Latham & Watkins Diversit Scholars Program

Applications are now being accepted for the annual Latham & Watkins Diversity Scholars Program, which awards six law students at ABA-accredited law schools a $10,000 non-renewable scholarship for use during their second year of law school. Previous recipients of the scholarships have told us that the program not only defrays the cost of a law school education, but also signals the importance of diversity to the firm and is a strong indicator of Latham's open-minded and forward-thinking culture.
 
Started in 2005, the Diversity Scholars Program is designed to increase the number of diverse attorneys who want to pursue careers in global law firms and intend to practice law in the United States. The quality and quantity of applicants over the past six years have been overwhelming, and the success of the program reaffirms and strengthens our commitment to innovative initiatives that support and sustain greater diversity in the legal profession. The Diversity Scholars Program is among a range of ongoing activities that enhance the firm's efforts to recruit and hire diverse summer clerks and attorneys.

Factors considered in choosing the Diversity Scholars include motivation for pursuing a legal career, academic and leadership achievements, life experiences and challenges, and desire to practice at a global law firm and contribute to its diversity objectives. Candidates are asked to submit an application form, personal statement, resume and official or unofficial law school transcript by June 15, 2012. Recipients will be announced in late summer 2012. The process is open to all law students at ABA-accredited law schools who have completed their first year of a full-time JD program by the application deadline. The scholarships are not contingent upon receiving or accepting an offer of employment at Latham.

Application forms and more information on the program can be found by clicking here.

Rocky Mountain Diversity Legal Career Fair

Registration is now open for the Rocky Mountain Diversity Legal Career Fair. This event will be held in Denver, Colorado on September 14, 2012. The registration deadline is July 14th.

The Rocky Mountain Diversity Legal Career Fair provides an excellent forum for legal employers, law students and law school graduates to meet and discuss employment options with the goal of expanding opportunities and assisting the legal profession in fulfilling its commitment to diversity. Legal employers attending the RMDLCF seek to hire law students and graduates from diverse backgrounds that have been traditionally under-represented in the practice of law in the Rocky Mountain region. These include law students and graduates who are ethnic or racial minorities, disabled, and/or gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Law students and recent law school graduates are invited to register and attend the RMDLCF and to apply for twenty-minute scheduled interviews with participating employers.

Student registration can be found here: https://law-rmdlcf-csm.symplicity.com/students/

Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship

Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship Application Now Available!  Application deadline is June 22, 2012.  

Baker Donelson is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the individual differences among us are understood, respected, appreciated and recognized as sources of strength of the Firm. These qualities enrich the environment in which we work. With this in mind, Baker Donelson will again award three scholarships to diverse law students who will complete their first year of law school by June 2012. Recipients will be awarded a six-week, salaried 2L Summer Associate position for the summer of 2013 in one of our following offices: Birmingham, AL; Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA; Jackson, MS; Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville, TN; or Houston, TX.  Additionally, each recipient will be awarded $10,000 which will be paid prior to the student's third year of law school to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses.

For complete eligibility criteria, instructions, and to apply for the Scholarship Program please visit: www.bakerdonelson.com/diversity-scholarship-diversity-practices

 If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Beasley at hbeasley@bakerdonelson.com or 205.328.0480.   

LBAW & SGB Legal Clinic Volunteers Needed

The Latina/o Bar Association of Washington and Schroeter Goldmark & Bender invite you to volunteer at an upcoming free bilingual legal clinic.

Attorney volunteers are needed to provide consultations in the following areas of law:

• Immigration
• Family Law
• Consumer & Finance Law (includes creditor/debtor issues)
• Landlord-Tenant Law
• Property/Real Estate
• Criminal Law

Law student volunteers are needed for intake. Law students may also choose to shadow attorneys upon advanced request.

If you are able to volunteer, please contact LBAW Community Service Committee Chairs, M. Lorena González and Fé Lopez, at clinics@sgb-law.com.

