Check Out The 2012-2013 Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide

The 2012-13 Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide is a publication of NALP and PSJD. At first glance, seeking and applying for federal jobs can seem incredibly overwhelming, and job seekers may not know where to begin. The Guide contains:

  • information about the benefits of a career in federal government;
  • a look at the various kinds of work attorneys perform;
  • an overview of where the most attorney jobs are (and will be) in the executive branch;
  • resources to aid in finding the ideal opportunity; and
  • tips on application processes.

NOTE: in addition to content offered in the Guide, NALP offers expanded content and resources on PSJD’s Federal Government Careers page:

Readers should use the online content in tandem with the Guide. Online content offers the ability to:

  • browse a clickable table of contents to immediately identify the most useful content;
  • use dozens of hyperlinks in the Web content to click through to numerous useful online federal career resources; and
  • benefit from continuous addition to and revision of online content instead of waiting for the annually updated print edition.

Nevertheless, there is great value in having a hard-copy resource to print, read, mark up, and share with others.

Center for Gender & Refugee Studies Summer 2013 Refugee and Human Rights Law Clerk Position

About the Organization:

The Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS), based at the University of California Hastings College of the Law, is seeking candidates for Summer 2013 Judith Stronach Women’s Rights Fellowship positions. CGRS provides legal expertise, training, and resources to attorneys representing asylum seekers, advocates to protect refugees, advances refugee law and policy, and uses domestic, regional and international mechanisms to address the root causes of persecution. For more information about CGRS, visit the website. Stronach Fellowship positions are not funded. CGRS encourages Fellows to seek outside funding to support their work. 

Job Description: 

CGRS’s Law Clerk functions as a full–time fall law clerk for 10- to 12-week terms. Law Clerks are involved in the full range of CGRS’s work, and work closely with CGRS lawyers and staff in other projects as needed. For example, projects might include:

  • Researching and writing on key legal issues
  • Assisting in the various stages of appellate advocacy
  • Analyzing emerging asylum law trends
  • Developing training and technical assistance materials
  • Conducting national policy work
  • Engaging in international human· rights projects
  • Given the small office and high volume of work, law clerks must be able to work with minimal supervision. 

Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated commitment human rights and social justice
  • Strong research and writing skills
  • Experience or background in asylum or international human rights law
  • Completion of three semesters of law school is strongly preferred
  • Ability to work independently and within a team
  • Ability to protect the confidentiality of our work and our communications
  • Fluency in Spanish or French is desirable, but not required 

Application Procedure:

Submit a cover letter, resume, brief writing sample (5-10 pages), and list of three references via email with the subject line “Summer 2013 Judith Stronach Women’s Rights Fellowship.” The cover letter should explain how the applicant’s experiences relate to the mission and work of CGRS. The cover letter should also indicate eligibility for work study as well as prospects for securing external funding.

Applications will be accepted starting September 7, 2012 and until October 14, 2012. No phone calls, please.

 

 

 

Spring Semester Housing Need

The CDO from time to time receives requests from Miami Law students or students elsewhere seeking to sublet their apartment and/or sublease another apartment.   Below is detailed information about 0ne such opportunity:

A law student in Michigan is seeking a sublet in Miami or Coral Gables starting at the end of December 2012 until the end of the spring semester at University of Miami School of Law (April/May 2013).   This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is studying abroad or visiting another law school for the spring semester and would like to have their lease covered during their absence.

Please contact the CDO to be put in touch with this individual.

The International Legal Foundation Announces Volunteer Lawyer Opportunity – The West Bank

The International Legal Foundation (ILF) seeks an experienced lawyer to help build a proactive approach to criminal defense representation for indigent clients in Palestinian civilian court system. Volunteer lawyers serve in the ILF’s public defender office in theWest Bank for three months and are paid a stipend but receive no salary.

