Friday, June 29, 2007

Some Law Firms
Reach Out to Gay Attorneys

By Daniel Ostrovsky
Daily Business Review
June 29, 2007

Richard A. Wilson, chairman of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, recalls that as recently as 2002 only a couple of law firms made the trip to recruit at the group's Lavender Law Career Fair.

In 2003, the National Association for Law Placement began analyzing information about the number of openly gay and lesbian lawyers at law firms.

By 2004, the Lavender Law Fair attracted 40 firms to its Minneapolis conference. More than 70 firms attended the fair in San Diego in 2005. Last year, the fair attracted more than 120 firms to Washington, D.C. In September, more than 140 firms are expected in Chicago.

* * *

"All of a sudden -- overnight -- we went from nothing to something in terms of interest," said Wilson, who has his own law firm in Chicago.

Gay lawyers always have made important contributions in the legal profession, whether they are out or not. In today's cutthroat recruiting environment for legal talent, however, more large firms are aggressively reaching out to talented gay lawyers just as they do with racial and ethnic minorities and women.

One driving factor is that clients increasingly ask about the number of gay and lesbian lawyers at law firms, according to gay lawyers and law firm leaders. Some gay and lesbian clients feel more comfortable working with lawyers of the same sexual orientation.

To read the complete article, go to lawjobs.com.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

NYC Public Interest Reception

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

United States House of Representatives
Passes Bill Aiding Public Service Lawyers

The June 2007 edition of the ABA eNewsletter reports as follows:

On May 15, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help new law school graduates who wish to take positions as state or local prosecutors, or as federal, state or local public defenders but might be deterred because of relatively low salaries and high student loan payments. Under the program, lawyers who join the criminal justice system are eligible for forgiveness of a portion of their student loans when they commit to complete at least three years of qualifying public service.

ABA President Karen J. Mathis, noting the monthly loan repayment of $800 to $1,100 that many lawyers face with a median starting salary of $42,000 for public service lawyers, wrote, "Under the current system, lawyers often are forced to leave such public service for higher paying positions in law firms or other venues, meaning that the lawyers who do remain are stretched thin and must assume considerable case loads. In addition to such strain on the individual lawyer and family, this threatens the administration of justice and the very fundamentals of our nation."

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed its version of the bill on April 10. It is now awaiting full Senate action.

Fall On-Campus Interview
Materials Mailed

CSO has mailed a packet of information concerning the Fall On-Campus Interview season to all returning Touro students. These are preliminary materials, as additional employers will contact us in the coming months to schedule on-campus interviews or resume collection deadlines.

Please be sure to read all of the materials carefully. In addition, be sure to check the CSO website here for updates to the schedule. If you have any question, contact CSO.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

New York City Bar Association
Presents Its Summer CLE Catalog

Taking a CLE class is a great way to show your commitment to a particular practice area and supplement your resume if you are lacking experience in a practice area of interest to you. The New York City Bar Association has released its Summer CLE Catalog. Check it out to see if any CLE classes are right for you.

Northeast Regional BLSA Job Fair

The Northeast Black Law Students Association has announced that the Annual NEBLSA Job Fair is scheduled for Friday, August 17, 2007, at the Sheraton on the Hudson in Weehawken, NJ. Students can pre-register on their Job Fair website, www.easelaw.com/nblsa; upon registering students will be able to view Job Fair details, pertinent dates, and all relevant information. The Fair is free for all paid BLSA members.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Class of 2007:
Congratulations from the
Nassau County Bar Association

Craig's List Becoming More
Popular with Legal Employers

As Craig's List has grow in popularity with the general public, employers have come to see it as a useful tool to recruit new employees. Legal employers have also jumped on the bandwagon, and Craig's List is now seen by many as a worthwhile website to look for legal job listings, including listings for internships. For listings in the New York vicinity, go here.

