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)

Professional Development: Public Interest Legal Skills Seminar

The Center for Public Interest Law has launched a Public Interest Legal Skill Seminar Series to help students:

• Aquire practical (and transferrable) legal skills
• Network with practicing attorneys
• Recognition witha Certification of Completion
• Build Resume
• Improve Job Prospects

This inaugural series will include a six-part seminar will focus on Mortgage Foreclosure, presented by Professor Kelli Dudley, and the topics will include:

1. Client Interview & Initial Interview
2. Motion Practice

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Plate Rotations

People often ask, "If my entrée is not in the best position to cut, may I turn the plate?"   The answer is, "Yes, you may turn your plate once."  You may not continue to rotate your plate this way and that like you are driving a bus.

1Ls: Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Mentor Program

The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) is excited to offer a unique professional opportunity to diverse 1L law students at DePaul University College of Law. Applications for the limited spots will open online at NOON on Wednesday, October 3rd.  More details on the program can be found on the LCLD website here and in Symplicity here. LCLD is a national organization of over 60 corporate general counsels and 120 law firm managing partners. For more information describing LCLD, please visit the LCLD’s website .

Etiquette Tip of the Week: I'll have the soup

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To eat soup properly, do not draw the spoon toward you, but scoop away through the soup, moving the spoon away from you. This way, you are less likely to splash soup on yourself.  (Gentlemen, you may not flip your tie over your shoulder at meals. You must learn to eat neat.)

Sit up straight and bring the soup spoon up to your lips.  Do not bring your lips down to the table.  Sip noiselessly from the side of the spoon (not from the front of the spoon as you were once coaxed as a child with, "Here comes the airplane.") 

Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest & Pro Bono Opportunities

Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest & Pro Bono Opportunities
Sponsored by the Public Interest Law Initiative, the Chicago Area Law School Consortium, and Phi Alpha Delta
Saturday, September 29, 2012
8:30 a.m. – Breakfast and Registration
9:00 a.m. to Noon – Program
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 West Adams Street
RSVP by Monday, Sept 24 by emailing rsvp@pili-law.org

Agenda:
A Panel Discussion on Internships & Fellowships Opportunities

Building Your Professional Image (While Networking)

ASK Networking Breakfast: Building Your Professional Image

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:00am - 9:00am Loop Campus, DPC, 11th Floor, DePaul Club

Enjoy light complimentary breakfast as you learn about building a strong professional presence, networking etiquette, and nonverbal professionalism at our first ASK breakfast of the year. Leading the discussion will be ASK mentor and communications expert Noeleen McGrath.

9/29: Explore The Possibilities: Pro Bono & Public Interest Law Opportunities

The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), the Chicago Area Law School Consortium (CALSC) and Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) has organized a law student program,  Explore The Possibilities: Pro Bono & Public Interest Law Opportunities. The program will take place on Saturday, September 29th from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Chicago-Kent College of Law.  Advance registration is required by September 24th for this complimentary program by email to rsvp [at] pili-law.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for helping us spread the word about this event.

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Shake On It!

I am always surprised when I meet a college student or person in business who is the picture of confidence -- smart business attire, great eye contact, smiling, perfect posture -- but then when that person goes in for the handshake... his or her handshake is so lifeless, so limp, I feel like my next step should be to check the person's pulse. 

Your handshake speaks. It must be firm. It should say: "I am intelligent.  I am confident.  And I am darn glad to meet you."

9/6: Gaining Experience: PBCSI Fall Activities Fair

Are you looking to gain experience and become more involved in both the law school and local community? Join the Pro Bono & Community Service Initiative (PBCSI) tomorrow, Thursday, September 6th at 11:50 a.m. in Room 905 for their Fall Activities Fair. PBCSI’s partner organizations will be there, along with other legal aid and service organizations. Lunch will be served.
No RSVP required. Please email PBCSI Director, Cheryl Price at cprice13 [at] depaul.edu for more information.

Bon appétit! Etiquette Tip of the Week

There are worse things you can do at a business meal than order steak tartare medium rare.  That is why it is helpful to know how to pronounce items on the menu correctly, so as not to look like a rube to co-workers, clients, interviewers or investors.  Please forgive us, if we are a little saucy in today's Etiquette Tip on how to pronounce a few sauces.

