NOTE: This is a tenative listing and subject to change. Check back often for updates.

Last Updated 09-01-10

GENERAL SESSION: Getting the Most from the Conference and Equal Justice Works

Kick off the 2010 Conference and Career Fair with student, law school professional and employer tips on how to get the most from the conference, interviews and table talk. We will also overview of the programs and services offered by Equal Justice Works. Join us and learn about the National Advisory Committee, our Fellowship programs, and the ways you can become involved in public interest advocacy and outreach efforts.

PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIPS: Nuts & Bolts

Postgraduate fellowships are an excellent way to creatively address unmet community needs while gaining valuable work experience. During this talk-show style panel you will hear from current fellows, directors of different fellowship programs and law school professionals. They will discuss the benefits of doing a public interest law fellowship, tips for navigating the application process, what it is like to be a fellow and what a fellowship can mean for your future legal career.

FINDING THE POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW: Public Interest Job Search Strategies

Jobs are on the minds of law students across the country, especially those interested in pursuing public interest careers. How does one stand out from the pack in these tough economic times? How do you conduct a public interest job search, both on- and offline? What websites and tools can help today’s public interest law students find that perfect job? This workshop will explore these questions and many others, and provide practical, concrete tips for finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

JOB SEARCHING IN THE ONLINE AGE: What You Need to Know

With many employers using Internet searches on possible employees as a part of the hiring process, it is critical to make sure that your online persona mirrors your offline reputation. Come to this workshop to find out how to develop and maintain an online brand that not only reflects who you are as a law professional, but also impresses potential employers!

CHARTING A COURSE: The Future of Public Interest Law in The Legal Academy

During this session, CAPSILS* representatives will facilitate an active discussion on the needs and challenges faced by the law school community as we strive to incorporate pro bono and public service into the broader curriculum and law school culture. The discussion will help shape future CAPSILS initiatives so that we may focus on providing resources and support in the areas most needed by our law school colleagues. Open to Law School Professionals Only.

* The Coalition for the Advancement of Public Interest at Law Schools (CAPSILS) is a collaborative group made up of representatives from Equal Justice Works, the ABA Center for Pro Bono, the AALS Pro Bono and Public Service Section and NALP/PSLawNet.

EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS 2011 GUIDE TO LAW SCHOOLS: A Preview

Based on previous attendees’ feedback, the Guide is being reformatted into a database interface, making it much easier to navigate, enter, review and update information. This session features a live demonstration of the new format by the database architect and Equal Justice Works Senior Program Manager Charlene Gomes. Open to Law School Professionals Only.

PRACTITIONER SPOT LIGHT

This is a chance to meet with local advocates from various parts of the public interest law world to find out about their current jobs, career trajectories and what advice they would give to law students. Practitioners from public interest/public service organizations, government agencies and public interest law firms will be available.

STUDENT DEBT RELIEF WITH HEATHER JARVIS, EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS

A must attend session for anyone with student loans planning a career in the governmental or nonprofit sector. Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be the solution you are looking for, but its generous benefits are complicated, and forgiveness is not automatic. Heather Jarvis, the nation's leading expert, is on hand to explain Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the John R. Justice Program for prosecutors and defenders, the Civil Legal Attorney Assistance Program, and other student debt relief initiatives. She uses an interactive teaching style to help you manage your student loans, gives you the detail you need and provides an opportunity for you to ask those tricky student loan questions.

ABOVE AND BEYOND: Successful Public Interest Leaders

The greatest lawyers are savvy leaders. Public interest lawyers need to navigate funding, policy advocacy, media outreach and many other priorities to secure the best interest of their clients. Invigorate your work (and your morning) with an examination of the future of leadership, practical tips & tools, and strategies for successful leadership. This panel of prominent public interest leaders will be the kick off to our workshops on leadership and organizational sustainability.

MENTORING WITH MEANING

A mentor is a colleague that may offer a sense of perspective and history, give advice and share contacts or influence. Few of us think strategically about how to approach and interact with a mentor or even sharing a vision of success their mentor. This highly-interactive, action-oriented workshop will offer concrete steps and strategies that can make a mentoring relationship beneficial. This session is for both for students and law school professionals.

CHARTING NEW FRONTIERS: Strategies for Effective Collaboration with Your Administration

Student organizations and student-based social justice projects function best when there is full cooperation from the school administration. This panel will discuss how to effectively work with your administration to advance social justice work opportunities at school and in your community.

LEADERSHIP, CAREER SATISFACTION AND CORE HAPPINESS

Channel your leadership skills to increase your satisfaction with your professional AND personal life. Learning to identify your own leadership skills and using them to advance your career in a positive and productive way is no small task. However, managing one’s own career path and negotiating successful client, employer and personal relationships are keys to professional and personal satisfaction. Leadership skills are important for a lawyer’s success in a profession that is often rife with depression and substance abuse.

GETTING IT DONE: The Basics of Project Management

Smart planning leads to focused and effective projects. This session will define the components of planning a project and discuss the importance of using project management skills to anticipate challenges and to ensure high-quality work. In addition, the speakers will address online tools that can help your group outline and track the projects that you are working on. This interactive workshop invites you to share your resources and ideas, as well as discuss the ABC’s of project management and technology tools available to you.

“IT’S LIKE HERDING CATS:” Tips and Strategies for Running an All Volunteer Student Organization

This workshop will examine different strategies to attract and retain volunteers, as well as training, delegating and motivating fellow students in your organization. Presenters will engage the audience in a lively discussion to identify both challenges and promising practices that are being used.

BEYOND AN AUCTION: Fundraising Basics

Public interest attorneys find themselves not only raising money for their own projects but often also serving on boards or supporting additional projects. Fiscal health requires a team of stakeholders who are committed to raising money and expending those funds carefully. This presentation will prepare you for future fundraising opportunities. Come learn the ABC’s of fundraising and how successful fundraising efforts are essential to your work.