Upcoming Public Interest Webinars

NALP and Equal Justice Works have a number of informative webinars scheduled for law students and graduates who are pursuing a career in public interest law. All of the webinars listed below are free.

Law Student Series: How to Create a Successful Application for the Equal Justice Works Fellowships
May 16, 2012,  2:00 pm - 3:15 pm 
The Equal Justice Works Fellowship program is very competitive, receiving hundreds of applications each year for approximately 50 fellowship slots. To be considered, you must be a qualified and passionate lawyer who has developed a new and innovative legal project that can impact lives and serve communities in desperate need of legal assistance. This webinar will cover how to prepare and complete a successful application.  Register here.

Drowning in Debt? Learn How Government and Nonprofit Workers Can Earn Public Service Loan Forgiveness
May 17, 2012,  2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 
A must attend for anyone with educational debt planning to work or currently working for the government or a nonprofit, this webinar explains how you can benefit from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the most significant law affecting public service in a generation. Useful for public interest workers, prospective and current undergraduate, graduate and professional students, school advisors and administrators and public interest employers, the webinar will review:

• Understanding your federal loans 
• How the Income-Based Repayment plan works 
• How to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

Register for this free webinar here.

Summer Success: Getting the Most from Your Summer Public Interest Experience

May 23, 2012, 3:00pm 
Have an internship with a public interest organization this summer? This free webinar will give students practical tips on how to develop professionally and personally while interning at public interest offices this summer. Deb Ellis and Sherizaan Minwalla from the Tahirih Justice Center will be leading the webinar. Register here.

 Law Student Series: How to Become a Member of the Public Defender Corps

June 18, 2012 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Public Defender Corps (PDC) is a three-year fellowship program developed by Equal Justice Works and the Southern Public Defender Training Center. The program provides intensive training and mentoring to new attorneys with the goal of supporting the public defender community and raising the standard of representation across the country. The application process is extremely competitive, with hundreds of students applying each year for a few coveted placements. In this webinar you will learn what makes a good PDC application and applicant, as well as what you can expect during the application process. This presentation is intended for law students and recent graduates, especially those with a strong interest in indigent defense. Register here.

Looking for a Summer Job? Check the JobNet!

If you are in the process of looking for a job this summer, be sure to check the Career Services Office's on-line job postings. April has always been a busy time for summer job postings on the JobNet. Last year, 60 summer job positions were posted between April 1st and May 15th!  Currently, there are 40 summer jobs posted on the CSO JobNet. Of those posted, 26 are for first year-day and second year-evening students. Thirteen of the 40 positions are located outside of Massachusetts.

If you want to learn more about how students find summer work, read our blog on the 2011 Summer Employment Survey Results.

Have questions about your job search? Make an appointment with a Career Services Counselor. Please call 617-422-7229 to schedule an appointment.  

Finding Funding for an Unpaid Summer Internship

Students looking for funding for their unpaid summer internship have a number of options. Equal Justice Works (EJW) has extended their deadline for their Summer Corps program to noon on Tuesday, April 10, 2012. Summer Corps is an AmeriCorps-funded program that provides students with a $1,175 education award voucher for working in a public interest position that provides direct legal services to low income clients. More information on how to apply is available on EJW's website.


The Public Interest Law Association (PILA) is also accepting applications for their PILA Grant which provides funding for students working in public interest law over the summer. The grant application and information packet has been posted on PILA's TWEN site and is due at 5:00pm on Friday, April 13, 2012. They will also host an information session on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 5:00pm in Room 304. This session will have a representative from the Office of Financial Aid to explain the details of the grant. 


Qualifying students may also consider applying for Federal Work Study. FWS allows students to work in law-related positions at a low cost to their employers. During the summer nonprofit employers are required to contribute only 33%  of the student's gross earnings while for-profit employers contribute 58%. The remainder of the student's earnings are funded by the federal government. More information is available on the Financial Aid Office's website. 

Additional summer funding resources may be found in the "Summer Funding Resources" section of PsLawNet. This section includes funding available in specific geographic regions as well as summer aid that may be applied in a variety of geographic locations. Because many deadlines fall in March and April,  students who have not already begun to search for outside funding for their summer public interest internship are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

Complete Your LinkedIn Profile

For Boston.com's Innovation Economy blog, Boston Globe Columnist Scott Kirsner recently asked area recruiters, CEOs, and human resources professionals what job seekers should do on social media to improve their chances of getting a job. A running theme in each of the responses was that all candidates should have an updated and complete LinkedIn profile. If you signed up for a LinkedIn account but got no further than filling out your name and where you went to school, you can follow these simple steps to complete your profile.

