, please visit the LEXIS rep in lab 700 during office hours, or email LEXISQ with your questions. Hope the semester is going well for everyone.

FROM THE WESTLAW REPRESENTATIVE

     Monday      1:00 -  5:00   Michael Ambroziak   
     Tuesday    10:00 -  5:00   Michael Ambroziak	
     Wednesday   1:00 -  5:00   Michael Ambroziak
     Thursday   11:00 -  6:00   Alex Rozman
     Friday     10:00 - 12:00   Alex Rozman
     Sunday      7:00 –  9:00   Alex Rozman

As always, 24-hr online technical and research assistance is available by calling 1-800-850-WEST. Questions can also be e-mailed to AROZMAN or MAMBROZI.

KEYCITE SCHOLAR$HIP CONTEST – Who needs to be employed? Look for the posters announcing the upcoming scholarship contest and a chance to make the big buck!

ATTENTION – WestLaw is conducting a survey of the usage of KeyCite and WestCheck features at law schools and you are highly encouraged to use these features to prove Chicago-Kent students' superior knowledge of these useful tools over other schools.

SUMMER ASSOCIATE/ JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP TRAINING – Michael Ambroziak and Alex Rozman will present tutorials for interested prospective summer associates and judicial clerks. Everyone is encouraged to attend. The tutorials will be approximately one hour in length:

Judicial Clerkship Tutorials:

March 17 & 24 in Lab 700; 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.; Michael Ambroziak

Summer Associate Tutorials:

March 19 & 20 in Lab 700; 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.; Alexander Rozman

BE HAPPIER, BORROW LESS – A wise person once said, "If I owe you a hundred dollars, it's my problem. If I owe you a million dollars, it's your problem." Millions of dollars in law student debt is a very big problem for some lenders given the fact that "law school graduates are four times as likely to default on student loans as are graduates of medical or business school." To read how high default rates threaten affordable education financing and about efforts to educate law schools and law students about debt management, access The National Law Journal database (NLJ) and run the following search: threat! /s affordable /2 financing

FROM SERVING OUR SOCIETY (SOS)

Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing
LCBH is a non-profit group that ensures better housing for the Chicagoland poor and working poor. The Committee needs volunteers to work with the various projects. For example, the Property Insurance Discrimination project targets insurance and lending "redlining" practices for injunctive suits to stop these illegal practices. An Eviction Defense fund was established after a recent study found that only less than 5% of tenants have assistance of counsel and that most tenants are evicted even when they have a meritorious defense. This project now assists poor families in defending unwarranted evictions and can use the assistance of willing 7-11 students.

Tutor/ Mentor Opportunities
Children of all ages need tutors and/or mentors. Come to the SOS office to look in our directory.

SOS Office Hours (Room 686):

     Monday       3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.	
     Tuesday	  4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
     Wednesday	 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
     Thursday	  2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

FROM THE LAW OFFICES

Fall 1998 applications are now available in room 600 -- Due no later than THURSDAY, APRIL, 9

Students who would like to learn how to practice law while they are in law school should apply for the in-house clinical education program, LAW OFFICES. Applications are now available for the fall. The spring applications are due no later than April 9.

Students may apply for Law Offices after they have completed the equivalent of their first-year of law school (current first year day students may apply for the fall 1998 semester). To be considered for a place, ALL students must complete and return a completed Law Offices application. Applications must be turned in to the Law Offices receptionist in Suite 600 by the April 9 deadline by 5:00 p.m.

Students who have previously taken, who are now taking Law Offices, or who are accepted for the summer 1998 semester (called Continuing Law Offices Students), and who submit their applications by the due date will be given preference in their same practice group if availability permits. Next, priority will be given to the top ten students on each first choice waiting list who did not turn down a place for spring 1998, who were on the waiting list in the division they have marked as first choice, and who submitted their fall application by the due date. New students who have submitted their applications by the due date will be selected in the Law Offices lottery. The total number of available places during the fall semester is dependent upon the number of supervising attorneys in each practice group. The number of available new places is dependent upon the number of continuing students and has not yet been determined.

