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. This will be the last issue of Spotlight for the fall semester.  The next issue will be available on January 22, 2013.  Good luck on exams and enjoy your semester break!

• 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
• 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.

• Deadline for Fall Semester Pro Bono Hours and Mandatory Evaluations - The deadline to submit Work Logs for Fall Semester pro bono hours is January 1. For students graduating in January, the deadline was December 1. If January graduates have additional hours to report after December 1, please contact Mia Friedman. Additionally, as stated in this year's Pro Bono Handbook, pro bono placement evaluations are now mandatory: "to help ensure the quality of pro bono opportunities available through the Program, students are required to complete a Survey Monkey Evaluation for each Pro Bono Program placement."  Your hours will not be counted until you have completed an evaluation. This includes hours that have already been handed in to the Rappaport Center. Please contact Mia Friedman with any questions.
• 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.

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.

• We have received information about the LCC Minority Outreach Program. The program is designed to introduce minority law students to the practice of labor law and to the labor community by providing summer clerkship opportunities with theparticipating firms and union legal departments.  Students with a demonstrated interest in labor law, as well as those students who may be interested in the field, are encouraged to participate in the program.  Students should contact the firms or legal departments directly with inquiries or applications, and are advised to reference the "LCC Minority Outreach Program" in all correspondence. The AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee website provides further information on pursuing a career in public interest labor law.

Other Programs   

• The semester break is a great time to do some networking.  Check out the events calendars of organizations in your area and attend programs!  Here are a few ideas:
• SULS Advanced Legal StudiesBoston Bar AssociationMassachusetts Bar Association 

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.  There is also a list of additional employers who have been added to the program.  More additions are expected soon; keep checking the announcements/news feed section of Symplicity! Students must upload application materials to the Consortium Symplciity site and bid for employers by noon on Thursday, December 6.  
• The 17th European Career Fair will be held on February 23 through 25, 2013 at the MIT campus in Cambridge.  Discover the many opportunities that companies, academic institutions and non-profit organizations from Europe have to offer.  By registering for the event, you will become part of a searchable database where empliyers can view your resume and schedule interviews even before meeting you in person at the fair.  Submit your resume today at www.euro-career.com.
• Please notify Michelle Dobbins in the PCD (mdobbins@suffolk.edu) if you receive a call back interview or offer. This feedback is appreciated.