2011 NALP | PSLawNet Public Service Mini-Conference Recap!
Now that our annual Public Service Mini-Conference is over, we will now resume our regularly scheduled program here at the PSLawNet Blog!
The conference was a great success! On Wednesday, we hosted the Public Interest Advising 101 program for new or newish law school career advisors.
During our 101 program, panelists talked about student debt (by the wonderful Heather Jarvis), how to use PSLawNet to find PS jobs and career resources, and common challenges a public interest advisor faces in their first years on the job. In addition to the useful tips and information, the program was a fab opportunity for advisors to meet colleagues from across the country.
After PIA101, some attendees braved the nasty weather and kept the party going at the Round Robin Networking Dinners — at Zengo, Old Ebbitt Grill and Matchbox — to nosh with colleagues. Zengo got particularly high marks for tastiness and ambiance! (We’ll see, I have a reservation for tonight!)
Yesterday, at Arnold & Porter, LLC, more than 150 law school professionals and attorneys gathered for public service-focused programming.
The day started with introductions, NALP’s Public Service Section Workgroup updates, and NALP & PSLawNet updates.
Then, after presenting Felicia Cantrell, ASU Law 3L, with the 17th Annual Pro Bono Publico Award and Deb Ellis with NALP’s Award of Distinction, groups broke out for sessions on labor & workers’ rights careers, teaching professionalism and advocating public service programs within law school administrations.
After the breakout programming, everyone reconvened for a “whirlwind tour” of hot topics affecting public interest career professionals. Panelists let attendees in on some techie secrets (topsy.com, google news alerts for your name and Klout.com), talked about student debt, Uncle Sam’s attempt to streamline the federal attorney application process, best practices for employer outreach, and ABA accreditation standards.
Finally, at the end of the day, federal legal recruiters joined us for a networking reception to mix and mingle with law school career services professionals.
Were you at the mini-conference? What did you think about the programming?