Tag Archives: Alumni

Alumni

Come Network at the JaxBar’s Monthly Luncheon!

The next Jacksonville Bar Association’s monthly luncheon will be on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at noon at the Hyatt Downtown, 225 E. Coastline Dr.  The program this month features Terence C. “Terry” Coonan, who is the executive director of Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. He leads the multidisciplinary center’s efforts to educate and train a new generation of human rights advocates, track human rights issues and serve as an advocate for human rights nationally and internationally. Professor Coonan has served as the Managing Editor of the Human Rights Quarterly. He also has worked at the Department of Justice in the Executive Office of Immigration Review, litigated asylum and immigration cases nationwide, and has worked on various United Nations human rights projects.

To attend, email cortiz@jaxbar.org to make a reservation.  Be sure to mention that you are a student and whether you are a Bar Association Member.  If you aren’t a member, request to attend as a guest and simply pay for your meal, but remember, joining the Jacksonville Bar Association as a Student Member is only $25 a year and entitles you to attend all luncheons and many other events for free.

 RSVP deadline:  1:00 p.m., Monday, March 4, 2013. 
JBA Member $ 0.00
Non-Member $ 40.00
 

Marine JAG Corps Opportunity!

Marine JAG Corps Coming to Campus!

Are you interested in learning about a legal career in the military?  The Marine JAG Corps hasn’t visited our campus in a few years, but this semester they are coming back!  Mark your calendars for Monday, February 25th when you will have more than one opportunity to meet and talk to representatives from the Marine JAG Corps. Learn about the benefits of being a Marine JAG, the application process, the commissioning process, internship opportunities and any other burning questions that you have!

Come to an open information session in Room 420 at 10:00-10:30 a.m. or 2:00-2:30 p.m. or stop by their table in the Atrium at Noon! Be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity!!

Resume Workshop–February 14th

 

Is Your Resume Flawless?  Are You Sure? Join the Career Services Department on Thursday, February 14th at Noon in Room 455 for a Resume Workshop. CSD Counselor Ray Adams will review what makes a legal resume stand out and how to get noticed (in a good way) among the sea of applicants! 

 

Stay a step ahead of your competition and learn some new tips. Even if you think your resume is perfect, a quick refresher is always a great idea!  Make sure to bring your computer to work on your resume while you learn!

 

Pizza and refreshments will be served. RSVP through Symplicity or First Semester 1Ls can send an e-mail to careerservices@fcsl.edu.

 

Consider a Family Law Practice

Most people go to law school because they want to help people, argue in court, or work on sophisticated legal issues.  Most do not belief a family law practice offers that, but they are mistaken.  Helping individuals resolve problems, in contrast to making corporations more money, can be very fulfilling and will show you directly how your legal knowledge and skills can make a difference in someone’s life.  Family law is also a very litigation based practice.  Depending on the jurisdiction you practice in, there should be numerous opportunities to make court appearances, argue motions, or try the whole case, in the event negotiations are not successful.  While many family law cases do not involve sophisticated legal issues, some do, and in those cases, you will be called upon to understand and argue complex business as well as family law issues.  Because you will be dealing directly with people, you will also need a working knowledge of real estate, bankruptcy, will and estates and perhaps even criminal law. 

Because 40 to 50 percent of American marriages end in divorce, long term prospects in this field are excellent.  Family law can and is practiced in every jurisdiction as well.  Family law is not for everybody, but if you want to help people and be in the courtroom, this area may be one for you to consider.

Consider a Tax Law Practice

Tax law deal with the rules, policies and laws that oversee the tax process and can involve charges on estates, property, transactions, income, licenses and more by the government. This area is extremely complex and ever changing, so an attorney practicing in this field must be on top of his game and continually keep up with all the amendments to the tax law.  There are also many entities that are entitled to collect taxes, from the Federal level to the city or township level.  The Federal tax practice has its own court and is a very detailed practice. 

