Hogan/Smoger Access To Justice Essay Contest

For 40 years, this competition was known as the "Roscoe Hogan Environmental Law Essay Contest." It was established in 1970 by the late Roscoe B. Hogan of Birmingham, Alabama, a prominent environemtnal lawyer. The competition provided law students the opportunity to investigate and offer solutions to the many injustices inflicted on the environment.

With additional support from attorney Gerson Smoger -- a past president of Public Justice and current board member -- the contest was renamed, and, beginning with the 2011 competition, expanded to consider not only environmental but all forms of injustice.

The 2012 winning essay, written by Yale Law School student Lewis Bollard, was titled, "Ag-Gag: The Unconstitutionality of Laws Restricting Undercover Investigations on Farms."

For the 2013 contest, writers should address the question, "Is Democracy for Sale?"

• Have Citizens United's holdings run amok?
• Legal challenges left to Super Pacs?
• Can funding disclosure be required?

Prize: $5000 and free 2013 Public Justice membership

Any student currently enrolled in an accredited American law school may enroll in the contest. Each entry must be submitted through a faculty advisor. All entrants must fill out and submit an intent-to-enter form by January 31, 2013 (see link at bottom of page) and mail, fax or e-mail it to: Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice Essay Contest, Public Justice Foundation, Attention: Cassandra Goings, 1825 K St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006. Fax: 202-232-7203. E-mail: cgoings@publicjustice.net.

DEADLINE
Essays must be received by March 31, 2013.

ELIGIBILITY OF ESSAY
If the essay is prepared for academic credit, it is eligible only if submitted for credit during the 2012-13 academic year. If the essay was neither prepared nor submitted for academic credit, it is eligible only if prepared for this contest during the 2012-13 academic year. If the essay was prepared as part of paid legal work outside of law school, it is not eligible for this contest.

ABSTRACT
Students must also submit an abstract (limited to 100 words) describing the paper. Please include name, address, law school and phone number on the abstract. The author's name and law school must NOT appear anywhere in the essay other than on the cover page and abstract.

SUBMISSION
Applicants must submit both hard copy and electronic copy of the essay and the abstract. A hard copy and a burned CD containing the essay and the abstract in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect format should be mailed to Public Justice at the aforementioned address. The pages of the hard copy must be firmly fastened together with a cover page containing the following information:

• Title of Essay (must also appear at the top of the first page of the essay)
• Author's Name
• Author's year in law school and expected graduation date
• Law school name and address
• Date submitted for academic credit, if so submitted
• Author's permanent and school addresses and phone numbers (IMPORTANT: indicate effective dates for all addresses)
• Sponsoring faculty member name and phone number

LENGTH
Essays must not exceed 50 pages of 8½ by 11-inch paper, double-spaced, excluding footnotes.

AUTHORSHIP
Essays must have only one author. Joint essays will not be accepted.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS
Essays will not be returned to the authors, and the judges' comments and evaluations will not be provided to the applicants. Public Justice reserves the non-exclusive right to publish in hard-copy all or part of the essay or abstract at its discretion.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PUBLIC JUSTICE AND THE APPLICANTS
Any questions, clarifications, or requests from the applicant should be communicated to Cassandra Goings at 202-797-8600 or cgoings@publicjustice.net. Please indicate "Access to Justice Essay Contest" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Intent-to-Enter Form

Criminal Defense Competition and Summer Fellowship

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Diversity Task Force (DTF) Student Essay Competition and Diversity Summer Fellowship Program.

For the fifth year of the essay competition, ALL students enrolled in the 2012-2013 academic year and in good academic standing at an accredited law school are eligible to receive prizes of cash, recognition, publication in  The Champion, and more.  For a full description and contest rules, you and your students may visit NACDL's website at www.nacdl.org/essaycompetition The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2012. Through the essay competition, NACDL and DTF challenge students to improve their issue analysis and writing skills. 

For the fourth year of the Diversity Summer Fellowship Program, students from underrepresented populations enrolled in the 2012-2013 academic year and in good academic standing at an accredited law school re encouraged to apply.  Applications are online on NACDL's website at   www.nacdl.org/diversityfellowship/ . The deadline for applications is January 7, 2013.  Through the Fellowship Program, NACDL and DTF support diversity in the next generations of criminal defense practitioners. 

If you are not familiar with us, NACDL, located in Washington, D.C., is the nation’s preeminent bar association serving the criminal defense profession and is committed to serving a diverse and inclusive community of lawyers.  With members in every state and from many nations, NACDL’s mission is to: Ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime ... Foster the integrity, independence and expertise of the criminal defense profession ... Promote the proper and fair administration of criminal justice. It provides opportunities for attorneys to connect, share information and learn from one another. These efforts build on NACDL's long-standing commitment to students that have included the initiation of student memberships and the the Cathy Bennett Mock Trial Competition. 

For more information about NACDL, please visit us on the web at www.nacdl.org, on linkedin.com, on Facebook or on Youtube.com. 

