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. 
• Participate in the Mentoring Program!  The Office of Alumni Relations, in partnership with the Suffolk Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and the OPCD, is announcing the Mentoring Program to students to enhance the learning experience and provide students guidance as they plan their career paths. A mentoring relationship has many benefits and can help you in the short- and long-term as you plan and develop your legal career.  Visit http://law.suffolk.edu/offices/alumni/mentor/index.cfm to sign up. This program is open to all students graduating in 2013 and 2014. Please contact Mary Karen Rogers in the OPCD or Annamaria Mueller in the Office of Alumni Relations with any questions.
• The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC) is excited to announce its program to connect interested law students with ACEBC members for purposes of asking questions about employee benefits as a practice area. Law students can find out what day-to-day practice is like from an experienced employee benefits attorney. View their website for details on how you can contact them to participate: www.acebc.com/law-student-outreach. The website also includes information about their student writing contest.
• The National Law Review is hosting its Fall 2012 Law Student Writing Contest with the winner's article to be published on the National Law Review website, the National Law Forum blog, and included in their October newsletter.  Suggested topics include 1) immigration law, and 2) election law and campaign finance reform.  The submission deadline is October 15, 2012.  For complete submission guidelines and accompanying materials, visit http://www.natlawreview.com/NLR-law-student-writing-competition.
• 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.

• Beyond OCI for 2Ls: Strategies for Retooling Your Summer Job Search - Tuesday, October 2nd, 2:00 to 3:00pm, room 335. Didn't receive an offer from fall recruiting or looking for a new direction for your summer job hunt? Learn about some different options and ways to re-tool your search.  Co-sponsored with the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service. RSVP on Symplicity. Program flyer

• 2LD/3LE Students: Sign Up for the Pro Bono Program Today - The beginning of the 2LD/3LE academic year is the perfect time to sign-up for the Pro Bono Program.  Why?  Here's why: (1) gain practical legal experience to put on your resume; (2) build a network of professional contacts; (3) become part of the Rappaport Center community; and (4) give back to the community by helping underserved clients or groups and participating in work to improve the law. There are dozens of pro bono internships still available for the Fall Semester.  Explore our website, stop by the Rappaport Center, or contact Mia Friedman for more information.  Sign-up today!
• Confronting Gang Violence: Lessons from Massachusetts and Beyond - Tuesday, October 2nd, 4:00pm. Massachusetts' efforts to end gang violence have fostered a vareity of community responses and formed some unlikely partnerships. Suffolk University Professors Erika Gebo and Brenda J. Bond, editors of the new book Looking Beyond Suppression: Community Strategies to Reduce Gang Violence, will host a panel of government, community, and academic experts and give voice to stories from the front lines. The panel features Mary Beth Heffernan, Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and Security; Sgt. Miguel Lopez, Worcester Police Department gang unit; Andrea Perry, Executive Director of YouthConnect, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston; and Sen. Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee.  The event is co-sponsored by Suffolk University's Center for Crime and Justice Policy Research, Institute for Public Service, Moakley Center for Public Management, and the Rappaport Center.  RSVP required at http://confrontinggangviolence.eventbrite.com/.
• Drinan and McLaughlin Fellowships, Apply by October 3 - 2LD/3LE students are eligible to apply for the Drinan and McLaughlin Fellowships, both of which award $7,000 to a 2LD/3LE student working for the summer in the criminal justice system. Past Fellows have worked in the offices of the U.S. Attorney, the Massachusetts Attorney General, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Federal Public Defender, or within another government office of the criminal justice system. Students must submit the following materials on Symplicity by October 3rd at noon (DRINAN/McLAUGHLIN Session): letter of intent/personal statement indicating your demonstrated interest in and commitment to working in the criminal justice system, resume, transcript, and list of three references. Note:  if you are applying for both the Drinan and McLaughlin Fellowships, you must submit a separate set of materials for each.
• The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program Class of 2013 application period will open on Monday, November 5 and close on Monday November 19, 2012, at 11:50pm Eastern Time. The entire application process, including submission of all necessary documents, must be completed during this time period. Applicants will have two ways to find the application.  At USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov), simply search "Presidential Management Fellows," or go to the PMF website (www.pmf.gov) and select the link found under the Application Process/How to Apply webpage. The PMF program encourages interested students to join the PMF Listserv for important updates regarding the PMF Class of 2013 and future applications. You can also visit "Become a PMF" regularly for the most up-to-date information. Hear a tape of the Rappaport Center's September 17th information session and view the PowerPoint here.

Diversity Announcements    

• 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   

• 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:
• Hot Topics in E-Discovery - Friday, October 5th, http://www.law.suffolk.edu/academic/als/coursedetail.cfm?cid=765 
• Negotiating a Disposition in a Criminal Case: Avoiding Cliffs, Reaping Benefits - Thursday, October 11th, http://www.law.suffolk.edu/academic/als/coursedetail.cfm?cid=767
• Ten Critical Issues Under the New Uniform Trust Code - Friday, October 12th, http://www.law.suffolk.edu/academic/als/coursedetail.cfm?cid=770  
• The Emory Public Interest Committee (EPIC, Emory Law School's public interest student group) announces their conference entitlted "And Justice for All? Criminal Justice in the South."  The conference will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Emory University School of Law, and it will broadly track the core stages a crminal defendant goes through as s/he moves throughout the justice system: pre-trial, and post-conviction. The conference seeks to engage participants in a meaningful and balanced dialogue concerning the flaws within the Southern justice system, as well as possibilities for alternatives and reform. Information is available at http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/conferences/2012-epic-conference.html, and registration is now open.
• Students are invited to attend the ABA's Forum on the Construction Industry's fall meeting in Boston on October 18-19, 2012, "Construction Counseling, Pulling Together For a Winning Strategy." This is one of three national programs put on by the Forum per year and will attract 300 to 400 construction attorneys from around the country. It is a great opportunity to learn, network and enjoy an informative program. The program brochure with full details on the program and registration information can be found at http://www.imageserve.com/boston2012/ead2.html. 
• The Appalachian Public Interest Environmental Law Conference will be held October 26-28, 2012 at the University of Tennessee College of Law. The conference brings together activists, public interest attorneys, scientists, law students, graduate students, funders and media from across the Appalachian region and surrounding states for a dynamic weekend of networking, strategizing, information exchange, skill sharing, and social events.  Visit www.apiel.org for details.

• 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. 
• New This Week:
• The Office of Legal Advisor to the Boston Public Schools is interviewing at the Government & Public Interest Program at BC in October.  Interested 2LD/3LE students should submit a cover letter and resume on the MLSC Symplicity site (Gov/PI Program - October 2012 BC Law #3 Session) by noon this Thursday, September 27th.
• Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP is seeking a summer associate in their Providence Office.  Interested 2LD/3LE students should submit a resume and transcript on the Suffolk Symplicity site (job posting #9155) by noon on Wednesday, October 24th. 
• Upcoming bidding deadlines:
• Thursday, September 27th at noon - GOV/PI #3 Session on the MLSC Symplicity site (one additional employer!)
• Wednesday, October 3rd at 10:00am - OCI6 Session on the Suffolk Symplicity site
• Wednesday, October 3rd at 10:00am - DRINAN/McLAUGHLIN 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.