As a tax attorney, you may represent clients in tax disputes or may assist clients to navigate the intricate laws.  If you are interested in this field, you could explore the option of getting your LLM in Taxation, which may give you an edge in your job search.

Consider a Real Estate Practice

Real Estate or Property law covers a lot of ground and often overlaps with Contract Law.  It is regulated by federal and state statutes, as well as common law and encompasses more than just land and structures on that land.  It can also involve interests people may have in the land, the air above the land, drilling rights, or rights to live on the property.

While primarily a transactional field, there may be occasions when a real estate attorney may appear in court to handle zoning disputes or to represent a client threatened with foreclosure, for example.  Of course, attorneys in this field also deal with related issues like landlord-tenant issues, title issues, home loans and foreclosures and more.  It is a very complex area further complicated by inconsistent laws throughout cities and states.

Consider a Bankruptcy Practice

Due to the current market conditions, bankruptcy is one of the hottest legal fields in our nation and is continuing to grow.  Bankruptcy lawyers represent creditors and debtors in financial restructurings, workouts, and bankruptcy cases, therefore the attorney must know the bankruptcy code as well as understanding mergers and acquistitions, corporate and securities, real estate, employment law and regulatory practice.

Bankruptcy is really a hybrid between litigation and transactional practice, so the practitioner should be skilled in both drafting documents as well as being able to argue them successfully.  Writing skills are a necessity for drafting the pleadings, motions, and other documents the bankruptcy attorney will use daily.  Because bankruptcy law is economy driven, now is a great time to find your opportunity in this field.

Interviewers’ Pet Peeves

So, you’ve landed an interview for a position and you want to be prepared.  Make sure, then, to avoid things that may jeopardize your chances. 

1.  Showing up late.  If being late is unavoidable, make sure you call and explain the reason.  Do not, though, run behind due to your lack of planning–it implies you will not be able to make deadlines and is unacceptable to employers.  Plan ahead, figure out where the interview is located and get an early start.

2.  Lack of preparation.  This is the single biggest complaint of interviewers and indicates to them that you may not be ready for the responsibillities of the position.  Make sure you have copies of your resume, have researched the position and the firm, and are dressed appropriately.

3.  Dressing inappropriately or wearing too much perfume/cologne.  Please consult the Career Services Handbook for tips.

4.  The inability to answer multiple questions or failing to answer the question asked.  This is where preparation comes into play–if you have researched and prepared some answers in advance to possible questions, you will not be caught off guard.  If you don’t know the answer, say so, and let them know that you will find out the answer.  With regard to failing to answer the question asked–practice your listening skills and during an interview directly answer the question asked, do not go off on tangents.

5.  Talking too much.  While you are probably nervous, answer the question at hand and then stop unless encouraged by the interviewer to go on.

6.  Lack of eye contact.  Again, everyone understands you are nervous, by you must greet the interviewer with a handshake, a smile, and eye contact.  This eye contact should continue for the duration of the interview.  Practice if you have to.

7.  Not having questions ready to ask the interviewer.  Nothing says lack of interest more than you not having a few well thought out questions ready to ask your interviewer.

Upcoming Webinar

This Thursday, December 20th from 1pm-2pm (EST), the Career Services Department’s Ray Adams will present “Electronic Job Searches, Postings and More!”  This will be the last installment of the 2012 Alumni Webinar series and will focus on different resources you can use in your job search.  The webinar will cover everything from writing firms to job posting websites.  You can register here.

Does Your Resume Need An Update?

Resumes are often a law firm’s first glimpse of you, so it is important to make a great first impression!  For example, it is a myth that your resume must include every single job experience you’ve ever had.  A resume is your opportunity to highlight experiences that are relevant to the job to which you are applying.  As such, you should carefully select jobs which were meaningful and which reflect the skills and abilities needed to perform the position you are seeking.  Including too many experiences can overshadow the more important ones.  Ask yourself what the experience demonstrates about you and whether it is necessary for this position.