Monthly Archives: October 2014


WRITING COMPETITION update:

2014-2015 BEVERIDGE & DIAMOND CONSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW WRITING COMPETITION [DEADLINE: APRIL 6, 2015 BY 5 P.M. ET]

This writing competition is organized by the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and the National Association of Environmental Law Societies (NAELS).

The U.S. Constitution has long been interpreted by judges and understood by most Americans to support comprehensive environmental protection. However, arguments questioning the constitutional legitimacy or application of environmental law continue to be made. ELI and NAELS invite law students to submit papers exploring current issues of constitutional environmental law. This annual writing competition is made possible through the generous support of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., one of the premier environmental law firms in the nation.

Topic: Any topic addressing developments or trends in U.S. environmental law that have a significant constitutional or “federalism” component

*Sample topics provided at the link below

Eligibility:

  • Students currently enrolled in law school (in the U.S. or abroad) are eligible, including students who will graduate in 2015
  • Any relevant article, case comment, note, or essay may be submitted, including writing submitted for academic credit
  • Jointly authored pieces are eligible only if all authors are students and consent to submit
  • Previously published pieces, or pieces that are already slated for publication, are ineligible

Submission guidelines: (1) Submissions may be of any length up to a maximum of 50 pages (including footnotes), (2) in a double-spaced, (3) 8.5 x 11-inch page format (4) with 12-point font (10-point for footnotes), (5) citation style must conform to the Bluebook, and (6) a separate cover page is required, which must include:

  • Title
  • Author’s name, year in law school, and expected graduation date (to facilitate impartial judging, the author’s name and law school must NOT appear anywhere in the entry, other than on this cover page)
  • Law school name and address
  • Author’s permanent and school mailing addresses, email address, and phone number (IMPORTANT: indicate effective dates for any contact information that is subject to change)
  • Abstract (limited to 100 words) describing the piece
  • Certification that the article has not been published and is not slated for future publication (while authors may submit their articles to other publishers or competitions, acceptance for publication elsewhere will disqualify an entry from further consideration)
  • Statement as to where the author(s) learned about this competition.

Send to: Email entries in Microsoft Word format (with the cover page as a separate attachment) to Talia Fox @ fox@eli.org (you will receive a confirmation by email)

Awards: The author of the article deemed best by a panel of judges will receive $2,000 cash, an offer of publication in the Environmental Law Reporter, and a 1-year individual membership to ELI

Complete details: Available @

eli.org/environmental-governance/2014-2015-beveridge-diamond-constitutional-environmental-law-writing-competition

Contact: Email any questions to Talia Fox @ fox@eli.org


Career planning networking EVENT UPDATE: 1

THE FLORIDA BAR YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION (YLD) MENTORING PROGRAM

The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division Mentoring Program was designed with the main goal of connecting Law Student Division members with Florida attorneys.  The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division has built a statewide network of attorneys to mentor students both locally and across the state.

To accommodate Law Student Division members, mentees have the opportunity to select whether they prefer to be paired with a local mentor or an Across-the-State mentor.  Local mentors are expected to meet with their mentees at least 5 times during the program, focusing on real legal experience, networking and professionalism by allowing their mentee to attend events and activities such as depositions, trials, negotiations, closings, hearings, mediations, document executions, client consultations, and/or local bar events, activities, and educational programs.  Across-the-State mentors benefit those students who may be attending law school in one part of the State, but who have plans after graduation to practice in another part of the State, and/or students who want to learn about a particular practice area in which a practitioner outside of their school’s geographic region specializes.  Mentors and mentees paired through an “Across-the-State” mentoring relationship will communicate electronically and/or by phone.  Such relationship will allow the mentee to establish a relationship with an attorney who practices in their future “home” base and/or ideal post-graduation practice area.

Registration: Available @ flayld.org/students/LSD/programs/mentoring/mentee/

Complete details: Available @ flayld.org/students/LSD/programs/mentoring/

Contact: Evan Malloy, Mentoring Program Committee Chair @ yldmentoring14@gmail.com or Ashley N. Sybesma, YLD Law Student Division Chair @ ASybesma@hinshawlaw.com

 

LCLD SUCCESS IN LAW SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM [REGISTRATION OPENS: OCTOBER 15, 2014 AT 6:00 A.M.]

