CLEO EDGE 2013 by CLEO inc.

WINTER/SPRING 2013

SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN LEGAL EDUCATION

The virtual destination for minority law students What is the CLEO diverCITY Network (CDN)? The CLEO diverCITY Network™ (CDN) is a nationwide, city-to-city network of law firms, corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies committed to significantly increasing diversity in the legal profession by seeking out the “best and brightest” minority law students our country has to offer. As a minority law student, why should I join the CDN? The site’s primary feature, the Minority Law Students Network Database, is a FREE online service that provides students with a vehicle to post their academic and career related profiles on a secure, password-encrypted website that

registered members (public interest and government agencies, law firms, corporations, etc.) can search by a variety of criteria to substantially increase the number of qualified minority candidates they are able to reach. The CDN also features a variety of resources designed to increase the knowledge and information available to minority law students, and contains links to articles and cutting-edge topics related to diversity in the legal profession. How can I become part of the CDN? Simply log onto www.cleodivercitynetwork.org and click “Join Minority Law Students Network Database.” For more information, contact CLEO at 866.886.4343.

Training tomorrow’s Lawyers Preparing tomorrow’s Leaders

www.cleodivercitynetwork.org

“

chose the University of Mississippi School of Law because I believe in myself and I believe in Mississippi.

As a law student, I work on real cases that help real people. My work changes lives—including my own. Inside and outside the classroom, I’ve done a lot as a student, and the best is yet to come. In Mississippi, we build the future.

”

-- Erica Rollins, law student

8 Q L Y H U V L W \ R I 0 L V V L V V L S S L 6 F K R R O R I / D Z Build the future 662-915-6910

www.law.olemiss.edu

PO Box 1848 University, MS 38677-1848

e are located in Oxford, Mississippi, a vibrant small town in the state with the largest population, by percentage, of African Americans. Our present is marked by progress—for instance, we boast the greatest QXPEHU RI HOHFWHG $IULFDQ $PHULFDQ RIÀFLDOV LQ WKH 8 6 :H·UH GRLQJ JUHDW things; join us in making a difference.

We build the lawyers. You build the future.

Contents FEATURES

74 How to Approach Law School Admissions

16 Regionalizing CLEO in 2012 19 An Overview of the Judicial Branch

77 Choosing the Right Law School

By Hank Layton By Kendra Brown

By Peter M. Koelling

22 Recipe for Success 25 Power of Attorney: CLEO’s Executive Director, Cassandra Sneed Ogden, Makes Inaugural “Power 100” List 27 In a Legal Fashion: The CLEO Edge Magazine Visits Fashion Law Week 2012

By Julie D. Long

28 The 2011 William A. Blakey, Esquire – CLEO Diversity Scholarship Recipients

80 10 Tips for a Winning Law School Application Résumé By Brenda Bernstein 85 Top 10 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Law School Personal Statement By Brenda Bernstein 90 Building an Application Strategy (Includes the Boston College Law School Locator)

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE 94 97 99 100 103

41 Excerpt from the CLEO Blog: Law School – I.O.U. By Matthew Niziol

LSAT Sample Questions Summer Reading List for the Pre-law Student CLEO Programs Pre-law Timeline All About CLEO’s Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute 104 CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute FAQs 107 CLEO Attitude Is Essential (AIE) 109 CLEO Achieving Success in the Application Process (ASAP)

MIND/BODY CONNECTION

IN EVERY ISSUE

SPOTLIGHTS 31 CLEO Alumn Spotlight: Cuong Huynh 33 CLEO College Scholar Spotlight: Jane Park

MONEY MATTERS 37 Understanding the FAFSA: A Financial Aid Overview By Fred Stennis

43 Handling Law School Stress By Mary Dunnewold

47 Build Your Brand: Distinguish Yourself From the Crowd By L.J. Jackson 51 Affirmations 52 Time On Your Side: Time Management For CLEO Scholars

11 15 112 116 118 123 125 127

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS 54 Countdown to College 55 Secondary School Timeline for College 58 How to Prepare Yourself Academically for College By Elizabeth Stroud 61 Summer Reading List for the Secondary School Student

COLLEGE SCHOLARS 64 The College Years... The Freshman Year By Matthew Niziol The Sophomore Year By Heather Struck The Junior Year By Anne Dutia The Senior Year By Renaldo D. Alba and Christie-Belle Garcia

4 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

129 131 133 136 142

A Message from the CLEO Chair CLEO-at-a-Glance The CLEO Edge Magazine Celebrates 1968 CLEO Pre-law Astrology CLEO Financial Contributors Internet Resources Sudoku Puzzles CLEO Crossword: Legal Terms for Future Lawyers CLEO Word Search: A Day In Court Writing Resources CLEO Grammar 103 Puzzle Solutions CLEO 2013 Consortium of Member Schools & Supporting/Sustaining Institutions

I’m Ready! “John Marshall has given me the knowledge, skills, and experience it takes to be practice-ready from day one.” At The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, we are committed to recruiting, supporting, and developing minority and underrepresented students in a diverse and inclusive environment. Prepare to succeed.

To learn more, contact us at diversity@jmls.edu or 800.537.4280.

2013 CLEO Edge Contributors Renaldo D. Alba is the Associate Director of the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) of Fordham University. With over six years of experience, he advises undergraduate and pre-college students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), health, and licensed fields. He also coordinates programming and advisement for Fordham University’s STEP and CSTEP programs that prepare and direct minority and disadvantaged students to careers in those fields. He is a Fordham University alumnus, with a B.A. in Political Science. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education. Brenda Bernstein is a Senior Law School Admissions Consultant at Kaplan, where she has been coaching law school applicants on their essays and résumés since 2000. She received her J.D. from NYU and her B.A. in English from Yale, practiced public interest law for ten years, and worked for one year as a J.D. Career Advisor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Brenda owns The Essay Expert LLC (www.theessayexpert.com), a successful writing and editing business. She loves collaborating with clients to express who they are and what they have accomplished; her clients frequently received notes from admissions officers complimenting them on their essays. She has assisted applicants to gain admission to almost every law school in the United States and Canada. Kendra Brown is a third year law student (Class of 2012) at Vermont Law School from Winchester, Virginia. Kendra currently serves as the Regional Chair of the Northeast Region of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of more than 5,000 members. She is a graduate of Hampton University and the Howard School of Divinity. Immediately prior to attending law school, she served as Scheduler and Executive Assistant for Congresswoman Maxine Waters. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated. While in law school, Kendra has had numerous honors, among them a Vermont Law School Merit Scholarship and the NBLSA Sandy Brown Memorial Scholarship. She is a CLEO Affiliate member who will practice law in the field of education.

Dom De Leo is a pre-law advisor and an associate director for graduate studies at the Boston College Career Center. He received a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame, an M.Ed. and an M.B.A. from Boston College. He has presented Applying to Law School workshops for CLEO in Washington D.C. and Houston, Texas. He developed the Boston College Law School Range Finder, which has been published in CLEO Edge Magazine for several years, and the Boston College On-Line Law School Locator featured in this edition. He is an active member of the Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors (NAPLA). Anne Dutia graduated from BirminghamSouthern College in 1992 and the University of Alabama Law School in 1996. She practiced law for a short time in Birmingham, Alabama before moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan to work in the Alumni and Development Office of the University of Michigan Law School. From 2001 to 2005, she was an Admissions Counselor, then Assistant Director of Admissions at the Law School. In 2006, she began working as a pre-law advisor at The University of Texas at Dallas. She has added coaching undergraduate Moot Court and teaching a freshman seminar to her job description. Her greatest satisfaction comes from mentoring students from their freshman year to their eventual matriculation to law school. Christie-Belle Garcia is the Assistant Director, Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)/Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) of Fordham University. She has advised students in CSTEP/STEP for approximately three years. She has worked with undergraduates at all levels who are interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), health, and licensed fields. Additionally, she coordinates STEP which is a rigorous pre-college academic enrichment program designed to prepare students in grades seven through twelve (7-12) for careers in math, science, technology, health related and licensed professions. She received her B.A. in History/Spanish in 2006 and Masters of Art in Teaching (social studies education 5-12) in 2007 from Manhattanville College. She is currently pursuing additional coursework in Educational Leadership at Fordham University.

2013 CLEO Edge Contributors Peter M. Koelling is Director and Chief Counsel of the ABA’s Justice Center. He is a graduate of Trinity University and St. Mary’s University School of Law. He was a law clerk for Justice Ted Z. Robertson on the Texas Supreme Court. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Northern Illinois University in the fields of Public Administration and Public Policy. In 1989 he was honored as the pro bono attorney of the year for the state of Texas. He served as the Bexar County Civil District Court Administrator in San Antonio, Texas and the Chief Administrative Officer of the King County District Courts, in Seattle Washington. In addition, he worked at the Colorado State Court Administrators Office and developed curriculum for the Court Improvement Program and completed assessments of the Colorado Model Courts Program and the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children. He is presently adjunct faculty at the University of Denver Sturm School of Law and has taught at both Northern Illinois and Colorado State Universities. He served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in South Korea from 1978 to1980. Hank Layton does editorial and social media work for Blueprint LSAT Preparation (http://blueprintprep.com). In addition to editing “Most Strongly Supported”, a blog about the LSAT and law school admissions (http://blueprintprep.com/lsatblog/), he earned an English degree from the University of Saint Mary and lives in Los Angeles. Julie D. Long is currently a project research assistant with the Council on Legal Education Opportunity. She holds a B.S. degree in Business Management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a B.S. degree in Legal Studies from the University of Maryland-University College. In 2012, she earned her Certified Administrative Professional and Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence certifications. Matthew Niziol is the Enrollment and Recruitment Specialist at the Northern Virginia Community College, Loudoun Campus. He also contributes to and moderates the CLEO Diversity in Legal Education Blog. He has previously served

8 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

as senior counselor/pre-law coordinator at the Texas Tech University, University Advising Center as well as coordinator of First Generation College Student Program Pioneers in Education: Generations Achieving Scholarship and Unprecedented Success (PEGASUS). He has presented on topics related to pre-law advising, recruitment, retention and collegiate success specific to first generation and underrepresented students at regional and national conferences. As a business owner of an educational non-profit, former financial aid director until joining Federal Student Aid in April 2007, instructor, school board vicechairman, Fred Stennis has over fifteen years of experience assisting students, and serving families interested in education and opportunities beyond the secondary level. Prior to joining Federal Student Aid Customer Experience, he served as Special Assistant to the General Manger in the division of Program Compliance. Working in each of these capacities through the years has provided him with a unique perspective in customer satisfaction, community outreach and program development. He holds a B.S. in Business Management from Oakwood College and an M.S. in Management from Florida Institute of Technology. Elizabeth Stroud joined ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career as Director of Communications in November 2011. With more than ten years of strategic communications experience, she has served corporate, non-profit and education organizations, and increased funding, revenues and awareness for those organizations. She utilizes her technical expertise in marketing, internal and external relations, fundraising and community outreach to enhance the student experience from K-12 through post-secondary levels. Her dedication to support student transitions from high school to college, and college to career, positively influences the lives of young people in California and beyond. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus in Organizational Communications and Public Relations from California State University, East Bay.

NYLS DIVERSITY IN ACTION

Founded in 1891, New York Law School is one of the oldest independent law schools in the United States. Located near the centers of law, government, ﬁnance, and a thriving cultural and artistic community in Manhattan’s TriBeCa district, New York Law School currently enrolls 1,765 J.D. students in its day and evening divisions—33 percent of whom identify as students of color. “Learn law. Take action” describes our approach to legal education: a scholarly yet activist faculty, and the Law School’s demonstrated commitment to the belief that law can be used to change the world.

185 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013-2921 T 212.431.2888 Toll Free 1.877.YES.NYLS E admissions@nyls.edu

www.nyls.edu

St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University, an institution that celebrates diversity,

educates and graduates students to become competent and

ethical practitioners of the law.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

www.stmarytx.edu/law

STRONG ALUMNI NETWORK

WORLD-CLASS FACULTY AND FACILITIES

INNOVATIVE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

AWARD-WINNING CLINICAL PROGRAM

TOP ADVOCACY COMPETITORS

DISTINCTIVE LAW JOURNALS

A Message From The CLEO Council Chair I remain proud to serve as Chair of the CLEO Council especially as we celebrate our 45th Anniversary in 2013. CLEO’s mission to “increase the number of lawyers from diverse backgrounds that are actively contributing to the legal profession” has never been more relevant and more important than in today’s dynamic, multicultural environment. From CLEO’s beginning in 1968 as a six-week pre-law program provided in collaboration with the American and National Bar Associations, Law School Admission Council, Association of American Law Schools and other constituent organizations, to its current offering of programs serving students from secondary school through passage of the bar exam, CLEO has helped to more than double the number of lawyers from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. And we extend our reach by collaborating with other visionary pipeline programs such as the Color of Justice, the Just the Beginning Foundation, and the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Program. CLEO’s vision for the future includes increasing the involvement of our more than 8,500 alumni in our programs. CLEO’s success depends on the generous gifts of talent and resources by these and other individuals, companies, foundations and law firms – all similarly committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession. CLEO is grateful for the confidence they have placed in us and in you. We urge you not to take their support for granted. For 45 years, CLEO has been Training Tomorrow’s Lawyers and Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders. The CLEO Council is proud of CLEO’s past, committed to its present and optimistic about its future. We hope that your journey to the practice of law will be rich with learning, achievement, and service to your community, and that it will be made even better by your CLEO experience. All my best wishes in your future endeavors,

Angela Birch Cox Chair, CLEO Council Houston, TX

CLEO Staff Cassandra Sneed Ogden Executive Director Roderick Terry Associate Director WINTER/SPRING 2013

Leigh R. Allen II Mentoring & Development Director Lynda Cevallos Pre-Law Coordinator Bernetta J. Hayes Admissions Administrator Julie D. Long Project Research Assistant

The CLEO Edge Magazine Editor-in-Chief: Julie D. Long Art Director/Designer: Gloria M. Allen Glow Creative Design glowcreativedesign.com Printer: International Graphics Beltsville, Maryland

The CLEO Edge Magazine © 2012 by The Council on Legal Education Opportunity. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission. For information contact:

Training Tomorrow’s Lawyers, Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders

12 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

CLEO 740 15th Street, N.W., 1st Floor Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 828-6100. www.cleoscholars.org www.cleodivercitynetwork.org

PRINTED IN THE USA

{

}

ALL LAWYERS ARE EDUCATED. OUR LAWYERS ARE PREPARED.

TOURO LAW CENTER graduates are prepared to practice and driven to succeed. Our hands-on curriculum and collaborative relationships with the Federal and State courthouses next door give Touro Law students the edge in developing legal skills necessary to apply theory in the real world. Touro Law Center: Where the practice of law begins.

Call 631.761.7000 or visit www.tourolaw.edu

TURNING PASSION INTO PRACTICE

FIND THE BEST OF EVERYTHING DISCOVER THE BEST IN YOURSELF

For information on diversity at Pace Law School, please contact Director of Diversity Initiatives, Professor Barbara Atwell at batwell@law.pace.edu Pace Law School .ORTH "ROADWAY 7HITE 0LAINS .9 s s ADMISSIONS LAW PACE EDU s WWW LAW PACE EDU

CLEO at a Glance

he Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) was founded in 1968 as a non-profit project of the ABA Fund for Justice and Education to expand opportunities for qualified low-income, disadvantaged and minority students to attend law school. In 1998, Congress created the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program, which provided funding for program support administered by CLEO. Currently, CLEO is funded by private contributions from law firms and corporations as well as alumni support. Since CLEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inception, more than 8,000 students have benefited from CLEO programs and joined the legal profession, including a presidential cabinet member and three members of Congress.

CLEO COLLEGE SCHOLARS PROGRAM Who Is Eligible: Freshmen, sophomores or juniors interested in attending law school. What: The Road to Law School, Sophomore Super Saturdays, and Juniors Jumpstart the LSAT. When: Throughout the year. Where: Various locations across the country. Deadline: Varies (Log on to www.cleoscholars.org for deadline dates). Cost: Free. ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS (ASAP) Who is Eligible: College juniors, seniors, and postgraduates who plan to apply to law school. What: Intensive regional pre-law event to help participants develop the tools they need to understand the application process and become competitive law school applicants. When: Summer. Where: Various law school locations. Deadline: April 1. Cost: $100. CLEO AMBASSADORS Who Is Eligible: Juniors who have participated in CLEO College Scholars programs or the Sophomore Summer Institute. What: CLEO Ambassadors distribute information about the CLEO program on their campuses. When: Rising juniors may apply at the end of their sophomore year. Where: CLEO seeks representatives from as many campuses as possible. How: Contact the CLEO Pre-Law Coordinator at (202) 828-6100. THE CLEO SIX-WEEK PRE-LAW SUMMER INSTITUTE Who Is Eligible: Graduating seniors or graduates who plan to attend law school in the fall of 2013. What: A six-week residential program designed to prepare participants to be more competitive law school students.

Participants who successfully complete the program become CLEO Fellows. When: June - July. Where: Various law schools. Deadline: October 1-November 30, 2012 (early acceptance dates) and February 15, 2013 (final deadline). Cost: $2,000 (includes room, board and instructional materials; some financial assistance may be available). ATTITUDE IS ESSENTIAL (AIE) Who Is Eligible: College graduates who are accepted into an ABA-accredited law school. What: Intensive regional pre-law seminar designed to introduce and prepare students for the rigors of law school. Participants who successfully complete the seminar become CLEO Associates. When: Summer. Where: Various law school locations. Deadline: May. Cost: $100. ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE SEMINAR Who is Eligible: All CLEO Fellows and Associates who are first-year law students. What: A program designed to reinforce analytical reading, writing, studying and test-taking skills introduced in the prelaw preparatory programs. When: To be determined. Where: Various locations or online. Cost: Free. BAR PREPARATION SEMINAR Who Is Eligible: CLEO Fellows and Associates who are third-year law students and plan to take the July or February bar. What: A program designed to introduce graduating law students to the demands required to prepare for the bar examination. When: To be determined. Where: Various locations or online. Cost: Free.

FEATURE

Regionalizing CLEO in 2012 NEW YORK, NEW YORK

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CLEO’s National Office)

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA HOUSTON, TEXAS

n 2011, CLEO recognized the difficulty some of our students may experience when we host our major programs on only the East and West Coasts. For example, for several years, the CLEO Attitude is Essential and Achieving Success in the Application Process seminars were held in Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California. As of 2012, the new, regional CLEO focuses on hosting programs in numerous cities across the United States. In 2012, this new approach brought our expertise to prepare minority or otherwise disadvantaged students for law school to six cities. Seminar topics include: • How to Select a Law School 16 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

• • • • • • • • • • •

Personal Statement Workshop Mock Admissions Committee Financial Management Strategies for Legal Thinking Legal Reasoning Techniques Mock Law Classes An Introduction to Reading Court Opinions Preparing for Exams Stress Management Mock Essay Exams Reading Rules

We hope to see you soon at the next CLEO event near you! Please visit our websites, www.cleoscholars.org and www.cleodiversitynetwork.org, for the latest program details including locations and dates.

2012 CLEO Achieving Success in the Application Process (ASAP) and Attitude is Essential (AIE) Seminars

New York Chicago

San Francisco Costa Mesa, CA Houston

A diverse community of leaders. The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law At Moritz, diversity is a way of life that is embedded into our culture and spirit.

Our class oďŹ&#x20AC;erings encourage students to think critically about civil rights, race, immigration, sexual orientation, and social policy.

We do not strive to just create a diverse community;

Our symposiums and conferences are designed to bring world-class leaders to campus and promote discussion and solutions to some of the most sensitive and important issues facing our society today.

we strive to create a community of leaders ready and able to address the issues facing our diverse world.

Our communications and multitude of student groups are designed to make all feel welcome and ensure all are recognized.

inspire.

moritzlaw.osu.edu lawadmit@osu.edu

FEATURE

An Overview of the Judicial Branch By Peter M. Koelling

hen I think of our judicial branch and the structure of our courts, I first think of the United States Supreme Court and the federal system. After all, the Chief Justice is not called the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, but rather the Chief Justice of the United States. The United States Supreme Court can hear cases from both the federal system and the state courts if the case involves a constitutional question. In that sense, the U.S. Supreme Court sits at the apex of our court system. Although our federal courts are very important, in the scope of the number of court cases that are filed each year the federal system is small. In the United States, around 100 million cases are filed; with just 312 million Americans, this is nearly one case for every three people. The court cases include traffic violations, small claims, family cases, bankruptcy, major anti-trust suits, and all types of criminal matters. Court cases cover a wide variety of legal issues. The federal courts handle less than 2% of these matters. The federal bankruptcy court has the highest volume in the federal system. In 2011 more than 1.5 million bankruptcy cases

were filed, less than 80,000 criminal cases were filed and just a little under 300,000 civil cases. The U.S. Constitution grants to the federal government the right to establish the laws of bankruptcy; therefore, bankruptcy issues are federal matters. A person who practices family law; however, would likely never see the inside of a federal court. The states handle family law issues. The vast majority of all court cases are handled in the state and municipal courts throughout the United States. While the U.S. Constitution provided for a United States Supreme Court, it did not provide for any other courts in the federal system, which was left to Congress to create. What we have today is a three-tier court system. The District Court is the main trial court. There are 94 Districts with multiple judges and each state along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico has at least one district. In the District Court live testimony is given and evidence can be introduced. The judge may make the decision or the case might be presented to a jury. If somebody loses at the trial court level, they have a right to appeal. Appeals are heard by the Circuit Courts of

The court of appeals does not have to look at everything. It only considers those mistakes that the party appealing brings to the attention of the court in its written brief. In most matters, if you don’t complain you waive your right. In fact with limited exceptions you must first object at the trial court level.

Appeal. There are 12 regional circuits that hear cases that come from the District Courts in that region or circuit and there is a Federal Circuit that may hear certain types of cases such a patent infringement from all across the country. If a person loses at the circuit court level they may appeal to the United States Supreme Court. But this is not a matter of right. In fact you first have to ask permission to appeal by filing a petition for a writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court gets to pick and choose the cases it hears so that it can spend its time on what it believes to be the most important cases. The District Court hears testimony and collects evidence. It creates a record of the proceedings including a word for word transcription of almost everything that is said in court. When a party appeals, they do not have a chance to offer new evidence, they may only ask the court of appeals to look at the record from the District Court. The court of appeals does not have to look at everything. It only considers those mistakes that the party appealing brings to the attention of the court in its written brief. In most matters, if you don’t complain you waive your right. In fact with limited exceptions you must first object at the trial court level. For example, courts typically do not allow hearsay evidence because it is notoriously unreliable. So if at the trial one witness testified that the defendant told him that he had committed the crime, the defense could object and the witness’ testimony would not be allowed. If the defense lawyer did not object, however, it cannot be appealed. The court of appeals can affirm the decision of the trial court, that happens more than 80% of the time in most circuits, or it can reverse the trial court’s decision. It can also affirm

20 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

parts of the trial court’s decision and reverse parts. If it does reverse it can render its own judgment or send it back to the trial court for further proceedings or even a new trial. The state court systems while similar to the federal systems they are not the same. Depending on the size of the state, the court systems can be much more complex. Every state has a general jurisdiction trial court similar to the federal District Court; however, they may have different titles such as superior court. In addition, there may be additional trial courts. Many states have courts of limited jurisdiction and specialized jurisdiction. For example in Texas, the District Court is the court of general jurisdiction, but in many urban areas there are also county courts. County Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. They can hear both civil and criminal matters, but their civil jurisdiction is limited to $100,000 and their criminal jurisdiction is limited to misdemeanors, only the District Court can hear felonies. There are specialized courts such as the probate courts that only hear matters about wills and estates. There are also District Courts that are designated as Drug, Juvenile or Mental Health Courts. In addition, the District Court Judges can appoint Associate Judges who can assist the District Courts but do not have the full authority of a District Court Judge. Each state has its own designs for its court system. While they are all similar, they are also unique in their structure, in their rules and in their laws. The legal and strategic challenge for the attorney is figuring out which court has jurisdiction. The judicial system is as widely varied as the states and the federal government themselves.

