Public Works

JAG Corps Panel - Mon., September 19th at 11:30

We're thrilled to have JAG Corps attorneys from all five branches of the armed forces -- Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy -- speak at the Law School this Monday, September 19th at 11:30 a.m. in WB128.  And yes, PIZZA will be provided.  (Please RSVP by Friday, 9/16 at 5 p.m. so we can place orders.)

JAG stands for Judge Advocate General.  JAG attorneys do everything non-military lawyers do, plus work that specializes in military law.  They litigate in court and in military tribunals.  They advise, counsel and handle many kinds of transactions. Each branch handles summer internships and new attorney hiring differently -- and on  different deadlines -- so hearing from the JAG attorneys on Monday will be a great way for you to compare and contrast and get your deadlines straight.

If you're a 3L, check out our JAG deadline calendar on the PSC website (Employment Resources/Key Internship, Fellowship and Job Deadlines for 2Ls and 3Ls).

This panel will be useful for 1Ls interested in learning more about JAG generally, plus 2Ls and 3Ls who want to get details about internships, jobs, and deadlines.  Hope to see you there!

Rising

Whether you’re tiptoeing down obscure halls in the law library searching for your interview room or packing up your apartment, you’re all now in the act of rising—as 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls. It’s a busy time. I know, because in the five short weeks I've been back at the  Law  School  as Yared  Getachew’s successor and your new Assistant Dean for Public Service, I’ve met and talked with many of you about your summer jobs and plans for future jobs. I’m already impressed by how much better you are at grabbing your job search by the horns than I was as a student—smarter, savvier, more creative.

Sitting at my desk in Yared’s old office, trying to make sense out of Symplicity, I’m reminded that I’m in the act of rising, too.

My background working as a litigator and transactional attorney with local governments (here in Albemarle and in Henrico) gives me a good sense of what it’s like on the employer’s side of the interview table. But I’ll need to learn throughout this year from all of you and from my great colleagues here at the Public Service Center and Career Services Office. Things like, what do you want to see the PSC offer this year? How can we do a better job of helping you map out your career goals and get there? Stay tuned: in the next couple of weeks we’ll be reaching out to hear your ideas. We’re also putting together a slate of exploratory speaker panels this fall to give you quick windows into the major public service practice areas.

So let me say now what you already know: this year isn’t going to be easy.

Legal aid organizations across the country and even big federal agencies are cutting back in the face of uncertain, shrinking budgets. But know that we are here for you—to counsel, brainstorm, help you with your fellowship applications and networking strategies, your interview skills, your tenth customized cover letter. And if you’ve never been to the Public Service Center but are interested in public service—come. Public service isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you came to law school knowing you wanted to be a public defender or decide as a 3L that  you’re interested in working for the federal government,  we want to meet you  and—hopefully—help you launch that career.

So welcome, rising 1Ls, 2Ls and 3Ls. Let’s meet this year’s challenges head-on—and rise to them.

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

By YARED GETACHEW

Please join us for a brown bag presentation with Chief Judge Robert Lesnick '77 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.  Judge Lesnick will discuss his responsibilities as FMSHRC Administrative Law Judge and will offer advice on how students should approach their federal government job search in the current economy.  The Center's staff will also be available to answer questions regarding internship and permanent opportunities with federal government agencies.

Wednesday, February 8, at noon (SL298).

Battle

By YARED GETACHEW

In counseling sessions and through speaker events featuring prosecutors and public defenders, we have maintained that the path to charting a career toward both professions, despite the divergent outcomes that prosecutors and indigent defenders seek in their pursuit of justice, is very similar. Competition for entry-level positions, even in a flush economy, is downright brutal. But here's a reality that Virginia Law students have enjoyed for decades: 3Ls who remained steadfast in their pursuit of their dream jobs have all secured employment either through competitive 3L hiring programs or soon after they pass the bar exam.  Just so everyone is clear - and I field this question each year: 3Ls and graduating students are not eligible to apply for entry-level positions with federal defender and US Attorney organizations (two exceptions for the latter - USAOs for the Southern and Central Districts of CA - see, e.g.).

So why is student preparation for both careers almost identical?  The ultimate conclusion both prosecutor and public defender offices must reach when making hiring decisions is whether candidate have engaged in sustained efforts to: (1) understand substantive and procedural concepts in criminal, constitutional, and evidentiary law (take as many crim law-related courses offered at Virginia including the two key clinics); (2) hone oral advocacy skills (moot court, oral advocacy classes); (3) understand the day-to-day work of attorneys, detectives, investigators, parole and probation officers in our criminal justice system (summer internships and pro bono work); (4) show commitment to service (see 2-4 above and any volunteer endeavor - for indigent defenders, a desire to work with underserved communities is important); (5) some indicia of geographic connection; and (6) express compelling reasons to pursue either law enforcement or indigent defense work.

On Tuesday, February 8, two speakers - a prosecutor and a public defender -  will expound on these issues while attempting to convince you to join their side.  Joseph Platania is Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Charlottesville and Adam Heyman is public defender at the Brooklyn Legal Aid Society, Criminal Practice. Mr. Platania is currently detailed with the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia, and Mr. Heyman recently returned from Kathmandu, Nepal where he helped represent indigent defendants in Nepal's courts.

The event will take place at 1:00pm in WB154.