Individuals interested in volunteering as Spanish interpreters should email Josh Stromberg at volunteer@elcentrodelaraza.org.

DETAILS:

• Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• El Centro de la Raza, Third Floor
• 2524 16th Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98144

Free Webinar on Maximizing Your Summer Experience

On Wednesday, May 23 at 3:00 PM EDT, NALP is presenting “Summer Success: Getting the Most from Your Summer Public Interest Experience.”

During this free webinar, you’ll learn practical tips on how to develop professionally and personally while interning at a public interest office this summer. Also, you’ll get insider advice from public interest attorneys and community leaders.

Deb Ellis, the Assistant Dean of Public Service at NYU Law School, and Sherizaan Minwalla, the Director of Legal Services at Tahirih Justice Center, will be leading the webinar.

Don’t delay, register today!

REMINDER: Inn of Court Applications Due Monday

Please finish up those Dwyer Inn of Court applications this weekend so you can turn them in by 5 pm on Monday.

REMINDER: Marine Corps Judge Advocate Talk on Trial Advocacy and Criminal Practice in the Corps

Capt. Logan, USMC Judge Advocate, will visit our campus TOMORROW, April 25, to talk about trial advocacy and criminal practice in the Marine Corps. This event will take place at noon in room 109.

Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP (there's still time, email Erin Fullner). If you don't RSVP, you're still welcome to attend, but please bring your own lunch.

ProBonoWA.org

The WSBA's online directory of pro bono opportunities is a great resource for attorneys looking to give back and also build experience. Please visit ProBonoWA.org.

William L. Dwyer Inn of Court Student Applications Are Now Being Accepted

Current 2Ls are encouraged to apply for 2012-2013 membership in the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court. Materials required are a resume and a letter of interest detailing why you would like to join the Inn. There are seven spots available for Seattle University law students and applications will be reviewed by Professor Deborah Ahrens and Erin Fullner, Associate Director of the Center for Professional Development.

Selection criteria include a demonstrated interest in litigation and dispute resolution, participation in activities supporting that interest, and a thoughtful and compelling cover letter. The membership commitment consists of nine evening monthly meetings held the second Tuesday of each month September-May at Seattle University. The membership dues for 2012-2013 are $100, which will cover the cost of all the meals.

Applications for the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court are due Monday, April 30 by 5 p.m. Application materials can be submitted in person to Leann Wagele in the Dean’s Office or electronically to wagelel@seattleu.edu.

Inn of Court serves as an educational and mentoring organization to law students who are dedicated to perpetuating high-quality, ethical lawyering. The general membership is made up of judges, attorneys with varying practice experience, and law students in their third year.

The William L. Dwyer Inn of Court is part of the American Inns of Court, a national organization which is comprised of around 320 chapters and over 23,000 members.

Questions can be directed to Professor Deborah Ahrens, Erin Fullner or Leann Wagele.

LexisNexis Solo Practice Webinar

Lexis is offering a Hanging Your Own Shingle webinar on Monday, April 23. The program will include a panel of attorneys who have successfully gone the solo or small firm route:

Christopher Anderson started as a New York City assistant district attorney and is now a managing partner for an eight-attorney firm in Athens, GA

Johnathan Stone is a recent graduate who started a solo practice in Austin, TX

Richard Vanderslice began his career as a large law firm associate and then left to become the managing partner of Richard L. Vanderslice PC in Philadelphia

Upcoming Presentation: Trial Advocacy & Criminal Law in the Marine Corps

Capt. Logan, USMC Judge Advocate, will visit our campus on Wednesday, April 25, to talk about trial advocacy and criminal practice in the Marine Corps. This event will take place at noon; lunch will be provided.

For students interested in judge advocate work, federal service, or criminal trial practice generally, this will be an outstanding opportunity! RSVP to Erin Fullner.

The photo above is of the Commandant's Own, the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, performing at the Marine Corps War Memorial outside of Arlington National Cemetary.