“Deciding to attend SIU School of Law is the best decision I made in starting my legal career. The friendliness, hospitality, and open-door policy of all the faculty and staff (including the Dean) are phenomenal. This is the best school experience that I have ever had.”

Jamika T. Hilliard Juris Doctorate Candidate, Class of 2013

When you are ready for law school…

consider

SIU School of Law

Preparing for Practice Training as Professionals Ready for Leadership Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders

800.739.9187

www.law.siu.edu

FEATURE

22 CLEO EDGE â&#x20AC;¢ WINTER/SPRING 2013

WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD A FUTURE IN LAW hile many people can tell you how to get good grades, prepare for the LSAT, and fill out law school applications, no one can give you those intangible qualities that will keep you up studying late at night, get you through the Analytical Reasoning section of the LSAT, and give you peace of mind while you’re waiting to hear from the law schools you’ve applied to. These internal characteristics, however, are what create successful futures.

Preparing for your future can be like cooking a gourmet meal –it takes careful measuring, accurate timing, and deliberate action. Do you want to be a successful lawyer? Do you want to go to law school? Get ready to cook yourself up a delicious future! Here’s your recipe for success.

Ingredients 1 cup Visualization 1 dash Optimism 1 cup Strong ethics 2 Tbsp. Adaptability 1 cup Decision-making skills 1 cup Effective communication 1 cup Courage 2 cups Commitment

Instructions Begin your process by adding visualization to your daily routine. Experts agree that the ability to visualize your future may play a critical role in your chances for success. If possible, visit law schools and talk to students and professors. While you’re there, close your eyes and attempt to picture yourself as a student at that particular law school. After you begin visualizing your future in the law, add a dash of optimism to the mix. Being optimistic allows you to see possibilities that others cannot see because of their limited perspective.

Once you have a strong mixture of insight, add a large dose of strong ethics. Your ethics make up the code of conduct by which you live. Lawyers and law students alike must know right from wrong and demonstrate that knowledge by showing their commitment to ethical living every day. In addition to being ethical, a law student must be able to adapt to various situations. For example, a first year law student will have to become comfortable with the Socratic Method, taking closed book law school exams within one hour, and other new and difficult tasks. A person’s adaptability is a strong indicator of one’s ability to succeed. You will have to learn how to initiate and cope with change if you’re going to be a successful lawyer. Good decision-making skills and effective communication are also key ingredients to being successful in law school and later in the legal profession. When preparing for your legal future, you cannot be haphazard about your approach. Make informed decisions about your classes, choice of law school, and mentors—it will help you be more confident in your decision. Also practice writing, speaking, and listening carefully. Effective communication is key to advocating your position on any matter; it is also a skill that can be improved through practice. Adding courage to the mix will ensure that all of the other ingredients stick together. Courage is the ability to make decisions when you are afraid; to effectively communicate your thoughts when no one else agrees; to visualize your future when others may see nothing. Finally, you must be committed to your goal to be successful. Commitment is that source of strength and motivation that keeps you going even when you’re exhausted or confused. Once you have finished mixing your ingredients for success, get ready to feast on a healthy law school experience and a promising legal career!

FEATURE

Power of Attorney CLEO’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CASSANDRA SNEED OGDEN, MAKES INAUGURAL “POWER 100” LIST

Congratulations are in order for CLEO Executive Director, Cassandra Sneed Ogden, for her inclusion on On Being A Black Lawyer’s (OBABL) Power 100 list. The Power 100 is a comprehensive, bi-annual list of the nation’s most influential black attorneys. The OBABL editorial team “spent months researching the industry to compile a list of those leaders who are most vocal and committed to black attorneys gaining access.” Along with 13 others, Ogden was recognized as one of the nation’s “Pipeline Builders.” “Personally speaking, I never expect to be formally acknowledged for the work that we do, but greatly appreciate the recognition that this affords an extremely worthwhile organization”, says Ogden. “On Being A Black Lawyer admires Ms. Ogden's efforts to increase diversity within the legal profession. CLEO is an invaluable resource for minority students interested in attending law school. We were honored to salute Ms. Ogden for using her power and influence to help others advance in the legal field”, says Yolanda Young, founder, CEO and Publisher of On Being A Black Lawyer. Ogden oversees the development and implementation of numerous programs designed to prepare students for successful law school study and bar passage. Since joining

CLEO in 1995, the organization has experienced tremendous growth and visibility under her leadership. Prior to working with CLEO, Ogden was Chief of the Office of Civil Infraction at the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs when she established a quasijudicial regulatory compliance program, which involved the issuance of citations for violations of licensing, construction, zoning, alcoholic beverage, social service, facilities, and housing regulations. After finishing Georgetown University Law Center and passing the District of Columbia and Maryland State Bar Examinations, Ogden founded a nonprofit project, PTB Testing Techniques, to teach students how to study to pass the bar. Ogden also spent several years working at a law firm, as a legal educational consultant, administrative law judge, and as the leader of Mayor Marion Barry’s 1994 Tourism Task Force Transition Team. In 1997, Ogden established the Professional Football Players Mothers Association to support NFL players and their families after her son, Jonathan, became a 1996 firstround draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens. In addition to directing her son’s foundation, Ogden is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and supports several community organizations.

We would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge the inclusion of several other honorees with a “connection” to CLEO on this year’s Power 100 list: • E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. (Associate Professor, Thomas M. Cooley Law School) (CLEO Councilmember [Ret.])

• Kim Keenan (General Counsel, NAACP National Office) (CLEO Councilmember [Ret.])

• Blake Morant (Dean & Professor of Law, Wake Forest University School of Law) (CLEO Alum)

• Chibundu Nnake (National Chair, NBLSA; 3L, SMU Dedman School of Law [Class of 2012]) (CLEO Associate)

• Paula Boggs (EVP, General Counsel & Secretary, Starbucks) (CLEO 40th Anniversary Honoree)

Congratulations!

For more information on OBABL and/or to view the entire Power 100 list, log on to OBABL.com.

FEATURE

In A Legal

Fashion The CLEO Edge Magazine Visits Fashion Law Week 2012

t least twice a year, the catwalks of New York, Milan, and Paris are bustling with an array of models in the colors, styles, and trends of the upcoming season. These weeks are what all designers work towards—the release of their Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter collections. At the conclusion of the 2012 D.C. Fashion Week, the Howard University School of Law’s Intellectual Property Students’ Association (IPSA) hosted its 2nd annual Fashion Law Week™. The theme of the 2012 Fashion Law Week was “Intelligent Design: Protecting IP in the Fashion Industry”. This week included a series of roundtable discussions about different aspects of fashion law; a keynote address by Professor Susan Scafidi, Director of the Fordham Fashion Law Institute; and a fashion show featuring the Sankofa Collection of Korto Momolu, first runner up in season five of Bravo’s Project Runway. Fashion law combines intellectual property (copyright, patent, and trademark laws) within the fashion world. Attorneys who specialize in fashion law may defend designers against counterfeit merchandise, argue against trademark infringements, and protect the rights of models within the fashion industry. During an interview with www. uduaklaw.com, Professor Susan Scafidi, Director of the nonprofit Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, described fashion law as “…the legal issues that may arise at every point in the life of a garment, from the designer’s original idea to the consumer’s closet”. Professor Scafidi is the first U.S. law professor to offer a course in Fashion Law. Prior to teaching at Fordham, Professor Scafidi was a tenured member of both the law and history faculties at Southern Methodist University. She has taught at a number of other law schools, including Yale, Georgetown, and Cardozo. After graduating from Duke University and the Yale Law School, she 1

By Julie D. Long

pursued graduate study in legal history at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Chicago. In addition, she clerked for a distinguished legal historian, Judge Morris S. Arnold of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. In 2010, Professor Scafidi established the Fordham Fashion Law Institute with the support of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and its president, Dianne von Furstenberg. She also created the first website on fashion law, Counterfeit Chic (http://counterfeitchic.com), which has been recognized as one of the American Bar Association’s top 100 blogs.

The 2nd annual Fashion Law Week™ concluded with a fashion show hosted by Awurama Simpson, Miss Universe Ghana 2010, at the Mansion on O Street in Washington, D.C. The show, entitled “Intelligent Design”, highlighted several designers and featured the fashions of Korto Momolu (pronounced Cut • Toe – Mo • Mo • Lu). Born in Liberia, West Africa, Momolu left her country in 1990 due to a civil war. She settled in Canada where she studied fashion at the L’Academies des Couturiers Design Institute in Ottawa. After graduation, she and her husband moved to Arkansas to live and raise their daughter. She began producing chic women’s wear and accessories influenced by her African roots and inspired by rich fabrics. Momolu won a place on the fifth season of Bravo’s Project Runway. Throughout the show, Momolu stood out as a designer who embraced color, diversity and displayed such extraordinary talent that she was awarded the fan favorite prize.1 Her Sankofa (“looking back, but moving forward”) Collection features 27 pieces to represent the number of years that Liberia was in turmoil. This collection provides programs and skills for Liberian women to support themselves after the civil unrest. In addition, the three groups of this collection illustrate the three areas to benefit Liberian women—separation, transformation, and celebration.

Viewed on July 9, 2012: http://www.kortomomolu.com/biography/

Fashion law is where intellectual property and the fashion world intersect. To learn more about Fashion Law Week™ visit http://www.fashionlawweekdc.org.

5. PHOTOS: 1., 2. & 3. Models wearing designs by Momolu 4. Ms. Awurama Simpson 5. CLEO Edge Editor-in-Chief Julie D. Long and her mother, Mrs. Lois G. Long.

FEATURE

THE 2011 WILLIAM A. BLAKEY, ESQUIRE – CLEO DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

In 2011, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) awarded the inaugural William A. Blakey, Esquire – CLEO Diversity Scholarships to four deserving thirdyear CLEO law students. The $2,500

CLEO Associate, Estella M. Cisernos Hometown: Planada, CA Law School: Yale Law School Prospective Field: Labor and Employment Law

CLEO Fellow, Omar Martinez Hometown: Miami, FL Law School: Maurer School of Law Prospective Field: Health Law and Immigration Law

scholarships are intended to offset the expense incurred when preparing for and taking the bar

CLEO Associate, Maryam F. Mujahid Hometown: Washington, D.C. Law School: Howard University School of Law Prospective Field: Environmental Transactional

examination and are named in honor of our esteemed Chairman Emeritus, William “Buddy” Blakey.

(CLEO Fellows are students who have completed the CLEO Six-week Pre-Law Summer Institute. CLEO Associates are students who have completed the CLEO Attitude is Essential program. CLEO Affiliates are law students who have joined the CLEO diverCITY Network™ (CDN). The CDN is a nationwide, city-to-city, network comprised of law firms, corporations, judges, sole practitioners, law schools, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and minority bar associations who are committed to significantly increasing diversity in the legal profession by seeking out the "best and brightest" diverse law students and attorneys our country has to offer.)

28 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

CLEO Associate, Tremaine Reese Hometown: Gordon, GA Law School: Florida A&M University College of Law Prospective Field: Government, Environmental and Personal Injury Law CLEO Affiliate, Ivanna Yang Hometown: St. Louis, MO Law School: George Washington University School of Law Prospective Field: Public Interest Law

BUILDING A B E T T E R F UT U R E . Marquette University Law Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superb teachers and scholars prepare you to excel in the legal profession and advocate for others. Visit us today in our stunning new home in the heart of Milwaukee, Wis., and discover the difference you can make. law.marquette.edu

Thinking law school?

THINK

WAYNE LAW

Best Value Law School Best Standard of Living Top Green School Top 32 Part-time Program

“I have loved my experience at Wayne Law thus far. Professors are dedicated to promoting critical thinking and lifelong learning, and students are strong advocates in the community. I enjoy the many diverse perspectives brought to the classroom and am conﬁdent that the experiences I gain at Wayne Law will be invaluable in my legal career.”

More at:

— Eleanor Ung, ’12 Undergraduate degree: University of California, Los Angeles

go.wayne.edu/law-national

Wayne Law offers students a strong and comprehensive legal education in Michigan’s historic, economic and cultural center – at a more affordable price than most law schools. Plus, Detroit’s vibrant legal market provides students with direct access to internship and

Detroit, Michigan

employment opportunities at state and federal courts, government ofﬁces, multinational corporations, unions and major law ﬁrms. >Ü°Ü>Þ i°i`ÕÊUÊ >Ü µÕ ÀiJÜ>Þ i°i`Õ

SPOTLIGHT

CLEO ALUM SPOTLIGHT

Cuong Huynh

Class of 2000 - CLEO Six-Week Summer Institute at Suffolk University in Boston, MA Class of 2003 - University of California Hastings College of Law 1. What was your course of study in college? I attended UCLA in college and majored in Sociology. I had a minor focus on Asian American Studies. I also took classes in Latin American and African-American studies. 2. How did you become interested in pursuing law? I became interested in studying law because I wanted to use the law to help others who are less fortunate. I read an inspiring book about Morris Dees*, the founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center. The book described how Mr. Dees used his legal skills to fight against bigotry, racism, and the Ku Klux Klan in the Deep South. His example inspired me to use the law to fight for individuals and groups that are socially isolated, marginalized, and disenfranchised. Given that I was a refugee from Vietnam, I can relate with groups and individuals who are socially isolated, marginalized, disenfranchised, and alienated. I saw the law as an opportunity to create opportunities for the voiceless to be heard and for the hopeless to have hope. 3. What steps did you take to prepare for law school? During my college years, I took a lot of writing classes. They made me comfortable writing and I love writing. Also, I participated in the CLEO Six-week Summer Institute at Suffolk University in Boston, MA. Further, I took a LSAT preparation class. 4. How did you find out about CLEO? I heard about CLEO from a college friend. We were talking about law schools and he told me about CLEO. 5. What benefits did you receive by participating in the CLEO Six-Week Summer Institute? The benefits of attending the CLEO Six-Week Summer Institute are numerous. First, I met new and wonderful friends. Second, I learned a lot about myself. I matured and grew to be a strong person during the Institute. Third, the classes at the Institute gave me a lot of confidence to talk with law professors. Finally, my CLEO professors were very supportive and helpful. It was a wonderful experience overall! 6. What helped you cope with the stress of law school? Along with having great friends, I exercised almost daily to relieve the stress of law school. While it may be common for law students to go drinking to relax, I relaxed by talking with friends and working out in a gym to cope. No doubt, law schools can be stressful! But the returns are greater. 7. After law school, how did you begin your legal career? After law school, I decided to use my law degree in a policy context. I entered the federal government through the

Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) Program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the PMF Program, I was able to rotate with the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance for one year and it was a fantastic opportunity. Plus, as a NASA employee, I got an opportunity to see cool satellite launches and to see one of the Space Shuttle launches before the Space Shuttle Program retired in 2011. A law degree is a powerful degree that opens many doors! 8. What are you doing presently? Currently, I am working on policy issues for NASA, and I am also a founder of a social enterprise start-up to help lowincome, disabled, and immigrant elders improve their quality of life by using the latest culturally appropriate technology. Because of my law degree, I have been empowered to create opportunities for others who are less fortunate. The degree is also helping me to fulfill my dream of being a change agent and making a difference in the life of others. 9. Do you volunteer with any legal organizations? I volunteered with the Vietnamese American Bar Association in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Now, I am on different Boards of Directors such as the International Career Advancement Program, Enlightened Initiative, Sabiolong, Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association, and Leadership Concepts, Inc. These organizations make a difference for the low-income, disabled, immigrant, and refugee communities. 10. Do you have any advice for future lawyers? Be nice to each other! There is no cost associated with being nice to each other. Also, encourage each other. Finally, be cautious of legal career decisions that affect your personal and family lives. 11. What is your favorite motivational quote? “A life that serves others is a life worthwhile”. 12. Do you have any additional comments about CLEO? CLEO rocks! I am a big fan of CLEO. Without CLEO, I would not be where I am professionally and personally. CLEO has been such a positive force in the life of so many low-income and minority law students for decades. Looking back through my life, I see CLEO as one of those “life-altering experiences”. CLEO is one of the best legal student mentoring and support programs in the country! *In 2012, Mr. Morris Dees received the highest award from the American Bar Association (ABA), the ABA Medal, during the ABA’s Annual Meeting.

SPOTLIGHT

CLEO COLLEGE SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

Jane Park

Class of 2013 - Boston University

1. How did you find out about CLEO? Seeking advice on how to gain admission to and prepare for law school, I attended my first pre-law event at Boston University. At the event, a CLEO Ambassador explained to me that the Council on Legal Education Opportunity is a nonprofit organization designed to help students successfully prepare for not only the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and law school but also everything else I may need to succeed in the legal profession. 2. Which CLEO seminars or programs have you attended or will you attend? In 2011, I had the honor of attending the CLEO Sophomore Summer Institute (SSI) at Northern Illinois University. I followed up with the online LSAT Drills while I worked as a legal intern in Australia. In 2012, I was glad to participate in the CLEO Achieving Success in the Application Process (ASAP) Pre-Law Seminar at New York Law School. 3. When did you realize you wanted to attend law school? I realized that I wanted to attend law school when a lawyer saved my grandfatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. When my defenseless grandfather was accused of murder by a felon, the acts of a lawyer saved my grandfather and cleared his name. At a young age, I was able to comprehend that all members of society, through lawyers, are able to benefit from the magnificence of the law. Upon hearing that my grandfather won his case, I knew I wanted to attend law school and apply my knowledge of the law to equip and help individuals who need legal defenses and support. 4. What did you learn during the CLEO Sophomore Summer Institute (SSI)? I learned during this four-week residential program that persistence, passion, and focus are key elements of succeeding in law school. One of my favorite parts of the CLEO SSI was the moot court segment. It taught me what it will be like to represent and defend future clients in a court setting while using the law and legal jargon in my oral arguments. It was also beneficial to learn that professors in law school are willing and interested in helping you bolster your academic performance. It is okay to raise your hand and ask questions! 5. How has the CLEO SSI influenced your preparation for law school? By allowing me to see the true weight that my performance on the LSAT carries, the CLEO SSI has swayed me to

seriously commit to practicing for the LSAT. In addition to mental preparation for law school, the CLEO SSI has led me to believe that the seemingly insurmountable amount of work that law classes give you is highly manageable with time management and well-organized study groups. 6. During the CLEO SSI, what portion of the Institute was most beneficial to you and why? Throughout the challenging four weeks, the rigorous substantive legal courses, legal writing, and LSAT preparation all enhanced my reasoning and critical thinking skills. However, I found the LSAT preparation segment was most helpful to me. Never had I conquered timed, full-length practice LSAT exams and never had I understood the power of logical reasoning until I completed CLEO SSI. The LSAT classes, instructors, and practices were extensive, taught me valuable tactics, and gave me more confidence than I had going into the CLEO SSI. 7. Do you plan to attend any future CLEO events? I most definitely plan to attend the two-day Attitude is Essential (AIE) Seminar to adequately train for the various hurdles in law school. 8. Do you have any advice for other aspiring lawyers? First, make sure you want to be on the Road to Law School. Then, when opportunities come your way, take them and make the most of them. Also, when given the option, choose experience over prestige. For instance, if you have the choice of an internship backed only by an exalted name versus one that offers great experience but no name recognition, go for the one that you can learn and gain the most skills. 9. Do you have any additional comments about CLEO? CLEO Scholars definitely have an edge above other aspiring lawyers because we receive the perfect mix of guidance and preparation needed for a fruitful future in legal education. Ever since I joined the CLEO family, I realized how much CLEO has stretched me to help me reach my highest potential. I am so blessed that CLEO has given me the honor of meeting and building strong networks with some of the most brilliant, motivated, and diverse individuals, who I know will build up the legal world in the near future.

“My RWU Law education, with its deep focus on public service, is providing the perspective I need to engage the public in a meaningful dialogue about the state of our city,” says José. “Law school is a great opportunity for people to make their voices heard and bring about change.” José has always had an eye on his community. Before law school, this ﬁrst-generation American majored in business management at Bryant University and interned at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He also served high-potential, low-income youth through community organizations including Upward Bound and the Breakthrough Collaborative. This year, José’s impressive potential was underscored by an appointment to the prestigious Charter Review Commission of his home city, Providence, Rhode Island. In this and other ways, José has already begun using his legal training to serve the larger community.

José Batista ’12

why RWU Law? law.rwu.edu Ten Metacom Avenue Bristol, Rhode Island 02809-5171

MONEY MATTERS

Understanding the

FAFSA

A Financial Aid Overview By Fred Stennis

n an era of rising costs for higher education, Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs provide more than $150 billion in funding for students pursuing education beyond high school. Unfortunately, many students fail to apply for federal financial aid when seeking assistance to help cover the high cost of earning a college education. The three types of federal financial aid programs are federal grants, work-study, and the direct loan program. The mission of Federal Student Aid is to insure that all eligible individuals benefit from federal financial assistance for education beyond high school. By championing the promise of postsecondary education, we uphold its value as a force for greater inclusion in American society and for the vitality of America as a nation. Myths surrounding federal financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process often discourage and deter students. Statements like, “my parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid,” “the form is just too hard to fill out,” or “only students with top grades

get financial aid” convey popular sentiments. However, statements like these are all myths and should be discouraged. The reality is that the FAFSA has become easier than ever to fill out and you may complete it within minutes and at no cost online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. This website features more simplified options, updated graphics, important announcements, PDF downloads, and assistance through live chat. The website also showcases a new IRS data retrieval tool that, when selected, will automatically import specific data elements directly into the FAFSA from your personal IRS federal tax return. Federal student aid is available for students enrolled in an eligible program at any participating Title IV institution of higher learning. Some of the basic student eligibility requirements to receive federal student aid include having a high school or general education diploma, a valid Social Security number, U.S. citizenship, or eligible non-citizen status. In addition, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program of study; pursuing a degree, certificate or credential; and must maintain “Satisfactory Academic Progress.”

Students should visit student aid on the web (www.studentaid.ed.gov) to create and open an account at MyFSA. This tool can create a personal profile, search for colleges and scholarships, store and access financial aid information, create an event calendar, and research career opportunities. The FAFSA is available every year beginning January 1. You are encouraged to file your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 beginning your senior year in high school. It is imperative that students complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible to take full advantage of all funding programs. In recent years, students have submitted for processing more than 20 million applications. Remember to check local, state, and institutional deadlines as additional educational funding sources. Before submitting the FAFSA online application for processing, you can sign the application electronically by using an electronic personal identification number (PIN). Shortly afterwards, you will receive via email an electronic version of your student aid report (SAR) outlining important information such as the estimated financial contribution (EFC). Each college listed on the FAFSA will also receive an Institutional Student Informational Record (ISIR). Colleges will use the ISIR to develop your award package or letter. With this information you and your family can review and compare award letters from different institutions requested on the FAFSA. This data will enable you to • consider the cost of college attendance • determine unmet financial need, and • determine which college to attend

38 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

If you have special circumstances that might influence your overall financial aid eligibility, contact the financial aid administrator at the college of your choice to discuss your options. Keep in mind, the financial aid officer who makes the decision will evaluate each individual need on a case-bycase basis. The Federal Student Aid Information Center operates a toll-free hotline to provide information about federal student aid programs, help complete the FAFSA, and help make corrections to a student’s SAR. There is also information about the process of determining financial need and awarding aid, as well as information about the student loan process, loan consolidation, and flexible repayment options. Students should visit student aid on the web (www.studentaid.ed.gov) to create and open an account at MyFSA. This tool can create a personal profile, search for colleges and scholarships, store and access financial aid information, create an event calendar, and research career opportunities. Remember, you can obtain the financial assistance needed to help cover the rising cost of college by completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

You can feel good about working for UnitedHealthcare. Our company exists to expand access to high quality, affordable health care for everyone, and our culture is founded on a commitment to integrity, compassion, relationships, innovation, performance, diversity and inclusion. When you’re ready for a challenging, interesting, fruitful career that advances a cause you can feel good about, think about Unitedhealthcare.

uhc.com © 2012 United HealthCare Services, Inc. Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their afﬁliates. Health Plan coverage provided by or through a UnitedHealthcare company. UHCEW592031-000

Earle Mack contends that law students should actually practice law

earlemacklaw.drexel.edu/

You’d be surprised how many law school graduates don’t know how to write a brief or file a motion. Not Earle Mack grads. From day one, we help students build “real world” skills, from drafting opinions to planning investigations to writing contracts. So they spend less time memorizing Miranda v. Arizona and more time in co-ops, clinics and pro bono work. By the time they graduate, they have somewhere between 500 and 1,000 hours of practical, practicing experience. Just another way we’re pushing the boundaries of legal education.

