If you are interested in practicing in the Clearwater/Pinellas County area and want to network and meet potential employers, colleagues and judges, Coastal students have been invited to participate in the 74^th Annual Clearwater Bar Oyster Roast as a student volunteer. 

The Oyster Roast is an event held annually by the Clearwater Bar Association where local attorneys and judges put aside the adversarial process, “kick off their shoes,” and enjoy food and drinks from local vendors.  In addition to being a great time, it can be a unique opportunity for law students to socialize with practicing attorneys and judges.

This year, as they have in the past, they are inviting law students to attend for FREE (yes, free!) if they assist with the cleanup process.  There are a limited number of volunteer spots available, so if this is something that you or your organization is interested in participating in, please contact nick@lawyergriffin.com or ryanbresler@tanneygriffithlaw.com as quickly as possible. as the volunteer spots will be given out on a first-come first-serve basis.  Please include the following in your email.

1. Name, address, and phone number;
2. Your law school;
3. Are you a student-member of the Clearwater Bar?  (We encourage all student-volunteers to sign up for the Clearwater bar Association.  There are no membership fees for student-members and this is a terrific way to connect with the local legal community)
4. Are you available for cleanup on
   1. the night of the Oyster Roast (Saturday, March 23, 2013);
   2. the morning after the Oyster Roast (Sunday, March 24, 2013); or
   3. Both?

They ask that you only offer to volunteer for time slots if you are genuinely able to attend, as they will be depending on your help.

Did you know that over 80% of law students obtain their first post-graduate position through networking contacts?

 The Career Services Department recognizes how critical networking is to your success, and to foster your networking abilities, we have launched a networking initiative targeting three key markets – Orlando, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.  The program will meet monthly throughout the year to cultivate your networking skills, and you will receive invaluable guidance from career service counselors, as wells as other students, as you work together to prepare a network of contacts in your target market.  These efforts will culminate with a networking trip to each city to attend an event sponsored by the Career Services Department with the local bar association.  Students who participated in the Networking Clubs last year gained confidence in their networking abilities and learned how to translate those skills into legal experience and job opportunities

Please join us for the next Networking Club Meeting Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 5:15 p.m. in Room 400.  Our networking clubs include students interested in developing practices in Atlanta, Orlando or Washington D.C., but the skills we are learning and discussing would benefit all students.  Next week’s meeting will focus on Informational Meetings–What they are, how to land them, and how to prepare for them.  Please plan on attending and bring a friend!