DuPage County Bar Association Membership Information

Do you live or work in DuPage County? Are you interested in networking, learning about, and serving your community?  If so, join the DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA), the largest county bar association in Illinois. With over 2,400 members, you’ll join a diverse consortium of colleagues to meet, serve, and learn with in DuPage County which consists of towns such as Naperville, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Lombard, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Darien, and West Chicago.

Free Coffee, Tea & Hot Chocolate in LCS Dec 6-19 During Exams

As you head into exams, from December 6-19th between 9am and 6pm, LCS will be wishing you an abundance of luck and a minimum of stress.  Stop in to the Student Services Suite, 300 Lewis, for a free cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.  Sit for a bit and watch a sitcom or movie.  While you’re here, sign up for a free chair massage (on December 10, 11, 17 and 19 from 3-5pm) by a Body Peace massage therapist, and enter your name in our raffle to win “The Official Guide to Legal Specialties.”

Be good to yourself; we look forward to seeing you here!

Your LCS Team 
(Student Services Suite, 300 Lewis; 312.362.8385)

Feeling lost as you navigate finals? Let LCS be your oasis!

We know you’re working hard preparing for exams, so LCS wants to help make it a bit easier. From December 6-19th between 9am and 6pm, we’re offering free coffee/tea/hot chocolate, movie clips, and a raffle.  We’re also offering free chair massages (various days/times) to help you re-charge during the final push of the semester. 

Come in or call to sign up for your free chair massage by a Body Peace massage therapist*.  Enter your name in our raffle to win “The Official Guide to Legal Specialties.”

See you soon, and good luck on exams!

Your LCS Team 
(Student Services Suite, 300 Lewis; 312.362.8385)

* Massages are offered on limited days and times, so sign up before they’re gone!

Test Drive Law Career Video Service - This Thursday Only in LCS

Come take a sneak peak THIS THURSDAY ONLY (11/29/12) in Law Career Services at a new web video service that may help you find and succeed in a fulfilling career path using your law degree.

On Thursday only, Law Career Services has arranged to give you a preview of this new tool--full of real world advice that you won't get in class--that is debuting after the holidays. Whether you want to land a gig at a big law firm, start your own practice, or do something totally different with your law degree, you'll hear from successful JDs describing their fields, how to break in and how to succeed. You'll also get video tips on all kinds of practical skills from interviewing and networking, to handling a new assignment at work, to making partner.

Join us in Law Career Services this Thursday to preview the site and share your feedback.  No appointments needed.

CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF LAW 2013 SUMMER LAW CLERK PROGRAM

The City of Chicago Department of Law invites law students to apply for its 2013 Summer Law Clerk Program. Usually, the program begins June 1st and is for a minimum of 10 weeks; however, the start date and duration of a law clerk’s summer will be determined by the law clerk and his/her direct supervisor. The Summer Program is designed to provide current law students with a challenging unpaid clerkship that reflects the demands and rewards of public service, as well as a

Law Quick Practice Guides

Law Career Services has uploaded the following Quick Practice Guides into Symplicity’s Resources Tab.  These guides provide a quick overview of sample resources, ideas and opportunities in the following practice areas.  This collection of resources will gradually be expanded to include most major practice areas in the future.

Art & Cultural Heritage
Child & Family Law
Intellectual Property
Patents
Government
Public Interest
Corporate
Criminal
Immigration
Environmental
Real Estate
Public International (Human Rights)

Opportunities with the City of Chicago Department of Law

The Law Department serves the Mayor, City Departments, Boards and  Commissioners and the City Council administering policies and programs to benefit Chicago residents.   Hear about the City's:
Externship Program
Summer Volunteer Program
Law Clerk Program (paid and volunteer)
Entry-level Attorney Program

Learn about Law Department Opportunities and what it’s like to manage and practice law at one of

New Patent Bar Exam Requirements

Did You Know? Starting April 2013, the amount of materials that students must master to pass the Patent Bar Exam nearly doubles!  2Ls and 3Ls should seriously consider sitting for the Patent Bar Exam this winter.  Want vital information regarding the changes?

Join us for a Skype information session with Patent Bar Exam expert Mark Dighton from PLI (Practicing Law Institute).  Wednesday, November 14th | 4:30pm - 5:30pm | 805 Lewis

Refreshments Will Be Provided by CIPLIT and LCS

Call for Law Student Art

Law Students: Do you have a creative side you’d like to share with the rest of DePaul Law? Law Student Services is looking to display some artwork made by law students in our 3rd floor suite! We are interested in paintings, drawings, photography, or any other framed artwork that is appropriate for the workplace.

If you would like to submit your artwork or you have any questions, please stop by the Law Student Services Suite, 300 Lewis, just above the student lounge or contact Law Career Services at law_career@depaul.edu.

2013 Urban Leaders Summer Fellowship (PAID!)

If you are interested in pursuing policy or legislative opportunities, you'll want to check out this PAID oportunity.  More like this are available in the Public Policy Handbook (see the Symplicity Quick Links for the login/password information).