The ILF is a not-for-profit organization created for the purpose of establishing public defender systems in post-conflict countries and countries in transition. The ILF operates on the belief that indigent representation is crucial to a functioning criminal justice system. Without defense lawyers ensure that judges, prosecutors and police officers follow the law, reform and reconstruction of the justice system is impossible. By fighting against arbitrary detention, public defenders are often the first line of protection against human rights violations. For the past ten years, the ILF has focused solely on providing criminal defense services to the poor, first in Rwanda, later in Afghanistan and Nepal, and now in theWest Bank.

TheWest Bank is currently undergoing a transition, presenting the region with a tremendous opportunity to strengthening the rule of law through the development of a strong, proactive criminal defense culture and practice.

The ILF seeks experienced volunteer lawyers to help bring about change in theWest Bank’s justice system. These volunteers, known as Kathryn Wadia Fellows, mentor local criminal defense lawyers in the ILF’s public defender office, who represent indigent clients in Palestinian civilian court system. Fellows oversee criminal cases in their entirety, mentoring Palestinian staff lawyers as they visit clients in jail, conduct investigations, write motions and make court appearances. Fellows, as representatives of the ILF, also participate in meetings with government officials, other NGOs and donor countries involved in rule of law projects in theWest Bank.

Fellows are based in Ramallah, where the ILF has an office and residence. Travel, lodging, traveler’s insurance and a small living stipend are paid by the ILF; however, the organization cannot be responsible for any other expenses incurred during the assignment (e.g. health insurance). TheWest Bank is a transitional territory, and before applying for this fellowship applicants should be aware of the potential risks involved in living there.

Qualifications:

All applicants must have at least 5 years experience practicing criminal law, either as a defense lawyer, prosecutor or judge. Applicants should be sensitive to cultural differences and must be willing to work on Sundays.

Apply:

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume via email with the subject line “Fellow- West Bank”. Please describe your experience, including any experience traveling or working abroad, and your preferred dates of travel. Only one position is available.

 

The Center for Reproductive Rights – Columbia Law School Fellowship

The Center for Reproductive Rights – Columbia Law School Fellowship (CRR-CLS Fellowship) is a two-year, post-graduate fellowship offered by the Center for Reproductive Rights (the Center) andColumbia Law School (theLawSchool). The Fellowship is designed to prepare recent law school graduates for legal academic careers in reproductive health and human rights. Fellows will be affiliated with the Center and theLawSchooland will participate in the intellectual life of both programs.

The CRR-CLS Fellowship is a full-time, residential fellowship for up to two full years starting in June, July, or August 2013. The Fellow will be a member of the community of graduate fellows at the Law School, will be integrated into the legal and policy work of the Center, and will have a work space at both locations. The Fellow will also have access to law school facilities, including the library and on-line research resources, and faculty events. It is expected that the Fellow will work closely with an assigned law school faculty mentor.

Fellows will pursue independent research and scholarship in preparation for entering the legal academic job market at the conclusion of their first Fellowship year. Fellows are expected to produce a work of serious scholarship during their fellowship tenure. Fellows will also have responsibility for the planning and hosting of academic conferences and/or roundtable discussions. The scope and detail of the Fellows’ work will be agreed upon in consultation with their faculty mentor and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

STIPEND AND BENEFITS:  The Fellow will receive $55,000 per year for each full year in residence. There may be an additional stipend for research-related costs as needed and available. The Fellow shall be responsible for purchasing and maintaining her or his own health insurance. The Fellow may purchase insurance through Columbia University.

ELIGIBILITY:  Applicants must show exceptional promise as a legal scholar and a commitment to entering legal academia in the United States. An interest in reproductive or sexual rights, women’s rights and/or human rights is required, although extensive experience in the field is not essential. Applicants will be evaluated by the quality of their application materials, and by their record of academic and professional achievement. A J.D. from an accredited law school in the United States is strongly preferred. In some exceptional cases, we may consider those with foreign law degrees. If the future Fellow is not a U.S. citizen, a J-1 visa is required and Columbia will provide the necessary paperwork for the process. An F-1 visa is not allowed for appointment to Columbia as a post-doctoral fellow. Fellows are not required to be graduates of Columbia Law School.

