VAULT: The 20 Best Law Firms for Diversity

Which Vault Law 100 firms are most committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace? More than 15,000 associates responded to the annual Vault Law Firm Associate Survey and rated their employers on a variety of issues, including commitment to hiring, retaining and promoting diverse attorneys.

Log in to Career Insider and check out the Vault Law Diversity Rankings and find out which firms were the most highly rated by their own associates for diversity with respect minorities, women and GLBT.

Take a closer look at the individual firms with updated research reports.

Don't have an account? Contact the CCD to find how you can take advantage of this valuable resource.

VAULT

UF Law has subscribed to Vault to help you in your job search. It not only has job listings, but also industry blogs, discussions and newsletters; employer, profession and industry overviews; as well as various career guides, such as the “Vault Guide to Litigation Law Careers.”

To access VAULT contact the CCD.

Leaving a Good Impression

As your summer experience draws to a close, be thinking about how to leave a good impression on the firm or organization you have been working for, for several reasons. First, employers typically do not extend offers to summer associates who came in, worked 8 hours and went home without forging any relationships with others.

Develop a professional relationship with your mentor and potential recommender
Ideally there has been an attorney or two that have taken you under their wing this summer. If not, seek out the attorney who you have had the most contact with. 1. Show an interest in the mentor - Your mentor can provide you with important insights into the culture and politics of the firm or organization. They also may be relied upon by the decision makers to determine if you are a good fit into that culture. 2. Ask questions - Be direct and focused, don’t waste your mentor’s time by beating around the bush. A deep conversation on one or two specific topics is much more valuable than a cursory conversation on ten unrelated topics. 3. Accept feedback - Ask for it! Be sure your mentor understands you won’t feel threatened or become defensive, and don’t. 4. Say ‘Thank you’ - Let your mentor know that you appreciate the time and interest that he/she is investing in your future. This will help generate large dividends now and in the future, especially when you need a recommendation.
Be social, just not THAT social
Being the life of the party is not the impression you want to leave. Remember, your professional reputation is being formed.
Ending a Successful Summer
View your summer as an extended job interview. Always comport yourself with professionalism. You want the employer to see you as a colleague. Seek out and get to know the decision makers. Work on projects with them, or just spend a moment asking about their career path. Be friendly to all support staff, you never know whose ear they have!

New Resources in the CCD!

· Legal Careers in New York State Government - Prof. Patricia E. Salkin, Amy Lavine, Esq., Michele A. Monforte

This directory was compiled to assist law students and lawyers who are considering careers and/or work experience in public service with the State of New York. This edition has been expanded to include comprehensive information on employment opportunities with the various levels of government in New York State.

· Lawyers as Peacemakers: Practicing Holisitc, Problem-Solving Law - J. Kim Wright

This book can teach you new ways of finding satisfaction in your job and providing comprehensive, solution-focused services to clients; sometimes it’s not about winning, it’s about finding the best possible answer for everyone involved.

· The City/County Attorney Internship Book - Career Education Institutes, Winston-Salem, NC

A directory on a handful of available internships at city or county attorney offices across the country.

· On Trial: Lessons from a lifetime in the courtroom - Henry G. Miller, Esq.

A collection of articles written for the “Trials” column in the “New York Law Journal. They cover each phase of the trial, and were intended for the young lawyer.

Immigrants’ Rights Project

The Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP) of the ACLU seeks applicants for sponsored public interest fellowships such as the Skadden, Equal Justice Works (EJW), and Soros Fellowships, to begin Fall of 2011. IRP will sponsor one candidate in its New York office and one candidate in its San Francisco office to work on projects addressing immigrants’ rights. Proposed projects often combine litigation and advocacy with community outreach and public education. IRP staff will work with candidates to develop their proposals. For more information & how to apply:

www.aclu.org/job/fall-2011-fellowship-opportunity-acluf-immigrants-rights-project-new-york-and-san-francisco

Applications being accepted now!

Decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOBS ON TWITTER!

From what friends are eating for dinner to breaking news stories, Twitter has become an interesting source of all sorts of information in this digital age. Now it can be a source for employment opportunities.

Federal agencies such as the Federal bureau of Investigation (username FBIJobs) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (username SEC_Jobs) have begun posting their open positions on Twitter as a way to reach talented candidates as quickly as possible.