Getting the Most Out of Symplicity: Document Library

Symplicity is a robust career services management system used by the OPD to assist students and alumni with career-related activities. Most current students may use Symplicity to peruse the job posting board, but may not be aware of the numerous other resources available through the system. Today's highlight is the document library.

Once you have signed on to your Symplicity account, select the "Resources" tab at the top. This gives you a drop-down menu to select "Document Library". The document library houses a number of resources, including detailed career-related handouts, as well as videos of presentations and panels. Accessing the videos is of particular interest to evening students who may not have the flexibility to attend daytime programming at the law school.

Check out the Document Library on Symplicity and contact a member of the OPD staff with more questions or to obtain access to your Symplicity account.

Cover Letter Tips: Detailed Content

A cover letter is the first writing sample you provide to a potential employer. Therefore, the letter should be concise, descriptive, and persuasive. Ultimately, a cover letter must positively distinguish you from other applicants. See below for some tips on the detailed content of your letter:

The opening paragraph should introduce you to the reader by acknowledging your status as a student or recent graduate. Explain briefly your reason for writing such as in response to a job posting or at the suggestion of an individual. Indicate your knowledge about the employer by including what interested you about the employer’s business or practice areas, commitment to the community, clients, or innovative programs.

You can also acknowledge any previous contact with the reader, with one of his or her peers or colleagues, or why a mentor or colleague encouraged you to contact the reader. If you are applying for a position outside of your current residence, the opening paragraph is a great place to connect yourself to the employer geographically.

Your cover letter’s middle paragraph(s) are the opportunity to really distinguish yourself from other applicants. You should demonstrate that you have the credentials the employer is seeking by integrating, but not cutting and pasting, language from the job posting. If your letter is unsolicited and therefore there is no enumerated set of ideal characteristics, take guidance from the employer’s website. Note any similarities between you and other employees and highlight accordingly. This is your opportunity to convince the reader to examine your resume.

The middle paragraph(s) need to sell your strengths by emphasizing your educational credentials, experience, skills, and abilities using concrete examples. For example, instead of simply indicating that you meet a particular requirement, provide an example from work or school that demonstrates that requirement in action. Every sentence counts.

Your cover letter's closing paragraph is your call to action. Thank the reader for his or her consideration of your application. Indicate that you look forward to hearing from him or her. It need not be a long paragraph. You can also list any other special considerations in this paragraph. For example, if the employer is located in a different geographic location, indicate when you expect to visit the area for a potential visit.

You should always follow up after sending an unsolicited letter, so tell the reader in the final paragraph what your next action item will be. For example, “I will contact you in the next two weeks to discuss my interest in working for your organization and to schedule an interview.” If the employer is located outside where you currently live, let the reader know when you will be in the area and that you are available to meet during that time frame. It may seem overly forward or confident yet it is critically important to be proactive and professional.

Interviewing Tips: Asking Questions

When interviewing with a potential employer, it is important for you as the applicant to ask questions during the meeting. It does not necessarily matter whether you work the questions into the conversation during the interview, or wait until the end to pose your questions. It is important that you be prepared with meaningful inquiries that not only demonstrate your interest in the position, but also answer the questions you have about the employer or the job description. Remember: you are also "interviewing" the employer to determine if the job would be a good fit for you. See the suggestions below for some typical questions asked by applicants during an interview:

Asking Questions

It is important for you to prepare questions to ask the interviewers.  You should take the opportunity to ask questions to further show why you are the person for the job.  Your questions should reflect your interest in and knowledge about the employer.  Also, working in questions about matters discussed during the interview shows that you were listening and able to think on your feet.  Sample questions might include:

• What skills does the firm look for in an associate?
• How are summer associates supervised?
• Is there a formal review process?
• What does it take to be successful at your firm?
• Why did you decide to join the firm/ agency/ company?
• What do you find most rewarding about the practice of law?
• What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you least enjoy about your job?
• What words of advice can you give to a student beginning their first law clerk experience? 

Resume Tips: Types of Resumes

Students enter law school with varying backgrounds and experience. Therefore, each individual student should consider how best to format their resume when presenting education and experience to potential employers. Consider the three main types of resumes below and schedule a meeting with a member of the OPD staff for assistance tailored to your background.

Three Basic Types of Resumes

• The chronological resume is the type of resume used most often. It stresses dates and places of employment. Often, a chronological resume begins with the most recent employment and education and moves backwards in time.
• The functional resume presents credentials under skill headings and is more of a narrative. This type of resume illustrates skills by focusing on accomplishments that support the skill. The functional resume is most useful to individuals who had a long career in one area. It allows the applicant to eliminate monotonous repetition of similar jobs. The functional resume is also helpful to individuals transitioning to non-legal positions.
• The composite resume is a mixture of the chronological and functional resumes. It emphasizes dates of employment, title of positions, and skills acquired. The composite resume also uses the layout of both the chronological and functional resume. 

Cover Letter Tips: Basic Types and Format

A cover letter is the first writing sample you provide to a potential employer. Therefore, the letter should be concise, descriptive, and persuasive. Ultimately, a cover letter must positively distinguish you from other applicants. See below for some tips on getting started with your cover letter type and format: 

Types of Cover Letters
There are two kinds of cover letters: those in response to a job posting or recruiting program, and letters of introduction  that are unsolicited by the employer. In some respects, both types of letters are the same; however, the unsolicited letter requires additional content and action, as noted below. Regardless of the type, your cover letter should be no longer than one typed page.

