National Bar Association to visit New Orleans

The National Bar Association, the oldest and largest national association of African American Lawyers and Judges, will hold its annual meeting August 9-13 at the Marriott, New Orleans. This is a marvelous opportunity for alumni and recent grads to take CLE courses, attend sections and division meetings, make new contacts and have a wonderful time. If you have not yet found the job of your dreams, you might want to avail yourself of the many networking opportunities that will be available at the annual meeting. Register at http://www.nationalbar.org/. Be sure to register early as hotel rooms are limited and there are discounts for early registration.

NEW FELLOWSHIPS TO START 8/1/10 IN NEW YORK

We have just received word that Legal Assistance of Western New Yok, Inc., is anticipating receiving funding for Americorps fellowships to be located in Ithaca, Rochester, Geneva and Jamestown, New York as well as one in New York City for law grads admitted to the NY bar or planning to sit for the July bar. Applications should be sent immediately for these positions which are anticipated to become available on or about August 1, 2010.

The Legal Fellows assigned to upstate New York will work together to address gaps in legal services through the recruitment and management of pro bono law students and attorneys, and through the provision of direct legal services. The goal is to develop quality pro bono opportunities for law students in order to expand the avilability of legal resources to low-income and underserved communities throughout upstate New York.

The Legal Fellow assigned to New York City will manage LiveHelp, a volunteer-staffed online legal referral and information service for low-income New Yorkers facing civil legal problems. The Fellow will also help manage and develop materials on LawHelp/NY, a web gateway designed to help low income people solve civil legal problems.

Fellowships are generally for one year and include living allowance, supplemental benefits, an award toward payment of federally backed educational loans and excellent fringe benefits.

Applications must include a letter of interest, a writing sample and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of 3 professional references and should be e-mailed to Keith McCafferty, Managing Attorney at kmccafferty@lawny.org.

When should you stop studying and go to the bar?

Take the night off from studying and go on May 25 to the Clearwater Bar "All Bar Meet and Greet" from 4:00 - 8 PM at Mugs on Missouri. If you already have a job, it will be a wonderful chance to introduce yourself to experienced practitioners and members of the judiciary and if you do not yet have a job, it will be a great opportunity to meet members of the local bar who might know of a job, have a vacancy or be available to mentor you. No RSVP necessary.

Also keep in mind that the Young Lawyers Division of the Clearwater Bar meets on June 10 at 5:30 at Rumba's, Belcher & Keene. RSVP to Colleen Carson at 572-4545.

Consider a Judicial Clerkship

One of the best career boosting opportunities available to recent graduates is a judicial clerkship. The faculty has created a committee whose mission is to assist UF clerkship candidates.

If you are interested in pursuing a clerkship, submit your application materials - including a resume, a transcript, an unedited writing sample, a list of references and a list of the judges to whom you will be applying (to the extent this has been determined) - to the committee thorugh an e-mail to Professor Lea Johnston at johnstonl@law.ufl.edu and also to careers@law.ufl.edu with "Judicial Clerkship Materials" in the subject line. Please also indicate your geographic preference or any other type of preference.

If you have already submitted materials to the committee, there is no need to do so again. If you have not yet considered this opportunity and would like to discuss it, please contact either Professor Johnston or the Center for Career Development.

TAMPA HOSTS 2010 STATE COURT TRIAL SEMINAR

On Friday, June 11, 2010, Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division is hosting the 2010 State Court Trial Seminar from 1-5 pm with a Happy Hour to follow. The program which will be held at the Edgecomb Courthouse on the 6th Floor is free for 2010 law graduates.
Register by visiting http://www.hillsbar.com/ or calling 813.221.7777.

This is an excellent opportunity to polish trial skills and meet members of the local bar.