LCLD_MentoringProgram2014(LetterToStudents)

Who: 1Ls

Registration: Available @ lcldnet.org/programs/law-school-mentoring/mentees/

Contact: Louise Bald, LCLD Program Manager @ lbald@lcldnet.com or @ 804.658.6019

[For additional details, check Thursday, September 11 Blog Post and view at Symplicity]

 

THE FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER – LAW STUDENT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM KICKOFF EVENT [OCTOBER 21, 2014]

EVENT_FedBarAssoc(MentorshipProgram)_Blog

 

FLORIDA BAR RPPTL SECTION – MOCK INTERVIEWS [NOVEMBER 15, 2014]

The co-chairs of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section (RPPTL) of the Florida Bar’s Career Counseling Committee is offering the opportunity to our FIU Law students to have interviews where a RPPTL Section meeting is taking place. These practice interviews will take place with members of the Executive Council of the RPPTL Section. Executive Council members govern the Section, and it is through their participation and leadership that a great deal of Florida legislation dealing with real property, probate and trust issues has been addressed.

The Career Counseling Committee believes that by your participating in their program that you will be better equipped to secure a position in an ever increasingly competitive legal environment. This program allows you to practice interviewing with practicing lawyers who are recognized across Florida as leaders in their field.

Where: The Naples Grand Resort (formerly the Waldorf Astoria Naples)

When: Saturday, November 15, 2014

Registration: If you wish to participate, email your resume to Guy S. Emerich @ gemerich@farr.com and to Phillip A. Baumann @ pab@estatelawflorida.com by no later than November 7th.

Additional information: Available @ rpptl.org/

Contact: Guy S. Emerich, gemerich@farr.com, 941.505.9938

Phillip A. Baumann, pab@estatelawflorida.com, 813.223.2201

 

HAIKU CONTEST FOR LAW STUDENTS [NOVEMBER 15, 2014 BY 11:59 P.M. CT]

EVENT_HaikuContest

Take a break from your studies and write a haiku for a chance to win prizes.  A haiku is an unrhymed Japanese poem.  Haikus consist of three lines and a total of 17 syllables.  The first line has five syllables, the second seven, and the third five.

Who: Members of the ABA Law Student Division

Themes: Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions and the U.S. Constitution

Prizes:

  • 1st Place: $300 Apple Store Gift Card
  • 2 runners up will each receive a $100 Apple Store Gift Card

Official rules: Available @

americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/awards_scholarships/haiku_contest_for_law_students/contest_rules

Entry form: Available @ americanbar.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3OBJqI6GXgVdZ5z

Complete details: Available @

americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/awards_scholarships/haiku_contest_for_law_students

 

1L LCLD SCHOLARS PROGRAM [APPLICATION PERIOD BEGINS: DECEMBER 1, 2014]

LCLD_1LScholarsProgram2014

Contact: 1lscholars@lcldnet.org

 

THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS (NTL) 2015 TRIAL LAWYERS SUMMIT – SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM [JANUARY 18-21, 2015]

EVENT_TrialLawyersSummit

FIU Law has been invited to submit 15-30 students to attend the NTL 2015 Trial Lawyers Summit. There will be no registration fees, and the students will have access to all programs, receptions and networking opportunities during the Summit.

Where: The Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Registration: If you would like to attend, please send an email to Jessica Ciminero @ jciminer@fiu.edu expressing your interest by Monday, November 24th so that we may submit the names of our students (as they are expecting to have the recipients finalized by December 1st)

Agenda and featured speakers: Please see attachment below (at Comment section)

Complete details: Available @ ntlsummit.com/ (being updated daily as they add speakers and topics)

 

PALM BEACH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION – 2015 BENCH BAR CONFERENCE [MARCH 27, 2015]

The Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for chairing the “Law Student” session of the Bench Bar Conference. Last year’s agenda featured a Speed Networking session involving various areas of the law and interaction with both local practicing attorneys and the judiciary.  This year’s session promises to be just as exciting!

Where: The Palm Beach Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33401

When: 2:30 P.M. – 4:45 P.M.

