Contents
 

Feature: 
  • 10 Resume Tips That Will Lead You to the Top of the Pile
  • Alumni Mentor Program for First Year Students, apply by 10/13
  • Access MAX Kick-Off Workshop, 9/21
  • American College of Employee Benefits Counsel Law Student Outreach
  • New job postings 
  • Featured Posting: U.S. SEC, apply by 10/17
  • 2L Interview Opportunities
  • Lawyering for Social Justice, 9/26
  • Rappaport Fellowship Information Session, 10/17
*Satisfies Suffolk Professional Development Requirement
  • 2017-2018 MBA Welcome Back Member Reception, 9/27
  • Developing Mentors to Guide Your Career, 9/28
  • What I Wish I'd Known in Law School, 10/4
  • Law Student Welcome Reception, 10/4
  • ABA Forum on Construction Law 2017 Fall Meeting, 10/4-6
  • Becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney Panel, 9/21
  • What It's Like to Be Legal Counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority, 10/2
Feature
10 Resume Tips That Will Lead You to the Top of the Pile

  1.  One page. Legal resumes should not exceed one page unless the applicant has 6+ years of professional experience (post-undergrad). On rare occasions, a law student's resume may exceed two pages. Remember, lawyers want applicants that write concisely and can prioritize relevant experiences.
     
  2. Versions. You should prepare different versions of your resume depending on the targeted employer. Private sector, public sector, and judicial clerkship resumes highlight different skills and experiences.
     
  3. Font frenzy. For legal employers, the tried and true fonts are still Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Georgia, Helvetica, and Times New Roman.
     
  4. Objective statements. Do not include an objective statement at the top of your resume. Don't give up valuable real estate with vague assertions that could apply to anyone.
     
  5. Uniformity. If your job titles are in italics, then be sure they all appear that way. Use consistent spacing between sections. Do not alter fonts or font sizes. Do not give the employer a headache.
     
  6. Be specific. How many times can a legal employer read "Conducted legal research and drafted legal memoranda on criminal and civil matters"? Give details on the issues that you researched. Believe it or not, lawyers get excited to talk about specific legal issues in an interview.
     
  7. Skills. Draft job descriptions highlighting skills developed and responsibilities held that relate to the position to which you are applying.
     
  8. Courses. Upper-level students should list selected coursework in their chosen fields of interest. If you do not have legal experience in those areas, it is a simple way to show employers that you are focusing your course of study in particular practice areas.
     
  9. Networking. Consider adding a Professional Associations or Community Involvement section. Legal employers expect students to show a tie to the community in which they intend to practice.
     
  10. Interests. List activities or interests in which you are recently involved. This section can provide points of connection between you and an interviewer. But, be specific - there is a big difference between "Travel" and "Traveled Southeast Asia for 2-month backpacking trip".
Reminder: 1LD students must upload their resume to Symplicity by Friday, September 29th. 
Announcements
What's New?

  • Alumni Mentor Program for First Year Law Students: For new lawyers, nothing is more valuable than advice and guidance from an experienced attorney. As a Suffolk Law student, you enjoy the benefit of joining one of the largest and most engaged alumni communities in the legal profession.  Suffolk's Alumni Mentor Program pairs first year law students with volunteer alumni mentors who provide students with critical guidance, advice and assistance building their professional network.  We encourage you to sign up for the program today by completing the  online registration form  (registration deadline is October 13). Participating students will be paired with an individual alumni mentor, practicing in a specialty area of interest when possible, and be sent their mentor's contact information early next month. 
     
  • SFS Invites 1L Students to the kick off workshop for a new law student focused, financial literacy program, MAX, by AccessLex!  This fall Student Financial Services (SFS) at Suffolk is launching the MAX program, a free, multi-faceted, personal finance curriculum designed exclusively for law students by AxcessLex Institute . MAX was developed using input from over 5,000 law students and administrators from over 40 law schools, including Suffolk, during a 9-month 2016 pilot study.  An Access MAX Kick-Off Workshop will be held for 1L students on Thursday, September 21st, Sargent Hall, Room 205, from 2:00 to 3:00pm.  
     
  • The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel ("ACEBC") offers a way to connect interested law students with ACEBC members for purposes of asking questions about employee benefits as a practice area.  Law students can find out what day-to-day practice is like from an experienced employee benefits attorney. It's a challenging and enjoyable practice area -- they will share what they have learned and answer students' questions. Their  website includes a link with details on how students can participate .  If you interested in talking with an ACEBC member about employee benefits practice, you should send an email (to [email protected] ) with your name, law school, email address, and phone number.You may specify interest in a particular type of practice, such as in-house, government, law firm, not for profit, or teaching. The information will be passed to an ACEBC member who will contact you. ACEBC members have agreed to one email exchange or telephone exchange about the area that you have selected (although, of course, you and the volunteer may agree to more discussions). Also, the discussion with the volunteer is intended as informational only - it is not a job interview, and you should not use the Law Student Outreach as a vehicle for seeking employment by contacting members.
     
  • CareerBuzz  is the weekly PCD student newsletter. CareerBuzz will be emailed to all students on Tuesday afternoons and will also be archived on  Symplicity (in the News Feed). Most items will not be repeated in future issues, so be sure to read CareerBuzz every week to keep updated on all career-related news and information.    
Hiring
career fairs
Who's Hiring?

  • View this week's list of job postings.
     
  • Featured Posting: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is recruiting for their 2018 2L Student Honors Legal Program. See Symplicity job posting #18261 for details and apply before October 17th.
     