SU Law Veteran's Association - Happy Hour/Networking Extravaganza

Attention Veterans! The SU Law Veteran’s Association showcase event of the year, a Happy Hour/Networking Extravaganza is coming up around the corner on Monday, 23 April, at 6.30 at a swanky new Capitol Hill bar ‘The Pinebox.’ http://www.pineboxbar.com/

The WSBA ‘LAMP’ (Legal Assistance to Military Personnel) is publicizing this event to ensure that local lawyers/veteran’s interest groups will attend and have the opportunity to meet and greet enthusiastic, educated, job-hungry law students like you and me!

The funds of our SBA org will subsidize the necessaries (tasty appetizers, and calming beverages).

Who: Local Lawyers and You
What: Networking Event
When: 6.30 pm. Monday, April 23rd
Where: The Pinebox Bar, 1600 Melrose Ave Seattle, WA, (206) 588-0375
Questions: Please Contact SULVA VP Leif Drangsholt, at ltd@uw.edu

Clerkship Info Session Make-Up

For those with class schedules that conflict with both of the Clerkship Kickoff sessions, CPD is offering a make-up session. Please email Erin Fullner for details.

REMINDER: The Clerkship Information Session is Mandatory

If you plan to apply for judicial clerkships this summer (applications submitted this summer are for clerkships that begin fall 2013--yep, that's right, you apply more than a year in advance for most clerkships) the upcoming Clerkship Kickoff is MANDATORY.

We're offering two chances for you to attend, the first is TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 11, noon in C5 (lunch will be provided). And if you can't make it tomorrow, we'll be offering a session on Tuesday, April 17, 5:00pm in C6 as well.

The Clerkship Kickoff is only open to 2, 3, and 4Ls.

Get Engaged Program

The Get Engaged program places young adults ages 18-29 on the City of Seattle’s public boards and commissions. Get Engaged commissioners serve a one-year term starting in September of each year. Acting in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council, commissioners help shape policy decisions, make recommendations, and provide citizen participation in city government. Started in 2001, Get Engaged is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders and advocating for the influence of young voices in city affairs.

An information session will be held on May 7th, and the application deadline is May 14th

For more information and for a list of participating boards, please visit the program website.

WSAJ & WDTL Mentorship Programs - DEADLINE EXTENDED

The civil plaintiff and defense bars are eager to mentor you!

Want to learn more about civil litigation? The plaintiff attorneys with the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ) and defense attorneys with the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) want to share their experiences, show you their take on the practice of law and help you build connections. Sign up and view litigation first-hand, from depositions to court hearings and more.

If interested, please sign up in Symplicity or email Bahareh Samanian at samaniab@seattleu.edu by April 6th.

Mandatory Clerkship Information Session

If you plan to apply for judicial clerkships this coming season, the upcoming Clerkship Kickoff is MANDATORY.

Judicial clerkships are post-graduate research/writing-intensive positions with judges that typically require applications a full year in advance. If you are currently a 2L, this is the ideal time to apply, though 3Ls, you may apply at this time as well.

At the Clerkship Kickoff Erin Fullner will provide information on SU's judicial clerkship program, give clerkship candidates their application handbooks, and sign candidates up for the clerkship program listserv. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of alumni who are currently clerking or have recently clerked.

THIS IS A REQUIRED MEETING for anyone who plans to apply for judicial clerkships this coming season (this does not apply to judicial externships), so please put one of the following dates in your calendar today:

• Wednesday, April 11, noon in C5


• Tuesday, April 17, 5:00pm in C6

The Clerkship Kickoff is only open to 2, 3, and 4Ls

Mary Ellen Krug Scholarship

THE MARY ELLEN KRUG AWARD
“Encouraging Excellence and Professionalism in
Our Labor and Employment Law Community”

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW!

