Gainesville Area Reception -- Deadline Today 5:00 p.m.

Interested in Working in the Alachua, Marion or Columbia County area upon graduation?

UF Law will be sponsoring a reception on Thursday, December 10th from 5:30-7:30 in Gainesville for area alums and the local bar associations. The Office of Development and Alumni Affairs graciously is permitting a number of interested students to attend this networking reception.

Alumni receptions provide an excellent opportunity to hone your networking skills, meet members of the local legal community and make potentially valuable professional contacts.
• Business attire required.
• Space is limited and preference will be given to 3L’s interested in remaining in the area.
• If you would like to attend, email careers@law.ufl.edu indicating your class year by Monday, November 30th . All responders will receive email notification of their status by December 2nd.

Sweet Home Chicago

Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sponsored by Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, Chapman & Cutler LLP, Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP, and Duane Morris LLP
Hosted at The Library
190 S. LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60603
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

This annual holiday event brings together minority law students, law firm attorneys and in-house counsel in a festive setting to provide students with an opportunity to begin building a professional network in Chicago. This year's event will begin with a panel entitled "How to Get the Job You Want After Law School."

RSVP by December 18, 2009 at www.chicagocommittee.org.

Happy Thanksgiving from the CCD!

Duffel Bag Drive

Join the CCD in helping children this holiday season!
We are collecting duffel bags (back packs or other types of bags are fine too) filled with clothing, school supplies and a toy for children who have been removed from an abusive home.

When children are removed from an abusive home by police or other agency (often in the middle of the night), they are handed a plastic garbage bag and asked to take whatever they can. Often, children are in such distress, they take nothing. By providing a duffel bag or back pack or suit case filled with personal items, you are restoring comfort, dignity, and love to a child who has just experienced one of the most traumatic events of his or her life.

In December, Children’s Home Society, will be presented with all of our duffels. Please help us make a significant contribution for the children served by CHS (counties served include Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Marion, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor and Union.)

How you can help:
Select a child between the ages of 1 & 17 and fill a duffel bag with the following items:
 White socks
 Underwear
 PJs
 Tooth brush, tooth paste, brush/comb, wash cloth and towel
 School supplies, coloring book and crayons, books
 Toy or game (no stuffed animals please)
 Photo album or scrapbook and a disposable camera
 Shirt and pants
Drop your bag off in the CCD by December 9, 2009.

Jacksonville Networking Opportunities

Want to practice in Jacksonville? Get involved with the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association. Upcoming events:

Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Event: Federal Judicial Luncheon
Location: Federal Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room
Time: 11:30am to 1:00pm
RSVP: To Elizabeth Howard (ehoward@rtlaw.com) by 12/2/09

Date:Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Event: YLS Happy Hour
Location: Golftec
Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm

1L Summer Opportunity in the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities Diversity in Practice Annual 1L Summer Rotation Clerkship combines a traditional law firm clerkship with experience with working in an in-house corporate law department. The program is designed to give students of color the opportunity to work at a top-ranked law firm as well as spend a “rotation” (typically 3-4 weeks) working in the law department of a major corporation. For more information and application instructions visit www.diversityinpractice.org/initiatives/1l-clerkship/.

ACLU Summer Internship -- Drug Law Reform Project

The Drug Law Reform Project of the ACLU seeks highly motivated law students for the Summer of 2010 internship opportunities in Santa Cruz, California. Click here for details.
The application deadline for second and third-year law students is December 1, 2009. The application deadline for first-year law students is January 15, 2010. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Qualified applicants may be interviewed prior to the application deadline.

ABA Mediation Video Contest

The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution invites participants to the first ever Mediation Video Contest on YouTube®. They seek thoughtful, original three-minute videos that demonstrate the mediation process and benefits of mediation. For details, see http://www.abanet.org/dispute/videocontest.html. Contest dates: Nov. 12 - Jan. 15.

Programs this Week

FOCUS ON SMALL FIRMS
TUESDAY, 11/17 at noon in HOL 345
Dan Glassman (’95), a local practitioner with the firm Rush & Glassman will be here to speak.

NON-PRACTICING CAREERS
THURSDAY, 11/19 at 1pm, Bailey Courtroom
William Henslee, Esq.,author of the user-friendly guidebook “Nonlegal Careers for Lawyers” will be here to speak.
Pizza will be served so join us to lunch and learn!

Practicing Law in a Virtual World

SL Bar Association Mini-Conference
Event Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009

Session 1: 12:00 pm – 12:55 pm SLT (Pacific Std Time in Nov.)
Session 2: 1:00 pm – 1:55 pm SLT
Mixer: 2:00 – 2:30? pm SLT

Location: Frederick G. Levin College of Law, University of Florida
Gator Nation Island (123, 77, 25) in Second Life®

RSVP: The Conference is Free, but the location requires a visitor pass.
Please RSVP with your Avatar name to receive your pass and with any questions to: slbaconference@gmail.com
or in-world IM: Michele Jigsaw.