Be aware that placement agencies are also posting “opportunities”, that may require you to apply for the position through them. It is important for you to determine whether there is any fee involved and to completely understand the terms. It may be best to follow the employer you are interested in directly to ensure the postings that you see are accurate and the most recent.

2010 National Security Law Student Writing Competition

“National Security in a Globalized World”
Sponsored by: American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security

**Cash Prize and Trip to the Law and National Security Conference in Washington, DC**

Overview: The Standing Committee on Law and National Security, founded in 1962 by then-ABA President and later Supreme Court Justice Lewis J. Powell, conducts studies, sponsors programs and conferences, and administers working groups on law and national security-related issues. The Committee's activities assist policymakers, educate lawyers, the media and the public, and enable the Committee to make recommendations and provide advice on such subjects as the legal responses to terrorism, the restructuring of the intelligence community and its role in law enforcement, and operational international law in the conduct of the military. In furtherance of this mission the Standing Committee is proud to announce the 3rd annual writing competition for law students.

Topic: As we begin the second decade of the twenty-first century, the law is changing dramatically as it seeks to shape and adapt to new conditions. Economic markets are becoming global, transactions require cultural adaptation and understanding, populations are more mobile, and communication technologies bridge distances and time zones to form new communities around the world. All of us must renew our commitment to the enduring principles of law, become knowledgeable about other legal systems, recognize the need to adapt our practices, and acquire new cultural understandings. In a global era, matters such as human rights, criminal justice, intellectual property, business transactions, dispute resolution, human migration, and environmental regulation become not just shared concerns but international issues—among nations—with National Security Law implications. In recognition of this rapidly changing era, the ABA May 2010 Law Day focuses on understanding and appreciating the emerging challenges and enduring traditions of law in the 21st century. This theme provides the backdrop and opportunity to explore the many facets of this year’s writing competition topic: National Security in a Globalized World. The writing competition seeks to encourage scholarly debate regarding current issues related to U.S. national security in the global environment; international security; international treaties and their impact on national security.

Prize: The winning essay will receive a cash prize of $500 and free registration to the 20th Annual Review of the Field of National Security Law Conference held in November in Washington, DC. In addition to registration for the conference, the prize will include reimbursement for coach travel and one night’s lodging. Additionally, the essay will be published in the National Security Law Report. Winner must be present at the conference to receive the award.

Eligibility: The competition is open to all students who are in attendance at an ABA accredited law school between September 1, 2009 and August 15, 2010. Only original and previously unpublished papers are eligible. Papers prepared for law school credit are eligible provided they are original work. Jointly authored papers are not eligible. Entrants can have a faculty member or practicing lawyer review and critique their work, but the submission must be the student’s own work product. The name of the reviewing professor or lawyer must be noted on the entry. Committee members, staff, and selection committee members shall not participate in the contest or review process. Only one essay may be submitted per entrant.

Format: Essays may not exceed 5,000 words, including title, citations, and footnotes. Essays over 5,000 words will be rejected. The text of the essay must be double-spaced, with twelve-point font and one-inch margins. Entries should reflect the style of ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security’s National Security Law Report articles rather than law review style. Entrants are encouraged to review past copies of the News available at http://www.abanet.org/natsecurity/ - prior to drafting their submissions. Citations must be embedded in text or in footnote form, as opposed to endnotes. Cites must conform with The Bluebook: Uniform System of Citation.

Entry Procedure: Each submission must include a SEPARATE COVER PAGE (not included in the 5,000 word count) with the entrant’s name, law school, year of study, mailing and email address, and phone number. The contestant’s name and other identifying markings, such as school name, MAY NOT appear on any copy of the submitted essay.

Deadlines: Submission must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2010 and mailed to: American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Law and National Security, 740 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; or sent via email to hmcmahon@staff.abanet.org. The winner will be notified by September 30, 2010. By submitting an entry in this contest, the entrant grants the ABA and the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security permission to edit and publish the entry in the Committee’s National Security Law Report. Please direct any questions about the contest to the Committee Staff Director at hmcmahon@staff.abanet.org.

Judging: The winning entry will contain a clearly written original analysis of a national security law issue that is substantively accurate and persuasive, and supported by citations. The entries will be judged anonymously by a subcommittee made up of members of the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security.

