Programs, Workshops, and Speakers—
Fall 2009
September | October | November | Archives
The Office of Public Service (OPS) offers a variety of workshops throughout the academic year to help our students navigate a public service career path.
Listed below are programs scheduled for the Fall 2009 term, arranged chronologically. We also have archived workshops from previous semesters, many with digitally recorded audio. (Please note: all audio files are for Michigan Law students only and are password protected. If you are an alumnus that would like access to these resources please contact OPS.)
The Office of Career Services also has programs throughout the year that may be of interest to public service students.
Tuesday, September 1
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
Lawyers Club Lounge
Interested in government or public interest employment, but not sure what to do? Join OPS and your fellow public service students at the Public Service Careers Open House. This event is designed primarily for 2Ls but 1Ls are welcome. 2Ls and 3Ls will be on hand to discuss their job search in small, informal groups, organized by practice area.
Thursday, September 3
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
132 Hutchins Hall
Andrew Rosa, a 1994 alumnus and a trial attorney in the Chicago Criminal Field Office of the U.S. DOJ's Antitrust Division and Jill Rosa, also a 1994 alumnus, who is a trial attorney with the Civil Division of the U.S. DOJ and Professor David Uhlmann, former Chief of the Environmental Crimes Section will discuss Honors Attorney hiring (for 3Ls and those clerking) and the Summer Legal Intern Program (paid internships for 2Ls). Jill Rosa has led the Civil Division's hiring program and can speak to criteria used in hiring applicants. The application deadline for both programs is September 8, 2009.
Thursday, September 17
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
218 Hutchins Hall
(audio)
Azadeh Shahshahani, a 2004 alumnus, is the national security/immigrants' right project director at the ACLU Foundation of Georgia. Ms. Shahshahani will discuss her career path, and the classes and experiences she undertook while in law school to prepare her for her current work. She will also offer advice to students interested in civil rights and immigrants' rights work. There will be time for questions. Lunch provided by OPS.
Wednesday, September 23
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
116 Hutchins Hall
(audio)
Tim Williamson, '83, is Senior Assistant Regional Counsel and Acting Human Resources Officer for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1: New England. Mr. Williamson will discuss the Honors Attorney Program and summer internships with that office. This discussion will be held via video conference. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions of Mr. Williamson. The deadline for the Honors Attorney Program with EPA Region 1 is October 9, 2009.
Tuesday, September 29
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
116 Hutchins Hall
(audio)
The PMF Program recruits graduate students for a 2-year fellowship at various Federal agencies. Andrew Shepard, a 2008 graduate of MLS, is a 2008 Presidential Management Fellow with U.S. Department of State. The PMF Program and the Michigan Law nomination process will be discussed. All students interested in working for the Federal government should consider this Program. This discussion will be held via video conference. Applications for the PMF Program are available online between October 1 and October 15, 2009.
Thursday, October 1
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
218 Hutchins Hall
(audio) | (video) | (handout) | (powerpoint)
OPS will discuss the new Voluntary Pro Bono Pledge which asks students to commit to 50 hours of public service during their time at Michigan Law. The presentation will include a discussion of the Pledge, information on how to get involved, and a demonstration of the Pro Bono web pages. Snacks and drinks will be available.
Wednesday, October 7
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
138 Hutchins Hall
(audio)
This discussion is for anyone attending the Equal Justice Works Conference & Career Fair October 24 and 25. A panel of 3Ls that attended the Fair last year will discuss their experiences, offer up tips on making the most of the Fair, and answer your questions. There will also be information on seeking reimbursement for up to $75 in travel expenses.
Thursday, October 8
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
120 Hutchins Hall
(audio)
Worried about your job search? OPS and OCS staff members will discuss expanding your job search and other paths you should explore, and will answer your questions.
Monday, October 12
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
138 Hutchins Hall
(audio)
Ben Berkman is currently deputy director of the National Human Genome Research Institute Bioethics Core and on the Faculty of the Department of Bioethics, both at the National Institutes for Health. He is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law. Mr. Berkman is a 2005 graduate of Michigan Law and the U of M Masters in Public Health Program and received the Georgetown Center for Law and the Public's Health Fellowship upon graduation. Mr. Berkman will discuss how he got started in his career, what experiences he undertook while in law school to prepare for his current work, and advice for law students who want to do Health Law and bioethics work. Lunch provided by a grant from the University of Michigan's Center for Ethics and Public Life. Co-sponsored by Michigan Health Law Organization.