Step 1: Upload a Profile Picture
Use a recent picture of yourself from the shoulders up that clearly shows your face.  This picture will most likely be different than the one you use for Facebook and should convey a professional image. If you do not have a picture that fits that criteria, put on a suit and ask a friend to take a head shot of you standing in front of a blank wall.

Step 2: Create a Headline
Your headline will be the first thing LinkedIn users will read about you, so use this space to differentiate yourself from the crowd. If you are a current student you may want it to include your year in law school and a leadership or internship position you currently hold, for example: "Judicial Intern at MA Superior Court,  Second-Year Law Student at New England Law | Boston".  Practicing attorneys may want to include their areas of specialization followed by where they work or where they are seeking work. Also remember to update your headline as your experience changes. There are many recent law graduates on LinkedIn who still describe themselves as current law students.

Step 3: Write a Summary
Use this section to describe your experience and goals as well as anything that may not appear on your resume. Remember to also list your skills in the "Specialties" sub-section. You may be tempted to skip this section but completing it increases your chances of appearing in key word search results!

Step 4: Update your Education and Experience Sections
Since LinkedIn will suggest connections based on where you went to school and where you worked, the more information you provide in this section, the more opportunity you will have for building your network.  The experience section does not need to be as detailed as your resume but it should include the same basic information. If you choose to include everything on your resume, LinkedIn also has the option to import your complete resume onto your profile. As with everything else listed in your profile, remember to update this section as your job and education changes.

Step 5: Connect with People
Begin by connecting with your friends, family members, former and current classmates, professors, and co-workers. You can connect LinkedIn to your email contacts to make it easier to find people you know.  LinkedIn will also suggest people you may know based on mutual connections. There is also more opportunity to extend your network by joining "Groups" such as those created by your undergraduate or law school. Note: Be sure to personalize the generic LinkedIn invitation to connect by saying hello to an old friend or reminding a business contact how you met. This is a piece of advice that is frequently given but rarely used! By taking the time to send a personal note, you are distinguishing yourself even more from the crowd.

Once your profile is complete you will be ready to actively use LinkedIn to network, promote your professional experience, and search for jobs.

Want to learn more? Attend our upcoming CSO workshop:

LinkedIn 101

Wednesday, February 15th, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Room 301
Open to all current NEL|B students.

For further reading: 

Social Media Advice for Job Seekers from
CEOs, HR Execs, & Recruiters (Innovation Economy Blog)
LinkedIn: Facebook for Lawyers (NALP e-Guide)
10 Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job (Applicant.com)
Ellis, Amanda The 6Ps of the Big 3 for Job Seeking JDs:  60+ Ways to Get Hired Using Social Networking. Something Different Publishing, Inc. 2010 (Available in the CSO.)

5 Things to Do Over Winter Break

Whether you are seeking your first legal job or looking for post-graduate employment, the winter break is a good time to organize your job search!

1. Reconnect with old contacts and establish new ones. Send holiday cards to former employers and colleagues updating them on your academic and career progress. Use the "Contact Alumni" section of the Symplicity site to find alumni in the area and ask if they are available to meet after the New Year.

2. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Use holiday parties to update old friends, relatives, and neighbors with your interests and where you would like to practice law. You never know who has valuable contacts that could lead to job opportunities!

3. Update your resume. Be sure to add any clinics you are taking during the spring semester. Re-read previous blog posts on resume writing for frequently asked questions and mistakes. The CSO will be available to review resumes and cover letters beginning January 4th.

4. Apply to jobs listed on the JobNet and research potential employers to contact directly. Utilize our handout "Targeting Small to Medium-Sized Law Firms Using Martindale-Hubbell" to do a targeted search for firms and organizations in your geographic area and field of interest.

5. Relax. Focus on a little rest and relaxation so that you will feel rejuvenated upon your return to law school next semester: sleep in, catch up on your favorite TV shows, do some non-law school related reading, and spend quality time with your family and friends.

Best of luck with your exams and have a happy and productive winter break, from your friends in the Career Services Office!

For further tips on networking over the holiday season:
Listen to a free podcast on holiday networking tips!

2011 Summer Employment Survey Results

This year 211 New England Law students completed our 2011 Summer Employment survey giving us valuable information about where students worked and how they found their employment.  58% of the respondents were from the class of 2013 and 42% of the respondents were from the class of 2012.

Types of Experience

• 81% worked in a summer legal job
• 9% worked in a non-legal job
• 6% worked in a permanent legal position
• 3% participated in a study abroad program
• 1% did not work

Of those students who were employed in either a legal or non-legal job, 38% were in paid positions while 62% worked in unpaid positions. This is a slight rise in unpaid positions from last year’s results. 

How Students Found Employment
Networking is important in any job search and the results from this year’s summer job survey reflect that.  Most respondents found their job through someone they knew or through networking. Many students also found their employment through the CSO JobNet!