EJW Webinar - Fellowships

Join Equal Justice Works (EJW) for a webinar on July 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. EDT to learn what goes into a strong EJW Fellowship application. The webinar will cover:


Who is eligible to apply for an EJW Fellowship (Candidate, Project, Host Organization)
• The benefits of a Fellowship and the Host Organization’s responsibilities
• How the application process works
• Tips in creating a successful application that include project description, candidate background, and host organization background.
Potential Funding in Florida for 2011 EJW Fellowships

The EJW Fellowship Program provides financial and other forms of support to lawyers working on innovative legal projects throughout the U.S. The two-year Fellowship offers salary support (up to $39,000 annually), loan repayment assistance, and a national training and leadership development program.

EJW recruits law firms, corporations, bar associations, foundations and individuals to fund most of their Fellowships. EJW refers to these funding partners as "sponsors."

This year, they have sponsor interest in Florida.

EJW strongly encourages any candidates interested in working in Florida for two years beginning next fall to consider submitting an application this fall.

More information and the 2011 EJW Fellowships application is now available at www.equaljusticeworks.org/programs/fellowships/.

The application deadline is September 15, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
If you have any questions, please email fellowships@equaljusticeworks.org or call 202.466.3686 x202.

Don’t Miss the EJW Webinar on July 29 at 10:00 a.m. EDT

To register for the webinar please follow this link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/997806432

Please direct any questions or technical issues about the webinar to:

Robert Andreozzi
Equal Justice Works
intern2@equaljusticeworks.org
(202) 466-3686 ext.103

DOJ & DHS Program Application Periods Approaching

The online application period for two Department of Justice programs will open on July 26 and close on September 7. You can find information on the 2010-11 Attorney General's Honors Program at www.justice.gov/oarm/arm/hp/hp.htm and on the 2011 Summer Law Intern Program at: www.justice.gov/oarm/arm/sp/sp.htm.

Applications for the Department of Homeland Security Office of General Counsel's 2011 Honors Program will be accepted online between August 16 and September 30. Applications for the office's 2011 Summer Law Intern Program will also be accepted online between August 16-September 30. For more information on both programs and other career opportunities within the DHS Office of General Counsel, visit www.dhs.gov/xabout/careers/gc_1192223920159.shtm#3.

HBNA - Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

HISPANIC NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to Speak at HNBA 35th Annual Convention

The HNBA is pleased to announce that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will be speaking at the 35th Annual Convention on Thursday, September 9th. Justice O'Connor attended Stanford University, where she received her B.A. in economics in 1950. She continued at the Stanford Law School for her LL.B., serving on the Stanford Law Review.

In 1969 she was appointed to the Arizona State Senate by Republican Arizona Governor Jack Richard Williams and was subsequently re-elected as a Republican to two two-year terms. In 1973, she was elected majority leader. In 1975, she was elected judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court (Arizona) and served until 1979, when she was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals by Democratic Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt.

On July 7, 1981, President Ronald Reagan - who had pledged during his 1980 presidential campaign to appoint the first woman to the Court - nominated O'Connor as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, to replace the retiring Potter Stewart. As if in anticipation of her arrival, the Court abandoned its formal use of "Mr. Justice" as the form of address, opting for the simpler and gender-neutral, "Justice." As of August 2009, she continues to hear cases and has rendered over a dozen opinions in federal appellate courts across the country, filling in as a substitute judge when vacations or vacancies leave their three-member panels understaffed.

We are honored to have Justice O'Connor be part of this important gathering. Don't miss the opportunity to meet Justice O'Connor and other distinguished panelists and attendees.

The Early Bird Registration Deadline is Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Please register now to take advantage of the special pricing for this extraordinary CLE schedule, networking events, entertainment, and speakers:

For Convention Attendees, save 20-25%
For Career Fair attendees, save nearly 12-20%
For Career Fair Employers, save 20%

For more details and to register, click here.

The Careerist

Paul Hastings Hiring Partner: Lose the Arrogance and the Chewing Gum

Vivia Chen

July 13, 2010

After interviewing four male hiring partners in a row this summer (from Jones Day, Vinson & Elkins, Skadden Arps, and K&L Gates), I'm finally chatting with a woman in the hiring seat. Today, I'm visiting with Paul Hastings partner Leigh Ryan, who's based in the San Diego office.

Is your firm griping about grade inflation like everyone else?
We've been seeing [grade inflation] over the past year. [For example,] Harvard's new grading system is making it very challenging to get a sense of how people are performing.