Monday, June 11, 2007

International Criminal Tribunal
Seeks Legal Interns

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia is seeking interns beginning in August 2007. While the experience is unpaid, it is an excellent international opportunity, and the Tribunal often hires its interns as attorneys. For additional information, go here.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

VAULT Diversity Career Fairs

Vault and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) are hosting 3 legal diversity career fairs in August, 2007. This is a great opportunity for you to gain exposure to over 100 legal employers from across the U.S. (attending the 3 events) as well as valuable educational content through presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on interviewing, career options, associate life, women & minority law leaders and more.

Students are invited to participate in the events to be held:

Chicago -- August 14, 2007 -- 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

New York -- August 16, 2007 -- 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

San Francisco -- August 21, 2007 -- 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Here are some answers to a few FAQs about the Fairs:

Q. Who will be invited to attend the Legal Diversity Career Fair?

A. While all students and lateral associates are welcome to attend, the Legal Diversity Career Fair specifically targets the following underrepresented groups:

Minority, female and GLBT 1Ls who are researching future employers
Minority, female and GLBT 2Ls and 3Ls who have not yet committed to a firm or other employer
Minority, female and GLBT lateral associates who are looking for new opportunities

Q. Is there a charge to attend the Legal Diversity Career Fair?

A. There is no charge for students and lateral associates to attend the event. We simply ask that they pre-register through our website.

Q. Will interviews be held during the Career Fairs?

A. Employers will have access to the resume database prior to the event and may choose to set up interviews with 2L, 3L and lateral candidates that have pre-registered for the event. Please note, submission of resume does not guarantee an interview.

Q. Is the Legal Diversity Career Fair open to students and lateral associates from across the U.S.?

A. Yes, we are promoting this event nationwide and encourage everyone, especially minority, female and GLBT law students and lateral associates to attend one or more of the events.

Q. What employers will be exhibiting at the Legal Diversity Career Fair?

A. Law firms, government agencies, legal recruiters and corporate counsel departments that are interested in meeting with a diverse group of students and lateral associates have been invited to exhibit at the event. To view a current listing of sponsors and exhibitors please visit our website.

Q. What if my resume changes after I register for the Legal Diversity Career Fair?

A. When you register for the event, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link that will allow you to update your resume prior to the event (s).

Q. Is there a deadline to register?

A. There is no deadline, however, we recommend that you register as soon as possible.

Q. Can I register for more than one of the events?

A. Yes.

The FDIC is Hiring for Fall 2008

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is accepting applications for employment in the Legal Division’s Honors Attorney Program in Washington, DC, for employment beginning in late August, early September, 2008. The application period runs from June 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007. Please refer to their Honors Attorney Program website for additional information, including qualifications and application requirements.

Friday, June 1, 2007

LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Fellowship

Applications are being accepted for the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Fellowship, which supports a lawyer or nonprofit legal-services organization that practices education or public-interest law. One $15,000 fellowship will be awarded. Additional information is available on the company’s Web site.

Contact: Michael Gibeault, LNMH, 121 Chanlon Road, New Providence, NJ 07974; (800) 526-4902, ext. 3577; michael.gibeault@lexisnexis.com; http://www.martindale.com/xp/Martindale/Peer_Review_Ratings/ratings_fellowship.xml">www.martindale.com/xp/Martindale/Peer_Review_Ratings/ratings_fellowship.xml">http://www.martindale.com/xp/Martindale/Peer_Review_Ratings/ratings_fellowship.xml.

Burglar Leaves His Resume
At Scene Of The Crime

(CBS) BROOKLYN:

At least we know he was actively pursuing a real career.

Police in Brooklyn apprehended a man suspected of burglarizing a home and leaving his resume behind at the scene of the crime.

Al Waxter, 39, faces burglary and other charges after police say he broke into the Clinton Hill home of Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Yvonne Graham. Police say Waxter made off with some money and valuables, but he left behind a bag containing his keys and his resume.

Graham was glad the suspect was captured, but she's also relieved she didn't encounter the burglar herself. "I am very happy I wasn't home when it happened so I didn't have to have a confrontation with this individual," she told CBS 2.

Waxter didn't waste time blowing his cover when police found him either -- he was apparently wearing Graham's diamond studded earrings when he was placed under arrest.

Waxter told police the gate to Graham's home was left open.