Public Interest 2014: Thoughts, Anxieties, Experiences... Forum

[BlueLotus]

Well, Skadden was due today and EJW has been turned in for some time now. Let the waiting begin.

Good luck!

I didn't even bother with Skadden. Other than the fact that don't have the grades/LR, I think their criteria and priorities are rather anti-public interest. Why give nearly all the fellowships to YHS folks who go to schools with their own well-established and well-funded fellowship programs?

/rant

[crumpetsandtea]

Ditto. Interviewing for fellowship sponsors still...IDK what I'm going to do if I don't get a sponsor. It's already so late in the game for EJW fellowships, I'm freaking out.

I feel ya. Still haven't locked down a fellowship sponsor and it's pretty late in the game now.

I didn't start until early July and didn't apply to as many as I should have. I have only had like 2 interviews. 1 of them didn't do any lit work and the other I'm still waiting to hear back from. I REALLY REALLY hope I get it, its in a location I want for a PA that I want. They've had many EJW/Skadden fellows in the past so they know what they're doing. ): I would be really sad if I just couldn't find anything and as a result I couldn't apply for fellowships at all.

Did you hear back from that fellow sponsor, crumps?

Yes, but nothing good unfortunately. Looks like my primary hope for employment now is going to be either individual fellowships (lol) or gov honors/clerkships (double lol). I do have a few interviews coming up but I'm pretty much freaking out right now.

[BlueLotus]

^I too struck out on finding a fellowship sponsor, crumps.

It's too early to freak out, though! 99+% of PI gunners are still in the Vale. You got this.

Are you applying to PD/DA/Legal Aid, too? Idealist, PSJD, and the BYU Jobbank are good sources of such entry-level openings.

[crumpetsandtea]

Oh no I'm so sorry!!! ): ): *HUG*

The trouble with PD/DA for me is that I have 0 WE with criminal law (and it was my worst grade 1L year). DIdn't know about the BYU jobbank though, thanks for the tip. I think I'm going to do a [preferred practice area] boutique firm mass mail as well. I'm just really nervous about the fact that I'm relying primarily on fedgov and clerkships, since I'm not exactly LR/top 10% material and those positions are very competitive.

[tiymay]

Well, Skadden was due today and EJW has been turned in for some time now. Let the waiting begin.

Good luck!

I didn't even bother with Skadden. Other than the fact that don't have the grades/LR, I think their criteria and priorities are rather anti-public interest. Why give nearly all the fellowships to YHS folks who go to schools with their own well-established and well-funded fellowship programs?

/rant

I wasn't going to do Skadden, but my sponsoring org said if we're doing the EJW app might as well do Skadden, so I did. The entire Skadden process is quite opposite of most everything else in the public interest world. I'm just hoping something pans out, definitely not holding my breath for Skadden!

[BlueLotus]

Oh no I'm so sorry!!! ): ): *HUG*

The trouble with PD/DA for me is that I have 0 WE with criminal law (and it was my worst grade 1L year). DIdn't know about the BYU jobbank though, thanks for the tip. I think I'm going to do a [preferred practice area] boutique firm mass mail as well. I'm just really nervous about the fact that I'm relying primarily on fedgov and clerkships, since I'm not exactly LR/top 10% material and those positions are very competitive.

crumps, for individual fellowships, did you use a 1 page resume? worldtraveler recommends 2 pagers, so I am not sure which to use, as that goes against conventional wisdom.

[Holly Golightly]

Oh no I'm so sorry!!! ): ): *HUG*

The trouble with PD/DA for me is that I have 0 WE with criminal law (and it was my worst grade 1L year). DIdn't know about the BYU jobbank though, thanks for the tip. I think I'm going to do a [preferred practice area] boutique firm mass mail as well. I'm just really nervous about the fact that I'm relying primarily on fedgov and clerkships, since I'm not exactly LR/top 10% material and those positions are very competitive.

crumps, for individual fellowships, did you use a 1 page resume? worldtraveler recommends 2 pagers, so I am not sure which to use, as that goes against conventional wisdom.

I think it depends on whether you have enough to make it worth more than one page. My resume is two pages, but I have significant pre-law school work experience and for PI jobs I wanted to highlight my relevant clinic/externship experience. If you have trouble filling the space, don't bother trying to make it longer. But if you have enough to make it 2 pages, especially if it's to talk about things relevant to the position/fellowship you're applying for, then go for it.