There are five in-house practice groups from which to choose: employment discrimination/civil rights with some general practice, criminal defense, tax (prerequisites are Personal Income Tax and Tax Procedure), health law, and mediation & other ADR procedures).

For more information, you may talk to the clinical professors who supervise the various practice groups: Professors Gonzalez (rm. 629) and Norton (rm. 623) for employment discrimination/civil rights with some general practice; Professors Kadish (rm. 613), Kling (rm. 625), and Thomas (rm. 609) for criminal defense; Professor Livingston (rm. 688) for tax; Professor Kentra (rm. 690) for mediation & other ADR procedures; and Professor Altman (rm. 611) for health with some family law. Professor Laser (rm. 631) is also available to answer your questions.

Advanced Externship Program -- Fall 1998
Prospective Third Year Students Only:

Do you wish to develop your legal skills, gain practical legal experience in a specialized area of law with a corporation, firm or government agency, and make yourself more marketable to prospective employers upon graduation? If so, consider applying to the Advanced Externship Program for fall semester 1998.

The Advanced Externship Program is a 4-credit-hour, non-graded program. The program is open to students in their last two semesters of law school. An extern is placed in a private or public, civil or criminal practice and is required to work a minimum of 15 hours a week at his/her designated placement. Externs interested in civil law may select to work under the supervision of general counsel in major corporations or under the supervision of designated teaching lawyers in well-known firms or specific government agencies. Externs may specialize in such diverse legal areas as tax, commodities, securities, corporate, health care, medical malpractice, general corporate law, etc. Those interested in criminal law may elect to work with designated supervising lawyers at the State's Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, or the U.S. Attorney's Office. Many externships offer students opportunities to obtain a 711 license and appear in court.

More information about the program and an accompanying application form are available in the Law Offices Reception Area and the Career Services Office. Applications must be submitted to Ms. Carole Ross in room 612 by noon on Friday, March 27. All applicants must have scheduled and completed an interview with Professor Gross prior to turning in their applications. Should extern applicants outnumber the number of students who can be accepted into the program, students with at least one semester of Law Offices or LADR (Law Alternative Disputes Resolution program) will receive preference.

If you are interested in learning more about externship opportunities or in applying to the program, please see Professor Vivien Gross in room 617.

WRITING CONTESTS

• The Journal of Intellectual Property Spring 1998 Writing Competition Rules: Current J.D. students or law faculty members are eligible to enter. Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 1998 and mailed to: The Journal of Intellectual Property Writing Competition, Intellectual Property Law Society — Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 West Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661-3691. Rules and details are available online at http://www.kentlaw.edu/student_orgs/ipls/hot/comprules.htm.

• Berkeley Technology Law Journal presents the 1998 Comment Competition. Submission deadline is March 31, 1998.

• Fordham Urban Law Journal announces the Urban Law Essay Competition. The theme: "Unique Challenges Facing Urban Centers in the 21st Century." Submissions must be received by April 1, 1998.

• Announcing the Howard C. Schwab Memorial Essay Contest, Family Law section. The entry procedure and rules can be obtained via e-mail to familylaw@abanet.org. Entry deadline is April 3, 1998.

• The Attorney-CPA Foundation presents its 1997-98 Essay Contest. This year, the contest has two divisions: an undergraduate division and a graduate/professional division. Topics and rules vary according to division. Stop by Dean Sowle's office or call 1-800-CPA-ATTY or fax (714)768-7062 for additional information. Essays must be received by April 6, 1998.

• The International Association of Defense Counsel is announcing its Legal Writing Contest. First place award is $2,000; second is $1,000; and third is $500. Rules and regulations are quite lengthy so please stop by room 320D to pick up a hard copy. Contest deadline is April 15, 1998.

• The Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce the fifth annual Brown Award of $5,000 for Excellence in Legal Writing. Entry deadline is April 24, 1998.

• The American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section presents the William W. Greenhalgh Law Student Writing Competition. For rules, topic and other particulars, please stop by room 320D for information. Entry deadline May 1, 1998.