  • 2L Interview Opportunities: There are still a few employers that will be interviewing 2LD/3LE students at Suffolk for summer 2018 positions. (1) Berluti McLaughlin & Kutchin is hiring summer law clerks. Apply through Symplicity job posting #18329 before Wednesday, September 20th. (2) Deloitte Services is hiring summer tax interns. Apply on Symplicity by 10:00am on Thursday, September 21st under the OCI5 session. (3) Prince Lobel Tye LLP is interviewing for summer associates. Apply on Symplicity by 10:00am on Wednesday, October 4th under the OCI6 session. (4) Iron Mountain has paid summer legal intern positions available. Apply through Symplicity job posting #18366 before Tuesday, October 31st.
     
  • Please notify Michelle Dobbins in PCD if you receive a callback interview or offer. The feedback is appreciated. 

SuffolkWhat's Going On At Suffolk?
  
  • Lawyering for Social Justice - Tuesday, September 26, 5:30 to 7:00pm, Boston University School of Law, Barristers Hall, 765 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. Join law students from Massachusetts to hear from lawyers about the rewards and challenges of zealously advocating for disenfranchised communities and defending civil liberties and get advice for preparing yourself for this important work. Keynote speaker: Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. Open networking and reception with drinks and hors d'oeuvres to follow. Sponsored by the Massachusetts Law School Consortium. RSVP on Symplicity.
     
  • Rappaport Fellowship Information Session - Tuesday, October 17, 3:00 to 4:00pm, room 265. Each summer the Rappaport Foundation selects a group of outstanding Massachusetts 1L and 2L law students who are interested in public service for the Rappaport Fellowship. The program includes a paid summer internship with a state or local government agency that is engaged in public policy issues relevant to the Greater Boston region. Fellows also meet in weekly summer seminars on legal and policy issues in Greater Boston, approaches to policymaking, and career development, and are matched with an accomplished lawyer, government official or legal scholar as a mentor. This information session will include application details and stories from past fellows. RSVP on Symplicity. 

NetworkingWhat Else is Hapenning?
  
  • 2017-2018 MBA Welcome Back Member Reception - Wednesday, September 27, 5:30 to 7:30, MBA. Join the Massachusetts Bar Association for a "Welcome Back" Member Reception. Relax, mingle and create invaluable relationships with fellow MBA members as they kick off the new association year. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided. RSVP 
     
  • Developing Mentors to Guide Your Career - Thursday, September 28, 4:00 to 7:00pm, BBA. This panel discussion and reception is aimed to help law students and young attorneys develop strategies to  identify mentors and sponsors. Panelists will share their own experiences, discuss the importance of mentors and sponsors as well as tips for how to identify and cultivate them, and answer questions from audience members. The follow-on reception will then allow for a more informal networking opportunity. RSVP 
     
  • What I Wish I'd Known in Law School - Wednesday, October 4, 4:00 to 5:30pm, BBA. Don't miss your chance to hear from practicing law attorneys as the share what they would do if given the chance to do law school over again. This program is for ALL law students from 1L to 3L, and from LLMs to evening students. Get advice about exploring different specialties, securing internships, making good impressions with professors, meeting practicing attorneys, and getting to know your fellow classmates. They'll also touch on study skills, because strong academics are IMMENSELY important for every student's future, but this program will focus more on the "soft skills" you need outside of the classroom to set you up for a great career in the law. Bring YOUR questions! RSVP before September 25; space is limited. 
     
  • Law Student Welcome Reception - Wednesday, October 4, 5:30 to 7:00pm, BBA. After the panel at 4:00pm, meet fellow students, mingle with practitioners, and learn about your free school-sponsored student membership at this BBA reception. RSVP before September 25; space is limited.
     
  • ABA Forum on Construction Law 2017 Fall Meeting - October 4-6, Westin Copley Place, Boston. The conference will be focused on construction contract documents including an in-depth comprehensive look at the updates to the 2017 suite of AIA contract documents.  Attendees will benefit from the information and variety of perspectives the Forum and its expert presenters will share. It is a wonderful opportunity for networking with construction lawyers and consultants from around the country.  The ABA Forum on Construction Law welcomes the participation of students of diverse backgrounds in all of their programs and offers a special law rate ($65 for full conference registration).  Attending a Forum on Construction Law program is a terrific way for students to explore this area of practice and network with experienced practitioners.   Register 

DiversityDiversity and Inclusion                                 
  

  • Becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney Panel - Thursday, September 21, 6:00 to 7:00pm, MBA, 20 West Street, Boston. The Massachusetts affinity bar associations, together with the Massachusetts Bar Association, are co-sponsoring and hosting a panel about "Becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney." Panelists will include the Honorable Denise Casper and AUSAs Kelly Lawrence, Young Paik, Doreen Rachal, and Nick Soivilien. There will be time after the panel for attendees to mingle and ask more questions of AUSAs. RSVP: [email protected]
     

  • What It's Like to Be Legal Counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority - Monday, October 2, 12:30 to 1:30pm, BBA. The Massachusetts Port Authority invites members of the legal community to come hear from its General Counsel, Catherine McDonald, as well as it Director of Diversity & Inclusion/Compliance, Kenn Turner, to learn about the exciting and unique legal work of the Authority, which includes pioneering efforts in the fields of real estate development, maritime and aviation, among others, and resulting impact the Authority has on supporting diverse and inclusive businesses and communities. Co-sponsored with the affinity bar associations. RSVP
Links
Links


Suffolk University Law School
Professional & Career Development Office
120 Tremont Street
Boston, MA  02108-4977
Phone:  617-573-8148
Fax:  617-573-8706
Office Hours:
Monday through Thursday - 8:45am to 6:00pm
Friday - 8:45am to 4:45pm

Walk-in Hours (during academic year only):
Monday through Thursday - 5:00 to 6:00pm
STAY CONNECTED: