The Office of Career Planning

Welcome
Events
Employment Overview
For Employers
Walk-In Hours

The Office of Career Planning provides a broad range of programs to help students and graduates as they explore career opportunities while also serving employers both nationally and internationally.

OCP encourages and helps guide students to look broadly at all the opportunities a Michigan Law education makes possible. We're here for our students even before they become our students: our emphasis on one-on-one counseling begins during the admissions process and continues long after our students become our alumni.

Students at Michigan Law have always enjoyed a wealth of opportunities, even in a difficult economy. Nonetheless, in response to the most recent economic downturn—from which we are now emerging—we concentrated enormous amounts of institutional attention on expanding the tremendous services we provide to our students. Our most dramatic step was to merge the Office of Public Service and Office of Career Services into a single entity, the Office of Career Planning (OCP), to facilitate students' exploration of opportunities in a variety of practice settings, and to allow us to build and develop all elements of our existing well-rounded programs. The coordinated approach that the reorganization allows reflects the reality of our students' careers, which are more often a melding of multiple opportunities than a strict division between private and public. Our new structure allows us to more effectively help students focus on both long- and short-term goals, and also facilitated the following improvements:

the hiring of additional counseling staff, with resulting expanded counseling hours and diversified expertise
increased career-planning and networking programming
development of post-graduate and summer-funding opportunities that allow individuals to enter into new markets
ever-increasing use of our powerful and broad alumni base
expanded outreach to new employers outside our traditional network

Throughout the academic year, the Office of Career Planning offers a speaker series covering a variety of topics and designed to help students explore their career options, translate individual legal interests into professional paths, and analyze the latest market trends. Past programs are available on our Archived Programs page.

Callback Interviews
Date: 8/16/2013
Time:12:10pm-1:00pm
Location: Holiday Inn Near the University of Michigan, Student Lounge
Description:

Hear* (MP3 file) OCP Attorney-Counselor Gary McGinnis will provide students with information on how to schedule and prioritize callback interviews. View presentation slides.
EJW Conference & Career Fair Meeting
Date: 9/9/2013
Time:12:00pm-12:55pm
Location: 0220 South Hall
Description:
Come learn about this opportunity to meet 100+ public service employers on October 25th & October 26th in DC! Alyson Robbins (Public Interest Director) and 3Ls who were there last year will answer your questions about why you should attend, how to make the most of the event, the travel reimbursement from OCP, and more!
Public Service Kick-Off (2Ls and 3Ls)
Date: 9/12/2013
Time:7:00pm-10:00pm
Location: Mike Steinberg's home
Description:
2Ls and 3Ls: Please join Mike Steinberg (Legal Director at the ACLU of Michigan) and Alyson Robbins (Public Interest Director) at the Public Service Kick-Off for dinner and catching up with the MLaw Public Service Community! Mr. Steinberg's address will be sent to the public service email group (PIMichLaw) prior to the event. See you there!
Introduction to Career Planning for Graduate Students
Date: 9/17/2013
Time:11:55am-12:50pm
Location: 138 Hutchins Hall
Description:

Listen to* (MP3 file) OCP Staff Kimberly LeClair and Tammy Sindlinger provide an introduction to the OCP resources and services available to Law graduate students, including how to schedule counseling appointments and how to view and apply to our Symplicity job listings.
Navy JAG Informational Session
Date: 9/18/2013
Time:11:45am-1:20pm
Location: 1060 South Hall
Description:

Hear* (MP3 file) LT Celena Burkhart give an informational briefing to students about the opportunities with Navy JAG. The session will start at noon.

*Although the United States Armed Forces have recently revised their employment policies and practices (specifically, through the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”), their policies continue to discriminate on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. Current federal law, however, effectively prevents the Law School from applying its anti-discrimination policy to military recruiters, including those for the Judge Advocate General Corps. The fact that military recruiters are here in no way reflects the Law School’s endorsement of their discriminatory employment practices.
Clerkship Kickoff 2013 for 2Ls (and 3Ls!!!)
Date: 9/18/2013
Time:12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:

