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Dear Students:
I know it seems crazy that we’re already talking about next summer’s job search! As we’ve been saying, it is more important than ever to consider a wide range of employers. If you will be targeting employers outside of the Bay Area for next summer/next year, there are several things you can be doing now!
* INTERESTED IN LARGER FIRMS?
Go onto Nalpdirectory.com and run a list of firms in cities that interest you. Compare that list to those employers attending Hastings’ OCI (check HastingsCareersOnline.com). Write to those firms (or branch locations) that are not coming on campus. Let them know that you'll be in the area before school starts and you're eager to interview with them! Then call to follow up!
* INTERESTED IN PROGRESSIVE, SMALLER FIRMS?
Google the “Private Public Interest and Plaintiff's Firm Guide” for a national directory. Some noted progressive firms also recruit very early in the year, such as the renowned firm of Goldstein Demchak (the Wonder Bread lawsuit firm).
* GET LISTS OF ALUMS.
Ask Jess in our office (careers@uchastings.edu) to run you a list of alums in your regions of interest. Email those alums to see if they have time to speak with you about how they did their search and to share tips about their legal market.
* CONSIDER JOBS IN THE FEDERAL GOV'T
Federal law is the same all over the country, so these practices are portable. In addition, federal gov't work is very prestigious! Stay tuned for the updated version of the Gov't Honors Handbook on HastingsCareersOnline.
* MARTINDALE.COM
Do an advanced search for lawyers and/or law firms in martindale.com in your regions of interest.
* PSLAWNET.ORG
Go onto pslawnet.org to look for nonprofits, gov't agencies and smaller progressive firms in other cities.
We're always here and eager to help, so call the front desk (565.4619) to set up an appointment.
-Sari Zimmerman
We know that the legal market is very competitive these days and you all have questions about what this means for you. One thing that is essential is to make the most of this summer: that could mean building relationships with professionals who work in areas that interest you, shadowing an attorney for a day, sitting in on a court session, getting a good reference from a professor or a supervisor for whom you are interning, and really thinking about where you see yourself after law school.
Here are some specific tips for making the most of your summer no matter where you're working:
1. If you've been receiving spotty, inconsistent, or non-existent feedback, make sure to check in with your supervising attorneys...ask how you're doing...ask how you could be improving....ask what other skills you should be honing and then request work that will develop those skills. Asking for feedback is hard, but absolutely essential!
2. If you've been receiving feedback, make sure that you are acting on it! We are happy to debrief feedback sessions and help you process feedback that you're receiving at work.
3. Treat your summer as more than just an opportunity to receive an offer. Make sure to be developing relationships with lawyers who can act as strong references and as resources. Make sure that you are getting work in a range of areas. Ask for a writing assignment so that you'll have a strong writing sample at the end of the summer. Brainstorm with a counselor if you're unsure how to go about any of these points.
4. Check out the Summer Survival Tips series at http://www.younglawyersblog.com/post/Summer-Survival-Ten-Tips-for-Summer-Associates-(Part-I).aspx
Most important, we’re here to talk! Please call the front desk at 415.565.4619 to set up an appointment to chat about this or other topics.
-Sari Zimmerman
Here are some specific tips for making the most of your summer no matter where you're working:
1. If you've been receiving spotty, inconsistent, or non-existent feedback, make sure to check in with your supervising attorneys...ask how you're doing...ask how you could be improving....ask what other skills you should be honing and then request work that will develop those skills. Asking for feedback is hard, but absolutely essential!
2. If you've been receiving feedback, make sure that you are acting on it! We are happy to debrief feedback sessions and help you process feedback that you're receiving at work.
3. Treat your summer as more than just an opportunity to receive an offer. Make sure to be developing relationships with lawyers who can act as strong references and as resources. Make sure that you are getting work in a range of areas. Ask for a writing assignment so that you'll have a strong writing sample at the end of the summer. Brainstorm with a counselor if you're unsure how to go about any of these points.
4. Check out the Summer Survival Tips series at http://www.younglawyersblog.com/post/Summer-Survival-Ten-Tips-for-Summer-Associates-(Part-I).aspx
Most important, we’re here to talk! Please call the front desk at 415.565.4619 to set up an appointment to chat about this or other topics.
-Sari Zimmerman
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