Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Clerkship Program Info Sessions

State judicial clerkship season is upon us! If you're interested in learning more about how to apply for post-graduate clerkships at the Washington State Supreme Court or Washington State Court of Appeals (as well as courts in other states), be sure to attend one of the two upcoming clerkship program info sessions: Monday, April 7 from 5:15 to 6:00 pm in room 110 or Wednesday, April 9 from 12:00 to 12:45 pm in room 110. If both of the meeting times conflict with your class schedule, please let Erin Fullner know; CPD will work to schedule a make-up session if needed.

At the info session you'll get a clerkship application handbook, learn the ins and outs of the intricate clerkship application process, and have the opportunity to join the clerkship program listserv.

For those interested in federal clerkships who have not yet had a clerkship meeting with CPD, that application season is well underway. There may still be an opportunity to apply to positions, so please join us at the info session, but the focus at this point will mainly be state appellate clerkships.

If you're not sure whether a clerkship is right for you, attend the meeting to learn a bit more. If you're an especially strong writer, a judicial clerkship could be a great fit for you.

A word of clarification: Judicial clerkships are different from judicial externships. While externships are student positions where you can work for a judge for class credit, clerkships are post-graduate, paid positions. They usually last one to two years and are typically done during the first year or two after graduation from law school. Clerkship applications sent out this spring/summer (2014) will be for positions that begin in the fall of 2015, as a result, 2Ls are especially encouraged to apply at this time. 3 and 4Ls are also welcome to attend the info meeting and apply, but keep in mind that applying at this point would likely create a gap year after graduation. 1Ls, feel free to schedule an appointment with Erin Fullner to get preliminary information about the judicial clerkship process, especially if you think you'd be a good candidate for a clerkship in federal court, but there's no need to attend an info session at this point.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

JAG Listserv

If you're interested in learning more about JAG opportunities, please contact Erin Fullner to be added to CPD's JAG listserv so you can be kept apprised of JAG-related events.

We regularly invite JAGs to campus for presentations and interviewing and there are also opportunities to visit local military installations for open houses and public court proceedings.

Don't miss out!

Business Development 101

This cutting edge program will demonstrate how you can build a law practice successfully and ethically.  You will hear some of the best tips and techniques to connect with potential clients and referral sources, maximize marketing opportunities within your comfort areas, learn the importance branding your practice, identify creative ways to expand your practice, navigate the ethical uses of social media, and create higher visibility for your law firm.  You have limited dollars to spend on client development activities; sign up for this program to learn what will work for you. 
  • March 21, 2014, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the law school
  • 1.0 Ethics CLE Credits pending
Click on the link below for details, registration, and the day's agenda:
Business Development 101: Tools and Techniques to Build a Successful Law Practice

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Working with Clients with Mental Health Issues, a Lawyering in a Diverse World Workshop

This Lawyering in a Diverse World session is geared to give you practical tools for working with clients with mental health issues. Merf Ehman, staff attorney with Columbia Legal Services, will introduce interviewing and advocacy skills for effectively working with clients with mental health issues. And our own Kerri Kline, Seattle University Community Counseling graduate student, in collaboration with Dr. William O'Connell, Associate Professor in the Seattle University College of Education's Department of Counseling and School Psychology, will provide an overview of common mental health diagnoses within marginalized communities.
If you have questions about this event, please contact Diana Singleton, Access to Justice Institute.