Additional information: Available @ palmbeachbar.org/ (registration information not yet available)


Thursday, October 9, 2014 – Employment, fellowship, and internship opportunities update:

For more information and to apply to the opportunities below, please visit Symplicity @: law-fiu-csm.symplicity.com/students/

 

♦ Please be sure to CHECK PRIOR BLOG POSTS for additional opportunities previously posted with deadlines that have not yet expired!  You can narrow your search by utilizing the “Blog post categories” widget at the ride sidebar and select accordingly to view posts regarding: (1.) Career planning networking events, (2.) Employment, fellowship, and internship opportunities, (3.) Scholarships, and/or (4.) Writing competitions ♦

 

JUDICIAL INTERNSHIP (IMMEDIATE NEED) WITH JUDGE ROSENBERG

Judge Robin Rosenberg, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, is currently seeking a judicial intern.

Who: 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and 4Ls

Where: Ft. Pierce, FL

Requirements:

Submission components: (1) Cover letter, (2) resume, (3) letters of reference, & (4) writing sample

Send to:

101 S. US Highway One

Suite 4044

Ft. Pierce, FL 34950

 

PALM BEACH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION – 2015 DIVERSITY INTERNSHIP SUMMER PROGRAM

The Committee on Diversity and Inclusion will be seeking applicants for the 2015 Diversity Internship Summer Program. In providing such opportunities, the Palm Beach County Bar Association intends that the law students will gain valuable work experience, have opportunities at future employment, and decide to stay and live in Palm Beach County, with the end result to create a diverse bar that reflects the diversity of the Palm Beach County community as a whole.

Applications and additional information regarding this program will be available at the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Picnic.

Selected students may be placed with private firms and/or government entities.

Who: 1Ls and 2Ls

When: Generally 6-8 weeks from late May to early July

Complete details: Available @ palmbeachbar.org/diversity-internship-program

 

NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD HONORS PROGRAM [DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15, 2014 AT 11:59 P.M. EDT]

Who: Placement in the 2015 Honors Program is limited to applicants who currently are 3L students, full-time graduate law students, judicial law clerks, or attorneys who are serving in a full-time labor law fellowship begun immediately following graduation from law school or completion of a judicial clerkship

Where:

  • Board Offices, Washington, DC
  • General Counsel Headquarters, Washington, DC
  • Regional Offices

*Please note that the National Labor Relations Board maintains three completely separate Honors Programs, one for offices on the General Counsel side, one for offices on the Board side, and one for specific Regional Offices. Application to and acceptance by or rejection from any one of the three programs has no reflection on consideration by the other two programs. Consequently, on the application form individuals must indicate to which program or programs he or she is applying.

When: Candidates hired for permanent attorney positions are subject to a 2 year probationary period. In addition, all J.D. graduates are required to pass a Bar examination and be duly licensed to practice as an attorney in any state, territory, or the District of Columbia within 14 months of appointment.

*They anticipate making offers of employment in January 2015 for appointments beginning in the late summer of 2015

Requirements:

Skills: The Honors Program is highly competitive and candidates are selected on the basis of merit. Selection is based on the consideration of many factors including academic achievement; law journal or other relevant writing experience; relevant labor relations and/or law courses; moot court competition, legal aid, and legal clinic experience; and summer and/or part-time employment, particularly experience dealing with labor and employment matters. Some Regional offices have special needs where specific skills, such as bilingual skills, may be a factor in selecting the candidate.

GPA: 3.2 or above

*If your GPA falls below that necessary to qualify for consideration under the requirements of the NLRB Honors Program, you may nevertheless still qualify outside the Honors Program for a position in a Headquarters or Field Office. Please apply directly to the Hiring Office in which you are interested.

