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Student Experience Spotlight Series
The OCPD Bulletin is now featuring a regular spotlight of a WCL student’s internship, externship or part-time job. If you would like to be featured as part of this series, please email Michelle Norris at mnorris@wcl.american.edu. To read other students’ experiences and to share your own, we encourage you to use SEEN, the Student Employer Evaluation Network in CareerLink.
This month, we are featuring Erin Archer, a rising 3L who completed summer internship with the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP).
1. Where did you work? How did you get your job?
I got my job through another WCL student. When I told her I was looking for a job related to health law, she asked if I would be interested in disability law for veterans. After we discussed NVLSP and the type of work involved, I sent my resume and writing sample to her supervisor, and after an interview, I was hired. (more…)
Weekly Roundup
Top 10 Tips from Legal Recruiters: How to Land an Interview – The National Jurist features advice from recruiters that you can use to prepare for interviews this fall.
Salary Requirements: What to Say – Advice from LinkedIn that you can use when asked to provide salary requirements.
Ten Tips Summer Associates Can Learn From Lean In – This post at Ms. JD suggests ways to incorporate principles from Lean In to your summer job.
Going to Work: Mid-Summer Review – Pass the Baton features advice on getting feedback on your work.
The 2013 A-List: The Complete Report – The American Lawyer has complete coverage of its annual list of the “best” firms based on scores for financial performance, pro bono, diversity, and associate satisfaction.
The Best/Worst Paying In-House Jobs – The Careerist summarizes the Major Lindsay & Africa annual compensation report. Read a more detailed synopsis at Corporate Counsel or click here to read the entire report.
Job Alert: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation – Deadline July 1st!
If you are interested in immigration litigation, log in to CareerLink to learn more about fall internship opportunities with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation. Apply by July 1st to be considered!
Search for the following postings:
Quick Tips: Choosing a Writing Sample
While you’re plugging away at work this summer, you might want to take some time to think about writing samples. Many students and recent graduates have questions about choosing a good writing sample. Read on for quick tips and suggested resources on this topic.
1. The best writing samples are written as part of a legal work experience, including internships and externships. If you are using a sample from work, be sure you have your employer’s permission to use the document as a writing sample and redact any sensitive information. If you are a first year student, employers understand that you may not yet have completed a legal internship or externship; therefore, a legal memoranda or brief from Legal Rhetoric is acceptable. Just be sure that your writing sample includes legal analysis. Unless the topic is highly relevant to the position you seek or you are certain that an employer is interested, it is generally best to stay away from submitting scholarly or academic work.
Interested in Networking in the D.C. Public Interest Community?
If you are interested in networking in the D.C. public interest community, check out the programs offered by Washington Council of Lawyers this summer. A preview of upcoming programs is featured below. All programs require RSVP.
New Series – Alumni Spotlight
Starting this week, the OCPD Bulletin will feature a regular spotlight of a WCL alumnus/alumna. This week, we are featuring Greg Seidell, a 2009 graduate who is an associate in the Investment Management group of Seward & Kissel LLP. Seward & Kissel regularly participates in WCL’s Fall Recruitment Program as part of the New York Interview Program (NYIP) for hiring in its New York office. In addition to participating in NYIP this year, the firm will collect resumes for its D.C. office.
Photo courtesy of Seward & Kissell LLP
How did you get started as an associate in the Investment Management Group with Seward & Kissel?
I participated in WCL’s OCI program (both the local WCL program and the WCL sponsored program in New York City). I initially interviewed with S&K at the New York interview program and later visited Seward & Kissel for a callback interview. During the Summer Associate Program, I was given the opportunity to rotate through all of the Firm’s practice groups. I knew I wanted to focus on finance related work, and the Investment Management Group was a great fit. (more…)
Weekly Roundup
What To Say In Your Thank You Letter Besides ‘Thank You’ – Careerealism offers suggestions on using your Thank You Letter to your advantage.
Hire Economics: Why Applying to Jobs Is a Waste of Time – Lou Adler shares his perspective on why networking is a crucial element of the job hunt onLinkedIn.
Nina Gussack, the $65 Million Woman. This interview over at The Careerist features Pepper Hamilton rainmaker, Nina Gussack, who reflects on a mentoring relationship that helped her on the road to success.
California Poised to Require Practical Skills Training. The National Law Journal reports on possible changes to admission requirements for the California State Bar.
The NLJ 350 was released this week.
Making the Most of Your Summer Associate Position. The Legal Intelligencer has advice to help make your summer a success.
The New Entry-Level Legal Employment Market. NALP’s executive director, writing for the June issue of the NCBE’s The Bar Examiner, provides an update and overview of the current entry-level legal employment market.
Rising 3Ls, have you thought about applying for a Fulbright Grant?
Fulbright Grants permit students to carry out a project of their design in a host country of their choice. Most candidates apply in their third year of law school and carry out their projects after their graduation. Past successful projects have addressed the privatization of water utilities in Brazil, the causes of excessive juvenile pretrial detention in Mexico, and public interest litigation to advance the right to healthcare in India.
The primary eligibility requirements are U.S. citizenship and good health. Factors in selection include the quality of the research design, the student’s academic and professional qualifications to undertake the proposed research, and sufficient foreign language skills, where needed. Candidates are expected to have a solid combination of course work, research, and practical experience in their issue areas.
If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please contact the Merit Awards front desk at (202) 885-1854 for information on how to initiate the application process. Applications for funding for the 2014-15 academic year are due to the Office of Merit Awards in late September. Candidates would be expected to meet a series of preliminary draft deadlines over the course of the summer, beginning in late June.
Questions about preparing your judicial clerkship applications?
Kira Epstein, the Judicial Clerkship Advisor in OCPD, will be out of the office until June 25th. In the interim, the other JD counselors in the office are available to meet with students about judicial clerkship application questions, either in person or over the phone. You may request an appointment through CareerLink. You may also want to think about checking out the “Frequently Asked Questions Re: Judicial Clerkship Applications” document in the CareerLink Document Library. The FAQs are also available at the OCPD front desk. In addition, Kira will be holding drop-in/call-in hours from 11-2pm on Wednesday June 26th to answer questions related to federal judicial clerkship applications and will also be available to meet with students via appointment upon return to the office.
Attention Rising 3L/4Ls – Apply for the Schola2Juris Program at Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis, LLP
The Schola2Juris Program at Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis, LLP, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is accepting applications from rising 3Ls until July 1st. The Schola2Juris program provides a unique opportunity for 3Ls to participate in an apprenticeship program designed to prepare them for law practice during the fall of their 3L year. Because the program takes place during the school year, the firm has created an online, virtual law firm platform using videoconferencing and online document collaboration tools. Those selected for the opportunity will earn a $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to be hired into one of the firm’s practice groups. Click here to learn more.
AUWCL OCPD Bulletin 