Month: April 2014

So you’ve selected a school . . . NOW WHAT!?

Congratulations!  Many Pre-Law students have evaluated their law school offers and have selected the law school where they will start in the fall!  If this is you, you are probably enjoying checking off your last major responsibilities as an undergraduate!  Here is a practical checklist of the actions you should take this summer!

1.  Professionally let other schools know that you have made your selection.  Follow the Email Etiquette advice from our recent blog post!

2.  Start looking for housing / a roommate.  Usually the school you’ve selected will provide a resource for you in completing this task.  Consider the major financial benefits of having a roommate.

3.  Join the facebook group of your class – or ask the admissions office what other media groups exist where you’ll see some social opportunities once students arrive to the area.

4.  Check your new email account.  Decide whether you want to connect the new account to your personal email or maintain an entirely separate account.  Get in the habit of checking the account.

5.  Prepare your finances.  Assure you have the money to buy books, pay a security deposit and your first month’s rent, and any moving expenses BEFORE the first loan disbursement – which is usually well after these expenses have occurred.

6.  Send your undergraduate final transcript to your new law school.

Pre-Law Advising Staff Changes

It is bittersweet for us to announce staffing changes in the Pre-Law Advising Services office. This month, we say goodbye to our Pre-Law Assistant Dimitria Johnson, as she leaves to pursue work elsewhere on campus. We appreciate Dimitria’s warm smile and many contributions to our office! Many congratulations to her on her new position!

We also send a big “congratulations” to our Pre-Law Graduate Assistant, Donna Davis! Donna is graduating from the College of Law in May. Donna has been an integral part of our office for two years. We’re thrilled for her as she starts her legal career nearby!

We wanted to share a farewell note from Donna:

I have enjoyed my entire experience in the Pre-Law Advising Services Office, and want to express my sincere thanks for the support and encouragement I’ve received as the Graduate Assistant these past two years.  I have learned so much from Jamie and Judy and gained a broader perspective on serving students and of the legal profession through service in this position.  I have cherished meeting students and feel encouraged by the smart and thoughtful approaches they take in considering law school and a legal career.  It has been enjoyable to work on the large and small details of providing ongoing, relevant opportunities for Pre-Law students, and I want to thank Dimitria for modeling her beautiful smile while continuing so many of these tasks.

 In this position I have frequently had the opportunity to reflect on my experiences prior to law school, including my professional experiences and the goals and ambitions that drove me to pursue a legal education.  During my time in law school, I founded the Education Law & Policy Society, and maintained a strong interest in education and built a network of peers and professionals also in the field of education or interested in the field.  After graduation and the completion of the Illinois Bar Exam, I will be joining the firm of Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller out of Monticello, IL.  I have spent two summers clerking for the firm and look forward to serving our client school districts and specializing in education law.  I hope that my experiences have provided insight for other future law students, and I am happy to continue to extend myself as a resource for the Pre-Law Advising Services office.  

We will miss Donna and Dimitria, and we wish them the best in their new adventures!

We are pleased to announce that our new Graduate Assistant will be Keith St. Aubin. You will see him around the office starting this fall. Keith is finishing up his 1L year at the College of Law. A native of Oak Lawn, Illinois, Keith completed his undergraduate work at Fordham University in Bronx, NY, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Business Administration. He then worked for three  years as a patent paralegal at Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd., in Chicago.

When you return to campus this fall, say hello to Keith and our new support staff person!

 

Email Etiquette — “Hey” Doesn’t Cut It!

Email etiquette is a critical skill whether you are communicating with law school admissions officers, potential employers, professors or your pre-law advisors! Remember: these contacts are formal and therefore VERY different from emails sent to friends or family members. A lack of professionalism and/or respect can create very negative impressions, which then likely lead to unhappy admissions or employment outcomes.  Want to avoid common email pitfalls? Read on for some practical and easy tips.

1. Salutation: DO NOT begin your email with “Hey” or “Joe”.  You should ALWAYS err on the side of being more formal: “Dear Dean Jones” or “Dear Ms. Smith.”  First names or casual openings are for friends and family only. NEVER address individuals you encounter in a professional setting by their first names until you have been invited to do so!