So what do you do when you can't rely on grades?
We look for students who are achievement- oriented and who show drive.

Do you have a "drive meter"?
If they take on leadership positions. We also ask them for examples of situations where they've set an aggressive goal, and how they reached that goal. And we look for commitment to law.

Is a 23-year-old capable of making a commitment to law?
It's tricky. We might ask, why did you go to law school? We try to get them talking about their school experience--[to see, for example,] if they get excited about evidence class.

What type of candidate is the most convincing?
People who have worked in the past have an edge. Certain schools, like Northwestern, emphasize working experience more.

Are firms more keen these days on candidates with work experience than those young bright things fresh out of college?
Yes. Our clients appreciate people who understand business and are more savvy.

Can we talk about memorable interview moments--good and bad?
I'd rather focus on the positive. The positive ones are those who know a lot about our firm and show drive and interest. Anyone who realizes this is a service business gets a lot of points.

But I'd love to hear about the negative, too. Can you give me an example of a bad interview?
Someone who doesn't realize they are interviewing with Paul Hastings. I know students go from one room to the next [during interview season], but it doesn't help if they get the name of the firm wrong.

Anything else people shouldn't do?
Being ill at ease and nervous. Some freeze up and have no questions to ask.

Do you see the opposite problem--that is, being too cocksure?
The sense of entitlement is very off-putting--the tone of "what do you have to offer me, when I have so many other offers to choose from?"

Who tends to convey that?
Often those at the top law schools who have done well. But sometimes people have that sense of entitlement even when they haven't performed at the top of the class.

Who tends to be more arrogant--men or women?
In my experience, it's been men, though I probably shouldn't say that.

For those who make the cut into your summer program, what kind of mistakes do they make?
We take summer associates to client meetings and depositions, and sometimes they behave inappropriately--like not keeping their eyes open or showing up late for a client meeting. It's also not a good idea to chew gum or check cell phones for text messages during meetings.

You mentioned that your summer class this year is 40 percent smaller than last year's, so are people freaking out about offers?
We have room for everyone to get an offer. But we made it clear that they have to earn it. We're definitely serious about substantive assignments.

If you have topics you'd like to discuss, or information to share for The Careerist, e-mail chief blogger Vivia Chen at VChen@alm.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Paul Hastings

http://thecareerist.typepad.com/thecareerist/2010/07/paul-hastings-hp.html

APPLY NOW! Civil Legal Assistance Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program (CLAAP)

Five million dollars is now available for distribution to qualified civil legal assistance attorneys. The online application is accessible here and applying as soon as possible is critical because the Department of Education will commit these funds to eligible civil legal assistance attorneys on a first-come, first-served basis. An attorney may be awarded up to $6,000 in repayment assistance in 2010 (actually received in 2011), and may be prioritized to receive assistance in future years if Congress continues to fund the program. An attorney may receive a lifetime maximum of $40,000 in assistance.

Complete and signed applications will be date and time stamped and processed in the order they are received. Do not submit an incomplete application– if the application is denied because it is incomplete, the Department of Education will send a letter explaining the reason it was denied, and a resubmitted request will receive a new date and time stamp.

The Civil Legal Assistance Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program (CLAAP) repays a portion of eligible federal student loan debt for civil legal assistance attorneys who are employed full-time. Attorneys are advised to understand the program requirements, and to carefully consider the Ineligibility for Double Benefits provision before determining whether or not to apply for CLAAP.

For more information, please view this comprehensive CLAAP
http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/resources/student-debt-relief/civil-legal-assistance-attorney-student-loan-repayment-program

Summer School at Capital City Law

Capital University Law School, in conjunction with the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy, is pleased to offer two, one-week intensive course institutes: the Interdisciplinary Child Welfare Institute (ICWI) and the Summer Adoption Law Institute (SALI)

For course descriptions, materials, financial aid, how to apply, housing and much more detail visit: www.law.capital.edu/summer/.

INTERDISCIPLINARY CHILD WELFARE INSTITUTE (ICWI) July 26 - July 30, 2010

This two-credit course will provide law students and graduate level social work students with a mutual understanding of the legal and sociological principles central to child welfare practice.

THE SUMMER ADOPTION LAW INSTITUTE (SALI) August 2 - August 6, 2010

This two-credit, intensive week-long course will explore adoption and related child protection issues from both academic and practitioner perspectives