•  30% found their job through a referral from someone they knew 
•  24% found their job through the CSO JobNet 
•  14% found their job by networking or contacting the employer directly
• 10% found their job through an on-campus interview, job fair, or school program 
• 7% returned to a previous employer 
•  4% found their job through a posting on the employer’s website or an on-line job posting site 
•  11% did not disclose how their job was found

Where Students Worked 

•  68% remained in Massachusetts 
•  27% worked out of state 
•  5% worked internationally or participated in a study abroad program

While the majority of New England Law students remained in Massachusetts for their summer work, a number of students also worked in other New England states as well as in Washington, DC and New York.  Students also participated in study abroad programs in Malta, Prague, London, and Galway.

Below are just a few of the law firms and organizations who hired New England Law students this summer: 

ACLU of Oregon

AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts

Akerman Senterfitt

Alaska Public Defender Agency

Barnstable County Probate & Family Court

Bonner Kiernan Trebach & Crociata LLP

Boston City Council

Boston Housing Authority

Cape & Islands District Atttorney's Office

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP

Friedman & Atherton LLP

Greater Boston Legal Services

International Criminal Court

Kings County District Attorney's Office

Legal Advocacy & Resource Center

Lubin & Meyer, P.C.

Massachusetts Attorney General's Office

Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination

MBTA Legal Department

McGregor & Associates, P.C.

Medical-Legal Partnership | Boston

Middlesex County District's Attorney's Office

New Hampshire Attorney General's Office

Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP

Office of the Maine Attorney General

Office of the New York State Attorney General

Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General

Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender

Rockingham County Attorney's Office

Shelter Legal Services

Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner

State of Connecticut Judicial Branch

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office

Suffolk County Probate and Family Court

Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, P.C.

The Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts

Transportation Security Administration

U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Massachusetts

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. Trustee

U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

U.S. Immigration Court

U.S. Attorney's Office

UTi Worldwide Inc.

Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Are you looking for a job for next summer? Make an appointment with the Career Services Office. Call 617-422-7229 to schedule a meeting today.

Top 5 Reasons to Join a Bar Association

What does joining a bar association have to do with my job search?
Many law students and recent graduates do not realize that participation in a local or specialty bar association is an important part of any job search. Becoming a bar association member and participating in events (i.e., committee involvement and continuing legal education classes) is an excellent way to make connections with the local legal community, build a network, and learn more about a particular practice area. Here are five reasons to join one today.

1. Build your network. Now, more than ever, networking is a key component to finding a job. If you do not come from a family of lawyers, are new to the area, or are just looking to meet attorneys who specialize in a particular area of law, a bar association is a perfect place to make connections. Bar activities such as section meetings, mentor programs, and social events provide excellent opportunities to meet lawyers and get your name circulating in the legal community.
2. Expand your knowledge. Bar associations offer a variety of educational programs including round table discussions, symposiums, panels, and free or discounted continuing legal education (CLE) classes. Participating in these events is also another opportunity to network and show future employers you are sincere about your interest in a particular field.
3. Gain access to members-only resources. Many bar associations offer student members access to their bulletins, membership directories, job postings, and other resources not available to non-members. Benefits to becoming a member also include discounts on a wide variety of services – anything from car rentals to CLE courses.
4. Stay informed. Newsletters, symposiums and other bar association activities keep you up to date on the latest news and developments within the legal community. If you are searching for a job out of state, joining a local bar association is a great way to learn more about that state’s legal community and any growing fields of practice particular to the area.
5. Show your professionalism. Joining a bar association as a law student or recent graduate demonstrates your commitment to becoming lawyer. Becoming active in sections or other activities not only builds your leadership skills but also increases your visibility as a responsible member of the legal community – something that will pay off for years to come.

Most bar associations encourage student involvement and offer free or heavily discounted membership fees to students and newly admitted attorneys. 2012 students should also note that New England Law has partnered with the Boston Bar Association (BBA) to provide all students in the Class of 2012 with a one-year membership to the BBA.

Massachusetts Bar Assocations:
Local:
Boston Bar Association
Student Membership: $65; Free to Class of 2012
Essex County Bar Association
Student Membership: $45, Open to students who either reside or work in Essex County only.
Massachusetts Bar Association
Student Membership: $35
Norfolk County Bar Association
Worcester County Bar Association

Specialty & Diversity Associations:
Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts
Student Membership: Free
Boston Patent Law Association
Student Membership: $105
Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys
Student Membership: Free
Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
Student Membership: Free
Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association
Student Membership: Free
Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts
Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
Student Membership: $25

Additional local and specialty bar associations may be found on the Massachusetts Bar Association website.

Searching for a job outside of Massachusetts? Find an out of state bar association.