Conference Format:

The sessions will be panel discussions lead by attorneys practicing in Second Life or advising clients on Virtual Worlds issues. Each panelist will provide a brief story or presentation demonstrating the issues faced in practicing law in a virtual world. These brief presentations will be followed by a question and answer session with the attendees.

Session 1: Practice Issues Unique to the Virtual World Setting

Practicing law in an environment where either your client or the person they are dealing with are not located in a specific physical jurisdiction raises unique issues in practicing law. In addition, Second Life and other virtual worlds have their own local cultures. This session discusses these and other practice issues unique to representing companies and individuals in a virtual world setting.

Session 2: Substantive Issues in a Virtual World

Copyright violation is a common complaint in a virtual world setting, but there are many interesting topics that are unique to practicing in a virtual world. How can I have an enforceable contract in a world with no “law”? If another person’s avatar attacks my avatar in a non-warring world, is it a crime? Or a breach of the user agreement? Find out what issues virtual worlds attorneys and their clients face in this session on substantive issues in a virtual world.

Mixer: Panelists and conference attendees will have a chance to talk with each other informally.

Event sponsored by the SL Bar Association www.slba.info
or in-world at Avalon Town Courthouse, Tabula Rasa (87, 153, 27)

Institute for Justice Summer Law Clerk Program

The Institute for Justice, the nation’s premier libertarian public interest law firm, is now accepting applications for its summer law clerk program. The Institute litigates in state and federal courts to restore constitutional limits to the power of government, specializing in economic liberty, private property rights, school choice, and freedom of speech.

IJ summer law clerks participate in IJ’s fast-paced litigation docket, including legal research, brief writing, client interviewing, and op-ed writing. Students interested in IJ’s summer law student programs should visit www.ij.org/students for more information.

Patent Bar Information Now on YouTube

Hundreds of students go to the PLI website every year to listen to their free archived briefing on the Patent Bar. They have decided to make it a little easier by putting some short videos on the subject up on YouTube. Just go to YouTube and search for "PLI Patent Bar". The "soup to nuts" 45-minute audio briefing is still up on the Website, www.patentbarreview.com. The YouTube videos are just short introductions to who can take the Exam, how it works on computer, etc.

Agricultural Law Seminar

Presented by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee, The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section,the Agricultural Law Committee and the Environmental& Land Use Law Section.

When:
November 20, 2009
8:25am - 1:05pm

Where:
Florida Farm Bureau Federation Building
5700 SW 34th Street Gainesville, FL

Topics include:
Farm & Ranch Estate Planning
Employment Laws Affecting Farm Operations
Management of Agricultural Wastes: Regulatory &
Public Health Considerations

Registration:
Online - www.floridabar.org/CLE
At the door at 8am on 11/20.

Antistrust Summer Fellowship

The ABA Section of Antitrust Law sponsors the Janet D. Steiger fellowship program for 20 first and second year law students to serve for a minimum of eight weeks in the consumer protection department of one of the participating State Attorneys General during the summer of 2010. Each selected student will receive a $5,000 stipend for the summer. The program also offers a supplemental housing/travel allowance of up to $2,000 for those students who are not living at home for the summer. The application period is November 15, 2009 until February 5, 2010. Students must submit: (1) the application form (available at www.net.org/antitrust ); (2) resume; (3) writing sample;(4) statement of interest; and (5) copy of unofficial transcript. For additional information or questions, contact Deborah Douglas, Assistant Director, ABA Section of Antitrust Law, at 312/988-5606 or douglasd@staff.abanet.org.

Foley Minority Scholarship -- 1Ls

Foley & Lardner LLP awards a $5,000 scholarship to a first-year minority law student at select law schools: Berkeley, Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Michigan, Northwestern, UCLA, and Wisconsin. Applications and additional information are available at http://apps.foley.com/students/opportunities/minorityscholarships/. Applications must be received by January 19, 2010, and winners will be notified by March 5, 2010.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives -- Opportunities for Law Students and Recent Graduates

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") is an agency within the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ"). The primary mission of the ATF is to prevent violent crime by enforcing and administering the Gun Control Act, the federal firearms and explosives laws and alcohol and tobacco trafficking laws. As a small agency with broad, interrelated mission involving law enforcement, regulatory compliance, alcohol and tobacco diversion and homeland security concerns, ATF affords attorneys, interns and recent law school graduates with opportunities to experience a variety of legal disciplines in a dynamic and collegial environment.
ATF Volunteer Legal Intern Program:
ATF offers unpaid summer and semester internship opportunities in Washington, D.C. and in many cities throughout the United States. Academic credit may be granted for these positions, subject to law school policy and practice. Students wishing to apply for volunteer position may submit a cover letter and resume via email to cheifcounselinternships@atf.gov. Please indicate which term you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Application deadlines are as follows:
Summer: December 1st
Fall Semester: June 1st
For a complete list of Volunteer Internship Opportunities, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/arm/int/internsum09.htm.

