Office of Professional and Career Development

Suffolk University Law School

Spotlight

Weekly PCD Student Newsletter

 

• Welcome to Spotlight, the weekly PCD student newsletter.  Spotlight will be emailed to all students on Tuesday afternoons and will also be archived on the PCD 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. 

• The Government & Public Interest Program bidding deadline is approaching!  Get your application materials reviewed before December 6!  First year students may sign up for a resume/cover letter review meeting through December 5.  Use Symplicity to sign up for a session. Instructions on requesting an appointment time are included in the Annoucements section of the Symplicity home page.

• 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: 
• Trials and Tribulations of Estate Administration under the MUPC - Friday, December 7th, http://www.law.suffolk.edu/academic/als/coursedetail.cfm?cid=771
• Jumpstarting Your Practice - Friday, February 1st
• The American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers is pleased to announce their 2012 Writing Competition.  They will present awards for (a) the best book; (b) the best publishable article, book chapter, or substantial book review; and (c) the best student note or comment on a topic dealing with consumer financial services law.  The awards include cash payments of $2500, $2000 and $1000, respectively, a Certificate of Recognition from the College, and travel expenses to attend the Spring 2012 meeting of the College. More information is available on their website. The deadline for submission is December 1, 2012.
• 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 PCD Office. David was a prior JAG in the Navy serving both on active duty and reserve service.
• Interested in Judicial Clerkships? Contact Margaret Talmers, Associate Director for Judicial Clerkships and Internships in the PCD Office - 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.

• How to Become an Assistant District Attorney, November 29 -

  Representatives from the Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and Worcester County District Attorney's offices will be on campus for a panel discussion, moderated by Professor Diane Juliar, on how students can best prepare to become assistant district attorneys.  Topics will include courses and activities that district attorney's offices look for in a resume, what options exist during law school for working with the DA's office during the summer and/or school year, the application process and timeline for someone seeking a job as an ADA, and "helpful hints" for surviving and excelling in interviews.   This session will take place on Thursday, November 29, from 3-4pm in Room 365.  Please RSVP to rappaportcenter@suffolk.edu..   

• New England Wireless Conference, December 5 - The Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable will present the 2012 New England Wireless Conference, co-sponsored by the Rappaport Center, as Suffolk on December 5 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. The keynote speaker will be Jonathan Adelstein, President and CDO of PCIA - The Wireless Infrastructure Association. Mr. Adelstein is a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission and former administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service. This is a free conference open to the public and includes a catered lunch. Attendees are asked to RSVP by November 28 to rappaportcenter@suffolk.edu.

• The Rappaport Center is Looking for a Spring Semester Intern - The intern will assist with, among other things, public policy programming, the Pro Bono Program, career advising, and public service fellowship management. They are especially looking for students with talent and skill in graphic design, web design, and social media. The position will last for the duration of the Spring Semester, with the possiblity of extension. Law student interns may volunteer or apply for Federal Work-Study funding through the Office of Financial Aid (Work-Study applications are available at the beginning of the Spring Semester). Qualifications: A committment to public service, as well as familiarity with the missions and operations of the Rappaport Center and the Pro Bono Program; excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills; a sense of humor; and a ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Application deadline is December 15, 2012; send a cover letter and resume to mfriedman@suffolk.edu.

• Federal and Out-of-State Jobs and Internships - Make sure to check the Government Honors & Internship Handbook 2012-2013 for summer internship opportunities ranging from the Colorado Attorney Genera, the New York City Law Department, and the City of Chicago Law Department, to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contact the Rapport Center or PCD for login information.

Diversity Announcements    

• The Boston Bar Association's Diversity & Inclusion Section is now accpeting applications for semester-long Judicial Law Internships in Massachusetts State District Court as well as the United States Bankruptcy Court for spring 2013 (to begin February 2013). This unpaid, non-credit internship provides students the opportunity to work directly with a judge, observe courtroom proceedings and enhance their legal research and writing skills. Students who have completed their first year of law school and are able to work at least 15 hours per week will be considered. Diverse students are strongly encouraged to apply. An application and more information is available online. The application deadline is December 14, 2012; applications will be collected on a rolling basis with priority placement given to early applicants.

Other Programs   

• The Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association is presenting Women in the Courtroom: Adressing the Challenges Facing Women as Litigators on Wednesday, November 28 from 8:00 to 11:00am at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse.  The program is free for MassDLA and Defense Research Institute Members and $30 for non-members.  A continental breakfast will be served.  Register at www.massdla.org.

Recruitment Programs 

• Bidding is now open for the Massachusetts Law School Consortium's Government and Public Interest Recruitment Program to be held at Suffolk in January.  This is a great chance to apply to government and public interest agencies for a summer or post-graduate job and is one of the most important opportunities of the year for students to find public service jobs and internships. A list of participating employers is available on the PCD website.  Students must upload application materials to the Consortium Symplciity site and bid for employers by noon on Thursday, December 6.  
• Please notify Michelle Dobbins in the PCD (mdobbins@suffolk.edu) if you receive a call back interview or offer. This feedback is appreciated.