Confused about the College Cost Reduction and Access Act? Equal Justice Works has a comprehensive list of resources to help you decipher this new legislation.
Working in public service and not sure if you qualify for the College Cost Reduction and Access Act? The Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employment Checklist helps graduates evaluate their student loans to determine whether they can benefit from this new federal student loan forgiveness program.
Latham & Watkins is pleased to announce that the application process is now open for the Latham Diversity Scholars Program. For the fourth consecutive year, the firm will be awarding a $10,000 non-renewable scholarship to each of four second-year law students for use during their third year at ABA-accredited law schools (2009-10). Students are asked to submit an application form, personal statement, resume and official or unofficial law school transcript by September 15, 2008. The application form and instructions can be found on the firm’s Web site at www.lw.com/diversity under the Diversity Scholars Program heading.
To become a Latham Diversity Scholar, you must be enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and intend to practice law in a major city of the United States. You must have successfully completed your first year of a full-time JD program, with an expected graduation date of spring 2010, and you may not be the recipient of a similar scholarship award from another law firm.
Factors considered in choosing the Latham Diversity Scholars include a candidate’s:
· Ability and commitment to contribute to the diversity objectives of global law firms,
· Life experiences that have shaped values and that provide a unique perspective, including any obstacles or challenges faced in choosing or pursuing law as a profession,
· Academic and leadership achievements, and
· Desire to practice in a global law firm environment.
This scholarship is not contingent upon receiving or accepting an offer of employment at Latham & Watkins. Rather, it is open to all law students and is designed to encourage greater diversity among the attorneys at large law firms as a way of benefiting the entire profession. Recipients will be announced in the early spring of 2009.
The Latham Diversity Scholars Program enhances Latham’s efforts to recruit and hire diverse summer clerks and attorneys. The firm’s ongoing initiatives include its annual Diversity Weekend attended by diverse law students receiving offers from the firm and a range of additional outreach efforts by Latham’s Diversity Hiring Sub-Committee.
The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) will be holding its 2008 Annual Convention in Los Angeles, California from September 3-6, 2008. As part of the Convention, the HNBA will once again host the largest Latino Job Fair in the country, providing law students with an opportunity to meet, interview and network with private, government and public interest employers from across the country.
The Job Fair will be held on Friday, September 5, 2008, at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. The early bird law student registration fee to attend the Convention, including the Job Fair, is $375 (late registration fee is $450). The early bird law student registration fee to participate in the Job Fair, without attending the rest of the Convention, is $175 (late registration fee for the job fair only is TBD). The early bird registration deadline is July 25, 2008. To register for the Job Fair and/or the Convention and to obtain more information on both, please visit www.hnba.com or contact Cristina Ortega at cortega@law.miami.edu.
With bidding underway, the CPC has received many of the same questions from students. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have questions about Phase I bidding, be sure to check out the following questions and answers.
From reading the OCI Handbook, it sounds like it does not matter whether I submit my bids on the first day or the last day of bidding (or any time in between). Is that correct?
That is correct. Employers will not know when you submitted your bids so there is no benefit to submitting early. However, the CPC does not recommend waiting until the last minute to submit your bids to avoid any problems should you incur computer or internet access issues. Your bids must be submitted by the deadline of 11:00 p.m. EST on Monday, July 14, 2008 in order to be sent to the employers.
Likewise, employers will not know if you choose to withdraw your bid and/or rebid. Therefore, if you feel that you have made a bid in error, or need to update your application materials after you submitted your bid, please feel free to withdraw your bid and, if necessary, submit a rebid. Again, no employer receives this information.
Will I be able to participate in Phase I bidding if I do not have all of my grades in?
Yes, you are not only able to participate but you are encouraged to do so. Submit your bids with materials that are as up to date as possible. If you receive all of your grades, or have any other changes before the bidding deadline, you may withdraw your bid and then rebid on the employer(s). The employer is never informed that you withdrew and then rebid.
How do I deal with the fact that I don’t have all my grades yet? Should I bid already or wait until I receive all of my grades?
As there is no benefit to submitting bids early, you can wait and receive all of your grades before beginning the bidding process. However, the CPC does not recommend waiting until the last minute to submit your bids to avoid any problems should you incur computer or internet access issues. Your bids must be submitted by the deadline of 11:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 in order to be sent to the employers. Should you choose to bid before you receive all of your grades, you can withdraw your bids and then rebid with your updated materials. The employer is never informed that you withdrew and then rebid.