• The Food and Drug Law Institute announces its H. Thomas Austern Memorial Writing Competition. First place $3,000; second place $2,000; and third place $1,000. Send materials to: Julie K. Ogden, Director of Academic Programs, FDLI, 1000 Vermont Ave. NW, Ste. 200, Washington, D.C. 20004-4903 or URL http://www.fdli.org or e-mail jko@fdli.org. Papers must be received no later than May 15, 1998.

• Animal Law Writing Competition is requesting papers on any issue concerning animal law. Entries will be accepted thru May 31, 1998.

• International Intellectual Property writing contests such as George Hutchinson Writing Competition, Robert C. Watson, and others are now open for submissions. Rules, regulations and deadlines vary according to entry. Deadlines for submissions are June 1, 1998, and July 31, 1998, respectively.

• The Federal Circuit Bar Association announces the 1998 George Hutchinson Writing Competition. Entries may discuss any topic that lies within the procedure, substance, or scope of the jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. A $2,000 prize will be awarded to the entry deemed by the judges to be the best entry and to merit the award. Submissions must be postmarked no later than June 1, 1998.

• The American Planning Association is pleased to announce the 15th Annual R. Marlin Smith Student Writing Competition. Submission deadline is June 1, 1998. Please refer to official rules for further details.

• Notre Dame Law School Feminist Jurisprudence Writing Competition. Entries should concern any issue within the category of feminist jurisprudence, must be original, unpublished work; Notre Dame Law Review has first publishing rights, must not exceed 50 pages -- including notes. All papers should be submitted to: Feminist Jurisprudence Essay Contest, University of Notre Dame Law School, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Deadline: June 1, 1998.

• Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition. Rules may be obtained from room 320D. Deadline for submission June 15, 1998.

• The American Judges Association has presented materials on their 10th Annual Law Student Essay Competition. First prize is $3,000; second is $1,250; and third is $1,000. Entries must be postmarked no later than June 30, 1998.

• Loyola Law School presents the 1998 Joseph Bernfeld Essay Competition. Papers should focus on an issue of bankruptcy, insolvency law or related matters. Cash awards are $2,500 for first place; $1,500 for second; and $1,000 for third. Deadline for submission is July 1, 1998.

• National Lesbian and Gay Law Foundation, in association with the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, is holding a student writing competition in honor of Michael Greenberg. All entries must address a cutting-edge legal issue affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgendered community. Questions or comments should be directed to: NLGLA Student Writing Competition, 1210 Cedar Lane, Nashville, TN 37212-5910. Entry deadline: July 15, 1998.

Please stop by room 320D for hard copies of rules and regulations governing all contests!

NOTE: Information on all Law Student Writing Competitions is collected on the University of Memphis Law School Website and is available without cost to students or faculty interested in gathering information about writing contests. Simply log on to http://www.people.memphis.edu/~law/.

SCHOLARSHIPS

ATLA Trial Advocacy Scholarship
This scholarship is open to all second- or third-year ATLA law student members. A $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to the applicant who best demonstrates a commitment to ATLA and dedication to its mission through extensive involvement in ATLA student chapter activities, expresses a desire to represent victims, exhibits an interest and proficiency of skills in trial advocacy, and shows a financial need for the scholarship. The application deadline is June 1, 1998.

Leesfield/ATLA Law Student Scholarship
Sponsored by Ira Leesfield and ATLA, this scholarship has been established to award $1,000 to a law student for attendance at ATLA's Annual Convention to be held in Washington, DC, July 11-15. This scholarship is available to first- and second-year ATLA law student members. Applicants must submit a statement of financial need, a 500-word essay, and recommendations from a faculty advisor, trial advocacy professor or dean. The application deadline is June 1, 1998.

Detailed information about each of these scholarships is available in the Office of Admissions, Suite 230.

HARRY A. BLACKMUN SCHOLARSHIP
The Harry A. Blackmun Scholarship Foundation, Inc., is pleased to announce that it will award a scholarship for the 1998-99 academic year.

The Harry A. Blackmun Scholarship Foundation, Inc., was established in 1994 by the law clerks to the Honorable Harry A. Blackmun, Associate Justice (Ret.) of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Justice's clerks intend it as a perpetual testament to his contribution to American jurisprudence, to his compassion and generosity of spirit, and to the inspiration he has provided to us through example and personal encouragement.

At the discretion of the Foundation, the Harry A. Blackmun Scholarship may be awarded to a student engaged in or about to engage in the pursuit of a Juris Doctor at an accredited law school in the United States. The recipient must also demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and the potential for making a contribution to society and the legal profession. In addition, because the scholarship will be granted in honor of Justice Blackmun, all other considerations being equal, preference will be given to applicants with a significant tie to the Justice's home state of Minnesota.

Students wishing to be considered for this scholarship should pick up the application form in the Office of Admissions, Suite 230. The scholarship application materials include the scholarship application form, two personal essays, two letters of recommendation (preferably one from a resident of Minnesota and one from a law school professor or dean), and undergraduate and law school transcripts.

All materials should be mailed to the Harry A. Blackmun Scholarship Foundation, Inc. no later than June 15, 1998.

CABANISS, JOHNSTON SCHOLARSHIP
To commemorate its 100th anniversary in 1987, the firm of Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O'Neal of Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama, with the Alabama Law Foundation, Inc., created a scholarship in memory of its founding partners, Edward Harmon Cabaniss and Forney Johnston. The first scholarship was awarded in 1987.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a law student who is a resident of Alabama, is attending an accredited law school in the United States and will be a second-year student. The scholarship will cover tuition and books for the second year of law school to a maximum of $5,000. A second place scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded at the committee's discretion. While academic achievement is the key factor in determining eligibility for the scholarship, consideration will be given to other factors such as conscientiousness, dependability, civic involvement, financial need and dedication to the highest ethical standards.

Students wishing to be considered for this scholarship should pick up the application form in the Office of Admissions, Suite 230. The deadline for submitting completed applications and all supporting documents to the Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship Committee is June 5, 1998.

DUPAGE COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE JUSTINIAN SOCIETY OF LAWYERS SCHOLARSHIP
The DuPage County Chapter of the Justinian Society of Lawyers is awarding a minimum of one $1,000 scholarship to a law student of Italian extraction who has completed at least one semester of law school.

Students wishing to be considered for this scholarship should pick up the application form in the Office of Admissions, Suite 230. The scholarship application process includes the scholarship application form, a brief personal statement, a copy of your federal income tax return for the previous calendar year, and a letter of recommendation by a law school faculty member. All applications and recommendations must be received no later than April 1, 1998.

POLISH WOMEN'S CIVIC CLUB, INC., SCHOLARSHIPS
The Polish Women's Civic Club, Inc., is a philanthropic organization of American women of Polish descent interested in discovering the richness of their Polish heritage and sharing it with others.

Realizing that education is the main tool for deepening an appreciation of culture and advancing a people, the Club supports educational activities and the personal efforts of Polish American students, male and female, through financial scholarships.

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. must be a United States citizen;
2. must have one parent of some Polish heritage;
3. must be a Chicago-area resident enrolled as a full-time student;
4. must exhibit definite financial need; and
5. must have acceptable grades

PUERTO RICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF) is pleased to announce its 1997-98 Scholarship Program. The following scholarship opportunity is currently available to Puerto Rican and other Latino students who are presently enrolled in law school:

Father Joseph P. Fitzpatrick Scholarship Fund ($1,000 award)
All Latino students attending law school in the United States are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students must demonstrate financial need as well as a commitment to the Latino community. The scholarship fund's purpose is to support PRLDEF in its efforts to ensure that talented Latino law students have the resources needed to pursue a career in public interest law. Applications for PRLDEF Scholarships must be postmarked and mailed no later than April 30, 1998.

All applicants must be candidates for a J.D. degree. LL.M. students are not eligible to apply for this award.

Scholarship applications are available in the Office of Admissions, Suite 230. The same application is used for both awards. The application process includes the scholarship application, law school transcript, one-page resume, a copy of your financial aid award letter, a copy of your most recent tax form (as well as your spouse's, if applicable), a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

ROTARY FOUNDATION CULTURAL AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Rotary Foundation is offering Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships for either three or six months of intensive language training and cultural immersion at a study institution assigned by The Rotary Foundation Trustees. For 1999-2000, applications will be considered for candidates interested in studying Arabic, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili and Swedish. Applicants for the scholarship are expected to have completed at least one year of college-level course work or its equivalent in the language they plan to study. This scholarship is not appropriate for the study of a language that the applicant already speaks fluently.

Interested individuals should contact their local Rotary Club for an application and to inquire about scholarship availability. Additional information and applications are also available on the Rotary Foundation website at www.rotary.org.

FACULTY NEWS

SPECIAL NOTICES

The 15th annual Conference on Section 1983 Civil Rights Litigation
On Thursday and Friday, March 19-20, 1998, the law school will host Professor Sheldon Nahmod's 15th annual Section 1983 conference. The conference features nationally prominent law professors and practitioners who offer instruction on both the fundamentals and more advanced aspects of section 1983 practice and trial skills, and analyze the latest case decisions. If you can attend only one or a few segments, you should come at the beginning for Professor Nahmod's session on the prima facie case against individuals. This is a unique opportunity, especially for students who intend to be involved in federal court litigation when they practice.

Law students (J.D. only) enrolled at Chicago-Kent are welcome to attend any or all of the program sessions free of charge (Note: course materials are not included; however, copies of the materials will be available in the library at a later date). However, pre-registration is required! To register, please stop by the Office of Continuing Legal Education (Suite 530) to fill out a registration form. Students must register before or on Tuesday, March 17, 1998.

In the preliminary rounds of oral argument, the Chicago-Kent team argued brilliantly against teams from the University of Cincinnati, the University of Texas at Austin, and Southern Methodist University. The team then advanced to the quarter-final round, where it defeated the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Finally, in the semi-final round, the team again met the University of Texas (the eventual overall winner). Professor Mary Rose Strubbe served as the team's faculty coach, and Moot Court Board Member David Ben-Dov was the team's student coach.

Congratulations to Brandy, Alicia, and Darrel on a job well done! The Moot Court Honor Society also thanks the many faculty members, alumnae/i, and 3Ls who judged the team in practice rounds.

Editor-In-Chief	John Bretscher
Managing Editor	Chris Campbell
Executive Articles Editors	Garrett Boehm, Melissa Masters, Laura Meredith, Monica Pinciak, Carrie Raver
Executive Notes & Comment Editor	Jennifer Best
Notes & Comments Editors	Claudia Herold, Nicole Mann, Jamie McDole, Jeremy Noe, John Siemsen, Kimberly Schwegel, Ryan Yagoda
Senior Associates	Michael Hynes, Tonya Parravano, Brandy Sargent, Amy Smith

Interested in tax law, corporate tax, estate planning, trust law? The Advanced Tax and Corporate Law Externship may be for you!

What is the Advanced Tax and Corporate Law Externship Program?
The externship will be a 3-credit-hour pass/fail program where each extern will devote approximately 15 hours per week to the program. The program will be supervised by Professor Nancy R. Livingston. The majority of hours will be spent at the extern's designated placement. An extern will also be expected to meet with Professor Livingston on an individual basis or with the extern group as a whole on a number of occasions during the semester.

In order to be eligible to participate in the Advanced Tax and Corporate Law Externship Program, a student must meet the following prerequisites:

1. First, a student must be in the top 25 percent of his or her class at the time of application or have permission from Professor Livingston. Permission will be based on the following factors: cumulative GPA, current GPA, law school courses taken, professor recommendation(s) and appropriate placement;

2. A student must have taken and successfully completed Personal Income Tax by the time of application; and

3. By the date the placement commences, a student must have taken and successfully completed, or be currently enrolled in, at least three of the following other courses: Bankruptcy, Business Organizations, Business Planning, Commercial Law I: Sales and Secured Transactions, Commercial Law II: Commercial Paper and Banking, Corporate Finance, Employee Benefits Law, Estate Planning, Estates and Trusts, Estate and Gift Tax, Securities Regulation, Tax Procedure, Taxation of Business Enterprises, Advanced Tax Transactions (Seminar), Business Insolvency (Seminar), Dynamics of Corporate Control (Seminar), Tax Policy (Seminar), or such other course(s) as approved by Professor Livingston.