Structure of a Cover Letter
Every cover letter should contain the following:

·         Your Contact Information

·         Date

·         Reader’s Address Block

·         Opening Salutation (e.g., Dear Ms. Doe)

·         Introduction Paragraph

·         Body

·         Call to Action Closing

·         Closing Salutation (e.g., Sincerely)

·         Your Signature and Name

Use a simple and professional font to type the letter, such as Calibri or Times New Roman. The size of the font should be 11-12 point type. Use consistent margins at the top and sides of the document. If the employer will receive the letter in a hard copy, use a quality printer and professional resume-type paper in a plain color (white or ivory). Although it is not necessary, cover letters that match your resume in font and format make your application look more polished and professional.
Your contact information may appear at the top of the letter in the form of a header. Consider using the header from your resume to give your cover letter the look of letterhead. You should include your mailing address, preferred telephone number, and an appropriate email address.

Always include the date on which the letter was written or intended to be mailed. You should write the date in full (e.g., July 4, 2010).

Whenever possible a cover letter should be addressed to the appropriate person. If you are uncertain to whom to address the cover letter, research the employer to identify the appropriate individual. In general, you should address the reader with Ms., Mr., or Mrs., followed by his or her last name. Always remember to confirm the correct spelling of the person's name! Unless you are submitting materials for a blind ad, you should never address your cover letter as, "To Whom It May Concern," as there is a chance that a letter addressed to no one will be read by no one.

Holiday Networking

Our friends in the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association have some holiday networking advice for students.  Check out this podcast:

About the Program 

Before you head home for the holidays or hit the holiday party circuit, learn how to make the most of social events and family gatherings in advancing your career and practice development prospects.  Do not waste this wonderful season sitting on the sidelines!  Law students, young lawyers and those new to client development will hear answers to the following questions:

• How should I best prepare myself to attend networking functions during the holidays?
• How do I capitalize on bar association events over the holidays?
• How can I most effectively follow-up with contacts I meet at holiday events and happy hours?
• How do I brand my skills into a cohesive story and powerful elevator pitch?
• What are the benefits of seeking out mentors for professional development?
• How can I take advantage of social networking, and what are the best ways to utilize the resources out there?
• How do I connect the dots between online and in-person extracuricular activities and a career path?

Moderator:

• Lynn A. Howell, Houston, TX and Gulfport, FL

Speakers:

• Matthew W. Barnes, Partner, Burr & Forman LLP, Birmingham, AL
• Jasmin N. French, Corporate Associate, Ice Miller LLP, Indianapolis, IN 
• Charles R. Gallagher, III, Managing Partner at Gallagher & Associates Law Firm, P.A. St. Petersburg, FL  
• Jill Eckert McCall, Director, American Bar Association Center for Professional Development, Chicago, IL
• Barbara Mendel Mayden, Member, Young Mayden LLC, Legal Search and Law Firm Consulting, Nashville, TN

Interviewing Tips: Dos and Don’ts

The OPD staff receives a number of questions throughout the year about appropriate behavior during an interview. Consider the following chart as a quick review before you begin your next interview.

 

Dos and Don’ts

What should you do during the interview?

What shouldn’t you do during the interview?

·         Offer a firm handshake and make eye contact with the interviewer; your expression should be friendly. ·         Establish a rapport with the interviewer and show your enthusiasm and interest in the position during the first three to five minutes of the interview. ·         Be conversational in nature and not purely question and answer session. ·         Laugh when appropriate and smile. ·         Maintain eye contact. ·         Be yourself yet maintain a professional demeanor. ·         Pause and gather your thoughts assuring that your response is sincere and honest, and answers the question. ·         Be pleasant to anyone that greets you. ·         Smile sincerely! ·         Address with Mr. or Ms., unless you are given permission to use their first name.  ·         Ask for business cards. ·         Keep your answers brief (between 30 to 90 seconds) except when answering a behavior-based question. ·         Ask for clarification if you do not understand a question. ·         Take notes about information you want to retain or ask additional questions about later in the interview. ·         Ask meaningful questions to demonstrate your interest in the position.

·         Leave your phone on or check your phone for messages during the interview. ·         Interrupt the interviewer. ·         Speak too loudly, softly or quickly. ·         Use clichés, slang or improper English such as "uumms" and "Ya know what I mean" statements. ·         Fidget. ·         Play with hair, jewelry, or clothing. ·         Bite your nails. ·         Take control of the interview. ·         Overuse hand and nervous gestures. ·         Go off on tangents. ·         Chew gum. ·         Come unprepared. ·         Act cocky. ·         Ask about salary. ·         BE LATE! ·         Avoid eye contact or appear disengaged from the discussion. ·         Bad mouth past employers or experiences. ·         Exaggerate your experience or connections. ·         Neglect to ask any questions, especially when prompted by the interviewer at the end of the meeting.