Judicial clerkships are found in federal and state courts and include trial and appellate levels. In addition, there are a number of federal and state specialty judges and courts - bankruptcy courts, magistrate judges, and tax courts are just a few of these. Listen to* (MP3 file) a panel of UMLS alumni will describe their experiences clerking for a variety of judges and answer questions like: Why Clerk? What is the difference between clerking for an appellate judge and a trial judge? Is it worth clerking if I don't want to litigate? Can I obtain a clerkship if I'm not Law Review or a journal?
Bar Information Meeting
Date: 9/23/2013
Time:11:55am-12:50p.m.
Location: 100 Hutchins Hall
Description:

Hear* (MP3 file) Deans Baum and Zearfoss provide information on the bar exam application process, multi-state and state portions of the bar exam, bar review courses, and character and fitness consideration. Sponsored by the Offices of Career Planning and Student Affairs.
3L Job Search Strategies
Date: 9/24/2013
Time:11:55am-12:55pm
Location: 1020 South Hall
Description:

There's a job out there for everyone (even if it doesn't feel like it) and you are not alone in your 3L Job Search! Listen to* (MP3 file) Gary McGinnis and Alyson Robbins talk about putting yourself in the best position to get a great postgraduate job -- in private practice, with a non-profit, or in government! View presentation slides (PDF document).
Patent Bar Exam Information Meeting
Date: 10/1/2013
Time:12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: South Hall 1020
Description:

Hear* (MP3 file) Mark Dighton of the Practising Law Institute discuss the Patent Bar Exam and provide information on the latest changes to the exam. Co-Sponsored by the Office of Career Planning and the Intellectual Property Student Association.
Introduction to Judicial Clerkship Applications
Date: 10/2/2013
Time:12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: South Hall 1225
Description:
All 2Ls considering judicial clerkship should attend to hear* (MP3 file) Professor Joan Larsen, Faculty Clerkship Advisor, and Greta Trakul, OCP Clerkship Advisor, discuss timing, materials, and other considerations for Federal and State judicial clerkships.
Texas Partners Panel
Date: 10/7/2013
Time:11:45am-1:00pm
Location: South Hall 1020
Description:
Listen to* (MP3 file) a panel of Texas alumni (co-sponsored by the Office of Career Planning and Development and Alumni Relations) for student to learn of opportunities in Texas.
Introduction to Career Planning for 1Ls
Date: 10/9/2013
Time:11:55am-12:55pm
Location: 100 Hutchins Hall
Description:

Hear* (MP3) Gary McGinnis, OCP Attorney-Counselor and Alyson Robbins, Public Interest Director, give an introduction to the resources and services provided by OCP and an overview of the 1L job search. View presentation slides (PDF).
Resume and Cover Letter Workshop for 1Ls
Date: 10/10/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:

Listen to* (MP3 file) this workshop instruct 1L students on how to write a legal resume and cover letter. Counselors familiar with both public and private sector employers will share helpful tips and examples of good (and not-so-good) resumes and cover letters. Two sessions offered - students should attend one or the other. View presentation slides (PDF document).
Careers over Coffee: Prosecution Careers with Joan Kripke ('86), Attorney with the Illinois State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor Office
Date: 10/10/2013
Time:3:00pm-4:00pm
Location: 3209 South Hall
Description:

Joan Kripke ('86) has been a prosecutor with the Illinois State Attorney Appellate Prosecutor Office since May 1996. She is excited to talk to students interested in government careers in general and prosecution careers specifically. She will be in Ann Arbor next week and has agreed to meet with a group of students. Care to join her? Please RSVP to Katie Ulivi, kmrus@umich.edu. Sign-ups will be on a first-come, first-serve basis!
Resume and Cover Letter Workshop for 1Ls
Date: 10/16/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:

Listen to* (MP3 file) this workshop instruct 1L students on how to write a legal resume and cover letter. Counselors familiar with both public and private sector employers will share helpful tips and examples of good (and not-so-good) resumes and cover letters. Two sessions offered - students should attend one or the other. View presentation slides (PDF file).
CANCELLED - Nuts & Bolts for Successful Clerkship Applications
Date: 10/17/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: South Hall 1225
Description:
CANCELLED.....
Careers Over Coffee: Starting your own firm with Audrey Gaynor ('86), of Audrey Gaynor and Associates, P.C. (Chicago)
Date: 10/18/2013
Time:1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: 1050 South Hall
Description:
Audrey Gaynor ('86) started her own firm in Chicago in 1998, Audrey Gaynor and Associates, P.C. which specializes in all aspects of family law (divorce, child custody, pre nuptial agreements, domestic violence cases). She is happy to talk to students about the path to starting your own law firm and family law practice. For more information on the firm please see:http://www.gaynorlaw.net/ Please RSVP to Katie Ulivi, kmrus@umich.edu. Sign-ups will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Careers in Entertainment Law
Date: 10/18/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:
Come hear* (MP3 file) Michael J. Kump ('81) of Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert LLP talk about the different types of entertainment practices (transaction vs. litigation) and strategies on how to get jobs with these types of firms. Mr. Kump has represented everyone from the Kardashians to Shaquille O’Neal. Co-sponsored with the Entertainment and Media Law Students Association.
Public Service 101
Date: 10/22/2013
Time:12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: 1020 South Hall
Description:
Listen to* (media file) Alyson Robbins, Public Interest Director, and Robin Kaplan, Government Advisor, to learn about careers in public service! We're talking civil rights, financial regulation, prosecution, indigent defense, domestic violence, human trafficking, immigration, child welfare, education, housing, poverty law, reproductive justice, environmental law, etc.! This program is for 1Ls who want to learn about working for government agencies and non-profits and resources to support your public service job search. Start with this introduction and then join OPIS at 1L Job Night at 6pm! View presentation slides (PDF).
Careers in Intellectual Property
Date: 10/24/2013
Time:11:55am-12:55am
Location: South Hall 1020
Description:
A panel of attorneys will discuss the various career paths for students interested in Intellectual Property law.
Guided Tour of OSCAR/OCP Judicial Database
Date: 10/24/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: South Hall 1225
Description:
Hear* (MP3) the OCP Judicial Clerkship Team give a demonstration of the Federal OSCAR application system and the OCP Judges Database for students (or graduates) planning to apply for 2015 post-graduate clerkships. View presentation slides (PDF file).
Letters of Recommendation for Judicial Clerkships
Date: 10/31/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:
You've lined up your recommenders for judicial clerkships...now what? Hear*(MP3 file) The OCP Clerkship Team will explain everything you need to know in order to get these letters prepared and into chambers! We will walk you through the process and show you various resources and forms you will need to utilize. Come with questions! View presentation slides (PDF).
1L Summer Jobs in the Private Sector
Date: 11/4/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1020 South Hall
Description:
Hear* (MP3 file) attorney-counselor Gary McGinnis and the Office of Career Planning discuss 1L summer jobs in the private sector. We will cover resources and best practices for finding and applying to law firms of all shapes and sizes and in-house counsel internships. See program presentation slides (PDF).
Inside Chambers: How to find a Judicial Internship
Date: 11/6/2013
Time:12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:
Hear* (MP3 file) what it's really like to work inside chambers for the summer. A panel of current students who have recently interned for a judge will give their inside perspectives. In addition, Clerkship Advisor Greta Trakul will give instructions and tips for how to find and apply for these terrific opportunities.
From Summer Associate to 5th Year Associate: Charting Your Success in Big Law
Date: 11/7/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:
Hear* (MP3 file) Michigan Law alumni from Chicago talk about their experiences going from law school to successful mid-level associates in BigLaw and how to get there. Panelists include: Nicole Allen ('08), associate at Jenner& Block, Ryan Babiuch ('08), litigation associate at Kirkland & Ellis, and Mitchell Holzrichter ('08), Associate at Mayer Brown. Zingerman's Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by November 5th.
Career Talk with Seth Oppenheim ('03), Robert Bosch Foundation Fellow and current Associate Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice
Date: 11/11/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1020 South Hall
Description:
Listen to* (MP3 file) Seth Oppenheim ('03) talk to students about the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program, a unique program designed to provide 15 fellows to study and work abroad, including German language training and a customized work placement. Mr. Oppenheim will also talk about his career path in national security and international law. He is currently an Associate Deputy General Counsel at The U.S. Department of Justice. He has also worked as a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State, an Associate Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Defense, a Policy Advisor at the Institute of International Finance, and as an Attorney at the International Criminal Court - Cour Pénale Internationale. Mr. Oppenheim was a Fulbright Scholar for two years in Vienna after his year as a Bosch Foundation Fellow.
Interviewing Workshop for 1Ls
Date: 11/12/2013
Time:12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: South Hall 0225
Description:
Hear* (MP3 file) the Office of Career Planning's Interviewing Workshop cover the dos and don'ts of interviewing as well as tips and examples for handling the most common (and most terrifying) interview questions like a pro.
Application Tips Roundtable for 2Ls/3Ls
Date: 11/13/2013
Time:11:50pm-1:10pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:
This mixer is for 2Ls who are applying for clerkships to meet and talk application strategy and tips with 3Ls who have already accepted judicial clerkships. Bring your application questions (such as how to make a list of judges or choose a writing sample) and hear what worked, and what didn't from students who have already gone through this unique application process. Please RSVP to sindling@umich.edu by 11/12/13.
Clerkship Applicant Meet and Greet with Faculty Assistants
Date: 11/19/2013
Time:12:00pm-12:50pm
Location: 1020 South Hall
Description:

Clerkship applicants for 2015 are invited to introduce themselves to the Faculty Assistants who will be processing your letters of recommendation requests. Lunch will be provided.
Career Strategies: What is this thing called NETWORKING and why do I need to know?
Date: 11/21/2013
Time:11:50am-12:50pm
Location: 1225 South Hall
Description:

All students are invited to hear* (MP3 file) Al Cotrone, Ross School of Business Chief Administrative Director (and former Director of Career Development) speak about networking: what it is, how to conquer your fear of it, and how it can help you find the job of your dreams.
U.S. Air Force JAG Informational Session
Date: 12/4/2013
Time:12:00pm-2:00pm
Location: 1050 South Hall
Description:
Major Ernest Calderon from the U.S. Air Force JAG will be on-campus to meet with students about employment opportunities. This informational session is informal and students are encouraged to stop by at any time. There are opportunities for 1L, 2L, & 3L students. For more information, please visit http://www.airforce.com/jag/. Students are encouraged to review the materials on the website prior to the informational session. *Although the United States Armed Forces have recently revised their employment policies and practices (specifically, through the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”), their policies continue to discriminate on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. Current federal law, however, effectively prevents the Law School from applying its anti-discrimination policy to military recruiters, including those for the Judge Advocate General Corps. The fact that military recruiters are here in no way reflects the Law School’s endorsement of their discriminatory employment practices.
Early Interview Week Orientation
Date: 3/26/2014
Time:12:00pm-1:00pm
Location: 100 Hutchins Hall
Description:
Assistant Dean Jeremy Bloom will discuss policies, procedures, and deadlines for Early Interview Week 2014 which will be held August 7, 8, 11, and 12th.

The reputation and global reach of Michigan Law means that, after you complete your education, there is virtually no limit on where you can go, and the fact that our students come from all over the country and abroad makes for a rich and eclectic educational climate. Click on the links below to see which states our students come from, to which states they go after graduation, and the kind of work our graduates do. Attending Michigan Law will allow you to go anywhere geographically, and the Office of Career Planning will help you explore and obtain jobs in a broad range of practice settings, whether in private practice, government, public interest, judicial clerkships, or legal academia.

The Michigan Law Difference

Employment Statistics

Employment data generated by NALP, the Association for Legal Career Professionals, and based on annual information that the Law School reports to NALP. More...

Fellowships

For over seven years, Michigan Law has offered Postgraduate Fellowships to help provide a bridge to full-time, permanent legal employment for our graduates. More...

List of Employers

What kinds of jobs do MLaw grads get upon completing law school? See a complete list of the initial employers for students graduating in the classes of 2010, 2011, and 2012. More...

+ View More Employment Statistics

Employers Interviewing on Campus
During Early Interview Week (EIW) in August 2013, almost 500 employers from 36 states, Washington, D.C., and five foreign countries conducted almost 5,000 interviews with our students. Approximately 380 of our 2L and 3L students participated in this program. In addition to EIW, we offer a smaller on-campus program in the fall. Beyond on-campus interview opportunities, almost 1,100 other employers from throughout the United States contacted the Law School last year to post job openings and to request student resumes. Nearly all of the American Lawyer Top 100 firms, the American Lawyer Global 100 firms, and the American Lawyer list of Best Places to Work firms visit the law school or request resumes of Michigan Law students.

