Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Equal Justice Society Fellowship

The Equal Justice Society is accepting applications for its 2010-2011 Judge Constance Baker Motley Civil Rights Fellowship, named after the first African American woman to serve on the federal bench. Applicants for the one-year paid fellowship should be recent law school graduates with up to five years of work experience after law school. The application deadline is December 7, 2009.

EJS is a national strategy group heightening consciousness on race in the law and popular discourse. As heirs of the innovative legal and political strategists of Brown v. Board of Education, the organization broadly models its programmatic efforts after the late Honorable Constance Baker Motley and the Brown litigation team. Using a three-prong strategy of law and public policy advocacy, cross-disciplinary convenings and strategic public communications, EJS seeks to restore race equity issues to the national consciousness, build effective progressive alliances, and advance discourse on the positive role of government.

Motley Fellowship applicants should demonstrate experience in civil rights advocacy and a strong commitment to racial justice. The Fellow will work under the supervision of staff attorneys for a 12-month period. During the fellowship period, the Fellow may lead new research, advocacy, coalition building, and public education efforts related to transforming anti-discrimination law and policy. The Fellow will be a full participant in office events and activities, including staff meetings and strategic planning sessions.
  • Location: San Francisco, California
  • Period: October 1, 2010 - September 30, 2011 (flexible)
  • Deadline: December 7, 2009 (application must be received in our office, not postmarked, by the date listed)
  • Requirements: Applicants should be recent law school graduates with 0-5 years of work experience after law school. Bar passage is not required. Candidates will be evaluated based upon criteria including: Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice; demonstrated interest in civil rights law and policy; excellent research and oral /written communication skills.
  • Application: To be considered for the Judge Constance Baker Motley Civil Rights Fellowship, please send a cover letter, resume, list of four (4) references and a writing sample (preferably on a racial/social justice topic) to info@equaljusticesociety.org with the subject line "Motley Fellowship Application."
    OR mail hard copies to:
    Motley Fellowship Applications, Equal Justice Society, 260 California Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94111

Applications must be received in the office, not postmarked, by the dates listed above.

Reality's knocking -- The recession is forcing schools to bow to reality

The National Law Journal discusses how the difficult market is increasing incentives for law schools to revamp their curricula to prepare students for the realities of the legal profession. Click here for the full article.

Upcoming Jacksonville Networking Opportunities

Get involved with the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association:

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Event: Happy Hour
Location: St. Joe Building
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Sponsor: Jackson Lewis
Charity Fundraising: $5.00 donation collected at the door for Breast Cancer Foundation

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Event: Judicial Breakfast (Circuit Civil/Probate/Criminal)
Location: Duval County Courthouse, Room 505 (Old Jury Room)
Time: 8:00am to 9:00am
RSVP: To Elizabeth Howard (ehoward@rtlaw.com) by 11/5/09

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Event: Movie Night
Location: 5 Points Theatre
Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm (Happy hour starts at 6:00pm. Movie to follow beginning at 6:45pm)
RSVP: To Christian George (cgeorge@lgcglaw.com) by 11/12/09

Monday, October 12, 2009

Save the Date - National Pro Bono Week


Kickoff Breakfast & Orange Ribbon Campaign
10/26 8:30am Schott Courtyard

Come and enjoy coffee & bagels and speak with other students and faculty concerned about the legal needs of indigent and underserved communities. Don’t forget to pick up your orange ProBono Week ribbons! Help UF Law raise awareness about the need for support of pro bono services through financial contributions, volunteerism and advocacy throughout this week.

Pro Bono Fair
10/29 10-2pm Schott Courtyard

Meet representatives from local pro bono and public interest organizations, including Southern Legal Counsel, Guardian Ad Litem Program, Florida Institutional Legal Services, Teen Court and the Restoration of Civil Rights Project for whom you could do volunteer projects. Representativesfrom the Association of Public Interest Law & the Center for Career Development will also be tabling. Hours donated to these organizations may qualify you for a Pro Bono Certificate at graduation.
Visit http://www.law.ufl.edu/career/students/probono/index.shtml for more information on the Pro Bono Project.

Programs this Week

1L, 2L & 3L's: Perspectives from the Public Defender & State Attorney’s Offices
Tuesday, 10/13 12pm, HOL 345

Join 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney, Stacey Steinberg (‘03) and Public Defender, John Maguire, to learn about practicing criminal law with the government. You will hear how Certified Legal Interns are able to represent clients in court through UF Law’s Clinical Programs & how to gain invaluable litigation skills while helping others.

2L & 3L's Clinic Information Meeting
Wednesday, 10/14 12pm Bailey Courtroom

The CCD strongly encourages you to attend this program sponsored by the clinics & to apply for a clinical opportunity during your law school tenure. In today’s competitive market, employers seek those with practical skills and experience. Both are provided by participating in a clinic.

Monday, October 5, 2009

BEAT THE DAWGS! Alumni Reception - Jacksonville

Interested in the Jacksonville employment market? Attend the "Beat the Dawgs" alumni reception in Jacksonville on Thursday, October 29th from 5:30-7:30 at the River
Club at the top of the Modis Building. UF Law has a large alumni network in Jacksonville who would like to meet you.
Space available for 10 students only, so interested students should send an email indicating interest & class year to: careers@law.ufl.edu by 10/19.

Apply Early for Government Positions

Considering a government honors position for the summer or post-graduation? We have heard of several instances in which deadlines published in the Government Honors and Internship Handbook have been moved up by the hiring agency due to the large number of students applying for these positions. Be sure to get your application in as early as possible!

This Week's Programs

Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Noon, HOL 270
Considering Solo?

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from attorney Karen Specie, and learn about the benefits and challenges associated with her experience going solo. Assistant Dean Linda Calvert Hanson will be on hand to discuss the resources available on solo practice through the CCD. Bonita Young will also speak on how Lexis Nexis can assist you in setting up a solo practice. Pizza generously provided by Lexis.


Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Noon, HOL 345
Cover Letter Workshop

A well written cover letter can be the difference between a resume that gets attention and one that is thrown away unread. How are your letters stacking up against the competition? Join the CCD to discuss ways to improve your cover letters to highlight your best skills and accomplishments.

Thursday, Oct 8
2Ls and 3Ls at 11:00 am, HOL 345
1Ls at 1:00 pm, HOL 270
Discovering YOUR Ideal Career Through Self-Assessment


Hear speaker Dr. Martha Peters, author of Juris Types. This program will help students better target their career search by identifying their values and learning about the type of work environments in which they will thrive and find career satisfaction. Dr. Peters will also have some availability on Friday to meet individually with students to talk about their MBTI and options.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Volusia County Networking Opportunity

YLD LUNCH & LEARN CLE SEMINAR

BEING A YOUNG LAWYER: THINGS I WISH I KNEW BACK THEN…..
CLE APPROVED: 1.0 general, 1.0 ethics hours

Presented by Philip J. Bonamo, Esquire
President, Volusia County Bar Association

  • Issues Facing New Attorneys - What They Didn't Teach You in Law School
  • What the Judge is REALLY Looking For
  • Law Office Management - Importance of Office Environment and Its Dynamics
  • Ethics & Professionalism - What's the Difference?

Friday, November 13, 2009
747 Office Suites, 747 S. Ridgewood Avenue

Seminar will begin promptly at 12:00 noon – lunch will be set up at 11:30.

Boxed lunches: $10 for VCBA YLD Members & $15 Non-members
RSVP: volusiabar@bellsouth.net -- Please include your sandwich preference: ham, turkey or vegetarian.