How will you raise the bar?

MONEY MATTERS

Excerpt from the CLEO Blog: Law School - I.O.U. By Matthew Niziol Plan Early... And Start Saving Now! This is the one unbending rule of financing law school that is applied to students from freshmen to post-grads!

Pre-Law Financial Aid Timeline SOPHOMORE /JUNIOR YEAR: 1.5-2 YEARS BEFORE ENROLLMENT Begin researching and obtaining information on costs associated with applying to law school. Establishing a budget for: LSAT & Credit Assembly Service(CAS) Registration Fees LSAT Preparation Costs Application Fees Also: Check on application fee waiver policies for law schools Check the Law School Admission Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fee waiver policy for LSAT & CAS Registration JUNIOR YEAR: 1-1.5 YEARS BEFORE ENROLLMENT Begin researching and obtaining general information on: Cost of Attendance Financial Aid process Financial Resource Options Student Debt Starting Salaries for Lawyers (Various employment sectors and geographic regions.) Legal Employment Outlook SENIOR YEAR: 1 YEAR BEFORE ENROLLMENT Apply for and obtain finance specific information for your schools of interest: Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Update list of schools to receive information. Know if need and/or merit-based scholarship applications must be submitted for each school and when they become available. Complete and submit scholarship applications. Once admitted, complete and submit institutional Office of Financial Aid forms ASAP. Know Cost of Attendance Budget for each school to which you apply. Know Financial Resource Options (may differ slightly from school to school): savings, work (not recommended first year), gifts, employment benefits, VA benefits, loans, scholarships, research or teaching assistantships in other departments, etc. Run your credit report. Request it for free at www.annualcreditreport.com. Know how negative indicators will affect your financial aid eligibility. Set a budget and plan for making school visits. Plan for paying a seat deposit. Typically due beginning in April. SENIOR YEAR: 1 YEAR BEFORE ENROLLMENT Financial aid process should be well under way. You have applied for and have specific information on schools to which you are being admitted: Know updated Cost of Attendance Budget for each school to which you have been admitted for your first year of enrollment. Know if you have been selected for verification by offices of financial aid. Submit the required paperwork as soon as possible. If you are selected for verification your award letter will not be generated until you complete verification. Review financial aid award letters (loan information) from offices of financial aid. Know what you are being offered and the differences between the loans. Review scholarship award letters (if offered). Know conditions of scholarship awardsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;especially for renewable or multiyear awards. Accept awards formally for financial aid package, and if offered, scholarship award for the school in which you will enroll. Know when to expect promissory notes and/or documentation to complete for scholarship disbursement. If necessary, set a budget and plan for moving to location of law school. Remember, financial aid support does not include this expense. SENIOR YEAR: 1/2 YEAR BEFORE ENROLLMENT Financial aid process should be completed and you are making final arrangements for disbursement of aid. Sign and return promissory notes. Complete and return documentation for scholarship disbursement (if necessary). Complete loan orientation (an institutional requirement usually done online). Know disbursement date for loans and scholarships. You may need to make arrangements for book and supplies purchases if disbursement does not happen until after first day of class. Make arrangements for direct/electronic deposit of aid disbursements--if available. This is a sample financial aid timeline parallel to an admissions process time line presuming enrollment in the fall as a full time student. You can find additional CLEO resources for Financing Law School by visiting our blog at www.cleoscholars.org.

Bruce Jackson Assistant General Counsel

Elke Flores Suber Senior Attorney

Congratulations to CLEO for 45 years of “Training Tomorrow’s Lawyers, Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders.” Microsoft’s Legal and Corporate Affairs Department is honored to support the program and is particularly proud of Elke Flores Suber and Bruce Jackson. Elke and Bruce are past recipients of CLEO scholarships and valued members of our team.

MIND/BODY CONNECTION

Handling Law School

By Mary Dunnewold

or the past several years, students at Hamline Law School have been invited to participate in a “Six-Word Story” contest on the topic of the first six weeks of law school. Six-word stories are intended to capture the essence of an experience in just that many words. Most of the stories submitted to the contest reflect one basic theme: law student stress. For example: • Socratic method—and other scary words. • Lost: sanity. Last seen: before orientation. • Happy people don’t study hard enough. • My wife should sue for damages. • Can’t clear fog. So many details! • Scared 1Ls, stressed 2Ls, impatient 3Ls. Those involved in legal education—students, faculty, staff, families of students—recognize stress is an issue for most law students. And in fact, over the past several decades, empirical studies have confirmed that law students are among the most stressed of all graduate students. Professor Lawrence Krieger of Florida State University College of Law, a leading researcher and writer on the topic of law student stress, in conjunction

with psychologist Kennon Sheldon, has studied the problem in depth over the last decade. Their research, which was conducted at several law schools, including public and private schools, shows that during the first year of law school, students show significant declines in subjective well-being. At the same time, students show significant increases in indicators of stress, including depression and physical symptoms related to stress. These changes occur even though law students enter law school with no unusual levels of stress, at least as compared to undergraduates. And research shows that student stress levels do not diminish in the second and third years of law school (Understanding the Negative Effects of Legal Education on Law Students: A Longitudinal Test of Self-Determination Theory, 33 Personality & Soc. Psychol Bull. 883 (2007)). Some schools and legal organizations have created programs to help law students learn to handle stress well. For instance, Vanderbilt University Law School offers an optional, non-credit Supportive Practices “class” in which students learn stressreduction techniques. The group meets for 1 hour a week for the first 10 weeks of the semester. Additionally, the ABA Law Student Division has sponsored a Law Student Mental Health Initiative. The initiative offers a Tool Kit for Student Bar Associations

and Administrators, to help local student groups address mental health issues in law schools. The Division has also sponsored a National Mental Health Day at law schools, and offers extensive suggestions about how to educate law students and promote events about law student mental health and stress reduction. Your law school or student bar association may have programs like these to help you learn to manage stress. But you may need to be proactive in taking care of your own mental health. While the considerable demands of law school are not going to go away, you can take action to help yourself cope. Here are some ideas about how to approach stress management.

Set deliberate, realistic goals for yourself. It’s true that to land that federal clerkship or the job at the big downtown law firm, you may need to be in the top 10 percent of your class, on law review, and a moot court superstar. But think about what kind of career you actually want and what kind of work and work schedule will be sustainable for you over the long term. There are lots of competent, professionally satisfied lawyers out there doing work they enjoy who were not in the top 10 percent, or even the top half, of their class. You may need to give yourself permission to slow down a little and not always be the best at everything. Also, have a long talk with someone in your career services office about what kind of work you want to do. Or arrange to shadow or have lunch with lawyers working in different kinds of settings so you have more information about your career options, which will help you set reasonable goals. You may be surprised about what kinds of lawyers are most satisfied with their jobs.

Remember to be yourself. Although there is no objective research pinning down the sources of law student stress, one theory is that some 44 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

stress results because law students are trained to think about issues, and life in general, in sterile, legally formalistic ways that cut them loose from their moral and ethical moorings. In this legal mindset, every issue has several equally valid approaches, the “correct” approach depends on the circumstances, and there are no right answers. In theory, this “disconnect” causes students to question or lose their individual identities. While you do need to learn the skill of objective analysis, which is fundamental to legal reasoning, you need to remember that it’s a skill, and it does not require a personality or morality transplant. You do not have to give up everything you believe in when you enter law school. In fact, you should cultivate the habit of stopping to think about the result of every case you read and questioning whether it presents a “right” answer, according to your own moral and ethical compass. It’s OK to disagree with your professor or your classmates about the outcome of a case. Also, note that when you are a practicing attorney, the Rules of Professional Conduct allow you to take into account the moral, social, religious, and ethical implications of a situation when advising a client. So maintaining your individual moral and ethical identity can actually help you be a better attorney once you’re out in practice.

Stay connected. Most of us need other people to hang out with, to have fun with, and to provide moral support. So maintaining relationships with family and friends should be a top priority. We are by nature social creatures, and we need other people to be happy. While you may feel some frustration at the demands your family and non–law school friends make on you, and you may feel like they don’t understand the pressures you are under at school, give them a break.

Ask for help. If you find that, despite your best efforts, the pressures of law school are beginning to overwhelm you, don’t try to tough it out and handle it alone. In addition to friends and family, there are many resources available through your school or state bar association to help you deal with stress. Most schools have a counseling center, and often services are free. If you are struggling academically or with time management, consult your school’s academic support professionals. That’s what they are there for. Finally, most state bar associations have a lawyer assistance program to help lawyers, and law students, find resources and support for dealing with mental health issues, including substance abuse. The ABA website provides a list of state lawyer assistance programs at www.americanbar.org/colap.

Maintain good “life habits.” The maxim “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” exists for a reason. Face it: Studying all the time is not a sustainable lifestyle. While you need to meet your school and work obligations, you also need to spend time relaxing and attending to the other important things in your life. For starters, follow your mother’s advice: Exercise, eat healthy food, and get enough sleep. Block off time to go for a run, play basketball, or walk the dog. Block off time to prepare and eat meals, preferably with friends or family.

Monitor your alcohol consumption and partying. If drinking is interfering with your class performance the next day or causing trouble in your relationships, you may be overdoing it. In fact, because drinking can cause you to

be at less than peak performance, it may well cause more stress than it relieves. In addition, many lawyers who get into professional trouble have substance-abuse issues as part of their complex problems, and often those issues begin in law school. If your drinking is following you home from the bar in noticeable ways, cut back. If cutting back is difficult, ask for help. The pressures you face during law school are real, as are the pressures you will face later as a practicing lawyer. Becoming a professional does not mean you need to learn to avoid difficult or stressful situations. Rather, you need to develop skills for coping and maintaining a healthy life, despite stress. The effort you put into learning to manage your stress while in school will pay off once you’re in practice.

MARY DUNNEWOLD (mdunnewold@hamline.edu) is a legal writing instructor at Hamline University School of Law. “Handling Law School Stress Well,” originally appeared in Student Lawyer, published by the American Bar Association. Copyright 2011© by the American Bar Association. Reprinted with permission. This information or any or portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any form or by any means or stored in an electronic database or retrieval system without the express written consent of the American Bar Association.

ABA Resources The ABA website offers many resources to help law students cope with stress, including a confidential listserv for students confronting alcohol and drug dependency issues. See http://apps.americanbar.org/ legalservices/colap/ lawschoolassistance.html. You can also order a copy of Professor Larry Krieger’s booklet, The Hidden Sources of Law School Stress, from this page. See more links to stress-management resources and get ideas for planning a mental health day at your law school at www.americanbar.org/groups/ law_students/initiatives_awards/lshealth.html.

So you want to makke an impact? Choose a top-ranked, policy-oriented law school with glo obal scope. Master of Enviironmental Law and Policy Juris Doctor LLM in Environmenttal Law LLM in American Le egal Studies Dual degrrees progrrams with Cambridge, McG Gill, Seville, Yalle, and other schools Clinics and d experien ntial programs

For information about international, environmental law, public interest, and first nationss fellowships, call 802-831-1 1239.

for the com mmunity and the world

w ww.. v e r m o n t l a w.e edu

MIND/BODY CONNECTION

Build Your

Brand Distinguish Yourself from the Crowd By L.J. Jackson

tanding out in a cluttered job market means more than submitting a stellar résumé and enthusiastic cover letter. With law firms doing limited recruiting, and even less hiring, it’s important to build your own personal brand and your “unique selling proposition.”

French knows from personal experience. She started her branding business in 2009 after being laid off from DLA Piper’s corporate security practice. The 2007 Vanderbilt University Law School graduate found herself out of a job when the recession hit, along with 40 percent of her entering class. French had to decide what to do next.

But how do you begin building your brand, and what does that mean exactly? Corporations spend big bucks on consultants and experts to help develop product branding that will catch the attention of consumers. But for students on a budget, there are simple ways to identify your strengths and assets that form the basis of your brand. And once you have developed your brand, there’s no hiding your light under a bush. It takes additional work to market yourself like a company markets a product, to let your target audience know you are out there and that you’re someone they can’t live without.

“It would have been foolish to run back to an Am Law top 50 firm in this economic climate,” French says. So for French, branding meant branching out on her own and harnessing her core strengths. As a member of DLA Piper’s associates committee, she was used to advising others on topics such as making a great first impression in an interview and getting more work from partners. She quickly realized her unique selling proposition was her ability to help others find theirs, and J French Branding was born.

“You have to let people know what it is about you that’s worth making an investment in,” says Jasmin French, a Chicago branding specialist and lawyer. “Branding is about perception. The message you’re putting out into the atmosphere needs to convey exactly how you want to be perceived.”

French lectures and conducts workshops for law firms, for schools, and at conferences. She helps associates and professionals who want to raise their profiles, learn public speaking, develop new business, get hired, get promoted or those “who are simply tired of disappearing among the masses.”

3. Even if you’re just starting out in law school and have limited experience, figure out your top leadership skills and be able to talk about them confidently: “Leadership skills are separate from legal skills,” French says. “You need to be able to say, ‘Even though I have never worked for a firm, I have leadership skills and this is how they can bring value.’”

“I help people tell their stories and more importantly, help people tell their stories to someone new,” French says.

Brand Building How-To When French gives presentations on brand building for legal professionals, she offers a number of strategies to get started, based on the realities of the current market. “Now more than ever employers no longer have ‘want’ money, they have ‘need’ money,” French explains. “They hire employees they need and they keep employees they need, and you need to be able to explain clearly how you can fill that need.” French has three top tips for self-assessment and standing out: 1. Identify what attributes you can offer consistently that would prove a benefit to an employer. Do this by having a personal board of directors—people not related to you who can speak to your traits as an individual: Ask someone you can rely on: “You’ve known me for a number of years, what would you describe about my work style that hasn’t changed?” French says. 2. A résumé only gives a snapshot of points in time. Break down previous experience and projects to explain what value they’ll have to your target audience “How do your past experiences have transferable value to your target market?” French asks. “Your résumé may show you did ‘research,’ but what does this say about your ability to work with a partner in the future? Break down your previous experience and project what value it will have to who you’re targeting.”

48 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

French says law students can point to situations where they’ve interviewed candidates for a position on a journal, campaigned for elected office, or volunteered in a school clinic—all of which involve some form of leadership. “Leadership and consensus building requires strong verbal skills, empathy and the ability to zero in on the essential things that are most important among a diverse constituency,” French says. “And associates do each of these things every day.”

Put Yourself Out There The idea came to third-year Georgetown Law student Mike Sacks when he couldn’t sleep one night—he would start his own blog covering the U.S. Supreme Court, but first he had to find a way to get people to read what he wrote. “There are so many people shouting on the internet, and if you want to get recognized, you need some sort of hook,” Sacks says. “For me the hook was getting first in line for the general admission to the Supreme Court— treating it like a rock concert.” Sacks started his blog, First One @ One First (the address of the U.S. Supreme Court), in September 2009, and he quickly got noticed. Through a combination of networking with other Supreme Court reporters, and building his personal brand. Sacks has found a way to set himself apart from other law students. “It helps to have this going on given the economy,” Sacks says. “The blog has helped to get in the door for interviews at firms that right now are more picky and aren’t hiring the way they used to.” Sacks says he took a holistic approach to branding to see how it could help his career in law, journalism, or just get his name on the map. “I wanted to make an impact and my mind is always open for the next thing that could make a splash,” Sacks says. Sacks’ blog was a natural extension of his interest in the High Court, and so was his success. “Entrepreneurs are most successful when pursuing things they are intrinsically predestined to do,” notes French.

As a result of his creative efforts, and branding as a law-student-Supreme-Court-watcher-extraordinaire, Sacks has not only opened doors at law firms but has written for the Christian Science Monitor and has been quoted in the New York Times. Sacks’ advice to others seeking to make that “splash” and build a brand? “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” Sacks says. “The hardest part is getting out in front of everyone else who’s interested. Find an angle no one else can get, find that perspective, and run with it.” Sacks is currently running with his blog concept and plans to take it as far as he can. Right now, he’s still in school, interviewing for jobs, and trying to decide whether he’ll pursue a career in law or journalism.

Leveraging Your Brand As a speaker, coach, and author of The Opportunity Maker: Strategies for Inspiring Your Legal Career Through Creative Networking and Business Development, Ari Kaplan has a bird’s-eye view of what’s going on in the market. He has spoken at 34 law schools across the country, and as a big firm alum, Kaplan has plenty of advice. “I’m always suggesting students go out and interview lawyers they want to meet and learn what those lawyers are most in need of in terms of support,” Kaplan says. “Then be a resource for those lawyers, and it’s a perfect way to create a long-term relationship.” Start by identifying professionals you want to meet and consider offering to write for their website or profile their work for the school newspaper, a student association’s website, or the alumni magazine, Kaplan suggests. As you get to know the practice preferences and goals of those individuals, consider contacting them when you see press leads, writing opportunities, or teaching positions. Kaplan says free resources like editorial calendars and chronicle.com can be very helpful in this regard. Kaplan points out the statistical truth: 90 percent of law school grads will not be in the top 10 percent of their class, which means there are a lot of students who will have to find creative ways to distinguish themselves in a down economy. Kaplan encourages law students to focus on the needs of others, rather than themselves, to gain value.

One way to do this is to find ways to introduce lawyers you meet to others you know, such as professors, or even the dean. As you connect with business professionals and experts in other fields, continue to make those introductions as it will demonstrate the depth of your character and your interest in creating opportunity for those with whom you are interacting, Kaplan says. “Students need to listen to practitioners and ask, ‘What do you need help with?’ And then help them with that,” Kaplan says. “When you do this, you are immediately creating an opportunity for yourself.” Kaplan also suggests harnessing the Internet through guest blogging, targeted social networking, and gaining technical skills. Kaplan found success post-law firm by targeting clients who would be interested in what he had to offer. Kaplan’s experience at top-tier firms proved valuable to businesses looking to outsource legal writing and research, from ghostwriting articles to conducting industry research. “You have to know what you do, and who you can do it for in order to effectively create a game plan,” Kaplan says. French agrees that social networking isn’t just for collecting Twitter followers and Facebook friends. The economy has created a word-of-mouth hiring system that can be leveraged through the proper use of technology. “People go with candidates referred to them personally,” French notes. “Social media is a good way to let people know how great you are.” It takes time and effort to lay the groundwork, but once you’ve figured out what your unique selling proposition is, and how you can add value to an employer or potential clients, you will be able to identify your personal brand. And that is the first step to self-marketing success. L.J. Jackson (jaxlgl@yahoo.com) is a freelance writer and attorney who specializes in law and business reporting. She is based in Chicago. “Build Your Brand,” originally appeared in Student Lawyer, published by the American Bar Association. Copyright 2011© by the American Bar Association. Reprinted with permission. This information or any or portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any form or by any means or stored in an electronic database or retrieval system without the express written consent of the American Bar Association.

MIND/BODY CONNECTION

Affirmations Affirmations are statements to remind you of the joys and pleasures of life. The following statements are for internalization as well as for motivation as you prepare for law school and as you continue on this journey called life. If you spend a few quiet moments reciting the words of each affirmation, you can create an atmosphere of positive energy in your life. In addition, if you take a few minutes to create your own personal affirmations, they will be more valuable to the newly rejuvenated and revitalized YOU.

I possess an endless supply of creativity. accomplish anything.

I appreciate my education and put it to good use.

surround me, I focus on my goal. school expenses. uplifting thoughts.

I look at every situation from different perspectives.

I anticipate a future of accomplishment, prosperity, and wisdom. I learn something new everyday.

I am confident.

I do not fear change.

I have all of the mental tools to get into

I am my own unique self - special, creative, and wonderful.

When I believe in myself, so do others.

knowledgeable law school applicant. zeal.

I see the finish line.

Every day, I take at least

I explore all new opportunities.

those who have come before me and brought enlightenment to the world. task.

I allow myself to think

I take time to enjoy my interests

I reduce my carbon footprint in whatever I do and wherever I go.

one step closer to my goals. relationships.

Although the stresses of life

I establish a monthly budget that I will adhere to in preparation for law

(e.g., crafts, playing a musical instrument, reading, traveling, etc.) law school.

I can

I give thanks for all

I seek diversity within my I do the best job with every

I thoroughly research the application process so I am a

The attitude of gratitude fills my life.

I seize all opportunities with

I can do this.

I am ________________________________________________________ I believe _____________________________________________________ I inspire ______________________________________________________ I realize ______________________________________________________ I support _____________________________________________________ I ___________________________________________________________

I see the end goal of becoming a lawyer. I am a lawyer.

As you prepare to become the next generation of diversity within the legal profession, remember the importance of moving forward with empowering and positive thoughts. Success will follow.

MIND/BODY CONNECTION

Time On Your e d Si

Time Management For CLEO Scholars

YOUR LAW SCHOOL CURRICULUM WILL PROGRESS AT LIGHTNING SPEED, AND YOU’LL HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF A LEGAL CAREER EARLY IN YOUR LIFE. IN ORDER TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE, BECOME A COMPETITIVE LAW SCHOOL APPLICANT, AND SUCCEED IN LAW SCHOOL, YOU MUST MASTER TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND AVOID BEING CARRIED AWAY BY A HURRICANE OF COMPETING INTERESTS AND DUTIES.

52 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

College is more than just a fun-filled adventure—your purpose for being there is to develop the responsibility and maturity to make it on your own after graduation. Start improving your time management skills today by following these time management suggestions: Take responsibility for your time. First, mastering time management means that if no one is pushing you to complete tasks on your own, your own internal drive must encourage and push you to reach your goals. Use positive reinforcement to encourage yourself to get assignments done on time. Instead of punishing yourself for not finishing that paper on time, reward yourself when you do make the deadline. Keep the long-term benefits of good time management in mind. While law school may seem far off if you’ve just started college, the time to get letters of recommendation will sneak up on you if you’re not careful. Put your time management skills to work early to make a lasting impression on your professors. Good time management brings out your best. Proper planning ensures that you will have all the time needed to do your best work. If you have a term paper due at the end of the semester and wait until two weeks before it is due to start working on it, you may be able to hand it in on time, but will you be proud of your product? The quality of your research and writing may suffer because of the pressure you’re under. While you may work very well under pressure, your best work is a product of thoughtful, careful labor. Effective time management reduces stress. You can alleviate due-date pressure by planning ahead. For example, a term paper requires that you do a cursory examination of what has already been written on your topic of choice. Then you create a bibliography, gather and organize your

data, prepare an outline, begin writing, produce a rough draft, edit and revise, and make final edits before turning it in. Sound like a lot of work? By scheduling and allocating time for each step, you’ll reduce the amount of pressure you put on yourself. Planning ahead helps you beat admissions deadlines. You will need good time management skills to navigate the law school admissions process. After you complete your junior year in college, you must register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS). Then you’ll enter the world of deadlines. There will be final dates for various materials: LSDAS registration, requests for fee waivers, application submissions, LSAT prep course registration, and more. Because most students apply to law school in their senior year, all of these deadlines will compete with final exams and term paper due dates. Your adeptness in handling multiple deadlines will have a huge impact on your ability to navigate the law school admission process successfully. Good time management will keep you in law school. In law school, professors do not give students written homework assignments. There are no quizzes or quarterly tests. Your grade will be based solely on your final exam grade. Cramming will not work because your grade for each class will be based on one cumulative exam, and you’ll be taking several exams within a short period of time. Remember, you’ll have to keep up with your reading over the course of the semester, which requires you to have both good time management skills and self-discipline.