APPLICATION:  Completed applications must be received by the Law School by October 29, 2012. Please note that it is strongly preferred that application materials be submitted electronically. A complete application must include:

1. CRR-CLS Fellowship Application Form (biographical and contact information);

2. Curriculum Vitae;

3. Official transcripts from college, law school and any graduate schools attended;

4. Statement of Scholarly Interest and future academic projects, including a discussion of how the fellowship will help the applicant in pursuing those interests and realizing those projects;

5. A paper or other writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s writing and analytical abilities and ability to generate interesting original ideas. This can be a draft rather than a publication;

6. Three letters of reference. At least two letters must be from professors who can speak to the applicant’s academic potential. Letters from tenured professors are preferred.

All materials should be emailed to Marianne Carroll, Faculty Assistant.

If any materials must be mailed, please address them to:

CRR-CLS Fellowship Program
Professor Carol Sanger
ColumbiaLawSchool
435 W. 116th Street
New York,NY10025
ATTN: Marianne Carroll, Faculty Assistant
For additional information, please visit the website.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOPE Public Interest News for Week of September 3, 2012

Please read below for upcoming events on campus, opportunities in the community, and other announcements from HOPE.

Events on Campus:

Thursday, September 6th, “Empowered Youth Speak” with Colleen Adams, 12:30 pm – 2 pm, Room A-110. The Child Advocacy and Family Law Society (CAFLS) will host a discussion with Colleen Adams, the founder and director of Empowered Youth, and a few of the young men who are leaders in the program. This is a great way to learn about the juvenile justice system and to find a way to connect with amazing youths. E-mail if you are interested in learning more about the event or CAFLS.

Thursday, September 6th, Immigration Clinics for Deferred Action Training. 5:30 pm – 7 pm, Law Library Room TBD. Interested in helping DREAM Act eligible students in South Dade prepare their immigration paperwork for deferred action? Training will be conducted this Thursday by Mercedes V. Lorduy from VIDA Legal Assistance and is required to participate in a legal clinic being held in South Dade this Saturday, September 8th. Clinic volunteers help eligible young adults prepare their immigration applications. Contact Charlotte Joseph for more info. Volunteer hours count toward the pro bono challenge!!!  

Sunday, September 9th, Race Judicata. 7:30 am – 10 am, Law Campus Bricks. Help raise money for Empowered Youth by participating in Race Judicata, a 5k run/walk around the University of Miami campus. For more information and a link to register, please click here or email.

September 9th – 15th, Philanthropy Week at Miami Law. Call the HOPE Office.

Events off Campus: 

Wednesday, September 5th, Dade County Bar Association Legal Line, 6 pm, 123 NW 1st Ave, Suite 214, Miami, FL 33128. Assist attorneys with advising callers via phone. For more information contact Derek Leon at (305) 415-3431.

Monday, September 10th, Dade County Bar Association Big Brother Big Sister Networking Event, 6 pm, Southeast Financial Center Lobby. Click here for more details.

Wednesday, September 12th, Coral Gables Bar Association, South Miami Kendall Bar Association and Findlaw Monthly Membership Mixer, 6 pm, Crave. Click here for more details. 

October 16th -20th, ABA Section of International Law 2012 Fall Meeting. Miami Beach, FL. The Fall Meeting is one of the world’s most important gatherings of international lawyers that attracts over 1,500 attendees. The ABA offers free admission to the educational portion of the meeting to any person who serves in a volunteer capacity for 1 four-hour shift or for evening events if you volunteer for a two-hour shift at the beginning of the event. Students can pay to attend as well. Check out details here and e-mail Gretchen Bellamy to volunteer. 

October 26th – 27th, Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair. Arlington, VA. Each year the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair brings together more than 1,200 public interest law students from 200 law schools all under one roof. Registration for students ends on September 13! Click here for more info and e-mail HOPE with questions. 

