Friday, May 30, 2008

CSO is now on Facebook!

The Career Services Office now has a page on Facebook to connect with students and alums who utilize this great website.

To access our Facebook page, go here. You need to be a member of Facebook to participate fully in our page.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Any Law Student Journalists Out There?

The Suffolk Lawyer is seeking a law student interested in writing a monthly column regarding issues of interest to future attorneys. The opportunity is a non-paying position which allows a student to obtain journalism and publishing experience. If interested, contact editor Laura Lane at scbanews@optonline.net. Please include a sample of your writing and contact information.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

HAPPY GRADUATION!!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Overcoming Common Barriers
in the Legal Profession

Managing & Overcoming Common Barriers
to Inclusion that Legal Professionals in the Minority Encounter

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:30-8:30 pm

New York City Bar Association
42 West 44th Street, New York, NY (between 5th and 6th Avenues)

Does your race, gender, national origin, a disability, socio-economic status or some other characteristic set you apart from others with whom you practice law, and make you feel marginalized by encounters with your peers from the majority?

The program will provide practical advice for lawyers on managing and overcoming common barriers to inclusion in the legal profession such as dual identity issues, feelings of isolation, and inadequate networks. Panelists, including attorneys at various stages of their legal careers and partners and from varied practice environments, and professional development and diversity professionals, will share practical career management wisdom to aid you in the taking charge of your career.

Moderator:
NATALIE HOLDER-WINFIELD
Diversity and Employment Law Consultant, QUEST Educational Initiatives

Speakers:
PAULETTE BROWN
Chief Diversity Officer, Edward, Angell, Palmer & Dodge

KEVIN CLEARY
Senior Trial Counsel, The United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York

KEISHA-ANN GRAY
Proskauer Rose

KELLY HOEY
Professional Development Manager, White & Case LLP

CARMALYN MALALIS
Outten & Golden LLP

Registration by May 27 is necessary. The fee, which includes refreshments, is $10.

Register here.

Sponsored by:
Committee on Career Advancement and Management; Committee on Women in the Profession; Committee on Minorities in the Profession

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

"Two lawyers walk into a bar . . .

...One orders a round of drinks for the house. The other one puts on an apron and serves it."

Last month, an article by Greg Burns in the Chicago Tribune began with the above quote. The quote certainly is provocative, particularly for law students and new lawyers, but the article touches upon many of the concerns and expectations law students and new lawyers have. It is worth a read.

"Prosecutor Jeanne Wrenn clutches a foot-high stack of case files against the chest of her blue business suit as she dashes from hearing to hearing in the Criminal Courts Building at 26th Street and California Avenue. Her high heels click down the hallways as she passes a prisoner work crew clad in yellow jump suits and small clusters of defendants with their families and friends, waiting for cases to be called.

She has a court date with Jahson Rosemond, a 24-year-old two-time felon accused of dealing cocaine. She's willing to let him plead to a lesser charge of possession with a prison term attached. He wants probation."He's not going to get it," she vows. If it's a trial he wants, she'll give it to him.

For a 36-year-old single mother barely seven years out of law school, Wrenn bears a weighty responsibility, and it's exactly what she had in mind when she borrowed $100,000 to attend the Loyola University School of Law. Of all her friends from those law-school days, she enjoys her job the most, she says.

Except for the paycheck. At $59,000 a year, the assistant Cook County state's attorney makes $100,000 less than the average first-year associate at big corporate firms, and millions of dollars less than the elite partners at those firms. If she chucked public service and went for the bucks, she probably could make a bit more money. But contrary to what many Americans believe, she'd need to overcome long odds to earn a lot more. Increasingly among the nation's 761,000 working lawyers, admission to the bar no longer guarantees a gold-plated lifestyle, or even financial security."

Go here to read the rest of this very interesting article.

Friday, May 9, 2008

"How to Commit Career Suicide"

In a recent article on lawjobs.com entitled How to Commit Career Suicide, Steven Bennett, Esq., of the Jones Day law firm, writes about the fear new lawyers have about committing a serious career-ending mistake.

"Most newly minted lawyers (and, probably, quite a few new professionals in other fields) have a touch of the "imposter syndrome," the sense that they really are not competent to serve as professionals and the persistent fear that they will make a serious mistake, which will somehow end their careers.

The truth, as one of my colleagues likes to say, is that junior lawyers are not likely to commit any mistakes so large, and so serious, that the "republic will fail," and their careers will lie in ruins. Most junior mistakes are relatively minor, and most can be corrected.

But a healthy sense of caution is appropriate, even at the most junior levels in the profession. It is possible to commit errors that can get you fired or worse. Here's a quick guide to some of the worst mistakes and some suggestions for how to avoid these potential pitfalls of practice."

Go here to read the rest of this very interesting article that is applicable to both students and new grads.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Ms. JD 2008 Summer Scholarship Application

Ms. JD is awarding two $500 scholarships to female law students entering their second or third year at an accredited U.S. law school and working the summer of 2008 at least 35 hours per week for a minimum of 8 weeks at a government agency or nonprofit organization. Unpaid judicial externs also qualify. Applications are due no later than June 1. Recipients will be notified no later than June 15.

Go here to complete the online application.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Four Tips for Finding the Perfect Law Job

The Touro Law Center CSO Blog is getting popular and bloggers are beginning to reach out to us to ask if they can write guest posts for publication. One such blogger, Heather Johnson, regularly writes on the topics of careers and career exploration. She submitted the following post to us and we decided to share it with you. Ms. Johnson invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address.

Four Tips for Finding the Perfect Law Job

So you’re just about done with law school and now it’s time to figure out the rest of your life. A daunting task, for sure. First and foremost, you’ve got to figure out what you want from life. This means you have to come up with a clear idea as to what your personal foundation is for practicing law. This may sound too complicated because you feel you have to worry about passing the bar exam first or are already relatively settled in your current job. But you must realize that establishing what you truly want your career cornerstones to be is the most important. Here are four principles to consider as you make this decision:

1. Surroundings. Is a big law firm with its inherent bureaucracy, demanding hours and stringent rules the right fit for you? Or would you prefer a smaller firm that allows you to explore your own interests as well be a better spot for you? This is an important decision as you need to figure out what setting is best for you. Think about this from a long-term mindset because you want to make sure that this will be the path you want to follow for the duration of your career.

2. Responsibilities. Determine what level of responsibility you feel that you can aptly assume. Are you the type that is willing to log 60-70 hours a week for the first five years? Would you prefer a more laid back schedule with more one-on-one time with your clients? Burnout is a legitimate concern and you want to make sure that you set up your career in a position that won’t leave you feeling that you’re in the wrong business.

3. What’s your field? Consider your personal, political and social views and values. This is your chance to make sure that you’re not selling yourself out. It may seem easy to go for the first good job that crosses your plate. It may have a great salary and structure, but does it fit your personal style? Make sure that you consider your inner feelings and figure out where they translate in the world of practicing law.

4. Defend yourself. Once you’ve made your decision make sure that it stands up to the previous three principles. If you’re satisfied that you’ve made the proper determination then, and only then, is it time to start looking for the right job at the right firm. Only you can be sure that the direction you’re headed in is the proper path for you. Eliminate outside influences and make this decision about you because it’s one that will craft your career.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Class of 2008:
CSO will apply to jobs for you
while you study for the Bar Exam

(Click on image to make larger)