Roux (roo): a mixture of flour and fat used to thicken sauces

Bechamel (BAY-sha-mel): a white sauce with milk, butter, flour and onions

Mornay (mohr NAY): a thick cheese sauce, that is a variation of bechamel sauce

Beurre blanc (burr-blahn): a butter sauce made with white wine or vinegar

Demi-glace (dehm-ee-GLAHSS): a rich brown sauce reduced to a syrupy consistency

October 25-27: Equal Justice Works Conference/Career Fair in Washington, D.C.

Top public interest employers travel to D.C. every year to recruit the nations finest at the Equal Justice Works Conference & Career Fair, and it's an opportunity not to be missed. Policy organizations, congressional services, the country's best public defender offices, and many more network with students at table talk and lectures, as well as interview selected students for summer internships and full-time postgraduate positions. 

You Need These 3 People in Your Network

Networking isn’t just a casual practice, it’s also strategic. It’s almost like choosing a team. Along with yourself, you want to have the best players on the team. Whether you’re networking for a job or in the job market already, networking is only as effective as the people you reach out to.
 
Who are effective connections? Generally, they are people who can give as much to you as you can give to them. Networking isn’t about knowing the most people — it’s about knowing people that add value to your professional and personal life.
 
If you’re not sure where to start networking, or want to approach networking differently, here are three connections to target online or in-person:

ASK Program Offers Practice Interviews

The ASK Program wanted to let you know that several of their Mentors have set aside time to help students with practice interviews, inlcuding those below that are still available yet this month, as noted below. If you have been pursuing alternative careers outside the law, several of these interviewers can also give you insights into their industries.

7/27 Early-Bird Rate: 2012 NAPABA Central Regional Conference

AABA-Chicago is proud to host the 2012 NAPABA Central Regional Conference
 
August 17-19, 2012 

Featuring a number of informative & engaging CLE panels, a Vincent Chin trial re-enactment,
various networking opportunities & social events, including a karaoke night 

The conference's black tie Gala Dinner on  Saturday, August 18, 2012 will also serve as AABA-Chicago's Installation and 25th Anniversary Celebration

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Ballroom I & II
301 East North Water Street
Chicago, IL 60611 
Cocktail Reception 6pm
Program & Dinner 7pm
Black Tie Optional
*Keynote Speaker: L. Tammy Duckworth* 

REGISTER HERE TODAY!
* All attendees that sign-up on or before July 27, 2012  receive the Early-Bird Discount Rate
For Hotel Accommodations and Group Rates at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, CLICK HERE
* Group rates currently available until, August 1, 2012, and subject to availability.
 
2012 Central Regional Conference Schedule

How to make a Networking Plan

You don't have to keep tabs on everyone you've met since grade school to be successful at networking. Some people are social hubs and find networking easy and natural. Others need to make an effort to stay connected with friends and colleagues as well as forge new relationships. Whichever type of person you are, making the most of networking opportunities is critical to business success.

Upcoming CBA Special Events

CBA Annual Meeting - June 21
The CBA will host its 139th Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at The Standard Club (320 S. Plymouth Court). Robert A. Clifford, President 2011-2012, will preside over the meeting. Incoming President Aurora Abella-Austriaco will also make remarks. The 11:30 a.m. reception will be followed

Etiquette Tip of the Week: Cocktail (or Mocktail) Refresher

If you have a cocktail (or mocktail), here are a few reminders: 

Do not try and sip through that tiny little straw -- that is a stir stick.  Use it to stir your drink, then discard it (preferably to a waste receptacle and not between the cushions of a chair or couch).

Etiquette Tip of the Week: The Great Thing About Interviewing...

The great thing about interviewing is it is the one time you can tell people how wonderful you are and they are actually willing to listen.

Be honest about your qualifications and experience.  If an interviewer asks, "What is your biggest weakness?"  Do not try to disguise a positive as a negative with a canned baloney answer like, "I work too hard" or "I am a perfectionist."

Upcoming CBA Special Events

YLS Business Development Series: Client Retention - May 14
Get the seven keys to growing your practice through existing clients at this complimentary workshop sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section. On Monday, May 14, 2012, from 12:00-1:00 p.m., at the CBA, Steven Fretzin of Sales Results will teach you how to keep clients happy through a strong client retention plan. Complimentary. Members only. No MCLE. Register online.