2. Subject Line:  Never leave this blank.  Instead write a brief but accurate description of the content of the email.  Examples: “Application Status Inquiry” or “Interview Follow Up.”

3. Organization:  Collect your thoughts (what are you trying to say?) and then organize your email into an introduction, body and closing.  The introduction states your reason for contacting the person.  The body details the information you are trying to convey.  The closing wraps up your email, including whether you will be contacting them in the future or if you would like them to contact you.

4. Proofread:  Nothing leaves a bad impression like a careless typo or typos.  Draft your email and reread it, checking it several times for any spelling or grammatical errors.

5. Manners:  Say “please,” “thank you,” and sign your emails with a courteous sign off, such as “sincerely” or “best.”  Remember: anything you put in writing is there forever.  Do you want to be remembered as the polite, interested candidate or the clueless jerk?!

For more info on these suggestions and for other tips about composing professional emails, read “10 Professional Email Tips” by Elizabeth Hoyt, March 10, 2014, at fastweb.com.

http://www.fastweb.com/career-planning/articles/4197-10-professional-email-tips?utm_source=nlet&utm_content=fw_c1_20140326.

Mark Your Calendars: Job and Externship Opportunities; FREE LSAT 101 Webinar — Week of April 14

PLAS Events and Opportunities

Applying to Law School Worshop for Fall 2014 Applicants

TODAY, 4-5PM, 1022 LINCOLN HALL

Calling all students planning to apply to law school this fall! There is plenty that you can do over the summer to ensure that you apply EARLY–which is ideal for admission and financial aid for law school. We will give an in-depth overview of the elements of the law school application, as well as demonstrating how to work within the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service. If you want to know how to get letters of recommendation, how to upload your resume, how many schools you should apply to, and where to send your transcript, this is the workshop for you. No registration necessary.  Note: We have a separate workshop covering personal statements and resumes for law school applicants, set for Tuesday, April 22, which we encourage participants to attend as well.  If you would like to attend the Personal Statement Workshop, please go here and click on the event to register: http://illinois.edu/calendar/list/2508.

Personal Statement and Resume Workshop

Tuesday, April 22, Noon-1pm, Room 514 IUB

Applying to law school this fall? This workshop will introduce fall applicants to the personal statement and how to write it. We’ll help you understand what a personal statement is all about, including who will be reading it and what they will be looking for. We’ll also give tips and suggestions for how you can go about writing this very important part of the application. In addition, we will talk about strategies to craft the best possible resume.  Get started now, and give yourself all summer to perfect your personal statement and resume!

Chicago Summer Externship with the CFTC –Applications DUE  NOON TODAY!

The Chicago office of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Enforcement seeks summer 2014 externship applications from undergraduate students interested in a future legal career.

The Commission is an independent, non-partisan federal agency that protects market users and the public from fraud, manipulation, abusive practices, and systemic risk and fosters open, competitive, and financially sound markets.  The Division of Enforcement investigates potential violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission Regulations and, at the direction of the Commission, prosecutes alleged violations in U.S. District Courts across the country.  The Division of Enforcement also provides expert and technical assistance with case development and trials to U.S. Attorneys, federal and state regulators, and international authorities. You can find out more about the office here: http://www.cftc.gov/LawRegulation/Enforcement/index.htm.

Undergraduate externs with the Division of Enforcement will participate in investigations and litigations led by attorneys and investigators and experience witness interviews, sworn testimony, legal research and writing projects, analysis of materials gathered during investigations and litigations, and educational training programs.  Division of Enforcement staff will also mentor students and provide educational and career guidance.

Externships will last for 8 weeks and require approximately 35 hours per week.

To participate in the summer externship, applicants must have completed at least 4 semesters of college, but not yet have graduated from their degree program.  Offers are also contingent on an applicant’s ability to demonstrate U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and successfully complete a background check (prior to beginning the externship).  Finally, applicants must be able to receive course credit, through ENG 451 or otherwise (such as through your academic department). More information about ENG 451 can be found below.

To apply, interested students should email a cover letter and resume (in either Word or .pdf format) to Judy Argentieri at jargenti@illinois.edu by NOON TODAY, Monday, April 14!!. In your cover letter, please indicate what interests you about the position, discuss what skills you can bring to the position, and address any other significant time commitments you will have this summer.