Quick Time Management Tips 1. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize. Effective time management is about putting first things first. Always remind yourself what’s most important and deserves the best of your time. 2. Acquire the necessary tools. You don’t have to do it all by yourself—enlist the help of time-tested time management tools: a watch, an alarm clock, a pocket calendar, a wall calendar, and an ever-ready “to do” list. Post notes around you to remind yourself of approaching deadlines. 3. Climb the mountain first. Perform the most grueling and mundane tasks when your energy is at its peak. Avoid the trap of doing the easy things first and then running out energy before you complete the crucial tasks. 4. Use sound judgment. Distinguish between crucial and non-crucial tasks, using the 1-23 system (1=very important; 2=important; 3=not very important). 5. Get started. Procrastination will destroy your best time management efforts. Get started on overwhelming projects by simply breaking them down into smaller tasks and tracking your progress. 6. Delegate. Your life doesn’t always have to be a one-man or one-woman show. Reassign tasks to others when possible so that you can free up time for your critical tasks. 7. Make time for fun. Balanced lives include work, play, and rest. By including hobbies and recreation in your schedule, you create a sense of balance, which will enhance your overall wellness. 8. Efficiency is essential. Being organized and identifying shortcuts for routine tasks can help you become more efficient. 9. Plan your day. Maximize efficiency by planning your day the night before. In the few minutes it takes you to plan your next day, you create a sense of purpose.

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Countdown to College: A Timeline

ant to know how to get ready for college? Make sure you graduate from high school. Start preparing as early as your freshman year. Take required and challenging courses in high school. The College Board (www.collegeboard.org) recommends creating a sound educational portfolio (selection) by taking at least five solid academic classes every semester. Do your best every day in your classes and try to get good grades. And while every school district has its own criteria, the following classes are standard for success in high school and beyond: • English • Math • Science • Social Studies • Foreign Language • The Arts • Computer Science Also consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) and Independent Study classes that can help you get started early on college credit.

54 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Secondary School

Timeline for College* 9th Grade • Plan for the year ahead by meeting with your guidance counselor to sign up for challenging classes. • Start planning for college and thinking about your career interests. At www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/myfsa, you can register with MYFSA (My Federal Student Aid) and research your career and college options. • Consider participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music arts, law, and science. • Make a list of your awards, honors, paid or volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.

10th Grade • Meet with your school guidance counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their requirements. You can find a list of colleges online at www.a2zcolleges.com and www.50states.com/college. • Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test or the PLAN exam, the pre-ACT test. • Use your summer wisely: work, volunteer, or take a summer course (either away or at a local college). • Attend career information events to get a more detailed look at career options. • Log on to your MyFSA account at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov.myfsa and try the Career Finder, or look at your career search results in the Career Finder. • Learn the difference between grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships at www.college.gov.

11th Grade • Explore careers and their earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/oco. • Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations by college representatives. • Log on to your MyFSA account at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov.myfsa and look at the information for any colleges you saved if you completed the College Matching Wizard in the past. Try the college search again if you’ve changed your mind about what you want from a school.

• In the fall, take the PSAT/NMSQT. Register for all tests in advance and be sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare. If you have difficulty paying a registration fee, contact your school counselor about getting a fee waiver. • In the spring, register for and take exams for college admission. The tests many colleges require are the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to determine what tests they require. • Get in-depth information on federal student aid programs, scholarships, and more at www.federalStudentAid.ed.gov. Be sure to check deadlines.

12th Grade • During the summer before the 12th grade, narrow down the list of colleges you are interested in attending and contact them to request information about financial aid and deadlines, as well as an application for admission. Visit the schools that interest you, if you can. • Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Check the program deadlines and requirements. • Work hard all year; second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility. • Stay involved in after-school activities, and seek leadership roles as much as possible. • By fall, meet with your counselor to make sure you are on tap to graduate. • Take all standardized tests that are required for college admission. • Apply to colleges you have chosen. • Before application deadlines, ask your counselor or teachers for letters of recommendation and other required documents. • As soon after January 1, as possible, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). • In the spring, visit colleges that invited you to enroll. • Review your college acceptances and compare the college’s financial aid packages. • Once you have decided the college or university you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1. • Graduate. Congratulations!! You are now on the CLEO Road to Law School.

*Adapted from the Department of Education’s “College Preparation Checklist” and the College Board.

For more information about CLEO’s high school programs, visit CLEO at www.cleoscholars.org.

56 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Mission Driven. Practice Oriented. Liberty University School of Law graduates are prepared for practice from day one and trained for the front lines of the legal profession through: · An unrivaled six-semester Lawyering Skills Program · National championship winning Moot Court and Negotiation teams · A curriculum integrated with the Christian worldview

TODAY

If you are interested in a superior legal education, please email lawadmissions@ liberty.edu, call (434) 592-5300, or visit law.liberty.edu.

SECONDARY SCHOOL

How to Prepare Academically for College By Elizabeth Stroud

ongratulations! Your decision to pursue college and the legal profession is worth celebrating. The path to college can seem like a long uphill trek, but before you pack unnecessary gear, take a look at these steps to academic success. They will help you focus your time and navigate your way to college. Research and planning ahead makes a difference!

Step #1... Get Informed What you can do today to be academically college-ready The college admissions process is competitive, meaning you must demonstrate academic excellence in high school to set yourself apart from other students. To go above and beyond, you will need to know and meet your high school’s graduation requirements and take advantage of extra-curricular activity opportunities. Have you already reviewed these requirements and options? If not, now is the time! Check with your high school counselor or teachers to get this information. Admission to your state’s college system requires you to meet your high school graduation requirements and take a few additional academic courses. Typically, these include an extra year of math, english, social studies, and science. If you plan to attend a private or out-of-state college, make sure you search out those schools' eligibility requirements. The College Board (www.collegeboard.org) has some great resources to help you find the right college.

58 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Step #2... Make a Plan Execute your plan with purpose Now it is time to create a plan based on your high school and college eligibility requirements. Make an appointment with your counselor or adviser to discuss and outline the courses and credits you will need. Additionally, make sure your parents or guardians and a trusted teacher review your plan. You should be able to answer questions about your plan, defend it, and understand why you are taking each class. Remember, students who go above and beyond stand out. Strive to maintain high academic standards and seek help early when needed. Whenever your schedule permits, take more than the minimum required courses. An extra class of english or math shows admissions counselors that you have competitive drive and a strong desire to learn. Finally, do not forget to ask for help! Your parents, teachers, counselors, mentors, and tutors want to help and support you during this exciting time. "Being the first person in my family to attend college meant that I didn't have anyone to guide me through the process. So I sought out mentors who could answer my questions and provide advice. It's really important to set yourself up with a mentor, whether it's to gain knowledge about the college application process or to learn

more about a specific school or profession. Talk to a school counselor about programs at local colleges or look for programs like the Center for Youth Development through Law. There are plenty of people out there willing to share their experiences with you and it's a valuable resource in preparing yourself for college."

Finally, you should seek leadership roles as often as possible. Being a leader will distinguish your application to selective universities and will prepare you for the leadership roles that lie ahead in your college experiences and professional life.

Vanessa O. Leonardo J.D. degree from City University of New York School of Law, 2008 B.A. degree from University of California, Berkeley, 2004

An approach that can prepare you well for college and career

Step #3... Develop Professional Skills Preparing yourself for the real world There are certain key skills you need to succeed on your path to becoming a legal professional. Reading, writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and analysis are important subjects to master. Outof-classroom opportunities also help you build these key skills! Find programs such as moot court, mock trial or debate teams to sharpen your critical thinking and public speaking skills. Visit your career center to learn about internships and other work-based learning experiences, which you can connect to what you are learning in the classroom. Experiences "in the field" help you develop skills and teach you how to present yourself in professional settings. Work-based learning opportunities may take the form of job shadowing, intensive internships, and virtual apprenticeships. If you are a working student, seek out opportunities to develop professional skills or find internships and part-time jobs in the legal profession. Take advantage of the summer months for on-going academic activities. Plan ahead to pursue summer school, camp or other academic experiences.

Step #4... Linked Learning For many students, learning by doing is the most engaging academic strategy. One example you can research is Linked Learning. When you bring together strong academics, demanding technical education, and real-world experience, you gain an advantage in high school. Linked Learning students follow industry-themed pathways such as Law and Justice for three years. This integrated approach builds a strong foundation for success in college and career—and life. Linked Learning is flexible and looks different in different places. Some of the models are California Partnership Academies, magnet schools, career academies, National Academy Foundation academies, and small themed-based high schools. Investigate whether your school or your district offer any Linked Learning programs such as law-themed courses, pathways or academies. Career-themed pathways that link learning with student interests and career preparation lead to higher graduation rates, increased college enrollments, and higher earning potential. The future is now. It is never too early to plan for your future. You can take many steps while still in high school that will increase your chances of a successful career in the legal profession. For today’s students, there is a world of resources to help guide you. The next move is yours! To learn more about Linked Learning visit ConnectEd’s website, www.ConnectEdCalifornia.org.

SECONDARY SCHOOL

• The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque

• Reasoning Skills Success in 20 Minutes a Day by LearningExpress Editors

• College and Career Ready: Helping All Students Succeed Beyond High School by David T. Conley

• Should You Really Be A Lawyer?: The Guide To Smart Career Choices Before, During & After Law School by Deborah Schneider and Gary Belsky

• Countdown to College: 21 To Do Lists for High School: Step-By-Step Strategies for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders 2nd Edition by Valerie Pierce and Cheryl Rilly

• Speak Out! Debate and Public Speaking in the Middle Grades by John Meany and Kate Shuster

• Emily Post's Teen Etiquette by Elizabeth L. Post

• Teen Guide to Personal Financial Management by Marjolijn Bijlefeld and Sharon K. Zoumbaris

• Essay Writing: Step-By-Step: A Newsweek Education Program Guide for Teens by Newsweek Education Program and Newsweek

• Teen Manners: From Malls to Meals to Messaging and Beyond by Cindy Post Senning, Peggy Post, and Sharon Watts

• Financial Aid for… African Americans, 2012-2014 Hispanic Americans, 2012-2014 Native Americans, 2012-2014 Asian Americans, 2012-2014 by Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Weber

• The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

• Hope Chest: A Treasure of Spiritual Keepsakes by Rod Terry

• Who Moved My Cheese? for Teens by Spencer Johnson

• Keys to Success: Building Analytical, Creative, and Practical Skills by Carol Carter, Joyce Bishop, Sarah Lyman Kravits, and Judy Block

• Words You Should Know In High School: 1000 Essential Words To Build Vocabulary, Improve Standardized Test Scores, And Write Successful Papers by Burton Jay Nadler, Jordan Nadler, and Justin Nadler

• Law 101: Everything You Need to Know about the American Legal System by Jay M. Feinman • Painless Vocabulary by Michael Greenberg

• Where's My Stuff?: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide by Samantha Moss, Lesley Schwartz, and Michael Wertz

• Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark

ACADEMICS Renowned and engaged faculty. Extensive offerings with over 250 courses, seminars and workshops offered annually. Excellent study abroad options. Nationally recognized Litigation Skills, Clinical and Public Interest Programs with student placements throughout the U.S. and internationally. Outstanding academic support and student development programs to help you succeed. A collaborative, dynamic student body that will help you reach your personal best.

OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT A Law School which is part of the beautiful University of Miami campus just six miles south of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vibrant business and legal communities.

Highly regarded Externship Program that allows students to obtain both course credit and valuable experience in legal settings worldwide.

Multicultural, multidimensional students who will contribute to your success and development.

Legal Corps: Miamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique 6-month postgraduate fellowship program places recent law graduates who are admitted to a state bar in public sector organizations nationwide.

Faculty and administrators who are here to support and guide you. Successful and supportive alumni throughout the U.S. and abroad. Miami is home to national DQG LQWHUQDWLRQDO ODZ Ă&#x20AC;UPV international headquarters for many corporations, dozens of federal agencies, and over a dozen courts.

)RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLW ZZZ ODZ PLDPL HGX RU FRQWDFW WKH 2IÂżFH RI Student Recruitment at 305-284-6746 or admissions@law.miami.edu

$ &DUHHU 'HYHORSPHQW 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH ZLWK ten attorneys on staff to help you Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH MRE \RX VHHN ZKHWKHU WKDW LV in Florida or elsewhere. 760+ Miami Law alumni ranked as Super Lawyers, placing Miami at #20 in Super Lawyers Magazine (2010).

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

The College Years... THE FRESHMAN YEAR By Matthew Niziol

Pre-law! Just saying it should excite you. Nothing gets the heart pumping faster than telling your friends and family that “I’m a Pre-law major.” But now that you have the rush of adrenaline out of that way, it is time to get to work. You have chosen an academic track that will expose you to top professors, law school professionals, practicing attorneys and ultra-competitive classmates. It will require good long-term planning, day-to-day concentration and a relentless desire to achieve. Since you are reading this magazine, you are probably ready to take the first steps to becoming a pre-law student. As a pre-law student, you have a few very important priorities. Like every student, you need to focus on your education, master knowledge and skills, and earn a high grade point average. But as a pre-law student, you also need to be exceptionally aware of the choices you make. You will make choices every day of your college experience. Some of the choices will be academic – like choosing a major, and some will be personal – like choosing a school close to home in order to help your family. From New Student Orientation to Graduation, you should consider each choice as an opportunity to bring you closer to the law school experience you want to create. As a pre-law student, every class, club, internship and

64 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

special project should prepare you for law school. Think of the next four years as practice for your first day as a 1L. Ask yourself, “Will this class or club help me prepare for law school?” If the answer is no, you should let it go! For example, your school may have a Visual and Performing Arts requirement. Instead of taking Art Appreciation, consider taking Introduction to Acting. The Acting class will help develop poise, presentation, communication skills and the ability to improvise. The Art Appreciation class might be an easy A, but that is how it will look to whomever reads your transcript. In order to know what the best choices are, I recommend that you meet with your Pre-law Advisor to develop a semester-by-semester plan for pre-law success. Pre-law Advisors are often housed in the University Advising Center, Career Center, or in academic departments, such as Political Science and History. Your Pre-law Advisor can suggest majors, invite you to pre-law workshops, introduce you to law school admissions staff, and connect you with campus, regional and national resources like the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), Pre-law Conferences and CLEO. A Pre-law Advisor should act as your guide and help you develop a long-term perspective while you advocate for yourself day-to-day. Not all pre-law programs are designed in the same way. It is not only your responsibility to request specific advice from the Pre-law Advisor, but also to ask, “What don’t I know?” Your advisor should be able to fill in the gaps with you. If locating your Pre-law Advisor is difficult,

you can find him or her by contacting the LSAC (www.lsac.org).

After contacting your on-campus resource, it is time to make a plan. The skills you develop as an undergraduate are keys to later success in law school. Most undergraduate classes are large and are not designed for meaningful interaction with your classmates and professors. So, first look for small classes. Find professors that encourage classroom discussion and classes that improve your reading, writing, communication and research skills. These skills are critical for the pre-law student and can be honed in Humanities, Social Sciences, English, and Speech classes. You should also be on the prowl for classes to develop your multicultural awareness and skills. Building a broad cultural curriculum of foreign languages, world history and diverse literature and philosophy courses will enhance interpersonal skills and help you stand out from the average law school applicant. One more thought on your classroom experience: it is important to develop confidence in speaking to and disagreeing with your professors. Law schools do not want wallflowers in their classes. You should practice asking questions of your professors and classmates. Start with small, easy-to-answer questions and work up to hotissue debates. Your professors will appreciate your involvement and may reward you with a strong letter of recommendation. As you succeed in your classes you will be encouraged to choose a major. Pre-law is not a major at most universities. It is a pre-professional program designed to help you create a seamless network of resources. When you choose your major and minor you can use the same steps you used when choosing classes. Your major should promote the skills necessary for law school and compliment your strengths and weaknesses. Although Political Science, History, English and Philosophy are the traditional major choices, you should choose the major that excites you. Set yourself up to be happy in class. Read the course descriptions. Speak with students currently enrolled in that major about the faculty and course load. Visit a few classes. College can

be a very expensive diversion if you are not engaged in your degree. Your Pre-law Advisor will tell you that LSAT scores and GPAs are very important because they are standard evaluation measures. But law students are not numbers. They have engaging personalities, they have unique personal histories, and they have gravitas. Pre-law students who engage in student organizations and demonstrate social conscience through active community service and learning will always be more valuable than the student with a high GPA and LSAT but no involvement. Involvement in student groups should bolster your education and pre-law experience, but do not fall into the trap of over-involvement. An organization that allows you to network with students, faculty and professionals is very important. You can find campus-wide and national clubs that relate to your major and are designed specifically for pre-law students. Identify student groups that afford you opportunities to serve the community, show commitment outside the classroom, and develop leadership skills. A pre-law student should not stop at the level of Member-at-Large. Getting things done is not leadership. A pre-law student should seek leadership opportunities to develop planning, organization, interpersonal communication and dispute resolution skills. A leader is not only concerned with the welfare of the organization today, but also builds a framework for the future. As a pre-law student, your undergraduate education is only the beginning. Your classmates may have a 4year plan, but it is important for you to create a 4+3-year plan. The first four years—your pre-law years—will be exciting and engaging and will stress your endurance. They are the framework for the next three—your law school years—which will transform your life forever! Congratulations, pre-law student…now go hit the books.

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

The College Years... THE SOPHOMORE YEAR By Heather Struck

Sophomore year is an important time to explore career possibilities while building your academic record. Take advantage of resources and opportunities available through your school. Get to know your pre-law advisor and the career services office. If you are not sure about a specific career path, take the time to explore all of your interests using the resources available through your school. Explore career possibilities. A law degree can lead to a wide range of law-related careers and can open doors to careers in government, business, higher education, communications, non-profit organizations, and more. Several ways to explore legal career possibilities include: 1. Look for opportunities to shadow lawyers through your school or by making connections with attorneys in your area. 2. Seek internships and clerkships through your career services office. 3. Attend events with law alumni sponsored by your college.

66 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Choose a major. At many schools, studens must choose a major during their sophomore year. Because a major may involve one third or more of your college classes, it is important to feel motivated and stimulated by the curriculum required for the major. If you are feeling unsure about which major is best for you, seek advice from your academic advisor, faculty advisor, and pre-law advisor. A double major is not necessarily a positive factor in the law school admission process; by choosing more than one major, students often give up time for electives that can broaden their undergraduate preparation for law school. Talk with your pre-law advisor about other courses offered at your school that may be beneficial to your preparation for law school. There is no such thing as a “pre-law” major. According to the American Bar Association, “There is no single path that will prepare you for a legal education. Students who are successful in law school, and who become accomplished professionals, come from many walks of life and educational backgrounds. (Source: http:// www.abanet.org/legaled/prelaw/prep.html) Develop your academic skills. Whatever your choice of major, look for courses that will help improve your writing, critical reading, research, and analytical skills. Look for a balance of challenging courses as you become more comfortable with the college environment and academic expectations. Find a quiet place to study and establish a regular study schedule.

Ask for help. Attend your classes regularly and get to know your faculty and teaching assistants. Take advantage of office hours to get your questions answered. Get to know the academic rules and ask for advice from your faculty advisor or academic advising office. Remember that your college has resources to help you if you are having difficulties. Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for help. Your school’s advising and counseling offices can be very helpful if you have questions about how to handle a difficult situation, such as illness or a family or personal problem. Build your academic record. Law schools are looking for students who will succeed in a demanding law school academic environment. Take courses that offer you a steady progression of increasing difficulty and challenge. Do not be discouraged if your first year grades are not what you expected—law schools will notice an upward trend in grades. When you apply to law school, you will need to submit transcripts from all schools attended, including transcripts for summer classes or undergraduate classes taken during high school. The Law School Admission Council will compile a cumulative undergraduate GPA (in addition to your degree GPA) in your law school report. If you are considering study abroad, inquire about how these credits may be reflected in your transcript(s). Taking a class on a pass/fail basis may be a good way to explore a new subject not in your major, but a number of pass/fail classes may be perceived negatively by the law schools. In some situations, it may be advisable to take an incomplete in or withdraw from a class, but try to avoid a pattern of doing this. Before you make a decision, ask for the advice of your college advising office, faculty advisor, or pre-law advisor. Stay out of trouble! When you apply to law school, you must disclose academic, disciplinary, and criminal

violations, even when these violations have been expunged from official records. Some law schools require a dean’s certification from your school. Full disclosure is also required when you apply for admission to a state bar. Because you must provide full disclosure if you want to become a lawyer, your best strategy is to avoid situations that may violate your school’s rules or the law. Be a smart consumer. Law school is a major investment in your future career. Many students incur significant debt in order to pay for law school. Avoid any unnecessary debt or credit card balances while you are an undergraduate, and pay your bills on time so that you are building a good credit record during your undergraduate years. Live within your means! Use your summers well. Think of summer as a time to explore your interests. Many students must work to help with undergraduate expenses, but it is often possible to gain professional experience through a parttime volunteer internship or shadow experience. Your school may have special funding for a stipend to cover your summer expenses while you are pursuing an unpaid internship. Some summer programs provide living expenses and a stipend for students who are selected for the program. Consult your pre-law advisor and career services office to find out more about summer opportunities, and check web sites such as CLEOScholars.com and DiscoverLaw.org for more ideas.

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

The College Years... THE JUNIOR YEAR – WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER By Anne Dutia

College is a transition period from adolescence to adulthood. It is when people start expecting more from you and you should be expecting more from yourself. It is how you adjust to both sets of expectations that will mark your success. Because law school is incredibly frontloaded, many things you do your junior year will lead to your future success in law school and beyond. This is where a little homework (or even better, a lot of it) goes a long way. If you have not yet, junior year is when you begin researching programs to determine which are a good fit for your interests and goals. Although rankings are a shorthand indicator of a school’s prestige and resources, do not rely solely on rankings to choose your target law schools. For some people, a strong regional law school may be a better option than a top-20, even if you are competitive for the latter. This is where it is important to spend some time considering what you expect of yourself and your legal career: do you want to go the big

68 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

law firm route, work in government or join a public interest organization? Will your salary allow you to pay back your loans and live comfortably? Considering your debt load compared to the typical income for your chosen career is not hedging your bets; it is smart planning. While you are considering your expectations of what law schools should offer you, it is also important to consider what the programs expect from you. Law schools want to fill their classes with students that can handle the academic rigor of their program. In addition, law schools want students who will add to their community as student leaders and become successful, well-respected graduates. Since law school admissions officers do not have crystal balls, they will be combing through your application for predictors of your success. Consider your academic profile so far. What do your grades and classes say about you? Are you a good student who has coasted by taking the easiest classes required for your major or are you a strong student who has sought out learning opportunities, built relationships with professors, and done both with an eye towards building a coherent academic profile? If you’re among the former, consider adding a research or teaching assistant position to solidify your academic credentials. This position will also build a relationship with a professor who can serve as both a mentor and recommender. Law schools are interested in your academic aptitude. If a professor is impressed enough with you that he or she has offered you employment as either a research or teaching assistant, that speaks well of your academic prowess.