December 2nd – 11th, GVN 10-day Volunteer Tour of Uganda. Interested in spending 10 days in Uganda with a small group of international volunteers assisting in the construction of a community health clinic this December? You can read more about the Uganda Tour and apply here. Please note that there are costs involved with this Tour.

Announcements & Opportunities: 

Books and Buddies is looking for volunteers! The Books and Buddies program is a fun and non-time consuming way to work with children and help out the community. Law students are paired with a fourth grade buddy with whom they will write a story throughout the semester. It takes no more than 20 minutes per week. Please e-mail Books & Buddies to get involved. 

Join the Dade County Bar Association as a law student for only $25!! Get access to local networking events and sign up for membership.

Join the ABA for law students!! New website. Join for $25 per year or $60 for three years if you are a 1L. Discounts include Hertz, Sprint, Office Depot, Brooks Brothers, health insurance discounts, and more! Contact Jason Frederick Emert for more info. 

PSLawNet launches new website and name: With the new website launch, PSLawNet will also be changing its name to PSJD. PSJD is a free public interest law jobs database for law students and alumni of over 200 subscribing law schools and free for employer organizations to post job listings.

 

Network With The South Florida Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel Ambassadors Program

The South Florida Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACCA-SFL) is pleased to announce the launch of its Ambassadors Program for South Florida law students. Participating law students, or “ACCA-SFL Ambassadors”, will volunteer at the organization’s various events during the year. This will provide the students with a unique networking and educational opportunity. With access to ACC-SFL’s in house counsel membership and its law firm sponsors, students will be able to build relationships and attend seminars on current legal issues.

ACCA-SFL, a non-profit association, is the South Florida chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the world’s largest community of in-house counsel, serving the professional and business interests of attorneys who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations, and other private-sector organizations around the globe. ACCA-SFL serves approximately 380 members from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. ACCA-SFL partners with its sponsors to provide innovative networking opportunities, substantive programs and community outreach by holding several events for its members each year.

For 2012 our major events include “A Night at the Museum”, held on May 4, 2012 at the Boca RatonMuseum of Art, ACCA@Bat!!, held on July 27, 2012 at the Clevelander suite at the new Miami Marlins Ballpark, and last but not least, ACCA-SFL’s third annual CLE conference – “The Real In-House Counsel of South Florida”, to be held on September 20, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Additionally, several breakfast CLEs are hosted during the calendar year.

ACCA-SFL’s 2012 Platinum sponsors are Bilzin Sumberg, Fox Rothschild and Katz Barron. ACCA-SFL is now looking for Ambassadors to volunteer at its Third Annual CLE Conference on September 20th. Visit the website for additional information on our sponsors and events. Law students should contact Deborah Hanley, Executive Director, to become an ACCA-SFL Ambassador.

 

This Week at the CDO (Week of September 3, 2012)

Tuesday, September 4, 2012:

  • Deadline for US DOJ Attorney General’s Honors Program (3Ls) and Summer Law Intern Program (2Ls) – Visit http://www.justice.gov/oarm/ or the CDO and ask your advisor. 
  • 11th Judicial Circuit Internship Program Orientation Meeting – 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Room F-109.

Harvard Law School Office of Career Services Seeks Assistant Director for J.D. Advising and Recruitment and Office Manager

Assistant Director for J.D. Advising Position:

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Assistant Director reports to the Assistant Dean for Career Services. This position interacts extensively with highly talented students, works collaboratively with a dynamic and creative Career Services staff and is involved in the day-to-day operations of a vital and fast-paced service oriented office. Responsibilities include the following:

  • Provides career counseling to JD students;
  • Plans, develops and implements a comprehensive series of career programs and workshops;
  • Writes materials for office communications including office publications, the website, and blog; and
  • Serves as a liaison to student groups and assists with supervision of student peer advisors and interns.