Friday, October 23
3:00 PM-4:00 PM
118 Hutchins Hall
Julia Ernst, '94, Executive Director of the Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (WLPPFP), will meet with MLS students in a small group to discuss public interest work in DC, specifically, women's issues. Ms. Ernst has served as a vice-chair of the Women's Rights Committee of the ABA Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, and as an editorial board member of Perspectives, a magazine published by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession. She also teaches an International Women's Human Rights Seminar at Georgetown University. She has previously worked as director of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues in the office of Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, as legislative counsel with the Center for Reproductive Rights, and as an environmental lawyer with Dickinson Wright, PLLC. Ms. Ernst has also served on the board of directors of the Women's Justice Center and the board of trustees of Sojourner Foundation. Space is limited. RSVP to jmjulien@umich.edu if you would like to attend.
Friday, October 30
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
100 Hutchins Hall
(audio) | (presentation slides)
Join the Office of Career Services and the Office of Public Service for an introduction to their staff and an overview of their services. Open to all 1L students.
Monday, November 2
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
218 Hutchins Hall
(audio) | (handout)
1Ls please join Assistant Dean of Public Service MaryAnn Sarosi for an introduction to the Office of Public Service (OPS). Topics of discussion include public service job search resources available through OPS and the Office of Career Services (OCS), networking, and funding for those interested in public interest or government work throughout and after law school. Please feel free to bring your lunch.
Tuesday, November 3 - Criminal Law (audio)
Tuesday, November 10 - Special Interest Work
Tuesday, November 17 - Government and Judicial Internships
Tuesday, November 24 - International Law
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
150 Hutchins Hall
1Ls, this is your chance to learn about summer job opportunities. Four OPIS job panels throughout the month of November will provide insight into summer jobs in the fields of criminal law, international law, government/judicial internships, and special interest work. Come if you want to do public interest work for the rest of your life or just for the summer. Speakers will talk for about 50 minutes, followed by questions. Lunch will be served. Contact: John Seber, jseber@umich.edu.
Choose one of the two sessions:
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
250 Hutchins Hall
or
Friday, November 6, 2009
2:30 PM-3:30 PM
250 Hutchins Hall
OCS and OPS attorney advisors will discuss resume and cover letter preparation
with a focus on the 1L job search.
Thursday, November 5
4:00 PM-6:00 PM
100 Hutchins Hall
Join OPS for a panel discussion and audience Q&A with Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, JAGC, USN (Ret.), Major General William L. Nash, USA (Ret.), and Elisa Massimino, '88, CEO and Executive Director, Human Rights First. The panelists are among the group who support President Obama's Executive Order banning torture and ordering the closure of the Guantanamo detention facility by January 2010. Join them as they discuss their work on the closing of the Guantanamo Bay prison.
Friday, November 6
12:15 PM–1:15 PM
132 Hutchins Hall
Asking yourself so just what is LRAP? Or, how do I make sure I can access the Income Based Repayment plan and loan forgiveness benefits offered through the CCRAA? And here's a big question, how do I get funding or otherwise pay my living expenses during my summer internship? MLS' Public Service and Financial Aid offices team up to present information on MLS' Loan Repayment Assistance Program, tips on budgeting, sample grant applications and other resources offered by the two offices. This session is presented with 1Ls in mind.
Friday, November 6
3:00 PM-4:00 PM
242 Hutchins Hall
2009 MLS graduate Whitney Barkley will discuss her Americorps/Equal Justice Works position with the Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ). She will also discuss the pro bono partnership between Michigan Law and MCJ, including the "KIVA in the Delta" project, the "Medicaid Early Intervention Therapies" project, and the "Extension of Worker's Compensation Benefits for Unmarried Partners" project. Students who are interested in either post-graduate nonprofit employment or hearing more about pro bono opportunities should attend. Space is limited. RSVP to jmjulien@umich.edu if you would like to attend.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
218 Hutchins Hall
Aisha Bierma, '07, is a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. Ms. Bierma started her public interest career as a Borchard Fellow in Law and Aging. She will be answering your questions and providing insight into creating your own public interest career. Pizza lunch will be provided.
Thursday, November 12
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
220 Hutchins Hall
Elizabeth Jolliffe, '89, Your Benchmark Coach, formerly of Clark Hill, will discuss how to work social business engagements including pre-event preparation, introductions, remembering names, business card etiquette, speaking with people you don't know and much more. All students are welcome. Sponsored by OCS/OPS.
Choose one of two sessions:
Monday, November 16, 2009
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
250 Hutchins Hall
or
Friday, November 20, 2009
2:30 PM-3:30 PM
250 Hutchins Hall
OCS and OPS attorney advisors will discuss interviewing with a focus on 1Ls. The workshop will cover the most common interview questions and situations in detail, and will address students' concerns.
Wednesday, November 18
12:05 PM-1:05 PM
150 Hutchins Hall
Liz Wiley, JD & MPH '07, will talk about her work in D.C. on health care reform legislation. Now in medical school at George Washington University, Liz is policy director for the American Medical Students Association and has been deeply involved in efforts to pass comprehensive health care reform. She'll share her insights and experience and discuss her unique career trajectory as well as her recent Fulbright Fellowship studying health care in Norway.
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