In addition, all applicants must be interviewed by Professor Livingston before submitting a completed application to the Advanced Tax and Corporate Externship Program.

Where Do Students Extern?
After a student has been accepted in the program, the student and Professor Livingston begin the placement process. We may have a limited number of available placements available at the Internal Revenue Service, an in-house corporate legal department, a bank trust department, and a law firm or accounting firm. In addition, students may be interested in specific specialties or placements, and the student and Professor Livingston will work together to procure a placement. Please note that a student cannot extern for a current or former employer.

Why Extern?
An externship is a wonderful way to gain legal skills, familiarity with tax law and related areas, and generally enhance employment marketability upon graduation.

If You Are Interested in Applying or Want More Information
If you are interested in learning more about the externship opportunities or in applying for the program, please see Professor Nancy R. Livingston in room 688 to set up an appointment. You may also e-mail her at NLIVINGS.

The competition problem involved a medical malpractice action arising out of a patient who suffered an attack of flesh-eating bacteria which ultimately led to a leg amputation. The problem required mastery of many intricate medical and scientific concepts as well as trial advoacy skills of cross-examination and argument.

Tryouts for the ATLA team, as well as the other Chicago-Kent trial teams, are held in the fall. Contact any member of the team or the Trial Advocacy Program for additional information.

Election Petitions and Election Rules (including all pertinent dates) can be found outside of C88. If you have any suggestions for the rules, please contact either Alex Rozman (AROZMAN) or Ben Wong (BWONG), Co-chairs of the Election Committee.

I strongly encourage you to consider running for a position on the BOG. The time commitment will vary, depending on your own initiatives. While most Governors have put in a great deal of time this year, I am sure that they will say that the benefits and rewards outweigh the burdens. If you have any questions about running for a position, please do not hesitate to contact me (AWEISS) with any questions.

March Social/Conviser Bash - Date Change
The March Social/Conviser Bash has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, March 18. The festivities will be held at OTB on Jackson. Food and drinks will be served from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Barristers Ball
Tickets for Barristers Ball will be available shortly. The tickets are expected to cost $50 each and should be available in the bookstore. The Ball will take place on Saturday, April 18, at the Fairmont Hotel. There will be a live band (High Society) and a twenties theme. Any suggestions for the event should be directed to Ivy Israel (IISRAEL).

Organization Budget Amendments
If you wish to file an amendment to your organization's budget or to make a special request for funds, please e-mail Treasurer Helen Fabisiewicz (HFABISIE). The new semester brings new funds, so please do not hesitate to ask, even if you already did last semester.

Establishing Organizations
The BOG will propose a Bylaw to its Constitution regarding the establishment of new student organizations. As it stands, the process is free to change from year to year. Any suggestions or comments should be directed towards Ivy Israel (IISRAEL), Student Organization Committee Chair or to Dan Kirschner (DKIRSCHN), Constitution and Bylaws Committee Chair. The final proposal will eventually be published to the students and then voted on by the BOG.

Budget/Reimbursements
If you have any questions about the budget process or reimbursements from last semester, please e-mail Helen Fabisiewicz (HFABISIE), SBA Treasurer.

Law Week
Law Week will begin on Monday, April 13. Please mark your calendars. Any suggestions for speakers or events should be directed to Elayna Pham (EPHAM) or Matt Knorr (MKNORR).

BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Alumnae/i - Student Breakfast
BLSA will hold its 2nd annual Alumnae/i - Student Breakfast from 9 - 11 a.m., Sunday, March 22, at La Magarita Restaurant in the Presidential Towers complex at Madison and Clinton. The cost is $7 for students and $10 for faculty and alumnae/i for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Please R.S.V.P. to SSHIELDS by Wednesday, March 18.

