2010 Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair

Attention all 2Ls and 3Ls!

If you are committed to or exploring the possibility of a career in public interest or with the federal government, please consider attending the upcoming Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair. Coinciding with this event, SU Law will be hosting its Second Annual networking event for all student attendees and D.C.-area SU Alumni. This is a great way to get an instant network of contacts in D.C.

This year's Career Fair will be the weekend of October 22-23 in Bethesda, Maryland. CPD and AtJI will be offering scholarship reimbursements of up to $250 for your attendance at the Conference and Career Fair and the SU Student-Alumni networking event, to take place on Thursday, October 21.

If you are interested in attending, please make note of the following important dates:

• Monday, August 30 - EJW registration opens. This is the first opportunity to see which employers will be participating in this year's Fair. Please do not register for the Fair until you have heard that you are receiving the CPD/AtJI reimbursement.
• Tuesday, September 7 - Applications for SU stipend due to Stacey Lara-Kerr (slara@seattleu.edu) by NOON. Please submit a one page statement of interest detailing your interest in attending the Fair.
• Wednesday, September 8 - Applicants for the stipend will be notified whether they have received the stipend by this date.
• Friday, September 24 - All applications to interview for positions at the Fair due to EJW. Additional information about the application process and important dates is available.

A list of last year's employer participants can be viewed at the 2009 EJW Conference and Career Fair website.

If you have any questions about the EJW Fair or the application process, please contact Stacey Lara-Kerr.

Symplicity Postings

Be sure to check out Symplicity for the latest job postings.

Young Lawyers Turning to Public Service

This recent New York Times article discusses the current trend of new attorneys seeking work in public interest as their start dates have been deferred by larger firms. It's a very interesting read, detailing the various paths these attorneys have pursued in the meantime, as well as their experiences.

Intern and Attorney Positions with the Department of Justice

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice is currently accepting applications for their Honors Attorney Program and their paid Summer Law Intern Program, as well as for volunteer summer opportunities.

Established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the Civil Rights Division has grown in size and scope over the decades. The landmark civil rights laws of the 1960s greatly expanded civil rights protections, as well as the jurisdiction of the Division. Our statutes aim to protect the civil rights not only of racial and ethnic minorities, but also of religious minorities; women; immigrants; persons with disabilities; servicemembers; individuals housed in public institutions; gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals; and individuals who come from other nations and speak other languages.

Over the decades, the Division has been instrumental in many of our nation’s battles to advance civil rights, from the desegregation of our nation’s schools to the prosecution of hate crimes, from ensuring girls and women have equal opportunities in schools and the workplace to guaranteeing that individuals with disabilities can access civic services to which we all have a right. Today, the Division continues to combat traditional civil rights violations, while also addressing new, emerging challenges to equal justice and equal rights.

For more information, please see the postings on Symplicity.

New OCI Firms

Expeditors International has been added to Session 3 for 2Ls.

Forsberg & Umlauf has been added to Session 3 for 2Ls.

The Marten Law Group has been added to Session 3 for 2Ls.

Session 1 OCI Deadline

The application deadline for Session 1 is NOON on Tuesday.

As we are still waiting for grades to be posted, please try to upload any documents that are not dependent on this information (writing sample, cover letter, references, if applicable) over the weekend. This will help to decrease system traffic on Monday and Tuesday.

Latham & Watkins Diversity Scholarship Program

Latham & Watkins is once again pleased to announce the Latham Diversity Scholars Program which will award a $10,000 non-renewable scholarship to each of four second-year law students for use during their third year of law school (2011-2012). Factors considered in choosing the Latham Diversity Scholars will include a candidate’s:

• Ability and commitment to contribute to the diversity objectives of global law firms;
• Life experiences that have shaped values and that provide a unique perspective, including
any obstacles or challenges faced in choosing or pursuing law as a profession;
• Academic and/or leadership achievements; and
• Desire to practice in a global law firm environment.

Students will be asked to submit an application form, personal statement, resume and official or unofficial law school transcript by September 30, 2010. This scholarship is not contingent upon receiving or accepting an offer of employment at Latham. Rather, it is open to all law students in the hope that greater diversity among the attorneys at large law firms will benefit the entire profession. Recipients will be announced in the Spring of 2011.

The Latham Diversity Scholars Program, among other outreach efforts by Latham’s Diversity Hiring Sub-Committee, enhances Latham’s efforts to recruit and hire diverse summer clerks and attorneys.

Application forms can also be found on our Web site at www.lw.com/diversity under the Diversity Scholars Program heading.

Hanna S. Cohn Equal Justice Fellowship

The Hanna S. Cohn Equal Justice Fellowship will be awarded to a talented, committed law school graduate at the beginning of her or his career in the area of poverty law. All applicants must be in or entering their third year of law school. The Fellow will be placed at the Empire Justice Center in Rochester, NY and will represent low-income clients in complex areas of litigation and other types of advocacy.

The goal of the Fellowship is to increase legal advocacy for Greater Rochester's poor people in high priority areas that are currently under served. In addition, the Fellowship is designed to attract dynamic and talented, new lawyers to the practice of poverty law.

For more information and application instructions, please see the posting on Symplicity.

Public Interest Seminar

The public interest arena is a vastly rich and varied legal avenue. Whether you have a firm idea of what you want to do in serving the public good, or are exploring your options, this seminar will give you information in determining what is right for you and how you can pursue that career path. Particularly covered in this seminar are methods of navigating the competitive landscape of public interest jobs and fellowships, ideas for experiences to pursue today so you are a competitive candidate in the future, and an overview of fellowships and the fellowship application process.