Submission components: All applications for an entry-level attorney position with the National Labor Relations Board’s General Counsel Headquarters, Board Offices, or Field offices as listed above, must be made electronically (link available below). In addition to completing our on line application, you must submit an application package containing the following required documents scanned and provided in Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) for Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format:

  • Current resume or other written application
  • Completed OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment Form
  • Law school transcript
  • 1 writing sample unedited by anyone other than the applicant (an additional sample may be requested later)
  • A brief (1 page or less) explanation of why you want to work for the NLRB
  • Names and contact information for at least 2 references

Complete details: Available @ apps.nlrb.gov/Honors

Application: Available @ apps.nlrb.gov/Honors/Application/Create

 

EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY – THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS (BOP) CONSOLIDATED LEGAL CENTER (MIAMI) [DEADLINE: OCTOBER 16, 2014]

Justice seeks to attract, retain, and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent from all walks of life. The work environment and atmosphere is open, diverse, collegial, and inclusive. There are active affinity groups for African-American; Asian-American; Hispanic; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT); and Native American employees, which are open to all DOJ employees regardless of background. Justice fosters a work environment where people of all backgrounds and experiences may reach their full potential.

About the OfficeThe legal practice at the Consolidated Legal Center (CLC) covers a wide variety of issues focusing on correctional law and litigation, either through administrative or litigation channels and includes such matters as inmates’ reasonable access to the courts (through access to legal materials, legal correspondence, and attorney-client visits), conditions of confinement, medical care, diet and religious accommodations, housing assignments, hygiene and sanitation, and discipline.

Job DescriptionThe position includes being involved in the management of a legal office that oversees the legal operations associated with the following five correctional institutions: Federal Prison Camp, Pensacola, Florida; Federal Correctional Institution, Marianna, Florida; Federal Correctional Institution, Tallahassee, Florida; Federal Correctional Institution, Miami, Florida; and Federal Detention Center, Miami, Florida. The incumbent will be expected to provide advice and guidance to all levels of staff at these correctional facilities, including members of the Executive staff. The incumbent will also be expected to communicate with defense attorneys, prosecutors, federal courts, the private bar, and agency officials. The incumbent will need to develop a thorough knowledge of all aspects of BOP policy and practice as he/she may be required to appear in District Court on short notice to explain and advocate the agency’s rationale for its correctional management decisions. The incumbent will be supervised by the Supervisory Attorney, located at the Federal Correctional Institution.

This is a primary law enforcement position. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, the maximum entry age of 36 has been established for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons correctional institution. An age waiver to this requirement may be requested for preference eligible veteran candidates. The duties of this position may at times require frequent and direct contact with individuals in confinement who are suspected or convicted of serious criminal offenses. It has also been determined that the duties of this position require experience and knowledge of the on-the-job responsibilities of a primary law enforcement officer working in a detention facility. A prerequisite requirement of this position is the completion of “Institution Familiarization” and the satisfactory completion of a mandatory course in “Introduction to Correctional Techniques.” Because of the nature and mission of this position, it requires “hands-on” understanding of the operating problems encompassed in working within an institution. The incumbent may be called on to perform as a law enforcement officer in a correctional environment during training, emergency situations, times of staff shortages and under any other type of correctional operating crisis. Specific correctional responsibilities may include custody and supervision of inmates, responding to emergencies and institution disturbances, participating in fog and escape patrols, and assuming correctional officer posts when necessary. The incumbent may be required toshakedown inmates and conduct visual searches in their work or living area for contraband. The incumbent must be prepared to use physical control in situations where necessary, such as in fights among inmates, assaults on staff and riots or escape attempts.

SalaryCurrent salary and years of experience will determine the appropriate salary level. The possible salary range, including locality pay adjustments, is GS-12 ($73,533 to $95,591) and GS-13 ($87,441 to $113,673).

Who: Interested applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least one year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience

Requirements:

Submission components: (1) Resume or current OF-612, (2) cover letter highlighting relevant experience, and (3) a writing sample (all attachments must be in Word or PDF format)

Send to:

MAILED entries:

U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Southeast Regional Office
3800 Camp Creek Parkway, SW
Building 2000
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Attn: Lisa Sunderman, Regional Counsel

ELECTRONIC entries: You may also submit your application packet via e-mail to lsunderman@bop.gov

*Once submitted, you should receive a confirmation receipt from Lisa Sunderman via email. If you do not, please contact Lisa Sunderman, Regional Counsel. It is possible that your file may be too large or have issues and our filter is blocking it.

