FEBRUARY 2021 | VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2
AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW Office of Professional Development Monthly Newsletter
SECOND ISSUE OF THE YEAR
Wishing you great success on the upcoming Interim Assessments! IN
THIS
ISSUE
OPD Student Center Stage - Page 2 Job & Employer Spotlight - Page 3 Pro Bono Opportunities - Page 4-7 Upcoming Events - Page 8-12 Professional Development Outcome of The Month Page 13 Check Your Timeline! - Pages 14-16 Tips & Takeaways - Page 17 Connect With Us - Page 18 PAGE 1
THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
STUDENT CENTER STAGE SPOTLIGHTING STUDENTS WHO ARE CAREER SUPERSTARS
Class of 2021
Frantz Michel
This externship provided me with the opportunity to work with clients and to hear about Tax Law. Working at the Low Income Tax Clinic of Florida Rural Legal Services was a gratifying experience. I had the opportunity to help people experiencing financial hardship. Our site supervisor was very proactive in teaching and providing opportunities to go outside our comfort zone. He provided immediate feedback on our work and held training sessions. Professor Ross and Dean Lucas-Ross have enhanced the externship experience with their guidance and availability to answer any questions. I am grateful to the Ave Maria Office of Professional Development for providing the opportunity to find and apply for the externship.
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JOB
&
EMPLOYER
SPOTLIGHT
Employer: London Bay Homes ~ www.londonbay.com/about-us "It’s a singular commitment to ensuring each new residence is a perfect reflection of clients’ distinctive tastes and individual personalities."
Employer: VishioForry ~ https://vishioforry.com/ "In our modern world, we strongly believe in the motto “specialize or die.” Thus, when you speak to an insurance attorney at our firm, you can trust that he or she is highly trained and qualified to help you with your claim. No matter what the reason, when you need help with a legal matter, you can’t put your future in unsteady hands."
In-Office Spring 2021 Intern 2Ls & 3Ls may apply PAGE 3
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES Get Involved ~ Make a Difference ~ Serve Your Community
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO INVEST 15 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UPCOMING FLORIDA STATEWIDE PRO BONO LAW SCHOOL CHALLENGE. JENNIFER MILDREN, PRO BONO COORDINATOR WITH THE LEGAL AID SERVICE OF COLLIER COUNTY AND COLETTE KELLERHOUSE, ATTORNEY WITH KELLERHOUSE LAW, WILL SHARE BRIEF DETAILS ABOUT THIS GREAT UPCOMING OPPORTUNITY. LET’S STRIVE TO COME IN FIRST PLACE IN THE STATEWIDE COMPETITION BY SHOWING THAT WE HAVE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO PRO BONO AND HELPING OUR COMMUNITY!
LOG ON TO ZOOM, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 AT 5:30 P.M. SEE AVE CENTRAL & SYMPLICITY & FACEBOOK FOR DETAILS
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PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES Get Involved ~ Make a Difference ~ Serve Your Community
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PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES Get Involved ~ Make a Difference ~ Serve Your Community
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PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES Get Involved ~ Make a Difference ~ Serve Your Community
Attention 3Ls: If you plan to participate in the Pro Bono Recognition Program please make sure to submit the Commitment, Reflection and Evaluation Forms, plus all hours logs confirming your 50 hours of pro bono work to OPD@avemarialaw.edu by April 15th.
C U R R E N T
&
O N G O I N G
P R O J E C T S
Civil Litigation Ethics Project - Law Office of Tony Lawhon
Collier County Citizen’s Foster Care Review Board
Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge
Florida Rural Legal Services Migrant Farmer’s Advice Line, Low Income Tax Clinic, Bankruptcy
Law Office of Royce Hood Pro Bono Legal Research Project
Teen Court Mentoring Program
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UPCOMING OPD EVENTS Feb. 8 ~ 12:20 p.m. Nuts & Bolts of the Judicial Clerkship Application Process
Feb. 11 ~ 12:20 p.m. RPPTL Panel
RSVP HERE
Feb. 11 - 22: Summer On Campus Recruitment Application Collection
Feb. 12 ~ 1:00 p.m. 8th Annual Government & Public Interest Info Fair Simply open your smart phone camera and focus it on the QR code! Then, RSVP for the events you plan to attend.