2013 URBAN LEADERS SUMMER FELLOWSHIP - URBAN LEADERS (DENVER, MEMPHIS, OTHER LOCATIONS)

Seeking Undergraduates, 1L and 2L Law Students, and Graduate Students for 30-50 paid (stipend will be approx. $2000), 6-week Urban Leader Fellowships in Denver, Memphis, and possibly other areas.   Hiring projections are for 20-25 Fellows in Denver; 6-10 Fellows in Memphis; and possibility of 6-10 Fellows in additional regions.  Fellows will work half-time on high-level policy projects with an elected official.  They will also work half-time alongside community partner organizations. Denver fellowships are available in 6 areas:  Education, Energy, School Finance, Health, Judiciary, and Transportation, and past community partner organizations have included  Denver School of Science and Technology, Denver Public Schools, Colorado Department of Education, Prodigal Son Initiative (anti-gang violence non-profit), Education Reform Now, Teach for America, Stand for Children.  Memphis Fellows work on a project-basis, typically in areas such as affordable housing, urban blight, and community engagement; past community partner organizations have included Stand for Children, Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Department of Education, and Achievement School District. 

Spots Available for 11/6 Self-Assessment Workshop

Not sure what you want to do with your law degree?  Are you Lost?  Confused?  Overwhelmed?  Or do you want to confirm the choice(s) you have made?  How the heck do you figure these things out? 

Find out in this LCS Self-Assessment Workshop:
Tuesday, November 6, 11:50am-12:50pm, Lewis 903

Participation limited to 15, but spots still available.
RSVP on Symplicity

CBA Committee Meetings for the Week of November 5, 2012

November 5
Public Affairs Committee
Committee will meet.

Real Property Law, Construction Law & Mechanics Lien Subc (IL MCLE Credit)
John Polich, Gabriel Environmental Services, case law, legislative updates and more.

Applications Available for Summer 2013 at USAO in Chicago

Applications for the Summer 2013 Law Student Intern Program at the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office have opened. They are due: Friday, January 4, 2013.

Please see Symplicity Job Posting #17622 for more details.

The USAO for the Northern District of Illinois is responsible for prosecuting all federal crimes within the district. The Office also represents the United States and its departments and agencies in civil proceedings filed in federal court and in the Seventh Circuit. The primary goals of the Law Student Intern Program are to provide law students with the greatest possible exposure to and participation in federal trial and appellate practice and to obtain excellent legal talent to assist this Office in handling its multitude of cases.

PMF Tips: Focusing on the Criteria

As with any job, it is important to focus on what the employer needs from you to make their organization more successful.  For programs like the Presidential Management Fellows, it is a bit trickier because you don't have a specific employer you are targeting yet.  But it is also easier because they've identified the criteria on which they are basing their evaluations:

• Problem Solving
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication

Next Week Community Events

For more details on these, and other programs, please check out the Symplicity, College of Law, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois Pro Bono, and other calendars (such as the All Bar Calendar) for more education and networking opportunities:

Tuesday, October 30

• Shadow a Judge, Institute for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution, Skokie Courthouse

CBA Committee Meetings for the Week of October 29, 2012

October 29
Unauthorized Practice & Multidisciplinary Practice Committee
Meeting cancelled.

November 1
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Meeting rescheduled to November 8.

PMF: Finding the FAQs & Policy Background

The PMF website is full of really useful information.  One piece that is updated regularly throughout the process are the various FAQs.  Here's the ones that applicants will find the most useful:

• The Opportunity
• Become a PMF
• Current PMFs

If you're a true policy wonk, you'll also love that under About Us, there's a section on Policy, with all of the relevant Regulations, Executive Orders, the Implementation Plan, and more!

CARPLS Works Volunteer Opportunity for Attorneys: Training October 30th

Would you like to help low-income families with their landlord/tenant, domestic relations, and consumer debt issues?  CARPLS Legal Aid is looking for volunteer attorneys to counsel clients on Cook County’s legal hotline in our CARPLS Works program, weekdays from 9-1 or 1-5

CARPLS Works gives you the opportunity to make productive use of your education and experience to help others while deepening your legal skills and navigating the legal market in Chicago.  In addition to providing a service to your community, volunteering with CARPLS allows you to earn CLE credits for training, network with fellow CARPLS attorneys at social and fundraising events, and round out your resume with substantive knowledge and client consultation skillsVolunteer training involves two steps: substantive law; and systems/live-call training.

CBA Volunteer Opportunities

YLS Wills for Heroes - October 27
The YLS will host a special Pro Bono Week Wills for Heroes event on Saturday, October 27, 2012, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at the Geneva Fire Department, 200 E. Side Dr., Geneva. Volunteers are needed to create complimentary wills, living wills, and other estate planning documents for local emergency first responders and their spouses or partners. There will be a brief volunteer training from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. and document preparation will take place from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. To volunteer, click here to fill out RSVP survey. Since November 2001, the Wills for Heroes program has prepared over 6,000 estate-planning documents for first responders.

YLS Legal Prep Charter Academies Clean Up – November 3
On the morning of Saturday, November 2, 2012, join the YLS and the students and staff of Legal Prep to clean up the community around Legal Prep Charter Academy. 15 volunteers are needed. Legal Prep is located at 4319 W. Washington St. (approx. 1 mile from the Pulaski-Forest Park stop of the CTA blue line.). The clean up will go from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come for an hour, stay for the entire time! Snacks and lunch will be provided. To volunteer, email yls [at] chicagobar.org.

YLS Repack Night at GCFD - November 7

So you want to be considered an expert in your field of practice?

Let's start with what you know.

Do you have years of law experience? Do you have an in-depth knowledge of the law you practice? Have you had many trials to hone your skills? Did you graduate with honors? What about your clients? Are they satisfied enough to recommend you?