Perspective on the Job Search Process

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by Jillian Jacobs, Class of 2013 and recent graduate

jill jacobsJill is from from Rochester, New York and received her B.A. in Policy Studies and Economics from Syracuse University. Jill was an Articles Editor for the Bill of Rights Journal, Chair of the Community Service Committee for the George Wythe Society, and a Graduate Research Fellow. 

Prior to my first year of law school, I was nervous about a lot of things. I wondered whether I would make friends, how I would handle an embarrassing cold call, and if I could keep up with the demanding work schedule. My greatest fear, however, was that I would not be able to find a job.

I came to law school straight from undergrad, and I had very little experience with the job search process. I had worked at a retail store, at a restaurant, and at a small local firm during school breaks, but I had never formally searched for a legal job. I was overwhelmed at the thought of reworking my resume, writing cover letters, identifying potential internships, and interviewing with respected attorneys.

Soon, I realized that I was not alone – majority of my classmates viewed the job search process as daunting and confusing. Fortunately, the Office of Career Services (OCS) annually holds informational sessions for first-year students in early October. At the sessions, the OCS Deans talk about the job search process. Additionally, OCS gives students a binder containing information such as sample resumes and cover letters, recommendations for interview attire, and other interview tips. When I walked out of the session, I felt a wave of relief. I knew that the job search process would not be easy, but I found comfort in knowing that OCS would help me in any way possible

In November of my first year of law school, I met with my assigned dean, Ramona Sein, to discuss my internship search. She suggested that I continue networking and that I consider a variety of internships for the summer after my first year of law school. In a stroke a pure luck, I met an alumnus of the law school who helped me secure an internship with a federal judge in Houston, Texas. The internship was educational and an overall great experience.

I finished my internship in Houston at the end of June, and I immediately started preparing to apply for second-year internships. My goal was to work at a large firm in New York City, but I applied to firms in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. as well because I was worried about the legal market. A contact helped me to obtain interviews in Philadelphia, and firms in New York City offered me interviews after receiving my resume through a William & Mary interview program.

In order to prepare for my interviews, I frequently called Dean Sein and Dean Knowles to ask questions. I think that some of my questions may have been trivial, but I appreciated that every dean in OCS was willing to listen to my concerns and was able to answer my questions. Finally, after two months of interviewing for summer associate positions, I accepted an offer from Dechert LLP in New York City. I loved my internship with Dechert, and I am so excited to return as a first-year associate. I am incredibly thankful to OCS for helping me to find this position.

Congratulations Dean Shealy!

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by Elizabeth Cavallari

Each year, the William & Mary Alumni Association honors individuals who have shown extraordinary service to the College. Our own Dean Faye Shealy was one of the five award winners for 2013.

Dean Shealy has devoted more then 30 years of service to William & Mary Law School. It’s a privilege to work with her and learn from her on a daily basis. Congratulations to Dean Shealy on this honor!

Dean Shealy and Her Family

Dean Shealy and Her Family

Photo by Davis Morrill.

Photo by David Morrill.

W&M Law Journals Recognized as Most Cited in Their Fields

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Our 1L students have finished their second semester finals and in the midst of the joint journal competition (JJC). The competition results in placement of eligible students to one of the five journals.

More than 300 students participate in William & Mary’s journals, and our journals are well-respected in the legal community and earn recognition as some of the most cited in their respective fields.

journals

The William and Mary Law Review is the 19th most cited general interest law review in the country.

The William & Bill of Rights Journal is the 2nd most cited specialty law review in the field of civil rights, and the 3rd most cited specialty law review in the field of constitutional law.

The William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review is the most cited specialty law review in the field of energy law, and the 11th most cited specialty law review in the field of environmental law.

The William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law is the 10th most cited specialty law review in the fields of gender studies, women, and sexuality.

The William & Mary Business Law Review is the 11th most cited specialty law review in the field of corporate law and business associations, and the 29th most cited specialty law review in the field of commercial law. In addition, of the 58 student-edited law reviews established since 2010, the William & Mary Business Law Review is the second most cited journal, trailing only the Harvard National Security Journal.

1 in 9 Law School Applicants Applies to William & Mary

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by Law School Staff

W&M one of only eight law schools nationally to have increase in applications this year

In a year when applications to law school have sharply declined nationally, William & Mary is proving to be a popular destination for aspiring law students.

The Law School’s Office of Admission has received 5,846 applications for seats in its J.D. Class of 2016, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to last year. It is the third-highest number of J.D. applicants in the school’s history.

According to data compiled on April 5, 2013 by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), applicants to law schools have declined by almost 16 percent nationally this year, and by 40 percent over the past three years. William & Mary, according to LSAC, is one of only eight of the nation’s almost 200 law schools to report an increase in applications this year.