2d, 3d, and 4th YEAR STUDENTS:

(Includes a cash grant awarded to a student showing
promise or distinction in Labor and Employment Law.)**

DEADLINE: Monday, April 9, 2012, @ 12:00 Noon

The Mary Ellen Krug Award honors a student who has shown strong interest, promise, or distinction in labor and employment law and includes a cash grant. The cash grant, awarded by the King County Bar Association Labor and Employment Section, is a variable amount generated in part from proceeds originating from the annual Pacific Coast Labor and Employment Law Conference each spring, which now comprises an endowed scholarship at Seattle University School of Law.* (The amount of the 2012 scholarship has not been determined. However, in recent years, the amount of the award has been sizable, ranging from $6,000.00 - $8,000.00.) In addition to the cash grant, the winner is honored with recognition at the Conference luncheon attended by some 300 labor and employment attorneys. The conference awards luncheon is typically held in early May. For details see the guidelines posted on the Labor and Employment Law Association (LELA) TWEN site.

Snapshot of the Eligibility and Requirements:

1. Second, third, and fourth-year students are eligible to apply, including graduating students.

2. The student must have demonstrated interest and “promise or distinction in labor and employment law.” Interest, promise, and distinction might be evidenced by one or more of a wide range of activities, for example:

• Past paid or volunteer positions involving labor or employment law.
• Relevant courses studied at the law school or undergraduate level.
• Relevant personal background and personal experiences involving labor or employment law.
• Any other experiences and activities showing a dedication and commitment to the field of labor and employment law as a career.
• Personal qualities, such as good judgment and leadership potential, that will contribute to professionalism in the field.
• Contributions to labor and employment organizations, such as professional organizations or to the S.U. Labor and Employment Law Association (LELA).
• Grades are considered but are not the primary consideration for the award.

Application Process:

To apply, read the guidelines on the LELA TWEN site and submit the following to Professor Martin’s Administrative Assistant, Nancy Harrop (4th floor) by the deadline: Resume; Transcript; 1-2 page letter describing your interest, commitment, and any past involvement in the field, and your career goals; two (2) blind letters of recommendation (e.g., either (a) submitted by the candidate with his or her application materials in an envelope indicating that the letter was sealed by the recommender, or (b) mailed or e-mailed by the recommender to Professor Martin and received by the deadline. In the interest of confidentiality, recommendations should not reflect a “cc” to the candidate).

*See Labor and Employment Law Association (LELA) TWEN site for full information and grant Guidelines.

**The amount of the 2012 scholarship has not yet been determined. However, in recent years, the amount of the award has been sizable, ranging from $6,000.00 - $8,000.00.

WSBA International Practice Section Reception

Washington State Bar Association International Practice Section
Reception for Students Interested in Practicing International Law

April 5, 2012
6–8 p.m.

The WSBA International Practice Section (IPS) cordially invites you to this year’s Law Student Reception! Come meet and network with attorneys practicing in international law and students interested in this practice area. Mari Horita will be the guest speaker talking about her unique career path as an attorney, legal recruiter, and president of a non-profit. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Location:
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
U.S. Bank Centre
1420 5th Avenue, Suite 3400
Seattle, WA 98101-4010

Cost of Attendance:
Free for WSBA IPS members and law students.
Non-Members: $40 (this amount includes membership to IPS).

Please contact Max Yoshimura with questions
YoshimuraM@gmail.com

Weyerhaeuser Internships

The Weyerhaeuser Company has two Internships posted to Symplicity. The application deadline is April 2nd, and representatives will be on campus to conduct interviews on April 17th.

For more than 100 years, Weyerhaeuser has been releasing the potential in trees to solve
important problems for people and the planet. Weyerhaeuser operates in 10 countries,
employing about 14,900 people, primarily in the United States and Canada. Our four major
business segments are Cellulose Fibers, Real Estate, Timberlands and Wood Products. The
Weyerhaeuser Legal Department consists of 20 attorneys spanning a wide variety of legal
practice areas including litigation, commercial, employment, forestry, M&A, environmental,
corporate, securities and intellectual property.