BLSA Public Interest Diversity Reception: February 7, 2011

By YARED GETACHEW

My colleagues and I at the Public Service Center have had the pleasure to work with the Virginia Law Black Law Students Association (BLSA) in its tireless efforts to host its second Public Interest Diversity Reception at the Law School.  BLSA's inaugural reception in 2009 was a huge success - it allowed students the opportunity to network with representatives from several employers in the public sector and for some students, the reception led to jobs. BLSA has once again put together its now annual gathering which will take place on Monday, February 7.  Below is a public service announcement by Marina Warner - BLSA's Community Service Chair. Students interested in attending should read the announcement for information regarding registration.  Questions about the event should be directed to service@uvablsa.org.

BLSA Public Interest Diversity Reception

Please join UVA BLSA for its second annual Public Interest Diversity Reception on Monday, February 7 at 6:30pm in Caplin Pavilion.  The reception allows public service organizations and agencies to meet with first, second, and third-year law students interested in working in the public sector.  The reception is open to the entire law student body but members from the following diverse student organizations are especially encouraged to attend:  BLSA, PILA, APALSA, Lambda, LALO, Women of Color, NALSA, VLW, and MLSA.

The following  employers have RSVP'd, but more are expected to be added:  Blue Ridge Legal Services, Supreme Court of Virginia (Office of the Executive Secretary), Legal Aid Justice Center (Immigrant Advocacy Program), Legal Aid Justice Center (JustChildren), US Army JAG Corps (Command Judge Advocate), Federal Public Defender's Office (Western District of Virginia), Supreme Court of Virginia (Office of the Chief Staff Attorney), Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center, Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, and the Albemarle Country Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

Students must RSVP using the following form to attend: Public Service Diversity Registration Form. The deadline to do so is Wednesday, February 2 at 11:59 pm.

Attire is business formal.  Questions may be submitted to service@uvablsa.org.

Rebellious Lawyering Conference: February 18-20, 2011

I took a couple of days off last week (Happy New Year everyone) and upon my return to work this morning found an e-mail from our friends at Yale Law School alerting us to the upcoming Rebellious Lawyering Conference (Reblaw) in New Haven. Reblaw is one of the better conferences for public interest-minded law students - the event offers a terrific array of panels, keynote speakers, and opportunities to network.

Last year's conference featured panels and workshops on domestic and international advocacy in juvenile justice, human rights, custody, forensic science, FOIA, advocacy skills, conducting client interviews, domestic violence, and others.  This year's schedule will be posted soon on the conference blog.

Registration (see also here) costs $30.  The Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center will pay the registration fee for students on a FCFS basis.  (Contact me with questions).  The conference offers travel and lodging assistance (free housing but check important sign-up dates).

Please direct questions about the conference to the conference organizers here:

rebellious.law.questions@gmail.com.

DOJ CRM

By Yared Getachew '98

Last week, Jennifer Rickets 88' gave us an excellent overview of the Department of Justice's volunteer internship program and the responsibilities of the Civil Division.

This Friday, November 19, at 12:00pm in WB126, Jonathan  Rusch '80, Deputy Chief, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, will offer a presentation about summer volunteer internship opportunities in his division.  DOJ - CRM enforces federal criminal laws except those specifically assigned to other divisions.  The division's sections and the 93 United States Attorney Offices oversee criminal matters under more than 900 statutes. There are numerous sections, offices, and units in the division.  Please join us with your questions.

First Amendment Writes 2010 - November 8, 2010

By Yared Getachew

I happened to be on the Downtown Mall earlier today and as I passed by the Jefferson Theater saw a flyer announcing an event co-sponsored by our friends at the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression.  On Monday, November 8, at 6:30PM, the TJ Center and The Music Resource Center will present First Amendment Writes 2010: Annual Poetry and Songwriting Competition.  Below is the write-up on the Jefferson's site:

First Amendment Writes is the performance component of a truly unique songwriting and poetry competition designed to celebrate the creative heights that can only be achieved when artists are free to express themselves on any theme, subject, or idea. Twenty finalists (10 songwriters and 10 poets) will perform their original works in hopes of being selected to receive a $500 prize from a highly distinguished panel of judges [ ]. Past judges have included Boyd Tinsley of Dave Matthews Band, and former National Poet Laureate Rita Dove. Now in its 5th year, First Amendment Writes 2010 will for the first time allow the audience to choose their favorite song and poem for a $300 prize. Read and hear past winners of the contest [here].

The TJ Center has employed Virginia Law students for summer internship positions since the mid-90s (I was one of those fortunate enough to snag a summer internship at the Center after my 1L year). This promises to be a great event.  Tickets cost only $5.00.

Partnership for Public Service Webinar

Today's webinar Federal Internships: Find and Apply for Summer 2011 was highly informative. Partnership offered several handouts, including its powerpoint presentation, "resources for students and jobseekers," "finding a federal internship," "sample internships," and a summary of internships at the US Department of State.  Virginia Law students interested in reviewing these handouts may stop by the Public Service Center after Monday, October 25.

2010 EJW Fair - Ace your interviews

By Yared Getachew '98

Students participating in the upcoming 2010 EJW Conference/Career Fair Public Interest 2.0 in Bethesda, MD are invited to attend a presentation co-sponsored by the Virgina Law Public Interest Law Association (PILA) and the Public Service Center.  Wednesday, October 20, 3:30pm in SL294.

Students who attended last year's event will share their experience interviewing with employers in job fair settings.  I will offer advice as well.  Students participating in the fair to attend conference sessions only are welcome.