Bet Tzedek Summer Clerkship Program

Bet Tzedek's nationally known summer clerkship program draws top law students from Southern California and around the country for an intensive 10-11 week internship experience in legal services. Several hundred applicants each year apply for the 25-30 placements available at our offices. Students are given the opportunity to work hands-on with clients, and many of them return to Bet Tzedek as volunteer attorneys after graduation. Students are responsible for their own funding.
Summer clerks may be assigned to special projects:
HOUSING CONDITIONS PROJECT targets and surveys multiple-unit residential buildings in which the conditions are egregious. The team litigates against notorious slum lords, participates in a Housing Code Enforcement group and also conducts educational presentations to tenants.
CONSUMER PROTECTION UNIT is a legal and educational team including Bet Tzedek staff, private law firms, local politicians, law enforcement and neighborhood churches. The team uses sophisticated litigation techniques to save clients’ homes and prevent further abuses by unscrupulous lenders.
HOLOCAUST RESTITUTION PROJECT files claims on behalf of clients who were interned in a concentration camp or ghetto or were in hiding under inhumane conditions. This project is also working with a major law firm on behalf of Jewish Holocaust families who never received payments from their life insurance policies.
KINSHIP CARE PROJECT provides legal services, advocacy, education and other support to grandparent caregivers in legal matters including guardianship, adoptions, public benefits housing and wills.
FAMILY CAREGIVER PROJECT provides legal education, counseling and representation on all aspects of health care decision making, SSI, Medi-Cal and quality of care in long term care facilities to care-givers, family members and service programs providing services to patients and care-givers.
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS PROJECT represents clients in wage claim matters and unemployment hearings and wage claim matters. The project serves working individuals who are low income or poor by offering evening intake interviews
The deadline to apply for a clerkship is January 15th; first-year law students may apply after December 1st.
For more information, please contact volunteer@bettzedek.org.

The Florida Justice Institute Seeks Rising 3Ls for Public Interest Fellowship

The Florida Justice Institute ("FJI"), a small public interest law firm, seeks rising third year law students to recommend to a private foundation to receive a public interest law fellowship to work at the Institute during the 2010 summer. The position is full-time and pays $7,000 for 11 weeks. FJI is a statewide, public interest law firm providing civil legal services to persons in prisons and jails, to victims of housing discrimination, civil rights and civil liberties trials and appeals, and handling class action, impact work on behalf of low-income persons. Since the bulk of FJI's work is in federal court, there is a considerable amount of written legal pleading and practice work. The Fellow will be exposed to all phases of federal practice starting from client interviews, public records requests, substantial research projects, depositions, discovery tours of prisons and jails, hearings, mediations, trials and oral arguments as they may occur throughout the summer. The Fellow will receive direct supervision, assignments, direction and feedback from the assigning attorney. There would be a two day introductory course on public interest legal representation prior to beginning work. The Institute has three full-time attorneys to supervise the Fellow. The Institute handles cases statewide, so there may be some travel involved. There is also a seminar weekend with other public interest lawyers, usually held in Key West.
Additional Qualifications:
Rising third-year law students at accredited law schools are eligible to apply provided they are in good standing. Minority students are specifically encouraged to apply. Among the factors to be considered in selections are experience in working with the low-income community, academic achievement, writing skills, and previous contact with and long-term commitment/interest in public service/pro bono work. The fellowship commences with a training and orientation seminar to be held May 20 and 21, 2010. Housing, meals and reasonable travel expenses for the seminar will be provided. Fellows are scheduled to report to work on Monday, May 24, 2010, with the fellowship ending Friday, August 6, 2010.
How to Apply:
Applicants should send their resume and a cover letter of interest by e-mail to Jessica M. Pla at Florida Justice Institute. The deadline for applying is December 1, 2009. The Institute will in turn recommend two applicants to the private foundation for serious consideration for the fellowship. Those selected will have to complete a two-page application for the foundation. The Institute will notify the persons selected by January 8, 2010. Applications will be e-mailed to the persons selected, and will need to be returned by January 21, 2010. Selection and notification to students will be completed by late February 2010. E-mail cover letter and resume to JPla@FloridaJusticeInstitute.org. No telephone calls please.

Looking to Practice in Gainesville after Graduation?

3L's: RSVP by 3pm on 11/6 to be one of two students to attend the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association (EJCBA) Luncheon on Friday, November 13 at The Courtyard at Steve’s Café at 11:45am at no cost as guests of Jessie Howell, Recruiting Director. E-mail careers@law.ufl.edu to RSVP.

Program this Week - College Cost Reduction and Access Act

Join the Florida Bar Foundation Public Interest Law Fellows, the Association for Public Interest Law, and the UF Center for Governmental Responsibility for a presentation on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA).
Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn how to make this new legislation work for you!
WHEN: NOVEMBER 4TH at 12:00 pm
WHERE: ROOM 360
Free food and drinks will be provided.

1L's Don't Miss the CCD Open House Tomorrow

Stop by the Center for Career Development between

10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Meet the Career Development team, enjoy refreshments, obtain handouts and materials, sign up for small group counseling appointments and much more.