Feb. 19 ~ 12:30 p.m. Hot Coffee & Hot Topics: Habits of Highly Effective People
MAR. 9 ~ 5:00 - 5:45 P.M. SHARPEN YOUR LEGAL INTERVIEWING SKILLS MAR. 9 &10 ~ 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. MOCK INTERVIEWS MAR. 23 ~ 12:30 - 1:30 P.M. HOW TO MANAGE YOUR CAREER
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UPCOMING OPD EVENTS On Campus Recruitment for Summer 2021 opportunities will open Thursday, February 11th Summer 2021 Judicial Internship recruitment happens February 1st - 8th
Please remember to submit your application materials now for approval via Symplicity so that you are prepared to apply for the available positions when OCR opens this month of February. The bidding will end for the Judicial OCR on February 8th and for the Private/Government opportunities on February 22nd. All application materials must be reviewed and approved before you can apply. Please reach out to the Office of Professional Development with any questions
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UPCOMING OPD EVENTS Registration for the 8th Annual Government & Public Interest Info Fair closes on Friday, February 5th
8TH ANNUAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INTEREST FAIR SIGN-UPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS ON SYMPLICITY UNDER THE EVENTS - WORKSHOPS SECTION FOR THE EIGHTH ANNUAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INTEREST FAIR BEING HELD VIRTUALLY THIS YEAR ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH. THIS IS AN INFORMATIONAL CAREER FAIR DESIGNED TO ALLOW STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT TYPES OF POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS. PRACTITIONERS WILL BE PRESENT TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IT IS LIKE TO WORK AT THEIR AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION, AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE TO FOCUS YOUR EDUCATIONAL AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IF INTERESTED IN ENTERING THE FIELD. THE VIRTUAL EVENT WILL RUN FROM 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. EACH EMPLOYER WILL BE ON ZOOM FOR FOUR 15 MINUTE MINI SESSIONS AVAILABLE WITHIN AN HOUR. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO NETWORK AND EXPLORE DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS. THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYERS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S EVENT:
20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURTS, STAFF ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FLORIDA COUNCIL AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, CHILDREN’S LEGAL SERVICES FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FLORIDA RURAL LEGAL SERVICES GUARDIAN AD LITEM LEE COUNTY LEGAL AID SOCIETY LEGAL AID SERVICE OF COLLIER COUNTY OFFICE OF CRIMINAL CONFLICT & CIVIL REGIONAL COUNSEL – 2ND DCA OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, 20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY, 20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
SPOTS ARE LIMITED. PLEASE SIGN UP THROUGH SYMPLICITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH. PRIOR TO THE EVENT, YOU WILL RECEIVE A PACKET INCLUDING ZOOM LINK DETAILS, TIPS FOR EVENT PREPARATION, AND BIOS ON STAFF MEMBERS ATTENDING FROM EACH ORGANIZATION.
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UPCOMING OPD EVENTS The Spring 2021 March Mock Interview Sign-up Is Now Open! Log On to Symplicity to see available timeslots.
Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 Mock Interview Participants
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UPCOMING OPD EVENTS The Spring 2021 March Mock Interview Sign-up Is Now Open! Log On to Symplicity to see available timeslots.
Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 Mock Interview Participants
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P P R O F E S S O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T O U T C O M E PR RO OF FE ES SS SIIIO ON NA AL L D DE EV VE EL LO OP PM ME EN NT T O OU UT TC CO OM ME E
OF THE MONTH
Recognize the importance of networking in law school and
throughout the legal profession, seeking opportunities to
network and developing a comfort level with networking.
What is networking?
Networking is a process used to obtain information on careers, advice, and referrals
without asking for a job. It is about getting to know people and sharing information.
Networking is NOT asking for a job, bragging, gossiping, using people, or pretending.
Networking is meeting people and building relationships with them. Keep in mind
that you can begin to build your network by attending any of the OPD spring 2021
programs, where you will meet business and legal professionals:
I. Real Property Probate & Trust Law Panel
lI. Government & Public Interest Info Fair
III. Mock Interviews
lV. How to Manage your Career Presentation
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CHECK YOUR
3Ls
TIMELINE
~ ATTEND THE GRADUATION FAIR. STOP BY OPD TABLE AND MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR MANDATORY EXIT INTERVIEW (MAY AND AUGUST GRADUATES).
~ ATTEND THE GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION FAIR AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES.
~ REVISE CONTACT LIST AND SEND OUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW LETTERS; CONTINUE TO FOLLOW-UP WITH PREVIOUS CONTACTS (AS NEEDED); ATTEND NETWORKING EVENTS.
~ REMAIN ACTIVE IN THE BAR ASSOCIATIONS YOU HAVE JOINED.
~ IF YOU ARE RELOCATING OUTSIDE OF THE SW FLORIDA AREA, MEET WITH A MEMBER OF OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO DISCUSS RECIPROCITY WITH THE CAREER SERVICES OFFICE OF A SCHOOL LOCAL TO YOU.
~ MAIL LETTERS TO EMPLOYERS WHERE YOU WILL BE SPENDING SPRING BREAK (IF THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING AFTER GRADUATION).