• Friday, September 17th, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Room 109

RSVP in Symplicity.

Networking Seminar

Networking is critical in the legal community. You can learn about specific job opportunities, meet people who have career paths that inspire you, and learn about a particular practice area. Yet, many people are not comfortable with the mechanics of the networking process. In this seminar, CPD staff will address the importance of networking, environments in which networking is appropriate and fruitful, and ways that you can effectively and efficiently continue building your professional network.

• Tuesday, August 31st, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Room C5
• Tuesday, September 7th, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Room C1
• Friday, September 24th, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Room 109

RSVP in Symplicity.

Interviewing Seminar

You've probably heard us say it before: interviewing is an art. Great interviewees are not born, they're made. In this seminar, you will learn the principles of effective interviewing, including how to prepare, crafting strong answers that highlight your capabilities and experiences, and things to think about when formulating questions that you will be asking of your interviewer.

• Tuesday, August 31st, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Room C1
• Friday, September 3rd, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Room 109
• Tuesday, September 14th, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Room C1

RSVP in Symplicity.

Finding a Job in the Federal Government Seminar

Consider these facts: * Practically every area of private legal practice is mirrored in the federal government. * Over 80% of federal jobs are located outside of Washington, D.C. * Federal pay and benefit packages are extremely attractive. Why not consider employment with the federal government? CPD will review how to find and compete for desirable federal law jobs, including completing the Federal Application and crafting KSA's that will convince employers that you are the best candidate for the job.

• Friday, September 17th, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Room 109

RSVP in Symplicity.

Fellowship Proposal Project

The Alaska Immigration Justice Project (AIJP) invites applications from third year law students from Seattle University School of Law or recent Seattle University School of Law graduates who are interested in submitting fellowship applications, together with AIJP, to Soros Open Society Foundation, Equal Justice Works, Skadden Foundation, and other local and national sources, on a project around language access issues in Alaska.

For more information and for application instructions, please see the posting on Symplicity.

Goldmark Equal Justice Internship for Summer 2011

The Goldmark Equal Justice Internship is a paid summer internship, which this year will be hosted by by Seattle Community Law Center. The intern selected will assist SCLS in their advocacy on behalf of people with physical and mental disabilities.

The internship program is named for Charles A. Goldmark, the Legal Foundation of Washington’s second president at his untimely death in January 1986. Chuck was a firm believer in, and a forceful advocate for, equal access to the justice system. The internship was created as a tribute to Chuck and to encourage young lawyers to emulate his ardent commitment. The Goldmark Equal Justice Internship is made possible by a matching grant from the Goldmark Family Foundation.

Application Deadline: October 15, 2010. The full position announcement is available through the above link and on Symplicity.

PSLawNet's Finding and Funding International Public Service Opportunities

Hot off the e-presses is PSLawNet's 2010-11 version of Finding and Funding International Public Service Opportunities, a terrific resource edited annually by the fine folks at law schools of the University of Arizona, University of Georgia, and the College of William and Mary. This resource includes tips on searching for international opportunities, international opportunities in U.S. government offices, and identifying NGO and not for profit organizations of interest.

OCI Bidding Now Open

The OCI Application Period is now open. You can login to Symplicity to submit your application materials at any point from now until the Session deadlines:

Session 1: August 24th, NOON
Session 2: August 31st, NOON
Session 3: September 7th, NOON

If you have not already done so, be sure to watch the recording of the OCI Info Session, and email Emily von Seele to make an appointment with CPD to have your materials reviewed.

Job Postings

Be sure to check out the latest job postings on Symplicity. We have added info for several legal intern and research positions.

3L's: Apply Now for Homeland Security Honors Program

The General Counsel's Honors Program in the Dept. of Homeland Security is accepting applications between August 16 - September 30, 2010.

Work over a two year period with many divisions including FEMA, Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection, TSA, Immigration and the Coast Guard. You will then be eligible for full-time positions. Develop practical, marketable skills in the following areas: Litigation, Administrative Law, Commercial Law, Procurement law, Legislative and Regulatory Drafting, Maritime Law, Immigration Law, Enforcement Law and National Security Law.

Very high starting salaries: GS-11 for new law graduates; GS-12 for graduates finishing a one-year judicial clerkship; GS-13 for graduates finishing two-three year judicial clerkships. Amazing.

Questions? Contact Laura Murphy in CPD: murphyla@seattleu.edu

1L & 2L: Paid Summer Law Intern: Dept. of Homeland Security in DC

Application period for Summer 2011 is August 16 - September 30, 2010.

Interested in a summer in DC but wondering how to pay for it? This is a well-paid intern program for 1L and 2L students. Work in areas such as Immigration, Regulatory Affairs, Operations/Enforcement, Technology Programs, General Law, National Protection and Intelligence. Interact with clients, attend legislative hearings and meet with attorneys and representatives from other agencies -- Amazing Networking Opportunity and a chance to help develop national policy in a growing field.

They are looking for well rounded students with good judgment and demonstrated intellectual and analytical ability, and will be looking for some or all of the following on your resume: academic achievement; writing ability; law review; moot court; legal aid or clinical experience; other employment history.

Questions: contact Laura Murphy in CPD: murphyla@seattleu.edu