ABOUT ENG 451: Success in the Workplace This online 2 credit course is open to undergraduates who have accepted a career-related internship or co-op this summer. ENG 451 is a guided experiential learning course designed to prepare you for a successful transition from campus to the workplace. Lecture topics covered include basic business concepts and insights related to interpersonal and communication skills. Over the course of the summer, you will complete a project that will lead you to develop the skills that are covered in the course lectures.

For more information about ENG 451, visit http://engineering.illinois.edu/engage/career-services/success-in-the-workplace/.

Attention Seniors: Paralegal Job Opportunity

PLAS was contacted about this job opportunity.  Note — this position is also listed in the Career Center’s I Link database, which you can access here: https://i-link-illinois-csm.symplicity.com/.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan seeks a current senior or recent college graduate for a full-time paralegal/litigation specialist position in its Chicago office. Starting annual salary is $40,000. Position to start immediately or upon graduation this spring.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is the largest law firm in the United States devoted solely to business litigation, with over 500 lawyers and offices across the globe – including in Tokyo, London, and Moscow. Learn more at http://www.quinnemanuel.com.

THE JOB: As a litigation specialist at Quinn Emanuel, you will participate substantively in all aspects of the firm’s practice. For those considering a career in law, you will gain unparalleled experience performing substantive tasks that most firms reserve for associate attorneys. Typical tasks include conducting factual research, writing analyses, interacting with expert witnesses, reviewing documents, substantively assisting attorneys with preparation for depositions, hearings, and trials – and participating actively at depositions, hearings, and trials. At Quinn Emanuel, attorneys will seek out and value your opinions and insights on important strategic decisions.

EXAMPLES OF CURRENT CASES: Quinn Emanuel’s Chicago office works on some of the most interesting and high-profile cases in the country. Here are some of examples of what we’re working on right now. Quinn Emanuel represents Google, Motorola, Samsung, Qualcomm, Cisco and other high technology companies in the highly publicized patent “wars.” Most recently much of the patent litigation has related to the disputes between Apple and the iPhone and companies who manufacture smartphones running Google’s Android operating system. We also represent companies like Uber, comScore and emerging start-up companies on cutting edge class action and privacy issues in areas where the law is currently developing. One difference between our firm and other large litigation firms is that we go to trial more often than any other firm and expect our litigation specialists to be eager for the opportunity to see how high stakes litigation really works from the inside of the process.

WHO WE WANT: First and foremost, we’re looking for someone smart. We value strong research skills, keen analytical ability, and clear and forceful writing – and we want someone who has demonstrated these skills through high academic achievement. We require that applicants have at least an “A-” grade point average. Our ideal litigation specialist has the intellect to contribute meaningfully to our practice and the confidence and communication skills to effectively express his or her ideas. While not a prerequisite, we are interested in applicants with a strong technical background in engineering, computer science, or programming (as patent law is one focus of our practice). Previous legal experience is not required.

HOW TO APPLY: Send your resume, cover letter, and transcript (unofficial) to yeshiahuweinstein@quinnemanuel.com. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a writing sample of up to six pages if available. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

Other Campus Events and Opportunities

The Career Center

Unless otherwise indicated, all events will be held in the Career Center Conference Room, 715 S. Wright Street. For more information, or to register, go here: http://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/.

Successful Interviewing: Tuesday, April 15, 4pm

Careers in the Federal Government: Wednesday, April 16, 4pm

Winning Resumes and Cover Letters: Thursday, April 17, 4pm

Internship Essentials: Monday, April 21, 4pm

 

Attention Students Interested in Undergraduate Research at UIUC! 

Come join Research as Students at Illinois (RSI) for their informational event on how to get involved in undergraduate research on campus! We will walk you through how to narrow down your research focus, find potential professors to work with, and what to expect once you find a lab. The meeting will take place during Undergraduate Research Week on April 16th at 6:30 PM in Noyes 217. Contact – John, ResearchStudentsIllinois@gmail.com. For more information, find us on Facebook.