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2Ls
CHECK YOUR
TIMELINE
~ INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT? REACH OUT TO OPD REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS. NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED YOUR CLEARANCE LETTER FROM THE FLORIDA BAR TO BE CONSIDERED. ~ REVIEW AND APPLY FOR SUMMER POSITIONS THROUGH OUR ON-CAMPUS RECRUITMENT PROGRAM. MAKE SURE YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE APPROVED BY THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BEFORE YOU APPLY. FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT OCR, CONSULT THE ON CAMPUS RECRUITMENT GUIDE. ~ ATTEND THE GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION FAIR AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES. ~ ATTEND OPD PRESENTATIONS ON INTERNSHIPS & EXTERNSHIPS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THEY CONNECT YOU TO YOUR GOALS.
~ CONTINUE TO CHECK AND RESPOND TO JOB LISTINGS / RECRUITING SESSIONS ON SYMPLICITY. ~ RESEARCH LEGAL EMPLOYERS AND CREATE A SMALL, TARGETED MAILING LIST OF EMPLOYERS TO WHOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND AN UNSOLICITED RÉSUMÉ AND COVER LETTER. YOU CAN FIND EMPLOYERS ON SYMPLICITY, THROUGH BAR ASSOCIATION WEBSITES BY REVIEWING MEMBERSHIP LISTS, OR ON MARTINDALE. ~ REVISE CONTACT LIST AND SEND OUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW LETTERS; CONTINUE TO FOLLOW-UP WITH PREVIOUS CONTACTS (AS NEEDED); ATTEND NETWORKING EVENTS. ~ IF YOU ARE ON THE CLI TRACK FOR A FALL CLI, APPLICATION PACKETS ARE DUE.
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1Ls
CHECK YOUR
TIMELINE
~ REVIEW AND APPLY FOR SUMMER POSITIONS THROUGH OUR ON-CAMPUS RECRUITMENT PROGRAM. MAKE SURE YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE APPROVED BY THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BEFORE YOU APPLY. FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT OCR, CONSULT THE ON CAMPUS RECRUITMENT GUIDE. ~ ATTEND THE GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION FAIR AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES.
~ ATTEND OPD PRESENTATIONS ON INTERNSHIPS & EXTERNSHIPS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THEY CONNECT YOU TO YOUR GOALS. ~ CONTINUE TO CHECK AND RESPOND TO JOB LISTINGS / RECRUITING SESSIONS ON SYMPLICITY. ~ RESEARCH LEGAL EMPLOYERS AND CREATE A SMALL, TARGETED MAILING LIST OF EMPLOYERS TO WHOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND AN UNSOLICITED RÉSUMÉ AND COVER LETTER. YOU CAN FIND EMPLOYERS ON SYMPLICITY, THROUGH BAR ASSOCIATION WEBSITES BY REVIEWING MEMBERSHIP LISTS, OR ON MARTINDALE. ~ REVISE CONTACT LIST AND SEND OUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW LETTERS; CONTINUE TO FOLLOW-UP WITH PREVIOUS CONTACTS (AS NEEDED); ATTEND NETWORKING EVENTS.
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TIPS & TAKEAWAYS PROFESSIONALISM BEGINS WITH DEMEANOR AND DRESS
THE POPULAR SAYING: “DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER,” MAY HAVE THE RIGHT INTENTIONS, BUT RARELY, IF EVER, IS THE SAYING TRULY TAKEN TO HEART -- ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF DRESSING FOR THE WORKPLACE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT MOST PEOPLE DO CARE, AND NOT ONLY ABOUT HOW THEY LOOK, BUT HOW YOU LOOK, TOO. PERHAPS IT IS NOT SAID ENOUGH, BUT HOW YOU DRESS TELLS A STORY - MAYBE NOT THE ENTIRE STORY - BUT IT TELLS THE WORLD HOW THEY SHOULD INITIALLY PERCEIVE AND TREAT YOU, ACCORDING TO FORBES. EVEN IF IT IS HAPPENING SUBCONSCIOUSLY, THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU WILL FORM OPINIONS ABOUT YOU BASED ON HOW YOU PRESENT YOURSELF TO THE WORLD.
nnuno001. (2013, May 24). The Six Dimensions of Professional Behavior. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/nnuno001/the-six-dimensions-of-professionalbehavior Vallorani. (2018, Februaray 16). Dressing for Success & The Achievement of your Dreams. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2018/02/16/dressing-forsuccess-and-the-achievement-of-your-dreams/?sh=786132d1485b
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Exciting News! The Ave Maria Law Veterans Memorial Library has professional development books available! CHECK OUT THE BROAD COLLECTION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY. THESE GREAT RESOURCES WILL HELP YOU CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ALONG YOUR LEGAL CAREER JOURNEY.
Stay up to date on all OPD related events and opportunities!
@OPD_AveMariaLaw
@Ave-MariaOPD
@avemariaopd
Thank you to our student ambassador, Rebecca Long, for creating this month's newsletter! PAGE 18