“We are very pleased to see this level of interest in William & Mary, the nation’s oldest law school,” said William & Mary law dean Davison Douglas.  “This strong response from law school applicants across the country reflects the quality of our education, our strong national reputation for producing excellent lawyers, and a more affordable price than many of our peer schools. ”

One out of every nine applicants to law school in the United States has applied to William & Mary, according to the Law School’s Office of Admission.  Associate Dean for Admission Faye Shealy, who has directed the school’s admission program since 1982, says that this is the largest percentage of the law school applicant market that William & Mary has ever captured.

“We constantly strive to educate not only good lawyers, but good citizens and effective leaders,” Shealy said. “We work hard to promote this citizen lawyer ideal along with all the program strengths offered here. I believe this increase in applications is evidence that William & Mary is an attractive option for discerning students seeking quality legal education.”

Public Service Fund Auction

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by Sarah Lambert, 2L- Public Service Fund Co-Chair

psfThe Public Service Fund is a school organization and non-profit that raises funds to provide summer stipends to students with unpaid public service internships. We are a large group of students that have a variety of interests: some of us are all about public service, while others are more interested in providing the rest of the school with memorable social events. Our corporate goal, however, is one: raise money for students and alumni whose path lies with public service.

Throughout the year, we host fun social events to raise money for students. The largest one by far is our annual auction. Some of your most memorable moments at William & Mary Law School will involve Auction. It is a melding of a traditional auction and a “talent” show, where everyone sees a friend or two get up on stage to show off their spirit. Sometimes that spirit is pure talent and other times it is pure fun. This year we had everyone from Law Capella (our law school a cappella group) to a dance number by our 1L “Backstreet Boys.”

Our Auction items are unlike any other you will find. We have almost every student service known to man listed on there – everything from garden services to fresh handmade espresso beverages for a week. Perhaps the most interesting type of items we have is our evenings or experiences with professors! When you win these, you get to spend time with your favorite professors outside of the academic setting. We also have more traditional auction items, such as tickets to events or packages at a reduced price.

At the end of this years Auction I drove off with my small car stuffed to the brim with remnants of the festivities: plastic cups, leftover pizza, and gift baskets galore. I did not yet know how well we had done, but I knew that this was the Best Auction Ever. Later we found out we raised over $34,000 for the students and alumni of William & Mary Law School, more than we ever have in our recorded history!

I can’t wait to see you there next year!

A 3L’s Williamsburg Experience

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Zac is a 3L at William & Mary Law School.  He has a B.S. in Physics from Tufts loudenUniversity.  Zac worked at a pharmaceuticals company before coming to law school.  After graduating this May, he will begin his career in Washington, D.C.

As a current 3L at William & Mary Law School, I first moved to Williamsburg in August of 2010.  I quickly learned that Williamsburg has its quirks.  For example, a man dressed in traditional colonial garb is perfectly suited for Colonial Williamsburg.  However, that same man is ever so slightly out of place when dining at a local restaurant, pumping gas, or picking up a carton of milk at the grocery store.

I may have noticed Williamsburg’s quirks rather quickly, but it has taken me a full two-and-a-half years to appreciate the town’s other offerings.  The first thing that comes to mind is my apartment.  I came to William & Mary Law School with my dog in tow, so I knew I needed off-campus housing.  Williamsburg, being a college town, has a housing option for every situation.  Students can live in the Gradplex (on-campus housing offered by William & Mary), apartment complexes, townhomes, and even single-family homes.  All of these housing options are within walking distance.  I found a perfect single-family home with a fenced-in backyard from which I can bike to school through Colonial Williamsburg.  I will be very disappointed to leave what has become my home when I move to Washington, D.C. in the fall.

Another great feature of Williamsburg is the food.  For being such a small town, Williamsburg offers nearly every type of cuisine imaginable.  I can be eating Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Korean, BBQ, sushi, or steak after just a five-minute drive from my apartment.  My fiancée and I enjoy the local BBQ joint so much that we have decided to have them cater our wedding.  I should also note that my friends love the local KFC buffet.  I had never even heard of a KFC buffet before moving to Williamsburg, but now no other KFC franchise will ever compare.

Lastly, Williamsburg has plenty to offer in terms of recreational activities.  My fiancée and I love to kayak, bike, bowl, and watch movies at the local Movie Tavern, which is an amazing establishment that crosses a movie theater with bar fare.  Williamsburg also has a decent nightlife that focuses on several neighborhood bars.  For me, Williamsburg is the perfect blend of city and country.

Think Law School is All Time Consuming? Think Again!

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Stefanie Swift

Stefanie Swift

Anyone that has the idea that law school consumes all of one’s time hasn’t met William & Mary students engaged in a wide variety of activities.  For example, Stefanie Swift, one of our 3Ls, recently launched OrderUp Williamsburg, an online clearinghouse for placing take-out and delivery orders.  It’s a clever idea and profitable way to spend a few of those cherished non-study hours.

