AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW THE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT March 2021 Newsletter Volume 6 | Issue 3
In this Addition: Pg. 2 Pg. 3 Pg. 4 -7 Pg. 8 - 10 Pg. 11 - 12 Pg. 13 - 14 Pg. 15 Pg. 16 Pg. 17 Pg. 18
Student Center Stage Employer & Job Spotlight OPD March Events Pro Bono Check Your Timelines Upcoming April Events Professional Development Resources Professional Development Outcome External Events Links for OPD Presentations
The Office of Professional Development Student Center Stage Spotlighting students who are career superstars
Class of 2021 Christopher Gero Prado
The Office of Professional Development has been an invaluable resource from the moment I set foot on campus. Attending the mock interviews hosted by OPD provided me with an opportunity to interview with local attorneys and a judge, which surprisingly led to an opportunity to participate in a judicial internship. Ms. Oglesby met with me oneon-one following mock interviews and helped me to identify areas where I could improve to ensure I presented myself in the best possible light in future interviews. As a result of OPD’s dedication and assistance throughout my 1L year, I was able to secure an internship over the summer at a local firm, where I learned some of the more practical aspects of practicing law that aren’t easily taught in a classroom. Thanks to Dean LucasRoss bringing the opportunity to my attention, I was also able to apply for and secure a summer associate position at one of the larger law firms with a presence in SWFL, and I am hopeful that I will be able to secure a Certified Legal Internship at the Naples State Attorney’s Office this upcoming Fall. If you’re willing to put forth the effort, Ms. Oglesby and Dean Lucas-Ross will be in your corner and help you however they can. I couldn’t be more grateful for all of their help and assistance!
Employer & Job Spotlight Federal Work Study Internship Available!
Avard Law is looking for a second year student with a strong interest in personal injury litigation, veterans disability, and workers compensation. The student should have good grades Law Review is a plus - they can work remotely. Send Resume, Writing Sample, and Transcript Log on to Symplicity for details
March OPD Events March 9th, 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm Sharpen Your Legal Interviewing Skills Discussion with Greg Fowler
March OPD Events March 9th & 10th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Mock Interviews on Zoom
March OPD Events March 23rd, 12:30-1:30 pm, Via Zoom How to Manage your Career: Top 10 Do's & Don'ts of Building & Managing a Great Career Presentation with Julie Q. Brush, Lawyer Whisperer
March OPD Events March 26th, 12:30-1:30 pm, Via Zoom
NON-TRADITIONAL CAREERS IN THE LEGAL FIELD Join the Office of Professional Development to explore nontraditional career options that allow you to use your J.D. after graduation in areas you may not have thought of!
Get Involved ~ Make a Difference ~ Serve Your Community
Current & Ongoing Projects Lee County Legal Aid Community Self Help Clinic
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
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. Check your email for existing total hours.
Get Involved ~ Make a Difference ~ Serve Your Community
Do not forget the FL Pro Bono Challenge Ave Maria Law Alumni are currently 1st place on the alumni leader board...CONGRATULATIONS!
The school maintains 6th place on the student leader board. Please consider signing up to work on a case. Also, Collier County Legal Aid is posting new cases regularly. The Challenge will end on March 26, 2021. visit www.floridalawschoolchallenge.org to track our progress and sign up for a pro bono case.
Check Your Timelines
1L March - File your Florida Board of Bar Examiners Student Registration application, if you have not done so already. Deadline is March 15th. This is the final deadline if you wish to remain on the CLI track. - Prepare for your job interview. Sign up for a mock interview on Symplicity. Review Interviewing Guide. - Continue to check and respond to job listings / recruiting sessions on Symplicity.
2L March - Prepare for your job interview. Sign up for a mock interview on Symplicity. Review Interviewing Guide. - Continue to check and respond to job listings / recruiting sessions on Symplicity. - Finalize your summer job plans. - Interested in practicing in the SW Florida area after graduation and looking to integrate into the local legal community while also learning excellent research and advocacy skills? Consider applying to be a student member of the Inns of Court. Contact OPD for more information.
3L March - Prepare for your job interview. Sign up for a mock interview on Symplicity. Review Interviewing Guide. - Attend your mandatory Exit Interview with Office of Professional Development. Use the time to discuss your post-graduate job search plans. - As you are considering your next step, this may be a good time to re-assess your professional skills and interests. Make an appointment with Office of Professional Development to complete a self-assessment.
Upcoming OPD Events
Upcoming OPD Events April April 9: Hot Coffee & Hot Topics: Why Professionalism Matters April 26: Business Etiquette Presentation April 27: Professional Development Presentation & Trivia Night 5:30 pm -7:00 pm April 28: Pro Bono Recognition Program Check Ave Central for more details!
Library Resources Professional Development Books are available at Ave Maria School of Law Veterans Memorial Law Library. These great resources will help as you continue to develop along your legal career journey. Here are just a few of the many book titles available:
Professional Development Outcome Highlight: Identify the verbal and written communication skills necessary in a professional setting and grow personal communication style expected of a legal professsional. Maintain consistent communication skill level necessary to build and maintain professional relationships.
Take the time to view the following series of interactive e-learning modules for students who are starting job searches and preparing to enter the work force. Provided by the National Association of Law Professionals. https://www.nalp.org/developing_the_professional_lawyer
Email & Voicemail Etiquette Managing Job Offers Best Practices for Communicating with Employers During the Application Process Virtual Interviews & Remote Work
https://www.accesslex.org/student-events
OPD 2021Presentation Videos If you missed any of our professional development programming, please copy the links below to view the presentations. Additional links can be found on Ave Central & Symplicity. Feb. 16, 2021
Win the Interview & Get the Job https://youtu.be/82EaI2xzzY4
Feb. 11, 2021
RPPTL Learning Over Lunch https://youtu.be/OXyDgz6Nb-U - Speaker’s View https://youtu.be/DXmNISFwT3w - Gallery View
Feb. 8, 2021
The Nuts & Bolts of the Judicial Clerkship Process https://youtu.be/Ptz2U-YhFKg
Jan. 26, 2021
Internship Roundtable https://youtu.be/l3aWS1AyuVs
Thank you to our student ambassador, Katherine Holbrook, for her contributions to this month's newsletter!
Connect with the Office of Professional Development on Social Media:
@OPD_AveMariaLaw
@Ave-MariaOPD
@avemariaopd