Office of Professional and Career Development

Suffolk University Law School

Spotlight

Weekly OPCD Student Newsletter

 

• Welcome to Spotlight, the weekly OPCD student newsletter.  Spotlight will be emailed to all students on Tuesday afternoons and will also be archived on the OPCD website.  Most items will not be repeated in future issues of the newsletter, so be sure to read Spotlight every week to keep updated on all career-related news and information. 
• Submissions are now being accepted for consideration for publication in the March issue of the National Law Review (NLR). NLR Fall 2012 suggested topics include 1) Immigration Law; 2) Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform. The deadline for entries is Monday, October 15, 2012. For complete rules and deadlines, please see the Submission Guidelines.
• Interested in JAG? Accepted or applying to a JAG program?  Students interested in or who have applied to a Judge Advocate General program who would like to learn about the day to day responsibilities and duties of a military attorney are welcome to speak to David Merson, Associate Director, in the OPCD. David was a prior JAG in the Navy serving both on active duty and reserve service.
• Interested in Judicial Clerkships? Contact Margaret Talmers, Judicial Clerkship Advisor in the OPCD - mtalmers@suffolk.edu.  Check out the Judicial Clerkship and Internship Resource Center on Symplicity (Announcements section) for resources, cover letter, and resume samples, announcements and more.
• Interested in careers in government and public service? The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service can provide additional assistance. Sign up to receive their Rappaport Center Weekly Public Service Email, which includes information on programs, pro bono opportunities, and public service employment internship postings.

• Federal Job Information Session - Monday, September 17th, 3:30 to 5:00pm, Faculty Dining Room. Find out about job opportunities with the federal government, including the Presidential Management Fellows Program. Adam Sulewski (SULS 2009) who was a Presidential Management Fellow with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington, DC after graduation and has since become a permanent employee, will discuss his experience and provide tips on applying for the PMF Program.  Co-sponsored with the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service.  RSVP on Symplicity.

• The law school is offering a limited number of paid Consumer Law Fellowships for students to work in public service consumer protection positions during the 2012-2013 academic school year, known as the Suffolk Law Fellowship in Consumer Regulation and Advocacy.  Students will work approximately 15 hours a week for the duration of the academic year at the rate of $15 per hour. As they are paid positions, no academic or pro bono program credit will apply to these fellowships. Students will work in a governmental office or nonprofit agency engaged in consumer protection work.  Examples of potential placements include the National Consumer Law Center, Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, and Greater Boston Legal Services Consumer Rights Unit.  Fellowships are conditional on obtaining a placement, but assistance is available to do so. 3LD and 4LE students are preferred, but any student not in their first year of study may apply.  Applications must be submitted on Symplicity (search for posting #7319).  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with a final deadline of September 14th.
• Upcoming Issues in Massachusetts Politics - Tuesday, September 18th, 8:30 to 9:55am, room 205.  When the dust settles after the November elections, Massachusetts government officials will get back to work on the public policy issues facing the Commonwealth. Come hear Rosemary Powers, Senior Director of Government Affairs for Governor Patrick, and Michael Morris, a Principal with Beacon Strategies Group and a veteran in designing and leading complex political and issue advocacy campaigns, discuss what are likely to be the hot issues in 2013.  Ms. Powers and Mr. Morris (both Suffolk University alums) will be addressing Prof. Roberts' Law and Public Policy class on September 18th.  All students and members of the Suffolk University community are welcome to attend.  Plese RSVP to rappaportcenter@suffolk.edu if you plan to attend.
• CPCS Information Session - Thursday, September 20th, 2:30 to 3:30pm, room tba.  Several attorneys from the Committee for Public Counsel Services will come to the law school to speak to students about the many divisions of the office, their experiences representing indigent clients, how to apply to work at CPCS, and how to improve your chances of success.  Sponsored by the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service.  RSVP on Symplicity.
• Drinan and McLaughlin Fellowships Information Session - Tuesday, September 18th, 2:30pm, room 365.  Do you want courtroom experience? Do you love criminal law? Do you want to get paid for following your passion? If you are a 2LD or 3LE student, you are eligible to apply for a $7,000 summer position in the criminal justice system through the Drinan Fellowship and the McLaughlin Fellowship. These fellowships, only available to Suffolk Law students, allow fellows to work in offices like the United States Attorney, the Massachusetts Attorney General, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, or the Federal Public Defender, and receive $7,000 for summer work. To hear about former fellows' experiences and to receive insider tips on making your application stand out, come to the Drinan and McLaughlin Fellowships Information Session.  The deadline to apply for both Fellowships is October 3rd at 10:00am (through Symplicity).
• The 2012-13 NALP/PSJD Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide is now available for free downloading. The Guide offers a broad-based review of different career opportunities and paths to employment for law students and graduates who are interested in federal legal careers. Also, keep checking the Government Honors & Internship Handbook 2012-2013 for federal job and summer internship opportunties with fast-approaching application deadlines.