Will employers know that I uploaded one set of documents and then uploaded a revised set of documents and rebid?
No, that information is never provided to the employer. The most up to date information received by the bidding deadline is what is sent to employers. Previous materials from previous bids are not forwarded to employers.
Can I round up my GPA?
No. University of Miami School of Law policy does not allow for rounding up of GPAs or estimating of class ranks. If you choose to list your GPA and class rank on your resume, it must be the current ones reflected on your transcript.
Should I submit cover letters to employers even if they don’t ask for them?
You should only submit those materials requested by the employer. As no OCI employer will request a cover letter, you do not need to submit one. However, some Resume Referral and Direct Contact employers may request cover letters and for those employers, you must submit a cover letter in order for your bid to be considered.
Typically, do the OCI employers want letters of recommendation uploaded to them directly with the bids?
No. If an employer would like letters of recommendations, a list of references or any other application material, it will be stated on Symplicity. Do not submit materials that are not requested.
I’m a 3L and see only two employers participating in Phase I of Fall OCI. Is this correct?
Yes. The Symplicity system permits students to bid on only those employers accepting applications from their class year or LL.M. program. Traditionally, very few employers participating in Phase I of OCI accept applications from 3Ls or LL.M. students as most employers in this phase are most focused on 2L hiring. Please be certain to participate in Phase II of the Fall OCI program as well as the Resume Referral and Direct Contact programs, as these programs feature more employers accepting applications from 3L and LL.M. students. More information about these programs will be available later this summer.
The Indianapolis Bar Association (IBA) cordially invites second-year (graduating in 2010) law students to participate in the first ever IBA Diversity Job Fair. The IBA is seeking candidates who represent all aspects of diversity, who are looking for a one-of-a-kind legal community in a Midwestern city that has both cosmopolitan style and small-town charm.
September 25-26, 2008
Embassy Suites Downtown Indianapolis
Student Registration Information
Students will register for the IBA Diversity Job Fair via Symplicity’s web site at https://law-indybar-csm.symplicity.com/students/
Student registration deadline is August 11, 2008.
There is no fee for students to register for the IBA Diversity Job Fair.
Hotel Registration
The IBA Diversity Job Fair will be held at the Embassy Suites Downtown Indianapolis (http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/INDWWES-Embassy-Suites-Indianapolis-Downtown-Indiana/index.do) in Indianapolis, IN, September 25-26, 2008. Room rates for students are $169/ea for both Thursday (Sept. 25) and Friday (Sept. 26) nights. Students will be responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements. Contact the hotel directly at 1-800-EMBASSY. Make sure you reference the IBA Diversity Job Fair to receive our group rate. Hotel reservation deadline to receive the special rate is Aug. 26, 2008.Embassy Suites Indianapolis Downtown110 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204Phone: 1-317-236-1800Fax: 1-317-236-1816
Don’t miss an opportunity to interview with the following Indianapolis law firms & agencies!
Baker & Daniels LLP
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Bingham McHale LLP
Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Dann Pecar Newman & Kleiman PC
Goodin Abernathy LLP
Ice Miller LLP
Kightlinger & Gray LLP
Krieg DeVault LLP
Lewis & Kappes PC
Lewis Wagner LLP
Locke Reynolds LLP
Marion County Public Defender Agency
Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Office of Corporation Counsel (City of Indianapolis)
Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary PC
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
REGISTER TODAY!
The Indianapolis Bar Association and Job Fair Committee are pleased to announce that (2) $2500 scholarships are available for interviewing 2L students and will be presented on Friday, September 26, 2008. The application is available on the Job Fair page of the Indianapolis Bar Association website at http://www.indybar.org/
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 25, 2008
4 – 8 p.m. Student Registration, Embassy Suites Indianapolis Downtown
5:30-7 p.m. Welcome Reception, Wood Room, Hilbert Circle Theatre
Friday, September 26, 2008
8 a.m. Registration Opens
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Interviews held in guest suites
12-1:15 p.m. Keynote Luncheon
1:30-5 p.m. Interviews held in guest suites
Interview Process
Interviews at the Job Fair are arranged in two methods. Ten of the 14 interviews will be pre-selected by the employer. The other four interviews will be assigned, according to interest of the student. All interviews will be conducted at the Embassy Suites Indianapolis Downtown in individual guest suites.