Alumnae/i-Student Directory
Don't forget to pick up your Spring 1998 Alumnae/i - Student Directory from an Executive Board member or by emailing SSHIELDS. This is a great resource for networking and learning more about your fellow classmates.

April Speaker Event
Watch for details on our upcoming speaker event on "Race and Merit" which will take place Thursday, April 9, 1998.

COMPUTER LAW ASSOCIATION
Greetings all past, present and future members of the Computer Law Association. There will be an important meeting this week, on Tuesday, March 17, at 12:00 noon -- room to be announced, or in the alternative, Wednesday, March 18, at 5:00 p.m., again room to be announced. Topics that will be discussed:

1. Raffle - we will be getting ready for our fund raising raffle. Prizes include, but are not limited to, Microsoft Word, Lotus Suite, Quake, Riven, Norton Utilities, laptop carrying case, a flatbed scanner and much more.
2. Computer Faire -- coming soon, April 13, from 1:00 - 6:00 pm.
3. Elections -- who wil be running the show next year? It could be you.

If you would like more information about the raffle, and would like to help sell tickets, please come to one of the meetings or email Jen Fine. If you would like more information about the meeting, CLASS, or officer positions, please email Pauline Afuso. Thanks, and have a good week.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW SOCIETY
Auction time is right around the corner and you know what that means... Don't you? It means it's BIKE RAFFLE TIME! This is ELS' main fundraising event of the YEAR. That means we need everyone's help in both selling tickets and promoting Auction attendance. As I'm sure you've heard, the Auction is Wednesday, March 25 and ELS will pick the winner of the bike during the intermission. That means we only have a week and a half to SELL AS MANY TICKETS AS POSSIBLE!!!! The bike has already been secured and is simply lovely, so PROMOTE IT!!!

Speaking Event: Please attend PEEL's next speaking event on Tuesday, March 17, at 11:45 a.m. in room 270. SIU's Professor Ruhl will be speaking about Sustainable Development and the role the issue plays in the legal profession today. A light lunch will be served.

EcoTip: This miserable weather forces most of us to stay locked inside more than ever. The list of unfriendly chemicals present in an office or school environment are endless, and may produce symptoms similar to a cold or flu. The good news is that simply keeping a plant on your desk - or anywhere in the room where you spend a lot of time, can significantly improve the air you breath. And make your indoor world a friendlier place to be!

FAMILY LAW SOCIETY
1998 Spring Symposium
GREAT news. . . on Wednesday, April 8, we will be co-sponsoring a spring symposium, "Property Rights of Reproductive Technology" with the Health Law Society. There will be four guest speakers and Ami Jaeger, Director of the Law and Public Policy Program for the National Center for Genome Resources, will serve as the moderator. The program will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Auditorium with a reception following in the 10th floor event room. We have invited over 100 alumnae/i of Chicago-Kent practicing in the area of family law –- this is a great opportunity to network. Please mark your calendars so you don't forget to attend this event!

If you are interested in helping out during the event, please e-mail Leslie (LBORRE) for additional information. Thanks.

March 17 Bake Sale
Our spring bake sale is just around the corner and we need YOU to help out! If you can whip-up some tasty treats or would like to help sell, please e-mail Mae Hung (MHUNG) with your availability. The Bake Sale will take place on Tuesday, March 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Spak. It's not too late. . .

Essay Contest
Each year, the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association conducts the Howard C. Schwab Memorial essay contest. Last year, eligible law students could submit an essay on any area of family law. The submission deadline is April 3, 1998. For a copy of this year's rules and procedures, please e-mail familylaw@abanet.org Good luck!

GAYLAW
Our next meeting will be March 18, at 5:15 p.m., room TBA. Topics to discuss:

• Upcoming "Annual Night Out at the Baton Lounge"
• Brown bag discussion on Transgender Issues and the Law
• International Human Rights Issues and Gay Rights
• The Next Social!!

