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.
• 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: 
• Women's Leadership Skills Series - Thursday, January 31st
• Jumpstarting Your Practice - Friday, February 1st
• Municipal Law 101 - Friday, February 8th 
• The Massachusetts Bar Foundation is pleased to announce availability of applications for its 2013 Legal Intern Fellowship Program. Law students selected to be Legal Intern Fellows will receive a stipend of $6,000 to volunteer for ten weeks during the summer months at a nonprofit organization that provides civil legal services to low-income clients in Massachusetts. Applications are due at the MBF's offices by 5:00pm on March 15, 2013. Detailed information about the program, including application forms, is available online at www.MassBarFoundation.org.
• The Legal Studies Institute, sponsored by The Fund for American Studies, announces their 2013 Legal Studies Institute in Washington, DC.  This program provides the opportunity for first and second year law students to gain a first-hand look at the American legal system through guaranteed legal internships, a constitutional law course, guest speakers and briefings, and professional development activities. Detailed program information is available on their website. Students are encouraged to apply by the early deadline of February 8, 2013 to receive priority admissions consideration and a 5% discount on their tuition balance.
• The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) Foundation wil award stipends to law students from its Chariman Robert E. Lee Scholarship and Internship Fund. In additiona, the Foundation will select one outstanding intern among those chosen to receive an additional stipend for the summer - the "Max Paglin Award." Visit their website for a list of selection criteria and application instructions.  Applications must be emailed or post-marked by Wednesday, March 13, 2013.
• The Dubai Legal Scholars Program is designed to build bridges between the legal communities in the United States and the UAE. By bringing together a diverse group of law students from the United States with the key legal training institution in the UAE, this program will directly facilitate cross-national learning, reduce barriers to mutual understanding, and lay the foundation for greater future collaboration between our two legal communities. A select group of students will be chosen to participate in a two week introductory visit in March 2013, to Dubai to learn about its laws and legal system, as well as experience key cultural activities. Interested students should apply before February 15, 2013.  More information is available in the PCD.
• The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel is holding their Ninth Annual Employee Benefits Writing Competition. Papers on any topic in the field of employee benefits law must be submitted by June 1, 2013.  See their website for more information.
• 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.

• Students interested in doing public service internships this summer should consider applying for one of the several paid public service fellowships available through the Rappaport Center.  Below is a list of the fellowship names and application deadlines. Click on the links for more information:
• Donoghue Barrett & Singal, P.C. Health Law Fellowship - March 1, 2013 deadline
• Suffolk Public Interest Law Group Fellowships - March 1, 2013 deadline
• SPILG International Fellowships - March 1, 2013 deadline
• Consumer Law Public Service Fellowships - Rolling deadline, summer and semester internships available - apply early!
• Consider a Spring Semester Pro Bono Project - Pursing pro bono legal work makes a real difference in our community and also helps you gain legal skills and expand your professional network. Dozens of pro bono opportunities for students are available for the Spring semester. Don't miss your chance to get involved in rewarding and worthwhile legal work. Contact Mia Friedman, Director of Public Interest and Pro Bono Programs, with any questions about the Pro Bono Program.
• Preparing for Interviews at the Government and Public Interest Recruitment Program - Do you have an upcoming interview on January 28 or 29 at the MLSC Government and Public Interest Recruitment Program? As you prepare for your interview, be sure to review the Rappaport Center's resource on Interviewing for Public Service Positions. You can also contact the Rappaport Center to set up an appointment to prepare for your interview.
• Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services Accepting Applications for Public Defenders - The Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services is accepting applications for attorneys in most of its District Court offices (Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Framingham, Hyannis, Lowell, Lawrence, Malden, New Bedford, Northampton, Pittsfield, Quincy, Roxbury, Salem, Springfield, and Worcester).  Applicants should submit a letter of interest and a resume as separate attachments to an e-mail directed to PDDDistCtAtty@publiccounsel.net, attn: Krista Lohr. The subject of the e-mail must state "PDD Dist Ct Atty" and be followed by the office location(s) for which the applicant wishes to be considered, e.g., "PDD Dist Ct Atty: Boston, Worcester." Deadline to apply is January 25, 2013.