Complete details: This and other attorney vacancy announcements available @ justice.gov/legal-careers/vacancies

Additional information: Available @ bop.gov/

 

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER – WOMEN’S LAW & PUBLIC POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (WLPPFP) [DEADLINE: OCTOBER 17, 2014]

The WLPPFP offers one year Fellowships for public interest lawyers from the United States who are committed to advancing women’s rights throughout their careers. Although each Fellowship experience is unique, each of our fellows works to advance women’s rights at a D.C.-based organization, learn together about substantive women’s rights issues, explore a multitude of career paths through which they can advocate for women’s equality, and develop their legal and interpersonal skills through seminars, trainings, networking events and other Fellowship activities.

Where: Washington, DC

Complete details: Available @ law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/wlppfp/about.cfm

Application: Available @ law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/wlppfp/us/USapplication.cfm

 

SPRING 2015 INTERNSHIP WITH CHIEF JUDGE SHEPHERD OF THE FLORIDA THIRD DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS [DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31, 2014]

Chief Judge Shepherd is interested in receiving applications for interns for the Spring 2015 semester.

Who: 2Ls and 3Ls

When: Applicants should be able to arrange their class schedule for at least 2 full days at the court per week

 

LAW CLERK WITH NICKLAUS & ASSOCIATES, P.A. [DEADLINE: DECEMBER 11, 2014]

Nicklaus & Associates, P.A., with a practice area of insurance defense, is seeking a law clerk who will have duties including: Filing, organizing folders, proof reading, dictations, legal research, office errands, preparing pleadings and correspondence binders, and organizing documents in preparation for litigation. Compensation details to be discussed.

Who: 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, and 4Ls

Where: 4651 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 200, Coral Gables, FL 33146

When: 15-25 hrs./wk.

Contact: Joni Stadler @ JoniS@nicklauslaw.com

Tel: 305.460.9888

Fax: 305.460.9889

nicklauslaw.com/

Complete details and application: Available @ Symplicity Job Posting Job ID: 3847

 

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WRITING COMPETITION update:

ABA LAW STUDENT DIVISION – COMPETITIONS & WRITING CONTESTS

14TH ANNUAL SECTION OF TAXATION LAW STUDENT TAX CHALLENGE [DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 7, 2014 BY 5 P.M. EST]

13TH ANNUAL HEALTH LAW WRITING COMPETITION [DEADLINE: DECEMBER 5, 2014 BY 12 P.M. CT]

BUSINESS LAW SECTION MENDES HERSHMAN WRITING CONTEST [DEADLINE: JANUARY 9, 2015]

THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL OF LAW 1ST ANNUAL JAMESON CRANE III DISABILITY & THE LAW WRITING COMPETITION [DEADLINE: JANUARY 15, 2015]

Topic: Submitted papers may be on any topic relating to disability law including, legal issues arising with respect to employment, government services and programs, public accommodations, education, higher education, housing, and health care

PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION’S LAW STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION [DEADLINE: JANUARY 16, 2015 BY 5 P.M. PST]

Topics:

  1. In Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council, 505 U.S. 1003 (1992), the Supreme Court held that a land use restriction that eliminates all economically beneficial use of property effects a taking for which the owner is entitled to just compensation.  But it held that compensation is not required when the restriction “inhere[s] in the title itself … [as part of] background principles of the State’s law of property and nuisance.”  What are, or should be, the limits on the power of courts to interpret these background principles?
  2. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 imposes liability for discrimination if the plaintiff proves that the defendant employs policies that have a “disparate impact” on members of a minority group.  Is “disparate impact” a proper test for determining that a defendant has engaged in illegal discrimination — or does imposing such liability itself violate the constitutional right to equal protection?
  3. In the past, environmental regulations focused primarily on local pollution concerns — for example, on protecting species in a particular location or preventing pollution of rivers and streams.  But the focus of the environmental debate is increasingly shifting to global warming, a phenomenon that would affect the planet as a whole rather than a particular locale.  In this new context, how should the government balance environmental protection against constitutional protections and property rights?

SECTION OF FAMILY LAW HOWARD C. SCHWAB MEMORIAL ESSAY CONTEST [DEADLINE: APRIL 17, 2015]