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW SOCIETY
Alumnae/i Networking Luncheon
IPLS will be hosting the Intellectual Property Alumnae/i Luncheon on Tuesday, March 24, 1998, at 12 noon. This gives IPLS memebers and non-members a chance to meet and talk with practicing attorneys in the field of IP. The event will take place at Ranalli's on the second floor.

If you are interested please pick up a registration form on the IPLS bulletin board on the Concourse. Please fill out the form and drop it in the IPLS mailbox on the second floor by March 19. The cost to attend is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.

The cost will include your choice of either Chicken Kiev, Stuffed Spinach Chicken Breast, Chicken Vesuvio, or Mostaccioli (with non-meat sauce). Also includes soft drinks and salad. Cash bar available.

Remember -- R.S.V.P. by 3/19/98! Hope to see you all there.

Patent Law Interview Program
The deadline for the PATENT LAW INTERVIEW PROGRAM is fast approaching. The patent law interview program is hosted by Loyola Law School and takes place July 31 and August 2-3. The program costs $20, which is due by March 19, 1998. For further information please check with the career services office.

KENT JUSTICE FOUNDATION
KJF's 7th Annual Auction "VIVA" on March 25, 1998, at 5:30pm in the Ogilvie Auditorium and Front Lobby!! Get your tickets today!!!

Chicago-Kent students: $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Non-Chicago-Kent students: $10.

Thanks to everyone who has been working hard on the auction -- especially Carolyn Buntin!!!

On Wednesday, March 18, in room 170, we will be having the MOST IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE YEAR-- PLEASE, PLEASE ATTEND!!! The meeting will cover:

1. last minute preparations for the auction including sign-ups for Auction Day Committees (i.e., food, door, alcohol, silent auction, etc..); and
2. last minute solicitations and follow-up.

PLEASE ATTEND!!

Please come to the SOS Office (Room 686) to pick up your tickets, so you can get a jump on selling them. On the door of the SOS office, there are sign-up sheets relating to the Auction Day Committees and for Ticket Sales in the Spak -- Please stop in and sign up for a committee!

Remember -- tickets are $5 for Chicago-Kent students (who need to have ID) and $10 for non-Chicago-Kent students. Also remember you must be 21 to consume alcohol-- so remind people of this when you are selling your tickets.

If you have donations in your possession and have not yet turned them over to Dan, please email him at DBELKO, so he can get those donations and enter them into the official Donation Log.

Also -- start spreading the word about the auction-- announcements in first-year classes should begin next week!!

Lastly -- THERE IS A BAKE SALE NEXT WEDNESDAY-- we need bakers and people to sit in the Spak-- PLEASE email AWEBER if you can help-- and thanks to those of you who have all ready signed up!!

Remember to wear your VIVA T-shirt (there are still some available in the SOS office, and if you have gotten yours and not paid, please pay as soon as you can!! Thanks and have a GREAT WEEK!!

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW SOCIETY
Thinking about what type of law you would like to practice? You think you might want to practice labor or employment law but are not sure what kind of law that is? Or you know that labor and employment law is right for you, but you are not sure what area you want to practice in?

Then come to the Auditorium at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, and hear five unique perspectives on the field of labor and employment law. The following five Chicago-Kent alumneae/i will be discussing career options in labor and employment law.

Sally A. Comin --

Stickler & Nelson, a boutique management law firm

James R. Beyer --

IBM Corporate Counsel

Carol Cozzi Johnson --

Rudnick & Wolfe, employee benefits

Stanley D. Gosch --

Counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150

Leonard A. Grossman --

United States Department of Labor

Following the presentation at approximately 5:30 p.m., there will be a reception hosted by the Institute for Law and the Workplace in the 10th floor Event Room. Join the five speakers, other Chicago-Kent alumnae/i and friends, students, and faculty to celebrate the Institute's second anniversary. The reception is an excellent opportunity to meet practitioners and ask specific questions about the type of work they do and the skills they feel are important to break-in and succeed in their area of labor or employment law.