Requirements:

The candidate must have a J.D., law practice experience, and three to five years of demonstrated career counseling experience. Experience in a law school career services office, knowledge of self-assessment tools, alternative legal and non-legal career paths, and project and event planning experience is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal, organizational, oral presentation and writing skills, the ability to plan and meet deadlines, the ability to work independently and effectively as a team, a strong work ethic, superb judgment, an excellent sense of humor, and an enthusiastic approach to his or her work.

How to Apply:

Beginning September 12, please apply on-line, select administrative/staff jobs (external candidates) and then select Auto req ID #27716BR. (Note: external candidates will not be able to view this job posting or apply online until September 12.)

Recruitment and Office Manager Position:

The Recruitment and Office manager coordinates School’s Early Interview Program, International Summer Employment Program and spring on-campus interview programs, working closely with the Assistant Director for Recruitment and Operations and other members of the OCS team. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Serves as primary employer relations contact; communicates policies and resolves wide range of logistical issues, judging importance independently.
  • Organizes complex calendar of employer events and student interviews (up to 12,000 interviews annually.)
  • Maintains data; creates various management reports and assists with preparing the office budget.
  • Assigns and manages on-campus interview space.
  • Manages the International Summer Employment Program and LL.M. Overseas Job Fair.
  • Serves as office manager for department: Manages resource library, Web Events calendar for employers, employer information in OCS database (CSM) and staff vacation and out of office calendar.
  • Assists with OCS marketing and outreach.
  • Handles variety of financial duties: organizes time collection and approval processes for temporary employee payroll processes; processes travel reimbursements and office bills and handles collection of fees for recruitment programs and employer sponsored events.
  • Works with outside vendors to negotiate rates and discounts.
  • Manages online credit card payment system including payment collection and system set-up for various programs.
  • Some overtime required during three peak periods in summer, fall and spring to coordinate interview programs.  

Requirements:

  • College background preferred; high school graduate or equivalent plus 4-5 years of relevant administrative/programmatic support experience required.
  • Ability to multi-task, work independently, and problem solve while exercising superb judgment.
  • Strong written, verbal and communication skills.
  • Strong computer skills including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc), internet technology and web based applications, web page publishing, databases, and reporting tools and software. 

How to Apply: 

Please apply on-line, select administrative/staff jobs (external candidates) and then select Auto req ID #27585BR.

K&L Gates 2012 Public Interest Fellowship Program

The Pittsburgh Foundation and K&L Gates LLP are proud to offer the K&L Gates Public Interest Fellowship Program. The fellowship was established in September 1999 to offer law students the opportunity to assist public service organizations located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each summer, the program awards up to three successful candidates a fellowship that enables them to spend four weeks of their summer working at one of four designated public interest organizations. The following four organizations offer placement opportunities to K&L Gates fellows: 

In 2012, each recipient will be paid a stipend of $1,000/week (less applicable taxes) for his/her public interest service. All stipend checks will be made payable to the student and mailed to the organizations at which they will be working. K&L Gates will pay a supplemental salary to any recipient who receives and accepts an offer to spend the remainder of the summer as a K&L Gates summer associate. The supplemental salary and stipend will equal the weekly salary of K&L Gates’ summer associates during the fellowship period. K&L Gates fellows, however, are not required to spend the rest of the summer with K&L Gates.

To be considered for a fellowship award, candidates must complete and submit an application on or before October 5, 2012.

Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of The Pittsburgh Foundation, an Advisory Committee will recommend the fellowship winners based upon academic merit, demonstrated commitment to public service, other information provided through the application process and interviews with finalist candidates. Family members of Advisory Committee members are not eligible for this fellowship. The Pittsburgh Foundation will notify chosen fellowship winners of its decision.

For a copy of the application materials, please visit www.klgates.com, contact the CDO advisor or contact:

JessicaL.Gangjee
Legal Recruitment   & Development Regional Manager
K&L Gates LLP
K&LGatesCenter
210Sixth   Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA15222
(412) 355-6547
jessica.gangjee@klgates.com
 
OR
 
Deborah L. Turner
Scholarship Coordinator
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Five PPG Place, Suite 250
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5414
(412) 394-2649
turnerd@pghfdn.org