About Indianapolis
Indianapolis has everything to offer law student candidates, from a one-of-a-kind legal community, to the comfort and reliability of a Midwestern city: cosmopolitan style and small-town charm. Check out these web sites!
Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association: www.indy.org/
Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce: www.indychamber.com/
The Indianapolis Star: http://www.indystar.com/
Indianapolis Motor Speedway: www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/
Indianapolis Colts: www.colts.com/
Indianapolis RCA Tennis Championships: www.rcatennis.com/
Indianapolis Indians: www.indyindians.com/
Indiana Sports Corporation: www.indianasportscorp.com/
Indianapolis Zoo: www.indianapoliszoo.com/
Indianapolis Museum of Art: www.imamuseum.org/
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra: www.indianapolissymphony.org/
Arts Council of Indianapolis: http://www.indyarts.org/
Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS: www.mibor.com/
Indianapolis Bar Association: http://www.indybar.org/
Indiana State Bar Association: http://www.inbar.org/
The official Web site of Indianapolis and Marion County, Ind.: www.indygov.org/home.htm
Hosted by the George Washington University Law School
Saturday, July 26 2008
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Register online now at http://www.pdsdc.org/. Questions? Call Jennifer @ (202) 824-2337
The Career Planning Center is pleased to offer business cards to current students. A business card is a simple and professional way to network with attorneys and provide important contact information.
To order your personal University of Miami School of Law business cards, please complete an online Order Form. The Order Form provides two distinct professional options for you to choose for your business cards. The cards will be printed on ivory paper. Any lines left blank on the Order Form will not appear on the card (e.g., if you do not have a fax number, leave that line blank). Please proofread your order before submitting. Once your order is submitted, a proof of your business card will be emailed or faxed to you for approval. As noted on the Order Form, business cards will be delivered to the Career Planning Center in Room A-112 approximately five working days after proof approval. Cards can be ordered in sets of 250 for $30.00 or 500 for $35.00. Please make your selection on the Order Form.
For those interested in a career in public service and will be in the DC area next month, please consider attending this worthwile event:
Public Service Town Hall and Career Fair
When: July 16, 2008. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Where: National Building Museum in Washington, DC
Who: In past years, this event has drawn representatives from more than 30 federal agencies and has been attended by over 1,400 interns and young professionals. This year MTV’s Tim Kash will be hosting our town hall discussion, which will be followed by the career fair. This event is free and open to the public; encourage anyone interested in federal opportunities to attend!
RSVP: Student and young professionals’ registration: www.ourpublicservice.org/careerfair.
Also, get federal service savvy with Prep Workshops before the career fair!
Prep for the Career Fair with Workshops in D.C.:
Recruiter Panel: What You Need to Know
July 9, 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Hear from federal agency recruiters about what they’re looking for in new hires. Learn how to set yourself apart from the rest at Career Fairs.
How to Find and Apply for Federal Jobs
July 10, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Learn how to navigate the fereral hiring process. Workshop will include information about finding federal opportunities, writing federal resumes and KSAs, and navigating USAjobs.gov.
For more information and to register for the Prep Workshops, please visit www.ourpublicservice.org/careerfair.
Admission to the fair and to the Prep Workshops is free.
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia is sponsoring the following events open to all public interest summer law clerks:
Friday, July 18th – PDS Night at the Washington Mystics
See the WNBA’s Washington Mystics take on the Detroit Shock
7:00 p.m.
Verizon Center, 601 F Street, NW
RSVP: www.mysticstix.com/pds.html
Cost: $7.00 (reduced price)
Saturday, July 26th – The Path to Becoming a Public Defender
Mini conference for law students interested in exploring careers in indigent criminal defense, featuring career, skills and substantive tracks and speakers from defense offices throughout the United States
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm
The George Washington University Law School
2000 H Street NW
Registration: http://www.pdsdc.org/
Cost: Free
Every year the Boston Lawyers Group holds job fairs in Boston, MA and Washington, DC for 2L and 3L students interested in working in Boston for their post-graduate career.
This year, the Boston job fair will take place on Friday, August 15 and the Washington, DC job fair will take place on Thursday, August 21. There is a networking reception the evening before each job fair.
The deadline to register for these job fairs is Friday, July 11, 2008. For more information, please visit the Boston Lawyers Group website or contact Tamesha Keel.