What have you done to demonstrate your leadership and community engagement? Token memberships in many different organizations will not impress anyone. However, consistent commitment to a cause or organization in which you have shown innovation, initiative, and drive will impress anyone. Decide what you are passionate about and make a concerted effort to get involved in it somehow. If there is not an organization on your campus that addresses your interests, why not start one? Doing so demonstrates the vision to recognize the need, the ability to plan and carry out an idea, and the commitment to something other than yourself. Law School Admission Test (LSAT) preparation should begin, at the latest, by the second semester of your junior year. There is no one correct way to prepare for the LSAT; it really depends on your individual learning style and your other time commitments. If you are able, try to scale back your other commitments and devote all your extra time to LSAT preparation. The most common pitfall for LSAT-takers is purchasing an expensive commercial LSAT prep class or many books, but only passively absorbing the material. Nothing can take the place of hours of rigorous study, where you identify strategies for approaching each type of question, practice them intensively, and take multiple, timed practice tests. Many people describe the LSAT as a marathon, but I liken it to a series of consecutive sprints, with very little rest time in between. You owe it to your future self to have as many timed practice tests as possible before you walk into your testing center on test day. You cannot control what your testing environment will be, but with more practice, the more likely you can feel calm, focused,

and ready to do your best. Ideally, you should take the LSAT in June after your junior year. If you are happy with your score, you can spend the rest of the summer preparing your applications to apply in early September. If you are not happy with your score, you can prepare more and retake the LSAT in October. Most people get cold feet when the test date nears. You should take the time to evaluate if your jitters are typical pre-test jitters or if you should postpone taking the LSAT. Another factor to consider is whether you will have the time to put in the continued preparation it will take to keep up your testtaking skills. The summer after your junior year is also the best time to identify and approach your potential recommenders. The most compelling, helpful recommendations will come from professors in smaller, upper-level classes who have had the opportunity to observe and evaluate your critical thinking, logical reasoning, research ability, and writing skills over the duration of multiple classes. Contacting these professors over the summer and asking them, in person, if they can write a strong letter of recommendation for you will allow you to gauge their enthusiasm for the task. If they agree, provide them with a packet including your rĂŠsumĂŠ, transcript, a draft of your personal statement, if it is ready, and your Law School Admission Council confidentiality waiver. A cover letter with deadlines and talking points can also be helpful. The law school application process can often be overwhelming, especially if one starts late or without the proper information. But for those who have done their homework, it can actually be quite rewarding experience.

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

The College Years... THE SENIOR YEAR S.T.E.P.S. TO A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!! By Renaldo D. Alba and Christie-Belle Garcia Congratulations, Senior! Getting to this point in your academic career is a testament of your vision, priorities and efforts for the past three years. As you embark on the law school application process, we offer a timeline that will guide you through the application process. As pre-law advisors, each year we meet students who start their freshman year determined to pursue a law career. Many students enter successful careers in the law and are currently practicing attorneys in different legal settings. However, with every success story there are stories of students with potential not actualized. The reality is that as time passes the pool of potential applicants from each cohort of pre-law scholars contracts for many different reasons. In our experience, the primary reasons for students not becoming viable candidates is due to a lack of priorities, unrealistic expectations and/or their inability to remain focused and perseverant throughout the application process. G e t t i n g through your senior year with a minimum of stress requires

70 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

developing a timely and efficient strategy that will make applying to law school as tension-free as possible. We recommend the following S.T.E.P.S: Set realistic expectations of your time commitments and make priorities for your senior year. Take inventory of your academic and personal responsibilities and limit your commitments throughout the fall semester. Equally focus your time on all of the different parts of your application (personal statement, essays and letters of recommendation.) Prepare your plan of action for the fall and spring semesters. Senior year should be enjoyable! Manage your time, plan ahead and enjoy the last 100 days. SUMMER STRATEGY June - August • SET YOUR CALENDAR! Set personal deadlines for different sections of your application (e.g., drafts of personal and adversity statements, finalized list of recommenders, revised list of potential schools). Also mark your calendar with dates of open houses, law school forums, preferred dates for when recommendation letters should arrive at the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), registration with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS), and of course, application deadlines. • THE PERSONAL STATEMENT! Write, write and write some more. Your statement is a reflection of your passion, motivation and potential contribution to society as an attorney. It’s an opportunity to bring your application to life and to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and concisely. • THE LSAT. We strongly urge that you take an LSAT Prep course. You should take the LSAT in

October. Taking the LSAT after this point will delay your application for admission. • PREPARE TO SHOW THEM THE MONEY! Applications range from $60.00 to $100.00 each. Budget accordingly. FALL STRATEGY Early September • REVISIT YOUR SUMMER CALENDAR and add important academic dates. Reconsider what is realistic and achievable now that you are in school. Remember, schedules change week-to-week because of unexpected events. Be flexible and revisit your plan regularly. • STATEMENTS - By this point, you should have a first or second draft of your personal and adversity statements. Have your drafts reviewed by your professor, counselor, and/or mentor and make as many revisions as are necessary. • RECOMMENDATION LETTERS - The best recommender is someone who knows you well enough to describe how your academic and personal strengths and character will make you a successful law student and practicing attorney. Give your recommenders six-eight weeks notice and provide them with a resume, a list of schools you are applying to and a draft of your personal statement. Stay in touch with your recommenders to ensure that they are on time with submitting your letters. October • Midterms are in full swing and you are probably thinking about turkey, a few days off and time with family. Be diligent! Submit your applications by Thanksgiving! Schools begin accepting candidates before their scheduled deadlines. Fewer seats are available as the application season progresses and ends. Get your applications in early! November - January • Apply to CLEO’s Six-Week Summer Institute. • Research scholarships through popular databases and search engines. Also, review law school websites. • Make sure your applications are complete with every school.

SPRING STRATEGY February • Have you received letters of acceptance? Congratulations! Send thank you notes to all those who assisted you in the process. They will be glad to share your good news. • Review your financial aid packages and determine if the aid being offered is right for you. We encourage you to try to negotiate your package. • Waitlisted? Don’t be discouraged. Follow up in writing or by phone with your prospective school and restate your desire to attend their law school. Determine if providing additional material such as last semester GPA and additional recommendation(s) may improve your candidacy. • No offers of admission? Meet with your pre-law advisor and try to assess what may have gone wrong and what made your application weak. Identify steps to take to bolster your application. Determine whether a few years of professional experience may make you a stronger candidate for admission. March - May • Acceptance to law school does not mean you are finished with your present academic responsibilities. You must finish strong. • Share your experiences and keys to success with Pre-Law underclassmen. Do not be a gatekeeper of knowledge. We encourage you to educate and include family and close friends in your process. The better informed they are about the process, deadlines and your dream of becoming an attorney the more understanding and supportive they will be. Applying to law school is a challenging process that requires a triple D effort: Diligence, Dedication and Determination. A triple D effort is required when negotiating the demands of the process with social and familial obligations. Following these S.T.E.P.S. will help you manage the multiple demands of your senior year experience and the law school application process.

Support support the Council on Legal Education Opportunity. For more than 40 years, CLEO has been preparing students to succeed in a career in the law and broadening the diversity of the legal profession. To date, CLEO has helped more than 8,000 students complete law school and begin a legal career. Womble Carlyle is proud to

believe that the road to law school should be open to students from all backgrounds. Congratulations to CLEO on all you have done to make the law a better, more diverse profession. Like CLEO, we at Womble Carlyle

Pam Rothenberg Womble Carlyle Real Estate Attorney, CLEO Advisory Council Member (202) 857-4422 | prothenberg@wcsr.com

www.wcsr.com WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, LLP

0912_7436

ÂŠ2012

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

HOW TO APPROACH LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS By Hank Layton

THIS FALL, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL REPORT FOR THEIR FIRST DAY OF LAW SCHOOL. NO MORE TRANSCRIPTS. NO MORE PERSONAL STATEMENTS. NO MORE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST (LSAT). THEY MADE IT. THEY ARE LAW STUDENTS...

But as their journeys to earn a Juris Doctor degree heat up, yet more people will just be beginning their journey. For those at the start of the law school admissions process, there is one key for a successful application: Plan ahead. If you want to apply for law school in the fall, begin in the previous fall and there are several important factors to consider. Among other factors, you should think about: 1. When to apply to law school 2. When to take the LSAT (if you haven’t already) 3. Which professors to ask for letters of recommendation 4. What to write for your personal statement

74 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

When to Apply to Law School Most law schools begin accepting applications in October. They grant admission on a rolling basis, meaning applications are considered as law schools receive applications. In such a case, it is a good idea to apply earlier because admissions officers have more seats to give away and are not as fatigued from reading thousands of applications. Of course, law schools are smart enough to save enough seats for later in the admission process and an outstanding application submitted late in the process will still be considered an outstanding application. But all things being equal (and there is a huge caveat to this we will discuss below), applying earlier in the process is better. Any time before December is usually best, as most law schools receive the bulk of their applications in December and January.

When to Take the LSAT An important factor when aiming to submit your applications early revolves around when to take the LSAT. The Law School Admission Council administers the LSAT four times a year—February, June, September/October, and December. The two administrations that allow you to apply earlier in the process include June and September/October. Most students understand this, and that is why the September/October LSAT administration is consistently the most popular exam every year. There is a three-week lag time in score reporting, so the earliest your applications could be complete at law schools with the December exam is late December or early January. Keep in mind, your application will not be complete until later in the process which puts you at a potential disadvantage. With regard to the February exam, many law schools will not consider LSAT scores from this test administration for the same calendar year. For these reasons, applying early in the process means taking the June or September/October LSAT.

for admission. But which professors should you approach? A common misconception is that a professor’s prestige should be the more important factor when asking for a letter of recommendation. In reality, the content of the letter is unquestionably more important than the person who signs it. You should ask the professors who know you best and will write the most positive things about you.

A common misconception is that a professor’s prestige should be the more important factor when asking for a letter of recommendation. In reality, the content of the letter is unquestionably more important than the person who signs it.

However, (and here is where the big caveat comes in), the best time to take the LSAT is when you will get your best score. Typically, the more you study, the better you will perform on the exam, so you should take the LSAT when you have the most time to study. The LSAT is the single most important factor in your law school application – typically weighted more than your GPA or other factors – so applying later with a higher score could be better than applying later with a lower score.

In the end, it is best to apply early with the highest LSAT score possible, but do not be dismayed if you have to send your applications later in the process; just be sure your LSAT score is great. Which Professors to Ask for Letters of Recommendation Although letters are not typically weighed as much as LSAT scores or GPA, most law schools require letters of recommendation in order to be considered

Another important thing to remember is that when you ask a professor to write a letter of recommendation can be just as important as who you ask. Professors are busy people. Many of them are inundated with other requests for letters of recom-mendation. You should give your letter writers at least six weeks to compose their letter. And do not request to review the letter before it is sent to your law school; be sure to check the box that waives your right to see the letter of recommendation. What to Write for Your Personal Statement

While LSAT scores, GPA numbers, and letters of recommendation say a lot about you, your personal statement is typically the place where law schools get to know you best. There is no template for a perfect personal statement, but the goal should always be the same: Help the admissions committee understand the kind of person you are and what you’ll contribute to the law school. An effective personal statement strategy is to focus on what you are most passionate about. Do not rehash your résumé or obsess over your noblest academic achievements. Law schools have access to that information; they want to hear more about you. As you ready yourself to step onto the path to law school and beyond, take a moment to plan your application year, including when to study for the LSAT, take the LSAT, and prepare your application materials. The more prepared you are, the better chance you have to attend your desired law school.

He chose byu Law School for its reputation and value. W His experience there offered him so much more.

b r i g h a m yo u n g u n i v e r s i t y l aw s c h o o l Preparing students to balance legal expertise with a moral perspective that motivates them to become a force for good in the world.

j. r e u b e n c l a r k l a w s c h o o l

Find out more at law.byu.edu

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

Choosing the Right Law School By Kendra Brown

hoosing the right law school is no easy task. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, the law school experience is one of toughest endeavors you may ever undertake, and choosing a law program is not easy. In selecting a law program, you are selecting your potential alumni network, job opportunities, as well as your system of support while matriculating through your law program. Additionally, you are making an investment in your future. While choosing the right law school is a daunting task, the law school experience is also one of the most exciting and exhilarating experiences you may ever undertake. Thus, the process should be well thought out and approached with care.

The Application

Firstâ&#x20AC;ŚDo not apply to a law school you would not attend if offered admittance. Why go through the process of requesting transcripts, filling out numerous pages of an application, and drafting personal statements if you know that you would not attend a given law school? Instead of expending unnecessary energy, spend time perfecting the application materials for the law schools you want to consider.

Utilize resources such as The Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools to research law schools and programs. Read about the programs, clinical opportunities, journals, student to teacher ratio, acceptance statistics, bar passage rates, and other information needed to make an informed decision. This very important selection requires your due diligence in the decision-making process.

The Visit

No matter what law school you receive an offer of acceptance; you should visit every law school under consideration. Would you purchase a car without seeing what you were purchasing first? Probably not. You should visit the law school you are possibly linking to your future. A visit to a potential law school has a dualistic purpose. First, a visit will show an interest in the law school and their program. Attend a class. Reach out to affinity groups and professors. In addition, connect with those affiliated with the law school to talk about their experiences at the law school. They will offer great insight into the overall experience of the program.

Second, a visit to a law school will open your eyes to the environment of the law school. You want to have a good “feel” of the law school so that you can make an educated decision as to whether or not it would be a good fit for you. While law schools will do varied things to connect with you and make you see their specific program as the best program for you, look past the façade and connect with individuals in the program to get a real view of what you will face upon acceptance and arrival at the law school.

The Areas of Law

If you have a clear and unwavering area of interest, and you have been accepted to a law school which has a clear programmatic focus in that practice area (Environmental Law, Employment Law, Criminal Law, a specified clinical program, Constitutional Law, etc.) more weight should be placed on the law school possessing your desired subject-matter. This only applies if you are completely committed to a specific area of interest. If you are unclear about your practice area, as a lot of students are, you should remain open-minded about your law school selection.

The Employment Trends

Pay close attention to bar passage rates. This is a proper indicator of the program offered at law schools and is sometimes a testament to the types of academic support a law school lends to students. This number may vary from year to year, but have an understanding of the general range of bar passage.

The Funding Issue

Law schools will provide funding for various reasons. We are facing tough economic times, and sometimes funding will be the determining factor in whether or not you attend a law school. This is completely understandable as law school can be extremely expensive. The cost of accommodations, books, transportation, and other life expenses quickly add up. Thus, do all that you can to ensure you are considered for scholarships, grants, and general funding opportunities. Submit timely financial aid materials so that you can have as many options as possible when making your law school selection.

78 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

The Shine Factor

When I was applying to law schools, I spoke with school recruiters, attorneys, and admissions officers all over the country. This was a very informative process, but after a while, many of the law schools sounded very similar. There were nuances that made some law schools stand out from the rest, but overall, the law schools were similar in offerings. The same can be said for students once they are a part of any given law school program. Thus, you want to attend a law school that will enable you to shine. By shine, I mean a law school that will have some factor that may be tailor made for you, such that you will be able to stand out from the crowd of classmates. This “x factor” may be a specific student organization, a journal covering your desired practice area of law, award-winning competition teams, or even a potential research assignment with a highly lauded professor.

Thinking Outside of the Box

In closing, do not limit yourself when considering which law school to attend. Know your personal strengths and weaknesses. Be aware of what type of environment allows your study style to shine and the environment that hinders your method of study. Do not be afraid to take a chance and go to a law school that offers a change in your norm. You never know what program will be best for you, thus it is imperative to weigh your options, research the potential law school, and make an informed decision. For additional information on choosing the right law school, see the following: The Law School Admission Council http://www.lsac.org/JD/Choose/customize-yourlaw-school-search.asp A sample law school admission timeline (Courtesy of the Georgetown University Career and Education Center) http://careerweb.georgetown.edu/prelaw/ applying/7139.html

A Community of Opportunity: The University of Wisconsin Law School

By bringing together intelligent, open-minded students from diverse cultural, political, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, the Law Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s admissions policy builds on an environment that enriches legal discussions, promotes mutual learning, and prepares students to serve the widest range of clients. For more information please contact: Rebecca L. Scheller, Interim Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid, 975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1399 Phone: (608) 262-5914 | Fax: (608) 263-3190 | Email: admissions@law.wisc.edu | Web: law.wisc.edu/prospective

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

Résumé Pro 10 Tips for a Winning Law School Application Résumé By Brenda Bernstein

our law school application résumé gives the admissions committee an overview of who you are “at a glance.” It is important that you present information in a clear, concise manner and that you provide enough detail to make yourself

look interesting! I have compiled the following list of 10 formatting and substantive tips that will bring your résumé up to the level expected by law school admissions committees.

Tip #1

Formatting Tip: Do not take up more than two lines with your header. Are you using five lines just for your header? If you need to fill space, that’s fine. But if you have a lot of information to squeeze onto a page, here are some possibilities of what your header might look like:

ANDREA B. COLE 999 S. Regency Square Apt. 299, Nottsville, MD 20007 • 999.888.7777 • abc@gmail.com

Duane E. Fall 123 Summer Court, Apt. 123, Nottsville, MD

80 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

666.555.4444

duaneefall@hotmail.com

Tip #2

Use a professional email address. Do not take the chance of making a negative impression based on a cutesy, political or even playful email address. Use your full name, first initial with last name or something else straightforward. If you do not have an email address already that you want a law school to see, sign up for a new email address now.

Tip #3

Do not write an “Objective” or “Summary of Qualifications” We know your objective is law school admission. No need to waste space telling us. And law schools do not need a summary of who you are. Law schools get your story in your personal statement. In your résumé, just start with Education then move on to Experience.

Tip #4

Do not use templates! Microsoft Word has many choices of résumé templates. Do not use the templates unless you want your résumé to look like everyone else’s résumé and unless you are VERY skilled with MS Word. As an alternative, simply browse the résumé templates and some samples on law school career center websites. Then create your résumé format. This way you can be sure that you know how to edit it and that you like how it looks. I recommend that you do NOT use a column format. Choose a layout where you center the section title, as in this example found on the University of Wisconsin Law School’s website:

EDUCATION University of Wisconsin-Madison MS Mechanical Engineering, August 2005 • Thesis: MEMS Micro-Nozzle Laser Welding Studies

EXPERIENCE Toyota Racing Development USA Inc., San Francisco, CA Performance Development Engineer, 2009-2011 • Worked as engineer on IndyCar and NASCAR V8 programs; specialized in flow analysis and thermodynamics for intake and exhaust systems • Designed and performed experiments [etc…]

For a law school application, there is no need to get fancy with your format. Keep it crisp and clean.

Tip #5

Organizing Your Education Section Here are two quick tips to make your Education section easy to read and efficient: 1. If you need to save space, combine your GPA, honors, and major all on one line. For example: a. BA in Political Science, cum laude, 2006 (GPA: 3.41) b. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, concentration in Psychology, May 2005 Major GPA: 3.73; Cumulative GPA: 3.68 2. You do not need an entirely separate section for either Honors or Activities. Only create these separate sections if you need to fill space. Instead, put them under the appropriate school.

Examples: a. Honors: Dean’s List (2006-2009); Baylor University Alumni Scholarship (2005-2009); Greek Women’s Leadership Award (2009); Midwest Conference Academic All Conference Team (2008 & 2009) b. Activities: Latino/a Student Association, Secretary (2006-2007), Delegate/Community Service Committee (2005-2007); Mexican Student Organization, Social Chair (20052006); South American Student Association, Member (2004-2007)

Tip #6

Words and Phrases to Delete from Your Résumé A. Assisted, Supported, Helped You do not reveal much information with a bullet that says, “Assisted attorneys at depositions.” We are left wanting to know *what* you did to assist these attorneys. Compare: a. Assisted with small claims cases. b. Handled all phases of collection and litigation of small claims cases. Attended small claims court; directed court clerk and court commissioner regarding what action to take on firm’s cases. Isn’t b. much more interesting and descriptive than a.? B. Responsible for You can be “responsible for” something and not actually do it. Talk about what you *did.* Compare: a. Responsible for raising funds by recruiting staff to run door-to-door canvass. b. Raised $250,000 by recruiting staff to run door-to-door canvass reaching 200,000 people. If you had supervisory or managerial responsibilities, there are verbs for that, such as Supervised / Directed / Developed / Managed / Ensured / Handled / Monitored / Held primary accountability for. In conclusion, please be “responsible for” the words you choose on your résumé. C. Various, Variety, Etc. Think twice before using these three words on your résumé. Compare: a. Performed legal research and wrote memoranda and briefs on various issues. b. Performed legal research and wrote memoranda and briefs on civil procedural and substantive issues, including unconscionability, issue preclusion, and equitable estoppel. Version a. leaves us with nothing to grab on to. Doesn’t candidate b. sound more interesting than candidate a.? “Etc.” is problematic as well. Example: Developed and supervised programs that reduce recidivism through individual counseling, mentoring, family supportive counseling, girls’ empowerment groups, life skills classes, leadership workshops, etc. This list is long enough. What could possibly be added by adding “etc.” to the end of it? OK now go look at your résumé. Did you find these words? Did you delete them? What was the impact?

82 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Tip #7

Details, Details! The following bullet came from a law school applicant’s résumé: • Rotated as a legal assistant in the various practice areas. Here’s the updated bullet: • Rotated as a legal assistant in practice areas including litigation, toxic tort, construction litigation, business restructuring, and bankruptcy. Now the law school knows you’ll have something to say in your torts class! The bottom line: More detail gives you more of a chance of being noticed. It demonstrates that you have done something interesting, and will help you not just with your law school applications but with getting job interviews as well.

Tip #8

Truth in Advertising The misconception that a résumé is supposed to stretch the truth can lead to mischaracterization of job duties and inflation of accomplishments. Stick to the truth instead. Example: A student wrote that she “[a]ssisted in organizing” a conference. It turned out she set up tables and provided registration assistance on the day of the conference, but had no involvement in the planning or organization of the event. We changed the verb in her bullet to “staffed” – a much more accurate description. Note: You are applying to law school, where ethics is of the utmost importance. You don’t want to get caught in even the tiniest lie.

Tip #9

Skills, Interests, and Activities section The Skills, Interests, and Activities section is your opportunity to highlight a side of yourself otherwise not evident. If you have space, and if you have worthwhile items to list, I recommend including this section. You can list your languages here (include level of proficiency) as well as sports and hobbies. Be specific! “Sports,” “Cooking”, and “Reading” are not as interesting as “Ran NYC Marathon every year since age 17”, “Making the perfect Hollandaise”, “19th Century Mystery Novels” or “80’s Disco Queen.” Here is an example of a well-crafted Skills, Interests, and Activities section: SKILLS, INTERESTS, AND ACTIVITIES Languages: Highly proficient in Spanish; beginning knowledge of Yucatec Maya Travel: Hiked the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile medieval pilgrimage through northern Spain (Summer 2008); global health service-learning trip to Jalisco, Mexico (January 2010). Volunteer: Middlebury College Alumni Admissions Program, WI Committee Chair (2008-present) Triathlons: Participated in seven triathlons (2004–2010)

Tip #10

Proofread! You do not want grammar and spelling errors in your law school résumé. Have at least five people read it over before you hit “Submit.” Everything you send to a law school is your chance to make a great impression! Follow the guidelines I have given you here and you will be well on your way to success!

FORDHAM LAW Lincoln Center | New York City

Since its founding in 1905, Fordham Law has provided a complete legal education to talented and diverse students who graduate as leaders in the legal profession. Become the next leader.

Experience the Fordham Law difference at law.fordham.edu or contact our Admissions Office at 212-636-6810.

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

Top 10 Pitfalls

to Avoid in Your Law School Personal Statement By Brenda Bernstein

f you plan to apply to law school, you are probably concerned first about your Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score, with your personal statement a close second. You are charged with the task of writing an essay that does not sound like anyone else’s and that convinces the admissions committees that you are someone they want in their law school. This article contains 10 tips on how to avoid the most common pitfalls (personal statement traps) that could easily lure you in, landing you needlessly in the “no” pile.

a theme other than “my life story” that ties the personal statement together. This might be a character trait that shows up again and again in your life, a question you have been asking and developing for many years, or one activity that has changed your life. The law schools get your résumé or a list of activities, so there is no need to regurgitate that information in paragraph form. A good general rule is that if you could put it on your résumé you do not need to put it in your personal statement. The personal statement is a place to bring context to a few chosen items, to give them color and humanity, and to weave them together in a way a résumé or list could never do.