Listing an Employment Opportunity
If you have not posted a position with Michigan Law in the past, please follow these four steps to register and submit a job opportunity within Symplicity. Please note - if you are submitting a resume collect, you will need to follow the same steps below and select "yes" for resume collect near the end of the job posting process:

Please go to this link: https://law-umich-csm.symplicity.com/employers/
Click on "Register and Post Free Local Job."
Please fill out the form as completely as you are able, and hit "Next" at the bottom of the page.
You will be directed to the job posting page, where you can fill out and submit a new position posting (if you are submitting a "resume collect", be sure to select "Yes" for that field near the bottom of the page).

Please feel free to contact our office at lawcareers@umich.edu or 734.764.0546 if you have any questions, and thank you for thinking of our school!

Our Recruiting Programs
We are thrilled to announce that our 2014 Early Interview Week (EIW) will be held in the Lawyers Club (the Law School's student dormitory, and part of the Law Quadrangle), making it truly "on-campus interviewing" for the first time in more than decade! Our 2014 Early Interview Week (EIW) is scheduled for Thursday-Friday, August 7-8th and Monday-Tuesday, August 11-12th. Employer registration for EIW will begin on Monday, March 10, 2014 via Symplicity. Dates for EIW will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be aware that last year the most popular dates filled up in literally just a few hours after registration was open -- so needless to say, we strongly encourage early registration if you have a specific date in mind.

We also offer on-campus interviewing in the fall and winter. Our Fall On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) Program will be September 18, 19, 25, and 26 and October 2 and 3, 2013. Our Recruiting at Michigan - Fall OCI (PDF) has instructions and registration information. Employer registration for Fall OCI will begin in July, 2013 via Symplicity.

Our Winter On-Campus Interviewing Program is in February each year. Dates for our 2014 Winter Interview Program are February 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27, 2014. Our Recruiting at Michigan - Winter OCI (PDF) has instructions and registration information. Employer registration for Winter OCI will begin in November, 2013 via Symplicity. Of course, arrangements may be made to interview at other times of the school year if it is more convenient.

Our listing of Ann Arbor hotels (PDF) contains street addresses and phone numbers for local accommodations.

For more information or questions, please email Kim LeClair, Recruitment Manager, at kleclair@umich.edu.

Videoconferencing Services
Employers interested in arranging student interviews using our videoconferencing system should contact Kim LeClair at kleclair@umich.edu for more information.

Student Directories
The Office of Career Planning compiles two student directories each year for distribution to employers who may wish to contact University of Michigan Law School students directly. Each directory includes student name, anticipated graduation date, local and permanent mailing addresses, email address, and undergraduate/graduate schools and degrees received.

Our First-Year Student Directory, comprising exclusively of first-year law students, is typically available in late November. Our Second- and Third-Year Directory comprises rising second- and third-year students and is typically available in early June. To request a Student Directory as a PDF, please email Tammy Sindlinger at sindling@umich.edu.

NALP Directory of Law Schools Information
View our 2013 questionnaire, available as a PDF.

Discrimination Complaints
Please see our memo from Dean Mark West on procedures for handling discrimination complaints.

Our Counselor Walk-in Hours:
Walk-in counseling is for quick questions, 10 minutes or less in nature.

Carolyn Spencer, Attorney-Counselor: 10:00am-11:00am, Monday-Friday

Pyper Logan Alpern, Attorney-Counselor: currently on maternity leave until mid-January 2014.

Greta Trakul, Attorney-Counselor and Judicial Clerkship Advisor: 11:00am-12:00pm, Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday.

Gary McGinnis, Attorney-Counselor: 2:00pm-3:00pm, Monday-Friday

Alyson Robbins, Public Interest Director: 3:00pm-3:30pm, Monday-Friday

Robin Kaplan, Attorney-Counselor and Government Advisor: 3:00pm-4:00pm, Monday-Thursday

Contact Us

The Michigan Law Difference

Employment Statistics

Fellowships

List of Employers