Diversity Announcements    

• The Department of Revenue (DOR) will be hosting its after work Diversity Career Fair on Wednesday, September 12th from 6:00 to 8:30pm at 100 Cambridge Street, Boston.  DOR is looking for experienced diverse Counsel and Legal professionals. Join the Commissioner of Revenue, Amy Pitter and senior staff members from various DOR departments to discuss job opportunities.  
• Join the Diversity & Inclusion Section of the Boston Bar Association for their Open House Reception on Monday, September 24th from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the BBA, 16 Beacon Street, Boston.  The Diversity & Inclusion Session, along with their affinity bar partners, will welcome Boston area law students to the BBA to celebrate the start of the school and program year. Food and drink will be provided.  Visit the BBA event page to RSVP and for more information.
• Constangy Brooks & Smith initiated its Diversity Scholars Awards Program to recognize the achievements of law students who have demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to diversity in their community, school or work environment, and personal achievements in overcoming challenges to reach goals. One student selected from each region will receive a $3,000 scholarship.  Second year students are invited to apply.  More information is available at http://www.constangy.com/f-4.html. Applications must be received on or before Wednesday, November 28, 2012.
• Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. is pleased to offer the Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship for law students. This scholarship is part of Banner & Witcoff's continuing commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers from diverse backgrounds.  The Scholarship is open to all students currently enrolled in an ABA accredited law school and pursuing a career in intellectual property law. The applicant must be a member of a historically under represented group (including race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability) and must have exemplary writing and oral communication skills.  Visit http://www.bannerwitcoff.com/about/diversity/ for more information.  Applications will be accepted through January 7, 2012.

Other Programs   

• All students are invited to come celebrate the establishment of our new Labor and Employment Law Concentration on Wednesday, September 12th from 4:00 to 6:00pm in the Faculty Dining Room. Please join concentration faculty co-directors, Professor Marc Greenbaum and Professor David Yamada and Administrative Director of Concentrations, Betsy Roberti for refreshments and consersation during this kick-off event.
• Advanced Legal Studies (ALS) runs programs frequently on different areas of the law.  These programs are attended by numerous attorneys who practice in the area of the specific presentations.  The programs are practical and give law students insight into the real world practice, as well as nuts and bolts of interesting and emerging areas of law.  These programs are free or at a minimal cost for students. These are great networking opportunities and wonderful ways to help you decide which area of the law most interests you.  Students are asked to register for programs in advance.  Some of the upcoming programs include:
  • Corporate Counsel Institute: In-House from the Inside - Friday, September 14th, http://www.law.suffolk.edu/academic/als/coursedetail.cfm?cid=763 
  • Hot Topics in E-Discovery - Friday, October 5th, http://www.law.suffolk.edu/academic/als/coursedetail.cfm?cid=765 
• The Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts Solo and Small Firm Committee will present Going Solo: Is it Right for You? on Wednesday, September 19th from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Suffolk in Suite 410.  Making the decision to go solo is not an easy decision for anyone. If you have thought about going solo, but don't know how or want some advice from practicing solo attorneys who have started their own law firms and lived to tell about it, then this is the event for you. Discussion topics will include: raising starting capital, developing practice areas, advertising, getting and managing clients, incorporating pro bono work into your practice, and many more.  RSVP at www.womensbar.org/calendar.  Students attend FREE!
• The New Lawyers Committee of the Womens Bar Association will present Investing in Yourself: Maximizing the Return on Your Time and Energy on Thursday, September 21st at 6:00pm at Edwards Wildman Palmer, LLP, 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston.  All students, male and female, are welcome to attend this career guidance panel and networking reception, which will follow.  Please RSVP.
• Sterling Education Services is holding a Workers' Compensation Law and Practice seminar in Springfield Massachusetts on Friday, September 21st.  They are offering five law students free scholarship passes to the seminar. You get a day-long overview of a particular aspect of the law, a seminar manual, and an opportunity to network with practicing attorneys. Students who wish to register can call 715-855-0495 or register through www.sterlingeducation.com/free-law-student-passes.

Recruitment Programs  

• We continue to receive additions and changes to the fall recruiting lists that were emailed to returning students over the summer.  A complete list of changes and additions is available on the OPCD website. 
• Upcoming bidding deadlines:
• Wednesday, September 12th at noon - GOV/PI Session on the MLSC Symplicity site
• Wednesday, September 19th at 10:00am - OCI5 Session on the Suffolk Symplicity site
• Please notify Michelle Dobbins in the OPCD (mdobbins@suffolk.edu) if you receive a call back interview or offer. This feedback is appreciated.
• Each year public interest and government employers come to Boston in the Fall to interview students from all of the Boston area law schools for summer and post-graduate positions.  This year the MLSC Government and Public Interest Interview Program will be held on Monday, October 15th and Tuesday, October 16th at Boston College Law School.  Bidding or applying for these positions is done through the Consortium Symplicity site.  Bidding will open on September 6th and close at noon on Wednesday, September 12th.  Information about participating employers is available on the OPCD website under the 'On-Campus Interviews' link.
• Would you like to connect with public interest employers from across the country and meet fellow public interest-minded students, graduates and attorneys?  Then you should attend the EJW Conference and Career Fair in the Washington, DC area on October 26 and 27.  Students must register and apply for positions no later than September 13th.  There is a $25 registration fee per student for which students can seek reimbursement at the Rappaport Center (contact Mia Friedman).  For more information visit their website.