Writer’s Workshop — Personal Statement Workshops

The Writer’s Workshop is offering brief personal statement workshops for students (primarily undergraduates) who are writing personal statements or any other type of application essay. Students should call 333-8796 to a reserve a spot at one of these times/locations:

Monday, April 21, 5-6 PM, Lincoln Hall 1090; Tuesday, April 22, 5-6 PM, Lincoln Hall 1090

Sessions will be interactive, starting with a brief presentation given by our consultants introducing the concept of personal statements, followed by a discussion on some strategies and pitfalls, sample statements, and time for questions and answers. Students will also have an opportunity to get individual feedback on their own personal statements if time allows. Call 333-8796 to reserve your place!

Other Pre-Law Opportunities

Legal Careers Update: Report from the Executive
Director of the National Association of Law Placement

Co-sponsored by Michigan State University College of Law and the Midwest Association of Prelaw Advisors (MAPLA)

Wednesday, April 16,
11:00am to 11:45 a.m., CST  

REGISTER NOW

This free webinar will offer a wealth of data relating to the legal market for
recent law school graduates:  hiring and compensation data for new
lawyers, an overview of law graduate career paths by employer type, trends in
large firm hiring, and much more.  The presenter will be James G. Leipold,
Executive Director of the National Association for Law Placement, a legal
professional organization whose members include attorneys, legal employers, and
law school career services personnel from across the country.

LSAT 101 Webinar: An Introduction to the Law School Admission
Test

Wednesday, April 16,
6:30 to 7:30 p.m., CST 

REGISTER NOW

This free webinar, sponsored by the Michigan State University College of Law, will offer valuable insights regarding the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), including how and why law school admission committees use it; skills that the examination seeks to measure; an analysis of each LSAT question type; strategies for maximizing performance; and, recommendations for creating an effective LSAT preparation plan. The primary presenter is John Rood, president and founder of NextStep Test Preparation. REGISTER NOW!

Summer Opportunity: U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Division of Enforcement

The Chicago office of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Enforcement seeks summer 2014 externship applications from undergraduate students interested in a future legal career. 

 The Commission is an independent, non-partisan federal agency that protects market users and the public from fraud, manipulation, abusive practices, and systemic risk and fosters open, competitive, and financially sound markets.  The Division of Enforcement investigates potential violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission Regulations and, at the direction of the Commission, prosecutes alleged violations in U.S. District Courts across the country.  The Division of Enforcement also provides expert and technical assistance with case development and trials to U.S. Attorneys, federal and state regulators, and international authorities. You can find out more about the office here: http://www.cftc.gov/LawRegulation/Enforcement/index.htm

 Undergraduate externs with the Division of Enforcement will participate in investigations and litigations led by attorneys and investigators and experience witness interviews, sworn testimony, legal research and writing projects, analysis of materials gathered during investigations and litigations, and educational training programs.  Division of Enforcement staff will also mentor students and provide educational and career guidance.

Externships will last for 8 weeks and require approximately 35 hours per week.

 To participate in the summer externship, applicants must have completed at least 4 semesters of college, but not yet have graduated from their degree program.  Offers are also contingent on an applicant’s ability to demonstrate U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and successfully complete a background check (prior to beginning the externship).  Finally, applicants must be able to receive course credit, through ENG 451 or otherwise (such as through your academic department). More information about ENG 451 can be found below.

 To apply, interested students should email a cover letter and resume (in either Word or .pdf format) to Ms. Judy Argentieri at jargenti@illinois.edu by Monday, April 14 at 12:00 (noon). In your cover letter, please indicate what interests you about the position, discuss what skills you can bring to the position, and address any other significant time commitments you will have this summer.

 ABOUT ENG 451: Success in the Workplace
This online 2 credit course is open to undergraduates who have accepted a career-related internship or co-op this summer. ENG 451 is a guided experiential learning course designed to prepare you for a successful transition from campus to the workplace. Lecture topics covered include basic business concepts and insights related to interpersonal and communication skills. Over the course of the summer, you will complete a project that will lead you to develop the skills that are covered in the course lectures.

 For more information about ENG 451, visit

http://engineering.illinois.edu/engage/career-services/success-in-the-workplace/

Paralegal job opportunity for December or May grads!

We have received information about a paralegal job opening which would provide a perfect opportunity for a recent grad to get some legal experience prior to law school. This position has also been posted in I-Link, which all Illinois students should join.