Diversity Announcements    

• The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association is pleased to announce that it is accepting submissions for the 2013-2014 Alexander G. Gray, Jr. Scholarship Award. The Gray Scholarship, a disbursement in the amount of $2,500, will be awarded to one Massachusetts law student for the 2013-2014 academic year to defray the costs associated with law school, such as tuition, fess, books and similar school-related expenses. Applications should be submitted before Friday, February 15, 2013 for consideration. Applications and more information are available on their website.
• As part of Cooley LLP's ongoing commitment to diversity, they are proud to offer Diversity Fellowships to outstanding first year law school students. Award recipients will receive a paid 1L Summer Associate position and future financial awards of up to $30,000 to assist with law school tuition.

  Students who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity are encouraged to apply. Award recipients will be announced in the Spring of 2013, with the Summer Associate position to start following the successful completion of the recipient's first year of law school. An application and more information are available on their website. Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2013.

• Mintz Levin announces their Richard Mintz Diversity Scholarship to be awarded to a community-minded first year law student from a diverse background with a record of academic excellence and a commitment to diversity. Benefits include: (1) $10,000 toward tuition for your second year of law school; (2) a paid summer position in Mintz Levin's Boston office between your first and second years of law school; and (3) a continuing working relationship with the firm throughout your second law school year.  Application materials must be received by February 15, 2013. For details and to download an application, visit http://www.mintz.com/diversity/.

Other Programs   

• PLI will be holding their 7th Annual Patent Law Institute on February 4-5, 2013 in New York City and on March 18-19, 2013 in San Francisco.  There will also be a live webcast on March 18-19 if you are unable to attend in person. Join preeminent patent lawyers, judges and senior PTO officials. The two-day schedule includes seven plenary sessions of interest to all patent lawyers and five breakout sessions.  View their website for details and registration information.
• Sterling Education Services is holding a Fundamentals of Employment Law Seminar in Westborough, MA on February 13, 2013. They will offer five law students free scholarship passes to this day-long overview, a seminar manual, and an opportunity to network with praciting attorneys. Students who wish to register can call 715-855-0495 or register through www.sterlingeducation.com/free-law-student-passes.
• South Shore Young Professionals is hosting a panel on "How To Network" on Tuesday, February 26th at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy. Diane Darling, Jeff Cutler and Jacqueline Collins will be headling the panel discussion, along with John Cass as the moderator. After the panel discussion, there will be an open networking session where attendees will get to practice what they have just learned as well as be introduced to The South Shore Young Professionals and other great area organizations that can further people's networks.  Register online.

Recruitment Programs 

• We have received intial information on employers who will be interviewing at Suffolk and/or collecting resumes from student during the spring semester.  A complete list of employers is available on the PCD website.
• Conn Kavanaugh will be interviewing 2LD/3LE students at Suffolk on February 14th for a summer associate position. Bidding is due on Symplicity by 10:00am on Wednesday, January 30th. (Session: OCI1 - Spring 2013)
• Fletcher Tilton will be interviewing 2LD/3LE students at Suffolk on March 6th for summer assocaite positions. Bidding is due on Symplicity by 10:00am on Wednesday, February 13th.  (Session:  OCI2 - Spring 2013)
• Nelson Mullins is collecting applications from 1LD/2LE students for summer associate positions.  Bidding is due on Symplicity by 10:00am on Thursday, February 7th.  (Session:  COLLECTION - Spring 2013)
• The TSA is collection applications from 1LD/2LE and 2LD/3LE students for unpaid summer intern positions. Bidding is due on Symplicity by 10:00am on Thursday, Februay 7th. (Session:  COLLECTION - Spring 2013)
• Please notify Michelle Dobbins in the PCD (mdobbins@suffolk.edu) if you receive a call back interview or offer. This feedback is appreciated.