Stefanie’s business venture was recently featured in the Virginia Gazette. We wish her the best of luck with this new enterprise!

Experiences and Opportunities in Election Law

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shanaShanna Reulbach is a 3L from Rochester, New York.  She double majored in political science and history at the State University of New York at Geneseo, graduating in 2010.  Shanna is a Graduate Research Fellow and the senior articles editor of the Law Review.

I am a 3L at William & Mary, and I have had the wonderful experience of being a Graduate Research Fellow (GRF) for all three years.  As a college student, I majored in political science and history and ran an organization dedicated to campaign finance reform.  I was interested in elections, and William & Mary stood out to me during the law school application process because it sponsored election law fellows through its GRF program.  I applied for the Election Law Fellowship and had the great fortune of becoming one of two GRFs to the Election Law Program.

The Election Law GRF position afforded me incredible research opportunities in the field I was passionate about starting on my first day as a 1L.  Professor Rebecca Green, co-director of the Election Law Program, had me maintain a blog page on campaign finance on the Election Law Society’s website, assist in researching one of her academic articles, and participate in the planning of election-related moot court events that gained national attention.  All of these projects were very interesting and enjoyable, and they helped me develop research and writing skills early on in my law school career.  Furthermore, the skills and subject-matter expertise I developed have helped prepare me for job interviews and summer internships.

Another great benefit of GRFing is that it enables students to form a relationship with a professor outside of the classroom.  Professor Green has been a fantastic mentor during my three years and provided invaluable help in securing both of my summer internships—at the Brennan Center for Justice and the Virginia State Board of Elections.  Being familiar with my personality and work product, she was able to make phone calls and write recommendation letters for these positions and for clerkships.  And when opportunities for extracurricular projects have come up, Professor Green has generously offered to allow me to participate.  Through her efforts, I am currently researching and drafting a report on election delays for the American Bar Association and providing research support to the recently created Presidential Commission on Election Administration.  These are tasks I never dreamed law students would be tackling when I came to William & Mary, but I am so grateful that the GRF program is in place to enable students to learn beyond the classroom.

GRF was a big part of why I decided to come to William & Mary, and now I also view it as one of my most rewarding law school experiences.  The tuition reduction and living stipend made law school more affordable, and I do not think I could have gotten such in-depth familiarity with the field of election law at any other institution.  I have enjoyed my time as a GRF and believe that what I have learned, and the relationships I have established with the GRF community, will continue to be of value years beyond graduation.

Externship Leads to Career!

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rachelRachel Procopio is a third-year student at William & Mary Law School.  She graduated from Susquehanna University in 2010 with her Bachelors of Science in Biology.  Rachel is a Graduate Research Fellow, the Senior Articles Editor of the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review, and the co-chair of the law school’s Bone Marrow Drive Committee.

I did not know it at the time, but deciding to apply for an externship at Rawls McNelis + Mitchell for the spring of my 2L year was the best career decision I have ever made.  When I walked into my interview with Mr. Ed McNelis in the end of November 2011, I was unaware that the twenty-minute interview would lead to my first full-time position as an attorney.

The summer after my 1L year, I worked in-house for a healthcare system in Pennsylvania.  Because I wanted to work at a firm doing civil litigation, I began interviewing for various summer associate positions during my 2L fall.  I knew that pursuing an externship with a law firm would compliment the skills I had gained during my summer experience at the hospital.  In pursuing an externship, I hoped to tweak my abilities and set myself apart in the search for a job in the private sector after graduation.

The externship opportunity with Rawls McNelis + Mitchell immediately caught my eye when it was posted on the Office of Career Services job website.  The firm is a healthcare boutique in Richmond, specializing in medical malpractice defense.  Medical malpractice was an area of law that I was especially interested in working in, and I thought that my experience in healthcare would set me apart from others applying.   My assumption was correct, and I was chosen for the externship.

Working as an extern at Rawls McNelis + Mitchell was a great learning experience.  I traveled to Richmond every Friday during the spring, and I was able to work on a variety of projects for several different attorneys.  I helped attorneys draft motions, I wrote memos, and I researched.  I was also lucky enough to be able to witness the firm’s attorneys in action by attending depositions and sitting in on conference calls with clients.  I worked as hard as I could as an extern, and took on many assignments even when I was not in the office.  About six weeks into my externship, I received an offer to return to the firm as a summer associate.  I returned for the summer in May, and I have not stopped working for the firm since.

On July 27, 2012, the last day of my summer position, I accepted an offer to work at Rawls McNelis + Mitchell after graduation.  I am ecstatic to be joining the firm in August, and very happy that I decided to pursue the externship that led to this incredible opportunity.