See the position description and application instructions below:

Quinn Emanuel seeks a current senior or recent college graduate for a full-time
paralegal/litigation specialist position in its Chicago office. Starting annual salary is $40,000.Position to start immediately or upon graduation this spring.

THE FIRM: Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is the premier business litigation firm in the United States. We are the largest law firm in the United States devoted solely to business litigation, with over 500 lawyers and offices across the globe – including in Tokyo, London, and Moscow. Learn more at http://www.quinnemanuel.com.

THE JOB: As a litigation specialist at Quinn Emanuel, you will participate substantively in all aspects of the firm’s practice. For those considering a career in law, you will gain unparalleled experience performing substantive tasks that most firms reserve for associate attorneys. Typical tasks include conducting factual research, writing analyses, interacting with expert witnesses, reviewing documents, substantively assisting attorneys with preparation for depositions,hearings, and trials – and participating actively at depositions, hearings, and trials. At Quinn Emanuel, attorneys will seek out and value your opinions and insights on important strategic decisions.

EXAMPLES OF CURRENT CASES
Quinn Emanuel’s Chicago office works on some of the most interesting and high-profile cases in the country. Here are some of examples of what we’re working on right now. Quinn Emanuel represents Google, Motorola, Samsung, Qualcomm, Cisco and other high technology companies in the highly publicized patent “wars.” Most recently
much of the patent litigation has related to the disputes between Apple and the iPhone and companies who manufacture smartphones running Google’s Android operating system. We also represent companies like Uber, comScore and emerging start-up companies on cutting edge class action and privacy issues in areas where the law is currently developing. One difference between our firm and other large litigation firms is that we go to trial more often than any other firm and expect our litigation specialists to be eager for the opportunity to see how high stakes litigation really works from the inside of the process.

WHO WE WANT: First and foremost, we’re looking for someone smart. We value strong
research skills, keen analytical ability, and clear and forceful writing – and we want someone who has demonstrated these skills through high academic achievement. We require that applicants have at least an “A-” grade point average. Our ideal litigation specialist has the intellect to contribute meaningfully to our practice and the confidence and communication skills to effectively express his or her ideas. While not a prerequisite, we are interested in applicants with a strong technical background in engineering, computer science, or programming (as patent law is one focus of our practice). Previous legal experience is not required.

HOW TO APPLY: Send your resume, cover letter, and transcript (unofficial) to
yeshiahuweinstein@quinnemanuel.com. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a writing sample of up to six pages if available. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

April Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming April events!

Pre-Law Advising Services April Events

Applying to Law School This Fall Workshop–April 14 at 4:00 in Lincoln Hall 1022
Calling all students planning to apply to law school this fall! There is plenty that you can do over the summer to ensure that you apply EARLY–which is ideal for admission and financial aid for law school. We will give an in-depth overview of the elements of the law school application, as well as demonstrating how to work within the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service. If you want to know how to get letters of recommendation, how to upload your resume, how many schools you should apply to, and where to send your transcript, this is the workshop for you. No registration necessary.

Personal Statement and Resumes for Law School–April 22 at 12:00 in 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building.
Applying to law school this fall? This workshop will introduce fall applicants to the personal statement and how to write it. We’ll help you understand what a personal statement is all about, including who will be reading it and what they will be looking for. We’ll also give tips and suggestions for how you can go about writing this very important part of the application. Get started now, and give yourself all summer to perfect your personal statement!

Other Campus Opportunities in April

Illinois in Washington Info Sessions
Come learn more about this academic internship program open to all Illinois undergraduates.  Students live in Washington, DC for a semester or summer, intern 4 days a week, and take U of I classes.    

Information sessions: Monday, April 7 from 5-6 pm in 317 David Kinley Hall and Tuesday, April 8 from 6-7 pm in 317 David Kinley Hall.  Deadlines: Summer – February 1; Fall – March 1; Spring Term – October 1.

 Also visit www.washington.illinois.edu and www.facebook.com/IlliniosInWashington.  Questions? Contact Susan Halebsky Dimock, PhD, Interim Director, Illinois in Washington, sdimock@illinois.edu, www.washington.illinois.edu