[crumpetsandtea]

Oh no I'm so sorry!!! ): ): *HUG*

The trouble with PD/DA for me is that I have 0 WE with criminal law (and it was my worst grade 1L year). DIdn't know about the BYU jobbank though, thanks for the tip. I think I'm going to do a [preferred practice area] boutique firm mass mail as well. I'm just really nervous about the fact that I'm relying primarily on fedgov and clerkships, since I'm not exactly LR/top 10% material and those positions are very competitive.

crumps, for individual fellowships, did you use a 1 page resume? worldtraveler recommends 2 pagers, so I am not sure which to use, as that goes against conventional wisdom.

I used 2 pages so that I could fit on my non-profit/grassroots work from college as well as an extended section on my community involvement/volunteer work.

[BlueLotus]

Thanks! I was a bit torn because the overwhelming TLS conventional wisdom is that 2 pagers are unacceptable. I suppose they must be in BigLawl, but not so much in public service.

[dresden doll]

Thanks! I was a bit torn because the overwhelming TLS conventional wisdom is that 2 pagers are unacceptable. I suppose they must be in BigLawl, but not so much in public service.

One pagers are still preferred. Definitely don't make it two pages unless there's a good reason for it.

[BlueLotus]

Thanks! I was a bit torn because the overwhelming TLS conventional wisdom is that 2 pagers are unacceptable. I suppose they must be in BigLawl, but not so much in public service.

One pagers are still preferred. Definitely don't make it two pages unless there's a good reason for it.

Yeah, I'm only using the 2 pager for fellowships; for regular staff attorney jerbs I use the one pager. I am several years out of undergrad, so I feel justified in using the 2 pager in certain circumstances.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know much about the NYC Law Department?

[BlueLotus]

Anyone know much about the NYC Law Department?

The Shitboomers running it graciously offer a competitive Volunteer Postgraduate Fellowship.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/law/html/career ... ship.shtml

Unpaid internships are bad enough, but this is just exploitation.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know much about the NYC Law Department?

The Shitboomers running it graciously offer a competitive Volunteer Postgraduate Fellowship.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/law/html/career ... ship.shtml

Unpaid internships are bad enough, but this is just exploitation.

I'm asking about the 2L summer it's not unpaid, its housing + $500 a week...

[BlueLotus]

Anyone know much about the NYC Law Department?

The Shitboomers running it graciously offer a competitive Volunteer Postgraduate Fellowship.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/law/html/career ... ship.shtml

Unpaid internships are bad enough, but this is just exploitation.

I'm asking about the 2L summer it's not unpaid, its housing + $500 a week...

Deadline is March 1, 2015.

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM:

The Office seeks 40-50 1Ls and 2Ls for its paid ($500/wk, free housing for eligible out-of-town interns), 9-week (early June to early August; full commitment required) Summer 2015 Honors Program. In 2014, 44 interns were hired from 2,200 applicants. Interns are assigned to 1 of 17 divisions, with emphasis on placing 2Ls in divisions most likely to hire post-graduation entry-level attorneys (Tort, Family Court, Special Federal Litigation, Labor and Employment, General Litigation, Environmental, and Commercial and Real Estate Litigation). The Summer Program is the principal hiring mechanism for new attorneys; in 2013, 17 of 20 2L interns received offers for permanent employment. Interns may conduct depositions, prepare motions, interview witnesses, assist with discovery, draft appellate briefs, and assist attorneys in preparation for trial. They tour City facilities, such as NYPD Firearms Training Facility; attend Shakespeare in the Park; and spend an evening at the Mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion. Each intern is assigned a mentor and participates in a weekly seminar program featuring speakers such as the Police Commissioner, Deputy Mayors, and federal and state court judges.

The Law Department is the third largest law office in New York City, employing 690 attorneys distributed among 10 offices and 17 divisions. It represents the City, elected officials, and numerous agencies in all civil litigation, as well as juvenile prosecutions brought in Family Court, and Administrative Code enforcement proceedings brought in Criminal Court. Attorneys provide legal counsel on a wide range of issues, including education, immigration, judicial selection reform and environmental policy.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

Preference for candidates with demonstrable interest in hands-on trial-level litigation and prior work experience in the public sector.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

2Ls should apply via law school OCI if possible. All others submit cover letter (including division preference), resume, writing samples (see website for requirements), and law school transcript between Aug. 1, 2014 (Dec. 1, 2014 for 1Ls, but not before Fall semester grades are received) and Sun., Mar. 1, 2015. Applications are reviewed on a Rolling Basis. In-person interviews are required and most offers will be extended by late March.