1. The “Why I want to become a lawyer” personal statement. Although it is advisable to leave the admissions committee clear about why you would be a good lawyer and although many schools ask you specifically why you are applying to law school, you must write about these topics carefully and in a way specific to your personal situation. Do not talk in generalities about why being a lawyer is a good thing, about what kind of law you want to practice (unless you have a lot of knowledge about the area) or about the difference you want to make in the world. Chances are you will flounder and end up sounding as though you have not done your research. Instead, concentrate on what has driven your life and your success up until now. Give examples of what you have learned along the way. Let the admissions committee know what your current commitments are as these commitments lie at the foundation of your desire to attend law school. Your commitments are the factors, along with your LSAT score, that will get you into law school. [Note: a close cousin to the “Why I want to be a lawyer” essay is the “My life story” essay. Stay away from this trap as well.]

3. The “I want to make a difference” personal statement. The only law school applicants who should write an “I want to make a difference” personal statement are the ones who have *already* made a difference. If you are already a social worker, you already have been working on a vaccine or you spent a summer at an orphanage in Ghana (you get the picture) then you have evidence that making a difference is what your life is or could be about. If you have spent your summers playing competitive soccer, working in a personal injury law firm or SCUBA diving on the barrier reef, write your personal statement about what you learned from those experiences. Stick to what you know. Always write about what you have done and what you learned from it. Chances are, if you have not devoted some of your life to public service already, you will not be able to convince a law school that “making a difference” is your true motivation for attending law school.

2. The “My Life Story” personal statement. Your law school personal statement needs a focal point. Yes it is about you, and many of your sentences will start with “I”. But you must choose

4. Trying to sound good. This all-too-common trap will leave you sounding unauthentic and as though you are telling the admissions committee what they want to hear

instead of relating your true story. No one expects you to have always known what you know now; the excitement of life is the discovery of things along the way. Get clear about what you did not know when you were eight or even eighteen, so you can tell the admissions committee what you learned and how you have grown since then. Identify your mistakes so you can explain what you gained from your mistakes. Remember, no legal case is picture perfect or you would not have to argue about it! The skill you want to demonstrate is how you can take an imperfect fact pattern and turn it around to your advantage. 5. Introductory paragraph blunders. It might come as a surprise to you that you do not need a typical summary paragraph at the start of your personal statement (the kind you learned to write at the beginning of every research paper). Do NOT tell us something general about yourself. Do NOT tell us what you’re thinking as you sit down to write your personal statement. Instead, bring us right into the action. Be clear why you are telling us the particular story you are telling, so that you can lead us seamlessly into the rest of the personal statement with focus.

the director, the screenwriter, the producers, the crew, and the talent; all think that nothing would be accomplished without them. c. Growing up, the word “visa” never failed to excite me. It meant I was off to some exotic faraway place, miles away from my tiny stretch of homeland, an island 38 miles long called Curaçao. 6. The “I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer” personal statement. I am sure you have always wanted to be a lawyer. So have 90% of other law school applicants. This claim will make you blend in more than it will make you stand out. It is likely to get an eye roll and a yawn from the admissions officers. Instead, write about your true challenges, successes, and attributes, and how they have led you to where you are now.

The personal statement is a place to bring context to a few chosen items, to give them color and humanity, and to weave them together in a way a résumé or list could never do.

Although it is great to open your personal statement with a story, make it a fact-based story or a surprising line that no one else could have written. “It was a cold, rainy November afternoon” just will not cut it. Seriously, what do the weather and the month have to do with the story you are telling? Probably not much.

Here are a few opening lines that are all very different, and all clearly leading to something interesting. An important thing they have in common: They all spark the reader’s interest without resorting to dramatic romance-novel language: a. Growing up a pious Catholic, I was taught that to deepen my faith I had to question it. b. The funny thing about film people is that 86 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

7. Motivational quote. Many applicants think that an impressive quotation—someone else’s—will make their essay sound impressive. Unfortunately, most personal statements that start with quotations pale in comparison to the brilliance of the quotation and often have little relation to the content of that profound remark. I have only once let a personal statement through my filters that started with a motivational quote. The writer truly addressed the topic of the quotation and how he learned from it. He also found an interesting twist that demonstrated his insightfulness. If you cannot do all those things, stick to your own words and do not waste valuable characters on the verbiage of other people.

8. Going over the page or word limit. Those three extra words that you think are so important (more important than following instructions) will only serve to show that you do not follow instructions. There is always a way to cut your personal statement to the proper length. Always. If you cannot do it on your own, get professional assistance. Also be sure to use the correct font, spacing, etc. as directed by the law school’s personal statement prompt (the law schoolspecific directions for each personal statement). You do not want to get rejected for messing up on the format!

9. Naming the wrong law school. I know, you’re thinking, “I would never do that!” But it happens all the time. If you state that you want to attend a particular law school, it must be the law school you’re applying to. Make sure you name your computer file for each personal statement and check the properties on the document as well. Save the document as “Personal Statement – NYLS” or whatever the name of the law school is. Double and triple check that the name of the law school in the personal statement matches the document title and the law school you’re applying to. Come to think of it, quadruple check!

e. Mixing up e.g. and i.e. (e.g. means “for example”; i.e. means “that is”) f. Using “This” to start a sentence, without being clear what “This” refers to g. Using “then” when you mean “than” (than is the word to use when making comparisons! Then refers to time and causation – first x then y, or if x then y) h. Placing periods and commas outside the quotation marks. Although this makes logical sense, in the United States periods and commas go inside the quotation marks.

10. Grammar and spelling errors. Here are some common errors to avoid: a. Using “lead” as the past tense of “lead” (the correct verb is “led”)

See the following articles for more common grammatical errors:

b. Making plurals with an apostrophe (and note that’s NOT “plural’s”)

http://theessayexpert.com/blog/2010/12/27/top-10grammar-and-spelling-errors-from-2010/

c. Comma splices (using a comma to separate two complete sentences, when a semicolon would be more appropriate)

http://theessayexpert.com/blog/2011/12/26/top-10grammatical-and-spelling-errors-of-2011/

d. Errors with its/it’s, your/you’re, and there/ their/they’re

Now it is time to start soul-searching and find the gem that will make your personal statement stand out. Do not rest until you find the story that only you could tell.

First place, 2010 Williams Trial Competition for first-year Cumberland law students; University of Texas—Dallas

iversity in the legal profession is a goal that is achieved by the deliberate efforts of those dedicated to its purpose. Cumberland School of Law has a history of students whose efforts both during and after law school continue to raise awareness regarding this important issue. Today’s law students, pictured left from top to bottom, SeTara, Ritesh, Gerri, and Courtney, will soon join Cumberland alumni who have been recognized for their effort in diversifying the legal profession.

2011―12 chief justice, Henry Upton Sims Moot Court Board; Auburn University

Dara D. Fernandez ’09 currently holds the position of deputy regional president with the Hispanic National Bar Association and is an active member of the Association. Eddie L. Koen, Jr. ’08 held the national chair of the National Black Law Students Association from 2007―08. In 2007, he received the highest law student award for service in Alabama, the Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Student Award. This award was given for his more than 100 hours of project work dealing with post-conviction death penalty cases. Latanishia D. Watters ’01 was named assistant diversity director of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division for the 2009―10 term. She has been a featured speaker at the American Bar Association’s annual and midyear meetings.

2011―12 editor-in-chief, Cumberland Law Review; The University of South Carolina—Upstate

Beverly P. Baker ’85 has served as a commissioner on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Opportunities for Minorities in the Profession. She is a Fellow of the American Association of University Women. Ms. Baker is the chief diversity officer at Ogletree Deakins, which has 40 office locations and more than 500 attorneys.

2012 CLEO Member School. Cumberland School of Law will be the host school for the 2012 Southern Region of the National Black Law Students Association (SRBLSA) convention. 25% minority students represented in the student body at the law school as of Spring 2011.

Where good people become exceptional lawyers. Established in 1847 and accredited by the ABA since 1949. CLEO associate; liaison, Black Law Student Association; Stanford University

www.CUMBERLAND.SAMFORD.edu 800 Lakeshore Drive • Birmingham, AL 35229 • 1.800.888.7213 • lawadm@samford.edu Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Employer.

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

Building an Application Strategy A Plan And Resources For Finding The Right Law Schools For You By Dom De Leo There are more than 190 American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law schools in the United States. Choosing where to apply and determining how to form the most effective application can be daunting. Here are the fundamental concepts and key elements to consider. The goal for both the law school and the applicant is to find a match between performance and potential - where you can do well and where you can achieve your career goals. The process starts with you. Why do you want to study law and what do you want from law school? While there are some excellent books and web sites to help answer these questions, talking with a pre-law advisor is a good first step. The answers can be general; you do not need to know if you want to work in a specific area of law. Consider the possibilities you want to pursue and where you would like to study and work. What are the programs and clinics you would like to find? What is the size and demographics of the student body? What additional points are important to you? While your GPA and LSAT will be important, law schools will look beyond the numbers. In the ABA/LSAC guide to approved law schools, each school has a chart showing the number of applications and admits for combinations of GPAs and LSAT scores. For a given range there might be 300 applicants and 100 admitted. Here are the key elements that distinguish the successful candidates from the other applicants with the same “numbers”: Recommendations - written by academics who can describe your abilities to do research, to write, to present and to persuade, and by supervisors who can describe the quality of your work and your skills.

Give the law school reasons to say yes. For each application, especially if you question your chances because your grades or scores are below the mid - range of your top choices, be sure to give the school every reason to say yes. Make your case. Use addenda to explain any mitigating circumstances including family situations that had an impact on your performance. Present any point of advocacy in your background or experience that would strengthen your candidacy. The most important elements of your application are the perspective, maturity, and judgment you can offer now. Describe changes that show growth and development. Demonstrate that you take responsibility for past actions, learn from your experience, and act with resolve. Review your choices, essays, and addenda with your pre-law advisor and recommenders then contact the admissions committees directly to review your options and possibilities. Ways to strengthen your applications: Apply after you graduate. This would give you time during your senior year to improve your grades, take an additional course with a recommender, participate in activities or take leadership initiatives. Gain additional work or volunteer experience. The work does not have to be law related. A position that expands your perspective, builds your skills, and demonstrates your abilities will enhance your possibilities for a successful application. Consider retaking the LSAT. If you feel that you can improve your score by four or more points, taking the test again could significantly improve your chances. Resources for beginning your search:

Your Résumé - describing leadership, initiative, and positive results. Work experience that reflects the number of hours you work while a student and information about your responsibilities beyond school and work can be presented here. Personal Essays and Addenda - that effectively communicate who you are, your goals, the reasons you chose a specific school, and the contribution you can bring as a student there. 90 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Boston College’s On-line Law School Locator The locator is a guide to start your search. It can help you identify schools where your scores and grades are most competitive for admission and help you gauge your chance of admission at a particular school based on the numbers alone.

It can identify all the law schools in a given state, including their range of scores. There is also a locator for part-time programs on the Boston College Career Center web site.

Your personal statement, letters of reference, and other qualitative credentials become most important in determining admission to these schools.

The locator lists the 25th to 75th percentile LSAT scores and GPA ranges of the applicants admitted to accredited law schools. This means that half scored in the range indicated. The law schools are placed in cells on the chart according to their 25th percentile scores.

Long Shots: The cells above and to the right of this competitive area represent “reach” schools for you. Apply to some “reach” schools if there are one or two that you truly want to attend for very specific reasons. Provide a clear reason for them to accept you. Explain the special programs that interest you, unusual experience you have, or other personal characteristics that make you an attractive candidate for each school.

All schools accept applicants with marks above and below these scores. While the chart is useful in evaluating law school choices it cannot determine where you should or should not apply.

Safety Schools: In the cells below and to the left of your competitive area you will find schools that you might consider "safe" on the basis of your numbers alone. Even the highest scores do not guarantee admission. Pay close attention to presentation and qualitative aspects of your application even at schools you consider "safe."

The Application Strategy In selecting schools, choose some "safe" schools, and consider "long-shot" schools in addition to those where your numbers make you competitive.

Discuss your choices with your pre-law advisor and, if possible, visit law school campuses and attend a Law School Forum to talk with admission officers.

Competitive Schools: Find the cells where your scores are in the top half of the range. These cells define your "competitive" area. Your statistical chance of admission at schools in this area is roughly estimated at fifty-fifty.

Apply early to all the schools you choose.

The Boston College On- line Law School Locator 25th to 75th Percentile Scores The rows on the table indicate the 25th percentile GPA The columns on the table indicate the 25th percentile LSAT

C F

>3.60

GPA GPA

3.40-3.60 3.20-3.39

3.00-3.19

2.80-2.99

2.60-2.79

<2.60 LSAT SCORE

<145

145-149

150-154

155-159

160-165

>165

Simply click on any of the red cells which will direct you to a list of law schools with the selected admission criteria (GPA and LSAT score). For example, clicking on cell A will give you the following results:

A) GPA: > 3.60 LSAT: > 165 Schools are listed by their 25th percentile scores. Each listing includes the 25th to 75th percentile range for the GPA and LSAT. SCHOOL Yale Law School Harvard Law School Stanford University Law School Duke University School of Law Columbia University School of Law

GPA 3.81 - 3.96 3.78 - 3.96 3.74 - 3.94 3.68 - 3.9 3.61 - 3.82

LSAT SCORE 171 - 176 171 - 176 167 - 173 168 - 171 170 - 175

COLLEGE SCHOLARS

Additional Information About the ABA/LSAC Website The ABA website (www.american bar.org) is filled with information for lawyers, law students and pre-law students. The ABA website will help you match your personal as well as your academic goals with a law school. While the Boston College On-line Law School Locator focuses on GPA and LSAT scores, the ABA website contains pertinent information addressing your personal requirements as well as academic compatibility for more than 190 ABA-approved law schools. Reprinted with permission from Dom De Leo, Associate Director, of the Boston College Career Center.

For additional pre-law resources, visit the Boston College Career Center website at:

www.bc.edu/offices/careers/gradschool/law.html There is a special section on applying to law school this year. Boston College pre-law on-line resources provided by Dom De Leo, Associate Director for Graduate Studies, Boston College Career Center.

The Boston College Flowchart for Applying to Law School

92 CLEO EDGE â&#x20AC;˘ WINTER/SPRING 2013

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE

LSAT Sample Questions The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is one of several determining factors in where you will go to law school. Therefore, it is extremely important to study and prepare for the test by reviewing sample LSAT questions. You should learn test-taking strategies and familiarize yourself with the four areas tested: Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and a Writing Sample. Be certain to take several timed sample tests before your actual test date. You may order sample tests from the LSAC website, www.lsat.org. We have included a few sample questions below.

Analytical Reasoning Directions: Each group of questions in this section is based on a set of conditions. In answering some of the questions, it may be useful to draw a rough diagram. Choose the response that most accurately and completely answers each question and blacken the corresponding space on your answer sheet.

A car drives into the center ring of a circus and exactly eight clowns—Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y, and Z—get out of the car, one clown at a time. The order in which the clowns get out of the car is consistent with the following conditions: V gets out at some time before both Y and Q. Q gets out at some time after Z. T gets out at some time before V but at some time after R. S gets out at some time after V. R gets out at some time before W.

94 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

QUESTION 1 Which one of the following could be the order, from first to last, in which the clowns get out of the car? (A) T, Z, V, R, W, Y, S, Q (B) Z, R, W, Q, T, V, Y, S (C) R, W, T, V, Q, Z, S, Y (D) Z, W, R, T, V, Y, Q, S (E) R, W, T, V, Z, S, Y, Q QUESTION 2 Which one of the following could be true? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

Y is the second clown to get out of the car. R is the third clown to get out of the car. Q is the fourth clown to get out of the car. S is the fifth clown to get out of the car. V is the sixth clown to get out of the car.

QUESTION 3 If Z is the seventh clown to get out of the car, then which one of the following could be true? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

R is the second clown to get out of the car. T is the fourth clown to get out of the car. W is the fifth clown to get out of the car. V is the sixth clown to get out of the car. Y is the eighth clown to get out of the car..

Logical Reasoning Directions: The questions in this section are based on the reasoning contained in brief statements or passages. For some questions, more than one of the choices could conceivably answer the question. However, you are to choose the best answer; that is, the response that most accurately and completely answers the question. You should not make assumptions that are by commonsense standards implausible, superfluous, or incompatible with the passage. After you have chosen the best answer, blacken the corresponding space on your answer sheet.

An anthropologist hypothesized that a certain medicinal powder contained a significant amount of the deadly toxin T. When the test she performed for the presence of toxin T was negative, the anthropologist did not report the results. A chemist who nevertheless learned about the test results charged the anthropologist with fraud. The anthropologist, however, countered that those results were invalid because the powder had inadvertently been tested in an acidic solution. QUESTION 4 In the absence of the anthropologistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reply, which one of the following principles, if established, would most support the chemistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charge? (A) Reporting results for an experiment that was not conducted and reporting a false result for an actual experiment are both instance of scientific fraud. (B) Scientists can commit fraud and yet report some disconfirmations of their hypotheses. (C) Scientists can neglect to report some disconfirmations of their hypotheses and yet be innocent of fraud. (D) Scientists commit fraud whenever they report as valid any test result they know to be invalid. (E) Scientists who neglect to report any experiment that could be interpreted as disconfirming their hypotheses have thereby committed fraud.

QUESTION 5 Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the anthropologistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counterargument? (A) The anthropologist had evidence from field work that the medicinal powder was typically prepared using toxin T. (B) The activity level of toxin T tends to decline if the powder is stored for a long time. (C) When it is put into an acidic solution, toxin T becomes undetectable. (D) A fresh batch of powder for a repeat analysis was available at the time of the test. (E) The type of analysis used was insensitive to very small amounts of toxin T.

Reading Comprehension Directions: Each passage in this section is followed by a group of questions to be answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage. For some of the questions, more than one of the choices could conceivably answer the question. However, you are to choose the best answer; that is, the response that most accurately and completely answers the question, and blacken the corresponding space on your answer sheet.

Intellectual authority is defined as the authority of arguments that prevail by virtue of good reasoning and do not depend on coercion or convention. A contrasting notion, institutional authority, refers to the power of social institutions to enforce acceptance of arguments that may or may not possess intellectual authority. The authority wielded by legal systems is especially interesting because such systems are institutions that nonetheless aspire to a purely intellectual authority. One judge goes so far to claim that courts are merely passive vehicles for applying the intellectual authority of the law and possess no coercive powers of their own. In contrast, some critics maintain that whatever authority judicial pronouncements have is exclusively institutional. Some of these critics go

further, claiming that intellectual authority does not really exist—i.e., it reduces to institutional authority. But it can be countered that these claims break down when a sufficiently broad historical perspective is taken: Not all arguments accepted by institutions withstand the test of time, and some well-reasoned arguments never receive institutional imprimatur. The reasonable argument that goes unrecognized in its own time because it challenges institutional beliefs is common in intellectual history; intellectual authority and institutional consensus are not the same thing. But, the critics might respond, intellectual authority is only recognized as such because of institutional consensus. For example, if a musicologist were to claim that an alleged musical genius who, after several decades, had not gained respect and recognition for his or her compositions is probably not a genius, the critics might say that basing a judgment on a unit of time—“several decades”—is an institutional rather than an intellectual construct. What, the critics might ask, makes a particular number of decades reasonable evidence by which to judge genius? The answer, of course, is nothing, except for the fact that such institutional procedures have proved useful to musicologists in making such distinctions in the past. The analogous legal concept is the doctrine of precedent, i.e., a judge’s merely deciding a case a certain way becoming a basis for deciding later cases the same way—a pure example of institutional authority. But the critics miss the crucial distinction that when a judicial decision is badly reasoned, or simply no longer applies in the face of evolving social standards or practices, the notion of intellectual authority is introduced; judges reconsider, revise, or in some cases throw out the decision. The conflict between intellectual and institutional authority in legal systems is thus played out in the reconsideration of decisions, leading one to draw the conclusion that legal systems contain a significant degree of intellectual authority even if the thrust of their power is predominantly institutional. QUESTION 6 Which one of the following most accurately states the main idea of the passage?

96 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

(A) Although some argue that the authority of legal systems is purely intellectual, these systems possess a degree of institutional authority due to their ability to enforce acceptance of badly reasoned or socially inappropriate judicial decisions. (B) Although some argue that the authority of legal systems is purely institutional, these systems are more correctly seen as vehicles for applying the intellectual authority of the law while possessing no coercive power of their own. (C) Although some argue that the authority of legal systems is purely intellectual, these systems in fact wield institutional authority by virtue of the fact that intellectual authority reduces to institutional authority. (D) Although some argue that the authority of legal systems is purely institutional, these systems possess a degree of intellectual authority due to their ability to reconsider badly reasoned or socially inappropriate judicial decisions. (E) Although some argue that the authority of legal systems is purely intellectual, these systems in fact wield exclusively institutional authority in that they possess the power to enforce acceptance of badly reasoned or socially inappropriate judicial decisions. QUESTION 7 That some arguments “never receive institutional imprimatur” (lines 22-23) most likely means that these arguments (A) fail to gain institutional consensus (B) fail to challenge institutional beliefs (C) fail to conform to the example of precedent (D) fail to convince by virtue of good reasoning (E) fail to gain acceptance except by coercion

Answers to these sample LSAT questions are on page 136. Additional questions may be found on the CLEO website, www.cleoscholars.org. Copied with the permission of the Law School Admission Council, Inc., the copyright holder.

• The 10 Foundations of Motivation: How To Get Motivated and Stay Motivated by Shawn Doyle • Advocacy to Zealousness: Learning Lawyering Skills from Classic Films by Kelly Lynn Anders • An Introduction to Legal Reasoning by Edward H. Levi • The Annotated LSAT by Robert Webking • Basic Legal Research: Tools And Strategies by Amy E. Sloan • Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School: Strategies for Success by Ruta K. Stropus and Charlotte D. Taylor • The Complete Law School Companion: How to Excel at America's Most Demanding Post-Graduate Curriculum by Jeff Deaver • Emily Post's The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success, Second Edition by Peggy Post and Peter Post • The Fighting Lawyer: The One L’s survival guide to the first year of law school by Gregory D. Yancey, Esq.

• The Law Student's Pocket Mentor: From Surviving to Thriving (Introduction to Law) by Ann L. Iijima • Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success (3rd Edition) by Helene Shapo and Marshall Shapo • The Lawyer's Career Change Handbook: More Than 300 Things You Can Do With a Law Degree, Updated and Revised by Hindi Greenberg • Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know by John C. Maxwell • Lives of Lawyers: Journeys in the Organizations of Practice (Law, Meaning, and Violence) by Michael J. Kelly • Looking at Law School by Stephen Gillers • Looking at Law School: A Student Guide from the Society of American Law Teachers by Stephen Gillers • Monday Morning Leadership: 8 Mentoring Sessions You Can't Afford to Miss by David Cottrell, Alice Adams, and Juli Baldwin • The Next IQ: The Next Level of Intelligence for 21st Century Leaders by Arin N. Reeves • Public Speaking Handbook by Steven A. Beebe

• How to Pay for Your Law Degree, 2011-2013 (How to Pay for Your Law Degree) by Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Weber

• Strategies & Tactics for the First Year Law Student by Kimm Alyane Walton, J.D., and Lazar Emanuel, J.D. with contributions by Eric S. Lambert, J.D.

• How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

• Time Management In an Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day by Karen Leland and Keith Bailey

• Insider's Guide To Your First Year Of Law School: A Student-to-Student Handbook from a Law School Survivor by Justin Spizman

• Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE

Road to Law School Learn about the law school admissions process and be exposed to topics such as: • analytical reasoning and logic • critical reading and writing • mock admissions • college curriculum choices • financial planning for law school

These th will happ ree programs en at the fo simultaneously llowing lo cati and date s in 2012 ons -13 Septemb er – Fort Worth October – Chicago , TX Novembe , r – New Y IL ork, NY January – San Fran cisco, CA February – Northw e s t Region March – Wash., D C

Sophomore Super Saturdays While there are no prerequisite courses for law school applicants, there are important skills that you will need. These seminars will help you improve analytical and logical reasoning abilities, reading comprehension and writing skills, which are tested by the LSAT and considered essential to success in law school.

Juniors Jumpstart the LSAT How do LSAT scores impact your law school admission? This program exposes students to various LSAT preparation strategies that can help them improve and achieve competitive scores. Students are administered practice LSATs and taught the benefits of systematic and disciplined LSAT preparation.

Achieving Success in the Application Process (ASAP) This regional program provides college juniors, seniors and post-graduate students with the tools they need to become competitive law school applicants and exposes them to all aspects of the application process, including: • selecting a law school • drafting personal statements • preparation strategies • the impact of the LSAT and GPA on applications • early acceptance programs • debt management • selecting sources for letters of recommendation • common mistakes committed by law school applicants

CLEO Connection Register and apply for the regional CLEO CONNECTION that engages pre-law students in a lively, in person discussion with peers, law school faculty, and attorneys in order to enhance the student’s social perspective on the law school admissions process and law school success. The CLEO CONNECTION will help students make “real connections” to the road to law school...

Future Lawyers...Click Here — www.cleoscholars.org for future dates and locations as well as to register and apply for these programs.

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE

Freshman Year August • Grades count in law school admissions. Do your best from the very beginning! September • Visit www.cleoscholars.org and register for the College Scholars Program.

Sophomore Year August • Get a head start on LSAT prep. Register for a formal logic course in college. April • Register for Sophomore Super Saturday.

Junior Year September • Meet with a pre-law advisor to discuss the law school application process and your personal plan of action. • Stop by your school’s pre-law advising office and pick up an LSAT & LSDAS Information Book, or download it online at www.lsac.org. • Apply for ASAP. October • Order LSAT preparation materials and/or register for a preparation course. PREPARE, PREPARE and PREPARE! December • Begin choosing law schools to which you would like to apply. March • Register for the June LSAT. June • Take the LSAT.

Senior Year August • Request applications, if needed, from the law schools to which you plan to apply (most schools now use online applications). September • Attend law school forums and order a FREE copy of the CLEO Edge magazine. October • Register for LSDAS about six weeks before you send your applications to law schools. • Start filling out your applications and working on your personal statements. • Take the October LSAT, if necessary. November • Submit law school applications for early review process (check deadlines carefully!). • Submit your application for the CLEO Six-Week Summer Institute for early acceptance–deadline is November 30th. December • Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). January • Send your updated transcript with fall semester grades to LSDAS. • Submit applications to law schools (check deadlines carefully!). February • Application for the CLEO Six-Week Summer Institute is due February 15th.

100 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Renowned Faculty, Premier Programs and Superb Facilities on One of the Nation’s Most Dynamic Campuses DEGREE PROGRAMS ■

of Southern California,

■ ■ ■

has earned an outstanding ■

publications, as determined

■

perhaps most importantly, by the success of its graduates.

JD/MBA

■

JD/MFA in Film Producing

Advocacy and Dispute Resolution ■ Entertainment Law Environment/Land Use/Real Estate Law International Law ■ Tax Law CLINICAL PROGRAMS

reputation in national by peer assessments and,

■

CERTIFICATES

Chapman University School of Law, located in the heart

■ ■ ■

Alona Cortese Elder Law Clinic Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence Entertainment Contracts Law Clinic ■ Family Violence Clinic Mediation Clinic ■ Tax Appeals Clinic ■ Tax Law Clinic In addition to these clinics, the Institute for Military Personnel, Veterans, Human Rights and International Law, which reports directly to the Chancellor, offers the AMVETS Legal Clinic, under the direction of Professor Kyndra Rotunda.

For more information, contact us at 877-CHAPLAW or lawadm@chapman.edu Chapman Law received a Top 10 ranking for “Best Classroom Experience” in Princeton Review’s 2011 The Best 172 Law Schools

One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866 ■ www.chapman.edu/law American Bar Association ■ Association of American Law Schools

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE

All About CLEO’s Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute WHAT IS CLEO? CLEO, the Council on Legal Education Opportunity, is a nonprofit project of the American Bar Association Fund for Justice and Education. CLEO is dedicated to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities for members of underrepresented groups. Governed by the Association of American Law Schools, American Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Law School Admission Council, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, National Bar Association, National Native American Bar Association, and the Society of American Law Teachers, CLEO provides pre-law recruitment, counseling, placement assistance, and training to increase the number of qualified students in law school. Since 1968, more than 8,000 diverse and/or economically disadvantaged students have been oriented to law school through the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Programs. • Six-Week Pre-law Summer Institute The Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute, the core of the CLEO program, is held on law school campuses across the country. Designed to evaluate the student's capacity for studying the law while simultaneously acclimating her/him to the law school process, the Institute is taught by law professors and simulates the rigors of the first year of law school. • Pre-law Curriculum Specialist As the premier pre-law curriculum specialist, which has a track record of success, CLEO focuses on legal methods and techniques that emphasize developing the student’s abstract thinking, analysis, and synthesizing skills. Legal writing and briefing are also stressed. Building its 45-year reputation on credibility within the legal education community, CLEO is the only national organization that has successfully placed qualified applicants, with less than traditional academic indicators, in more than 170 ABA-accredited law schools. • High Standards and Credibility CLEO delivers the highest quality service, a proven curriculum, experienced instructors, and small classes. Over 90% of the students who attend the Institute enter law school in the fall. High standards, strict evaluation criteria, and a commitment to excellence help to foster an environment of success. WHO’S ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM? CLEO assists individuals who have a strong desire to join the legal profession. Many applicants with marginal LSAT scores and GPAs would not be admitted to law school without the assistance of CLEO. To qualify, applicants must be eligible to attend an ABA-approved law school at the completion of the summer program. While CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute participants must meet pre-determined academic requirements,

CLEO recognizes and considers the challenges many of our applicants have overcome in pursuit of their goals. IS CLEO FOR ME? Diverse and/or disadvantaged applicants who have a college degree or who will earn a college degree by the beginning of the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute are eligible to apply to CLEO. Successful CLEO prospects vary depending on the schools they apply to. Many CLEO Fellows are reared in the inner city or rural areas. Their grandparents are not partners in major law firms nor do they have a relative on whom they can call for assistance. Recognizing that competition in law school can be intimidating, CLEO’s Summer Institute enables students to devote six weeks to briefing cases, preparing outlines, practicing the Socratic method, and learning the legal terminology that will make it possible for them to begin law school with an added boost of confidence. The academic rigor of the program requires participants’ full attention and devotion. Therefore, students who display a lack of commitment will not be admitted to the program. HOW DO I APPLY TO THE CLEO SIX-WEEK PRE-LAW SUMMER INSTITUTE? CLEO applications are accepted online only. To apply online, please visit our website, www.cleodivercitynetwork.org. First, you MUST register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admission Council (www.LSAC.org). The CLEO CAS Code is 5096. After completing the CAS registration, you may then complete the application on the CLEO website. Be sure to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY before you begin the Institute application. Students applying under the low-income category must also fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Letters of recommendation are optional. All students whose applications are completed by November 30, 2012, will be part of the first group of applicants to be considered for the summer program. The application deadline is February 15, 2013. Once you have completed the application and have attached your personal statement, a non-refundable $30 application fee will be due. The fee can be paid online by a credit card as part of the application. Once CLEO has received the applicant’s CAS Report, the application is considered complete. A review of the applicant’s info will be undertaken. Applicants will be notified by email if they have been accepted to the summer program. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND THE CLEO SIXWEEK PRE-LAW SUMMER INSTITUTE? If accepted into the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute, most students pay $2,000. However, a few spaces are reserved for low-income students, who pay $700.

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE

CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute FAQs For further information or to apply online, please visit our website at www.cleoscholars.org

WHAT IS THE CLEO SIX-WEEK PRE-LAW SUMMER INSTITUTE? The Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute is a rigorous, residential pre-law program that prepares students for law school. Approximately 80 students are selected to participate each year. The Institute(s), hosted at ABA-accredited law schools around the country, is designed to develop abstract thinking and legal writing, as well as analytical, test-taking, and study skills.

Institute program. This deposit may be paid online by credit card. The remaining $1,800 balance is due 20 days from the date of the acceptance letter, but no later than April 12, 2013. The balance in the form of a cashier’s check or money order (no personal checks are accepted) may be mailed to: ABA/CLEO 740 15th Street, NW, First Floor Washington, DC 20005

HOW DO I APPLY TO THE CLEO SIX-WEEK PRE-LAW SUMMER INSTITUTE? The process is in two phases: the online application process and the admissions process.

CAN I REGISTER EARLY? Yes. The CLEO early decision program enables applicants who apply by November 30, 2012, to receive “early admit” status. These applicants will be notified by the end of January, 2013, if they have been selected to participate in the summer program. Early admit applicants who are not selected will be placed in the regular applicant pool.

Applicants for admission to the CLEO Six-week Pre-Law Summer Institute should: • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university earned prior to the start of the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute • Obtain LSAT scores and CAS subscription • Be prepared to upload a typed, double-spaced personal statement • Apply online by February 15, 2013, for the Six-Week PreLaw Summer Institute. The online application can be found on www.cleodivercitynetwork.org under the Pre-Law Programs tab/Six-Week Summer Institute. • Pay a nonrefundable $30 application fee as part of the online application; only credit cards are accepted. No fee waivers will be granted. • Apply to at least one CLEO Consortium Member School or Supporting/Sustaining Institution • Return the Student Aid Report (low-income applicants only) by March 30, 2013. Note: Any changes in application information after its initial submission should be addressed in writing to the CLEO Admissions Administrator or sent by e-mail to Bernetta.Hayes@americanbar.org After a thorough review of the application by the CLEO Admissions Committee, if an applicant has been accepted to the summer institute, he/she will be notified by email. The cost of participating in the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute is $2,000. A nonrefundable $200 deposit is required within 10 days of being accepted into the Summer

WHAT ARE THE ACADEMIC CRITERIA FOR THE SUMMER INSTITUTE? All applicants are required to subscribe to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Upon receipt of the application, CLEO will request an applicant’s CAS file from LSAC. Information and registration forms are contained in the LSAT/CAS Registration and Information Book that may be requested from the Law School Admission Council at (215) 968-1001 or www.LSAC.org. You must take the LSAT by February, 2013, to be considered for the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute. The CLEO CAS Code is 5096. The CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute is designed to assist all diverse or low-income students seeking a solid preparation for the first year of law school. Most of the students participating in the program have either already been accepted into a law school or have received a “conditional acceptance.” Students seeking law school placement assistance usually have marginal academic criteria (i.e., LSAT score and GPA which meet a law school’s admission standards, but are in the lower percentile), yet have other indicators of a strong likelihood for success. Although CLEO is extremely liberal with respect to academic eligibility, it is unlikely that a student with an LSAT score and GPA in the lowest percentile will be selected without a strong recommendation from a CLEO Member School or Supporting/Sustaining Institution (MSSI).

2012 CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute Participants at the William Mitchell College of Law along with the institute director, assistant director, and teaching assistants.

104 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

HOW DOES CLEO MAKE ITS DECISION? Admission to the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute program

is selective. Each year hundreds of applications are received for consideration. In an effort to increase diversity in the legal profession, especially for members of underrepresented groups, CLEO considers such factors as age and economic, educational, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. Admissions decisions are the responsibility of the CLEO Admissions Committee, Summer Institute directors, and the admissions directors of the CLEO Consortium on Diversity in Legal Education. Students who apply for early admit status will have their applications reviewed once their files are complete and, if accepted, will be notified by January, 2013. For those applicants who are not successful during this process, CLEO will notify the consortium members listed on the applicant’s CLEO application that he/she would like a recommendation to participate in the summer program. The consortium members will review the information to determine which of their applicants would most benefit by participating in CLEO and make recommendations accordingly. These recommendations are forwarded to the CLEO national office and become a part of the applicant’s file. It is very important that an applicant correctly identifies the law schools to which he/she will apply. Otherwise, if CLEO forwards that applicant’s name to a consortium member law school that has no record of his/her application, the law school cannot recommend participation. This substantially decreases a student’s chance of being selected for the program. Applications are reviewed and decisions are made on a continuing basis. A student’s participation in the program is not confirmed until all fees have been received in the national office. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND THE SUMMER INSTITUTE? The cost of participating in the CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute is $2,000. This includes the following: room and board for six weeks, books and materials, and administrative costs. Transportation to the summer institute is not included. As a nonprofit organization, CLEO pays the law schools that host the summer institute approximately $4,000 per student for her/his six-week, pre-law experience. A few students are selected from the low-income category and pay a fee of $700. The students selected are generally first-generation college graduates from families that are living below the poverty level. Applicants whose parents earn above $40,000 annually will not be considered for low-income status. Low-income applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to the U.S. Department of Education at www.ed.gov/offices/ OPE/express.html. The government will verify all financial information, produce a Student Aid Report (SAR), and forward it to the applicant. The applicant must send a copy of his/her SAR to CLEO in order to complete his/her application.

CLEO’S REFUND POLICY? A nonrefundable $200 deposit is required within 10 days of being accepted into the Summer Institute program. The remaining $1,800 balance is due 20 days from the date of the acceptance letter, but no later than April 12, 2013. A 90% refund of the $1,800 will be granted provided that the request is made in writing and received in the CLEO office by April 26, 2013. NO refunds will be made for cancellations received after April 26, 2013. WHERE ARE THE INSTITUTE LOCATIONS? The CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute locations vary from year to year. Most recently, they have been held at The University of Mississippi School of Law, William Mitchell College of Law, Drake University Law School, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Florida International University, and the University of Missouri-Columbia. The six-week program begins in early June. Students are generally assigned to a location away from their permanent residence to enable them to devote their full attention to the program. All participants must reside in the dormitory. CLEO PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE CLEO participants who successfully complete the CLEO SixWeek Pre-Law Summer Institute program and demonstrate a probability of success in law school are certified as CLEO Fellows and are eligible to receive law school placement assistance. Placement assistance is offered primarily to those participants who have not gained admission to law school, either prior to or during the course of the institute. To this end, CLEO Institute Directors devote substantial energy to secure active consideration of such students by CLEO consortium member schools and supporting institutions (“MSSIs”). Some applicants tend to limit their prospects for admission by either 1) applying to too few schools or 2) not considering schools outside of their geographic area, citing family or other reasons for their inability to consider other locales. Students from dense urban metropolises fail to realize that law schools in their regions are normally saturated with applications from highly competitive, diverse applicants whose credentials allow schools to be very selective, and that chances of admission are low for applicants whose academic indicators are not as strong. While every effort is made to place all Summer Institute participants, CLEO cannot guarantee that all certified CLEO Fellows will be admitted to an ABA-approved law school at the conclusion of the Institute.

2012 CLEO Six-Week Pre-Law Summer Institute Participants at University of Mississippi

CLEO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability regarding admission, access to, treatment, or employment in its programs and activities.

Approach the Bench Making the decision to attend law school is huge. Deciding which one to go to can be intimidating.

Our program offers: t BO FYDFQUJPOBM GBDVMUZ t UIF CFTU BEWPDBDZ QSPHSBN JO UIF OBUJPO t BO BXBSE XJOOJOH MFHBM SFTFBSDI BOE XSJUJOH program t B CSPBE BOE Ä&#x2DC;FYJCMF DVSSJDVMVN UIBU JODMVEFT FYUFOTJWF DMJOJDBM TLJMMT QSPHSBNT t DPOTJTUFOUMZ BGGPSEBCMF UVJUJPO SBUFT t B IFMQGVM BOE LOPXMFEHFBCMF TUBÄ&#x152; t B EPXOUPXO MPDBUJPO JO QSPYJNJUZ UP major law firms and corporations for enhanced job opportunities

We rest our case.

Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oldest Law School

www.stcl.edu

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW/ HOUSTON Deadline for fall 2013 admission is February 15, 2013

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE

Attitude Is Essential

ttitude is Essential (AIE) are regional seminars designed to familiarize incoming first year law students with the rigors of law school and to acquaint them with resources that are available to meet those demands. The workshop sessions and accompanying handout materials cover such topics as legal analysis and writing, class preparation, time management, the Socratic method, case briefing, and how to finance your legal education. The AIE workshops are intended to help students make the transition from undergraduate to professional school and motivate them to succeed. Participants who successfully complete the program and enroll in an ABA-accredited law school are certified as CLEO Associates and become eligible to receive continued academic support throughout law school. TARGETED STUDENTS: Incoming first year law students who are enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school. BENEFITS: • Law school orientation • Skills-building workshops • Law school orientation • Network opportunities An experience you do not want to miss! Future Lawyers…Click Here...

www.cleoscholars.org ...for further information or to apply online. Deadline: May 1, 2013

National Bar Institute 30TH Anniversary CLEO Constituent Organization

1982 - 2012

Endowing Our Youth Preserving Our Legacy Educating Our Communities

Law Student Fellowships . Martin Luther King, Jr. Advocacy Competition . Law & Community Grants . Crump Law Camp . Bailey & Prevot NBI Annual Golf Tournament

National Bar Institute

1225 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.842.3900 http://www.nationalbar.net/ Click on “NBI”

THE CLEO ADVANTAGE

(ASAP) Achieving Success in the Application Process

ast summer for the seventh year, CLEO proudly offered Achieving Success in the Application Process (ASAP), a pre-law program designed to prepare upperclassmen and postgraduates for the law school application process. ASAP is held in conjunction with CLEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular Attitude Is Essential (AIE) seminars each summer. ASAP provides counseling, mentorship and test preparation techniques to better prepare participants for the rigors of the law school application process. In addition, ASAP seminar participants have the distinct advantage of establishing mentoring relationships with CLEO students who will begin law school in the fall. Open to talented and motivated undergraduates in their junior or senior years and postgraduates, ASAP provides historically underrepresented students an opportunity to get a head start on preparing for law school admissions. By exposing students to the nuances of the admission process, CLEO provides participants with a clearer understanding of the dedication and commitment required to gain admission to law school. The ultimate goal of ASAP is to provide participants with the tools and skills necessary to become successful and competitive law school applicants. Future Lawyers... Click Here â&#x20AC;&#x201D; www.cleoscholars.org for further information or to apply online. Deadline: April 1, 2013

Study law in

nnew ewneyyork o r kitcyity w ykorccity at Cardozo School of Law Cardozo Law understands the importance of a diverse student body. We are proud that our students come from more than 30 states and numerous countries around the globe. One half of our students are women, more than 20% are students of color and about 20% are returning to school at least five years after receiving their undergraduate degree. Our students range in age from 20-46.

Cardozo School of Law is located in the heart of Greenwich Village in Manhattan and is recognized as one of the nation’s top law schools, and one of the finest in New York City: s

Cardozo Law is nationally renowned in the areas of Intellectual Property Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Cardozo Law’s Center for Public Service Law and unique clinical programs offer a wide array of opportunities, emphasize hands-on-experience and highlight the School’s long-standing commitment to serving the public good.

The Law School has recently completed a $50 million renovation, including a state-of-the-art moot court room, law library and a center for student life.

Professors at Cardozo Law are vibrant, intellectually curious and committed to the twin goals of teaching and scholarship.

For more information, contact: Office of Admissions s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law/Yeshiva University 55 Fifth Avenue s New York, NY 10003 s 212-790-0274 E-mail: lawinfo@yu.edu www.cardozo.yu.edu

The CLEO Edge Magazine Celebrates 1968 • The Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl II. • The 1968 Winter Olympics are held in Grenoble, France. • The movie Planet of the Apes is released in theaters. • Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. • President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968. • The musical Hair officially opens on Broadway. • U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles, California. • The soap opera One Life to Live premieres on ABC. • The semiconductor company Intel is founded. • Mattel introduces the Hot Wheels toy cars. • CBS debuts Hawaii 5-O and 60 Minutes. • The Detroit Tigers win the 1968 World Series, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3. • U.S. presidential election – Republican challenger Richard M. Nixon defeats the Democratic candidate, Vice President Hubert Humphrey and American Independent party candidate George C. Wallace. • Yale University announces it is going to admit women. • Elvis Presley marks his return with the 1968 Comeback Special concert.

• CLEO launches its Six-Week Summer Institute.

Famous people born in 1968: LL Cool J • Roberto Alomar • Marc Anthony Patricia Arquette • José Manuel Carreño • Celine Dion Guy Fieri • Cuba Gooding, Jr. • Jill Hennessy Hugh Jackman • Wang Jian • Ashley Judd • Sora Jung Chad Lowe • Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece Ziggy Marley • Debra Messing • Lisa Marie Presley • Rachel Ray Mary Lou Retton • Sammy Sosa • Will Smith • Gloria Trevi 112 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Albany Law in New York’s Capital. Knowledge Empowers.

OUR STUDENTS COME FROM MORE THAN

STATES…

AND

COUNTRIES.

MORE THAN

LANGUAGES ARE REPRESENTED.

The only law school in the powerful capital of New York. Private, independent, focused only on the study of law. More than 140 internship opportunities.

www.albanylaw.edu/diversity Contact Pershia M. Wilkins, Director of Multicultural Initiatives, at pwilk@albanylaw.edu

ARIES (The Ram)

TAURUS (The Bull)

GEMINI (The Twins)

As the first sign of the zodiac, you are a natural born leader with a sense of adventure. You strive to make things happen with an enthusiasm for life even if you must take a huge gamble. You hate to lose which means your desire to be NUMBER ONE will help you navigate the law school application process. Your competitiveness will be your advantage in law school. Use your popularity to your advantage to network with likeminded, competitive people who desire to go to law school. Success is wherever you go. “I take charge”

You are persistent, practical, and determined just like that bull that represents your zodiac sign. However, your bullheadedness and tenacity could cause you to overwork yourself and to see everything as black and white. Your determination will encourage your classmates to follow you as you set out to achieve your goal of becoming a lawyer. Take the time to research the law school application process while you continue to charge forward. “I have victory”

You are a double-sided thinker. Twins represent your sign, therefore, you tend to be contradictory while thinking twice as fast and getting twice as much done as anyone else. You tend to focus on your head (logic) rather than your heart (emotions).This is the time to bring out your logical side and concentrate on your writing skills. Your personal statement will communicate your heart (emotions) to the law school admissions panel that you are the ideal candidate. In addition, this is the time to bring out your inquisitive side to research law school programs. “I love to communicate”

CANCER (The Crab)

LEO (The Lion)

VIRGO (The Virgin)

You are a very sentimental and compassionate person who always puts family first. Although your exterior may appear straightforward and direct, you aim to keep everyone happy and dislike confrontations. Your heart is in everything that you do with your sensitive personality while your intellectual approach will protect you as well as those around you. Put your emotions and intellect to work in a legal career. “I feel thus I am”

You are a social person who believes that the world revolves around you. You are confident in whatever you do and love to perform. Your desire to be in the front to shine makes you the spotlight in every situation. Now is the time to polish your public speaking skills in preparation for mock trials and speaking before your law school professors. Speak up and out as you roar your way to the top of your law school class! “I create my world”

You are a friendly and thoughtful person who cares for all living things. You often overlook your own needs to allocate your time, energy, emotional involvement, and talents to serve others. However, this is your time to shine. Your attention to detail may cause additional time to complete tasks. Do not delay but start your law school-bound “to do list” today. “I love to serve others”

LIBRA (The Scales)

SCORPIO (The Scorpion)

SAGITTARIUS (The Archer)

You strive for balance and harmony in every aspect of your life and dislike any form of injustice. Your ability to see both sides of an issue makes you a born diplomat and peacemaker. Since law school is your goal, begin by preparing a strategy that will allow for balance in your life – balance between your personal life and the process of applying to law school which includes completing the application, writing, rewriting, and rewriting your personal statement. “I weigh both sides”

You always want to give the appearance that you are in control of every situation. However, your “poisonous sting” is also one of your personality traits. Now is the time to use your determined “sting” and your desire for control in your quest for success. Your relentless, determined and workaholic attitude will help you get to the root of any legal issue not only in law school but also in the courtroom. “I control my environment”

You strive for excellence in whatever your do. Also, you are outspoken and honest with a thirst for knowledge. Like the arrow, you sometimes like to roam freely by breaking away from classes, deadlines, and decisions about life after college. If you need to take a getaway from studying for the Law School Admission Test, do it but get reinvigorated for the tasks set before you to reach your dream of a lifetime – becoming a lawyer. “I aim high”

CAPRICORN (The Goat)

AQUARIUS (The Water Carrier)

PISCES (The Fish)

Your steadiness as a goat on any terrain shows your confidence in yourself. You like being in charge not to ensure that a task is completed or to take the spotlight but to receive acknowledgement for your hard work. Your tenacity makes you persevere when others give up. To be on top of the law school application process, develop a game plan and put it into action. You will reach the mountaintop with an acceptance letter for law school. “I am master my terrain”

116 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

You are a humanitarian who loves to have people around you and wants to be friends with everyone you meet. Your social and professional network is the universe. As you begin the law school application process and feel the need to have other people around you, do not get lost in the crowd. Begin to stand apart from other people by taking a leadership role within your local community or school. Public interest law is eagerly waiting for you. “I love the universe”

You are a romantic visionary at heart who loves the world and wants to leave a deposit in the earth for the future generations. You have a strong sense of helping others and the environment and your blood runs green. However, the harsh realities of life may take advantage of you but you continue to help those in need to create a better world. The legal field, especially family and environmental law, will greatly benefit from your caring and nurturing nature. “I love to dream”

CLEO Financial Contributors

Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program

The Road to Law School Outreach Program

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education

CLEO Summer Institute and Related Programs Funded by the 2013 Consortium on Diversity in Legal Education's Member, Supporting and Sustaining Institutions (MSSIs) and the following donors:

Corporate Underwriters Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Walmart

Corporate Diamond Supporters

Corporate Silver Supporters

American Bar Association Andrews Kurth Alston & Bird Microsoft Corporation National Bar Institute Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice

ABA Section of Business Law Katten Muchin Rosenman Sedgwick

Corporate Gold Supporters Freddie Mac Kilpatrick Townsend Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) NALP National Bar Association UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc.

118 CLEO EDGE â&#x20AC;˘ WINTER/SPRING 2013

Corporate Bronze Supporters American Airlines AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign Balch & Bingham The Coca-Cola Company DLA Piper Shutts & Bowen

Individual Gold Contributors Angela Cox Julian Garza, Jr. Ricky Green Charles Holmes

Jerry Hunter Douglas Luna Malcolm Morris Denise Owens

Pamela Rothenberg Cleophus Washington

Individual Silver Contributors Lesley Arca Rosemary Armstrong Erica Avery Nanete Barragan Darryl Billups Widmon Butler Gregory Cherubin Kathleen Chess Kelly

Wai Chi Ho Nakeena Covington Elaine Drummond Alphonso Eason Angela Freeman Ramon Garcia Glenn Girdharry Shawn Hammond

Kim Harris Rufina Hernandez-Prewitt Robert Lee James Love Charmaine Milner Orlinda Naranjo Renay Oliver Edward Pastor

Carlton Reeves Tremaine Ross Betty Sanders Robynn Sena Renard Shepard James Strazzella LaVonne Thompson

Individual Bronze Contributors Ololade Ajifowobaje Philip Amoa Anthony Archer David Archuleta Jasmine Aseka-Mukai Veronica Awkard Hanna Badmus Gordon Baranco Amy Billingsley Reginald Boyd Earl Bracey Charles Brant Joseph Bribiesca Keith Brown Bert Bunyan Racheal Clarke Miguel Colon Raymond Contreras Richard Crollett Gregory Davis Cynthia Dennis David Dirks Charles Donegan

Kevin Dullaghan Nnena Egorugwu Marion Evans Barbara Flatts Stephen Freedman Russell Hazen Yvonne HugginsMcLean Gary Hurst Melinda Gerrard Jenice Golson-Dunlap Jacqueline Grant-Bibik Donarell Green, IV Hazel Gumbs Luis Guzman Jacqueline Hancock David Hernandez Melvin Hill Frank Jackson Willie Jackson Jana Kast-Davids Ike Klaudi Wilma Lanier

Oneida Lesperance Renee Lias-Sigler Julie D. Long Fred Lopez Syliva Lopez Kenneth Marks Reginald Maxton Angela McConney Sharon McGahee Nelson Mendez Miguel Michel Stanley Montfort Julie Myers-Benton Linda Myles Jerome Nicholas, Jr. Chibundu Nnake Laura O'Neale Cassandra Ogden Rosendo Pena, Jr. Carver Randle Greely Richardson Wayne Richardson Richard Roberts

Crystal Rutland Cornelius Salman Albert Sierra Stewart Smith Ashley Stepps Sherry TaylorThompson Eugene Tomine Richard Trujillo Esteban Valenzuela Amado Vargas Greta Walker Kenneth Walker Stephanie White Pamela White-Colbert Joy Williams Olivia Williams Deborah Wilson Julie Wenah Kyle Yee

Join The Next Generation Of Leaders. The Dedman School of Law has long been regarded as an innovator in legal education. Located in the vibrant heart of Dallas, the Dedman School of Law offers a diverse curriculum with courses spanning the legal spectrum. Our students benefit from small classes and an outstanding faculty committed to fostering an intimate, friendly and academically challenging environment. Over 50 percent of entering students receive scholarship assistance. Upon completion, SMU graduates routinely receive high job placement rates and excellent starting salaries. Become a leader. Call or visit us online for day and evening program information. 8 8 8 . S M U. L AW1

â&#x20AC;˘

www. l a w. s m u . e d u

SMU will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. SMUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS 100 LAW CENTER HOUSTON, TEXAS 77204-6060 713.743.2280 y LAWADMISSIONS@UH.EDU y WWW.LAW.UH.EDU

a supportive environment “ ” The UH Law Center’s faculty and staff offer encouragement, guidance, and accessibility to help me achieve my goals. The atmosphere is more relaxed than rigid, more cooperative than competitive.

opportunities to achieve “ ”

The educational environment at the UH Law Center emphasizes achievement. With a broad curriculum, outstanding programs that focus on health law, intellectual property law, environmental law, and criminal justice, and numerous externship opportunities, my success is inevitable.

“

a great place to be

UH Law Center is one of the nation’s best law school bargains. And Houston is a great, diverse, metropolitan city, with opportunities in every area of practice. Add the moderate cost of living, the high standard of living, and the sunny climate, and Houston can’t be beat!

”

Internet Resources Council on Legal Education Opportunity: www.cleoscholars.org and www.cleodivercitynetwork.org

Kaplan, Inc.: www.kaptest.com/LSAT

ASSOCIATIONS American Bar Association (ABA): www.americanbar.org

The Princeton Review: www.princetonreview.com

Law School Admission Council: www.lsac.org

DiscoverLaw.org: www.discoverlaw.org A website sponsored by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to encourage racially and ethnically diverse students to discover career opportunities in law and choose a path in undergraduate school to help them succeed.

TestMasters: www.testmasters.net Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA): www.hnba.com Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA): www.mcca.com National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA): www.napaba.org National Bar Association (NBA): www.nationalbar.org National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA): www.nblsa.org National Native American Bar Association (NNABA): www.nativeamericanbar.org BAR EXAM PREPARATION BARBRI: www.barbri.com Kaplan PMBR: www.kaptest.com/BarExam/Home/index.html

SECONDARY SCHOOL RESOURCES 50states.com: www.50states.com/college A2Z Colleges: www.a2zcolleges.com College Board: www.collegeboard.org The College Digest: www.collegedigest.com College Goal Sunday: www.collegegoalsundayusa.org Global Youth Service Day: http://gysd.org An annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning. Next Step U: www.nextstepu.com

United States Department of Education Federal Student Aid: http://studentaid.ed.gov LSAT TEST PREPARATION Griffon Prep: www.griffonprep.com

For People of Color: www.forpeopleofcolor.org The organization focuses on providing admissions consulting services, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to law school applicants, law students, and attorneys. Internet Legal Research Group (ILRG): www.ilrg.com A resource of websites about the legal profession, academia and legal research.

Quintessential Careers: www.quintcareers.com/teen_college.html

Petersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Law: http://www.petersons.com/graduateschools.aspx A database of graduate school programs including law schools that is searchable by program and state.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Boston College Law School Locator: http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/gra dschool/law.html A list of pre-law resources including the Boston College Law School Locator that can help pre-law students identify ABAaccredited law schools where their scores and grades are most competitive for admission.

U.S. News & World Report Law School Rankings: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsand reviews.com/best-graduate-schools/toplaw-schools/rankings An annual ranking of U.S. law schools that includes full-time tuition figures and total full-time enrollment.

FINANCIAL WEB SITES Access Group: www.accessgroup.org FinAid!: www.finaid.org

Equal Justice Works: www.equaljusticeworks.org Equal Justice Works provides leadership to ensure a sustainable pipeline of talented and trained lawyers involved in public service. Their programs begin with incoming law school students and extend into later careers in the profession.

Sudoku Puzzles Doing puzzles may help you improve your memory as well as analytical skills. Puzzles could be beneficial to individuals preparing for the LSAT, and especially the Logical Reasoning section. As you prepare for law school applications you may want to take a break and do a few puzzles. It may help develop your thought process and improve your test-taking skills. We have included a couple puzzles from Su/Do/Ku which are an enjoyable way to fine-tune your skills.

ÂŠ Puzzles by Pappocom

#1 EASY

Instructions: Fill in the boxes so that each row, column and 3-by-3 square includes the digits 1-9 without repeating. Find solutions, tips and a computer program at www.sudoku.com.

#2 MEDIUM

ÂŠ Puzzles by Pappocom

Solutions on page 136

CLEO Crossword:

Legal Terms for Future Lawyers 1 3

7 8

10 11 12

13 14

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS 4 The person appointed to administer the estate of a person who has died leaving a will that appoints that person 5 To intentionally and permanently give up or relinquish all interest or ownership in such as property, a home or other premises 6 The number of people required to be present before a meeting may conduct business 9 In a criminal case, the specific statement of what crime the party is accused of (charged with) contained in the indictment or criminal complaint 12 A blood relative 13 Anyone holding something 14 Unlawful killing of another person without premeditation 16 Popular name for a polygraph which tests the physiological reaction of a person to questions asked by an expert (three words) 17 At the beginning of a trial, the explanation by the attorneys for both sides of what will be proven during the trial (two words)

DOWN 1 The act of expelling a foreigner from a country 2 The intentional use of deceit to deprive another person of his/her rights or property 3 Attempting to influence a jury (two words) 7 Second-hand evidence in which the witness is not telling what he/she knows personally, but what others have said to him/her; often inadmissible in court 8 Entering illegally 10 Forever 11 A discussion to reach settle a dispute or reach an agreement 15 The party who receives title to real property from the seller Solution on page 136

CLEO Word Search:

A Day In Court Y

Made by Julie D. Long using 1-2-3 Word Search Makerâ&#x201E;¢

Solution on page 136

ANIMATIONS

DOCUMENTS

MEDIA

SELECTION

ARGUMENT

EVIDENCE

MOTION

SUSTAIN

BAILIFF

EXHIBITS

OVERRULE

TECHNOLOGY

BENCH

GAVEL

PARTIES

TESTIMONY

BRIEF

INSTRUCTIONS

PHOTOGRAPHS

TRANSCRIPTS

CHAMBER

JUDGE

PRETRIAL

TRIAL

CLERK

JUDGMENT

RECORD

VIDEO

DEFENDANT

JURY

REPORTER

WITNESS

DISCOVERY

LAWYERS

ROBE

IN EVERY ISSUE

Writing Resources AS A SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT, COLLEGE STUDENT, STUDENT RETURNING TO SCHOOL FOR A SECOND CAREER OR FIRST-YEAR ASSOCIATE, YOU SHOULD CONTINUALLY STRIVE TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING SKILLS. HERE ARE SEVERAL RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GET YOUR POINT ACROSS TO YOUR READER.

BOOKS

The Little Red Writing Book by Brandon Royal

250 Things You Should Know About Writing by Chuck Wendig

On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser

The Art of Styling Sentences by K.D. Sullivan

The Only Grammar Book You’ll Ever Need: A OneStop Sources for Every Writing Assignment by Susan Thurman and Larry Shea

The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus

The Productive Writer: Tips & Tools to Help You Write More, Stress Less & Create Success by Sage Cohen Roget's International Thesaurus by Barbara Ann Kipfer

The Classic Guide to Better Writing: Step-by-Step Techniques and Exercises to Write Simply, Clearly and Correctly by Rudolf Franz Flesch

Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark

Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone Who Works with Words by Bruce Clifford Ross-Larson

ONLINE RESOURCES

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. The Elephants of Style: A Trunkload of Tips on the Big Issues and Gray Areas of Contemporary American English by Bill Walsh

The Chicago Manual of Style Online: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org Dictionary.com: www.dictionary.com Writer’s Digest: www.writersdigest.com

Grammatically Correct by Anne Stilman The Writer Magazine: http://writermag.com/ Gregg Reference Manual by William A. Sabin How to Speak and Write Correctly by Joseph Devlin

International Writing Centers Association: http://writingcenters.org/

Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing by Claire Kehrwald Cook

Poets & Writers Magazine: http://www.pw.org/magazine

University of Pittsburgh

School of Law

Committed to Excellence Committed to Diversity Committed to Developing Successful Lawyers A CLEO host for ﬁve summers in the past decade Certificate programs are available in Environmental Law, Health Law, Litigation, Intellectual Property, and International Law. The school features interdisciplinary opportunities with the Center on Race and Social Problems, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Carnegie Mellon University. The University of Pittsburgh School of Law is situated on a world-class university campus in the bustling, colorful neighborhood of Oakland. The city of Pittsburgh has once again been recognized as “America’s Most Livable City,” and the school is just three miles away from the vibrant downtown area. For more information, contact: University of Pittsburgh School of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid 3900 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15260 www.law.pitt.edu E-mail: admitlaw@pitt.edu 412-648-1413

IN EVERY ISSUE

CLEOGRAMMAR103

Writing is one of the most frequently used skills in law school. A foundation of this skill, grammar, gives you the ability to communicate

1. When the singular form ends in s, x, ch, sh, or z, the plural is formed by adding es to the singular. True

False

2. Singular nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant form their plurals by adding es to the singular. True

False

3. The plurals of hyphenated or spaced compounds are formed by pluralizing the chief element of the compound. True

False

clearly with different types of people. Try the

4. Numbers expressed in words are pluralized by the addition of s or es. True

False

following exercises to test your knowledge of

5. When a singular noun ends in a silent s sound, just add an s. True

False

grammar. Good luck! Solutions on page 136

Grammar resource: The Gregg Reference Manual by William A. Sabin (CLEO Grammar 101 appeared in the Winter/Spring 2011 issue of the CLEO Edge Magazine and CLEO Grammar 102 appeared in the Winter/Spring 2012 issue of the CLEO Edge Magazine.)

Tips for writing numbers 6. Spell out numbers from 1 through 10; use figures for numbers above 10. “I need five copies of the final report.” “We expect 35 people to complete the challenge by March.” 7. Spell out indefinite amounts of money. “She spent a few thousand dollars on Amazon.com.” “He owes the federal government hundreds of dollars for unpaid income taxes.” 8. Spell out a number that begins a sentence, as well as related numbers. “Nineteen students passed the final exam on Monday.” “Ten to twenty percent of the students did not pass the exam on Monday.” 9. Use figures to express a mixed number but spell out a mixed number at the beginning of a sentence. “The membership department increased professional memberships by 2_ as they were in 2010.” “One and a quarter inches of rain fell over the past two days.” 10. Do not put a.m. or p.m. unless figures are used. “She arrived by 6:00 a.m. to begin her workout.” “He left for work at 5:30 a.m.”

Solutions CLEO Word Search: Regionalizing CLEO solutions from page 129:

Sudoku Puzzles solutions from page 125: Puzzle #1 Solution

M G D

C W W C

E R

M D

N M W T

E N

Q G R

M E

W L

O N

G B

X M K

O S

M O

M D

O Q N

M E

W M

Puzzle #2 Solution

V Y

C W M

M A

M B

E S

M R

M M V

O M R

M U

Q M G N

M B

S O

B R

V C

K R

M D

V A

M R

E N

F W V

D W N

Y W

S O

V O

G G G

A U

A R

L M

Q Y

O M

O B

E M

G K

X H

M W J

B W Z

M V

Z W D

O N

K W Y

S H

A R

O H

S N

A R

M W E

CLEO Crossword: Legal Terms for Future Lawyers solutions from page 127:

LSAT Sample Questions solutions from page 94:

1. E

5. C

2. D

6. D

3. C

7. A

4. E

CLEO Grammar 103 solutions from page 133 1. True (ex. “bus” -> “buses”) 2. False – by adding s to the singular 3. True (ex. “mother-in-law” -> “mothers-in-law”) 4. True (ex. “four” -> “fours”) 5. False – add an apostrophe plus s

136 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

Global Leadership Starts Here. Today’s finest practice-ready lawyers guide the profession locally and around the world. At Pacific McGeorge, you’ll develop the confidence and connections to make a global difference here, there – anywhere – equipped with the tools to hit the ground running. Employers in all 50 states and over 50 countries seek Pacific McGeorge graduates for the practice-readiness you gain with: •

Our leading-edge, internationally-focused curriculum and hands-on training

•

A diverse, close-knit legal community, accessible professors and small class size

•

On-campus living, financial aid assistance, and mentoring

•

Located in the heart of California, in the capital of the world’s eighth-largest economy: a center of commerce, recreation and culture.

Start Here. Go Anywhere.

www.mcgeorge.edu Pacific McGeorge School of Law 3200 Fifth Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817 admissionsmcgeorge@pacific.edu 916.739.7105

Diversity and Inclusion are core values at Andrews Kurth. It takes a leader to know how to align business objectives and resources. Working together, we have created an inclusive culture that benefits our entire firm community. For straight talk about diversity and inclusion, visit andrewskurth.com.

600 Travis, Suite 4200 Houston, Texas 77002 713.220.4200 AUSTIN BEIJING DALLAS HOUSTON LONDON NEW YORK RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK THE WOODLANDS WASHINGTON, DC

Copyright Â© 2012 by Andrews Kurth LLP. Andrews Kurth, the Andrews Kurth logo and Straight Talk Is Good Business are registered service marks of Andrews Kurth LLP. All Rights Reserved. Attorney Advertising. 12258

LABORATE t ALIGN t PERFORM t COLLABORATE t ALIGN t PERFOR

ANDREWS KURTH IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CLEO

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law

Learn more at www.law.edu A diverse faculty and student body enriches the vibrant law school community. Unparalleled internship placements in government, judicial, HUK UVUWYVĂ&#x201E;[ ZL[[PUNZ Part-time evening program available for full-time professionals. Nationally ranked clinical education programs provide live-client, real-world legal experience. For more information, contact:

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA Columbus School of Law WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law Washington, D.C. 20064 Phone: 202-319-5151 t Fax: 202-319-6285 Email: admissions@law.edu

2013 CLEO Member Schools & Supporting/Sustaining Institutions

MEMBER SCHOOLS

Albany Law School of Union University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law-Yeshiva University Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School University of California Davis School of Law Case Western Reserve University School of Law The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law Chapman University School of Law University of Colorado Law School Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University Florida International University College of Law Fordham University School of Law University of Houston Law Center The John Marshall Law School (IL) Liberty University School of Law Marquette University Law School University of Miami School of Law The University of Mississippi School of Law University of Missouri School of Law (Columbia) New York Law School The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Pace University School of Law University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law University of Pittsburgh School of Law Roger Williams University School of Law St. Mary’s University School of Law Samford University, Cumberland School of Law South Texas College of Law SMU Dedman School of Law Southern Illinois University School of Law Suffolk University Law School Thomas Jefferson School of Law Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center Vermont Law School Wayne State University Law School University of Wisconsin Law School

SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS Appalachian School of Law Baylor University School of Law Boston College Law School Brooklyn Law School 142 CLEO EDGE • WINTER/SPRING 2013

University at Buffalo Law School/ The State University of New York (SUNY) California Western School of Law Chicago-Kent College of Law Cornell Law School DePaul University College of Law University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law Drake University Law School Elon University School of Law Florida Coastal School of Law George Mason University School of Law Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University University of Idaho College of Law Indiana University Maurer School of Law (Bloomington) Loyola University Chicago School of Law University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law New England Law | Boston University of North Carolina School of Law Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center University of Pennsylvania Law School Pepperdine University School of Law Phoenix School of Law Quinnipiac University School of Law Saint Louis University School of Law University of Southern California Gould School of Law Stetson University College of Law Syracuse University College of Law Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law The University of Texas School of Law Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law Texas Wesleyan University School of Law Washburn University School of Law University of Washington School of Law Whittier Law School Widener University School of Law William Mitchell College of Law

SUSTAINING INSTITUTIONS The University of Alabama School of Law American University Washington College of Law Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law Boston University School of Law Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law Charleston School of Law Charlotte School of Law The University of Chicago Law School City University of New York School of Law Cleveland State University Cleveland– Marshall College of Law Columbia University School of Law Creighton University School of Law University of Denver Sturm College of Law University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Duke University School of Law Duquesne University School of Law Emory University School of Law Florida A&M University College of Law University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law The George Washington University Law School Georgia State University College of Law Golden Gate University School of Law Gonzaga University School of Law Hamline University School of Law Harvard Law School Howard University School of Law Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law The University of Iowa College of Law The University of Kansas School of Law University of La Verne College of Law Lewis & Clark Law School Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University University of Maine School of Law Mercer University-Walter F. George School of Law

Michigan State University College of Law University of Minnesota Law School University of Nebraska College of Law University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law University of New Hampshire School of Law New York University School of Law Northeastern University School of Law Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law Oklahoma City University School of Law University of Oklahoma College of Law The Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law Regent University School of Law University of Richmond School of Law Rutgers University School of Law-Newark University of St. Thomas School of Law-Minneapolis St. Thomas University School of Law University of San Diego School of Law University of San Francisco School of Law Southern University Law Center Southwestern Law School Stanford University Law School Texas Tech University School of Law Tulane University Law School University of Tulsa College of Law University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Valparaiso University Law School Vanderbilt University Law School Villanova University School of Law University of Virginia School of Law Wake Forest University School of Law Washington and Lee University School of Law Washington University School of Law (St. Louis) West Virginia University College of Law Western State University—College of Law Western New England University School of Law Willamette University College of Law William & Mary Law School

www.cleoscholars.org www.cleodivercitynetwork.org Please be sure to visit and interact with us online! Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/cleo1968 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cleo.scholars Twitter: http://twitter.com/cleoalumni & http://twitter.com/cleoscholars

The Premier Online Mentoring Program in the Legal Profession

Sign up as a KAN-Do!SM mentee or mentor today! MCCA’s KAN-Do!SM Mentoring, a web-based approach to mentoring, seeks to empower the many outstanding lawyers in our network to connect with one another. As a mentee, KAN-Do!SM will help you develop and grow professionally while connecting you with leaders in MCCA’s network. As a mentor, you will share your expertise, expand your personal network, and invest in others. Start the conversation!

To sign up to be a mentor or mentee, follow these easy steps. 1. Visit www.mcca.com/mentoring. 2. Click “Mentors Login/Sign Up” OR “Mentees Login/Sign Up” 3. Sign up as a New User. 4. Complete your proﬁle.