by Kristen Pavón

One of my favorite inspirational quotes is “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid” — although, I’m pretty sure that that’s a paraphrased version of the actual quote…

Regardless (or irregardless if you’re from Miami — have you seen this youtube video?! I won’t link to it here because, well, it’s not appropriate — but google it, it’s hi-larious!), it’s a quote that, in this economic climate, should really be put to use.

In an article on National Law Journal by Ari Kaplan, author of Reinventing Professional Services: Building Your Business in the Digital Marketplace, explains that he was given the advice to “be bold” by Richard Susskind when he asked how he could expand his career opportunities in 2012. Here’s a snippet of what Kaplan wrote:

I have spent much of the past two months considering the meaning of boldness, both personally and professionally. The idea intimidates me, but also reminds me of trying to meet Secretary of State Warren Christopher in 1996 while working in the Office of Foreign Missions during my second summer of law school.

I simply walked into his office suite and asked his assistant whether he was free. Our conversation went something like this:

“Hi, I’m Ari Kaplan, is the secretary available?”

Confused pause.

“Who are you?”

Signature smile [a cross between Seinfeld’s Kramer and Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura].

“Yes, I’m Ari Kaplan, I work here.” [Badge connected to the traditional Washington silver ball chain hanging from my neck swings proudly.]

“Who?” [a common repeat question in the sitcom that is my life].

Less confidently, “Ari Kaplan.”

She stands with authority.

“Excuse me.”

She walks away.

I can’t believe this is going to work. What a great story. Why are these people watching me?

She returns. “I’m sorry the secretary is busy.”

Undeterred. “I just want to introduce myself; I work here.”

Unpersuaded. “I’m sorry.”

Dejected. I walk away.

The nearby guard enjoying the dialogue asks: “Where are you from?”

“Brooklyn,” I respond.

He laughs. “You’ve got chutzpah, kid.”

Sure, trying to get in an impromptu meeting with Secretary Warren Christopher didn’t work out for Kaplan, but so what? His story resonated with me because nothing bad happened to him after trying his luck. A piano didn’t drop from the ceiling onto his head because he took a bold step that didn’t work out the way he hoped it would.

So, I guess I’m saying — take a leap. Make bold moves for the sake of your career because you never know what will come of it.

Yesterday, my colleague and I went to a discussion on legal pipeline programs. One of the speakers, Veta Richardson, shared a story with us about how a risky choice paid off early in her career.

During her second year of law school, she came across a paid internship with Sunoco. By the time she applied, the 5 spots were already filled. Regardless, Richardson wrote a letter to Sunoco’s general counsel and told him that she would work in the legal department for the summer for free if he would just give her a shot. Well, he did. And at the end of the summer, she was one of the two interns who were offered permanent positions.

Thoughts? How have you been bold lately?

By: Steve Grumm

Most folks think of “public interest law” as an arena filled by nonprofit and government organizations.  But many law firms (typically smaller ones) also have robust public interest practices even though they work on a for-profit basis.  Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the practice of a civil rights firm, and perhaps nowhere are civil right firms more prevalent than in Washington, DC.

A brief piece in yesterday’s Post looked at the popularity of civil rights careers in for-profit firms, government, and in the nonprofit arena.

The Washington region is a magnet for civil rights lawyers in the public and private sectors. Civil rights careers are sprinkled throughout the Beltway, and according to a count on LinkedIn, some 211 people have civil rights in their job titles in the region. The Justice Department employs 393 civil rights attorneys and 48 paralegals, a spokesman said.

“I think there are jobs for people who want them, in D.C. especially,” said [Jennifer Klar, a former Biglaw attorney who now works with a boutique civil rights firm], noting that most government agencies have civil rights offices and many lawyers and others work in civil rights areas for the Justice Department.

Many 20- and 30-somethings seem “really interested in these types of positions,” said Lisa Mottet, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s transgender civil rights project director. Over 10 years, she has worked with 40 legal interns; about seven of them continue to work in the LGBT civil rights movement, she said.

By: Steve Grumm

Happy Friday, dear readers.  I often begin bulletins with my attempts at humor because the content that follows can be disheartening to public interest advocates and other access-to-justice stakeholders (to say nothing of those who visit our blog while on the public-interest job hunt).  The lightheartedness is meant as a sort of preemptive counterbalance.  However, it’s tough to lead with humor today because the bulletin’s first (and biggest) story is of survey results about staff losses in civil legal aid.  So we’ll dispense with a whimsical anecdote – which, today, would have centered on my recent introduction to yoga and why yoga is an enhanced interrogation technique – and get right into the news.  (For those law students among the readership, I close this week’s bulletin with some thoughts about keeping your chins up and navigating a poor employment market.)      

This week:

• LSC-funded programs forecast continuing layoffs in 2012;
• making the business case for legal services can get the state legislature’s attention;
• IOLTA shortfall’s impact in the Evergreen State;
• Legal Aid of Arkansas’s fiscal woes;
• the New Orleans public defender’s office is running on financial fumes;
• Vivit lingua Latina.  Lexis Nexis and Lex Mundi forge a pro bono partnership;
• the Hispanic National Bar Association launches a pro bono program serving vets;
• harnessing technology to enhance pro bono in Virginia.

Here are the summaries:

• 1.26.12 – the Legal Services Corporation has released results of a grantee organization survey focused on anticipated staff layoffs in 2012.  The news is perhaps not surprising; yet it is quite disheartening.  From LSC: “According to the survey, LSC-funded programs anticipate laying off 393 employees, including 163 attorneys, in 2012.  The reductions continue a staffing downturn that began about a year ago. In December 2010, LSC-funded programs employed 4,351 attorneys, 1,614 paralegals and 3,094 support staff. During 2011, LSC programs reduced their staffing by 833 positions through layoffs and attrition. They now anticipate a new round of layoffs this year, bringing the staffing loss to 1,226 full-time personnel.”

• 1.26.12 – something a bit more uplifting: when legal services programs make the case about the economic efficiencies of supporting their work, legislatures do listen.  From a Boston Globe op-ed: “A study by [the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation] estimates that legal aid boosted the state’s economy by $53 million last year through federal benefits won and state costs saved.  Those numbers have made an impression on Beacon Hill. Legislators recently proposed upping the Legal Assistance Corporation’s $9.5 million appropriation to $10.5 million. Governor Deval Patrick’s budget plan released yesterday bumps their funding for next year to $12 million. Powers and Jourdan, among others, will be on Beacon Hill today trying to persuade legislators in the House and Senate to go at least that far.”

• 1.25.12 – from a Seattle Weekly blog, a glimpse at how IOLTA shortfalls impact legal services providers in Washington State.  If you are a law student who has heard the term “Interest on Lawyers Trust Account” (IOLTA) but are not sure how it figures into legal services funding, the article nicely explains IOLTA’s workings.

• 1.24.12 – funding cuts are causing layoffs at Legal Aid of Arkansas.  From the 4029 TV news: “Blaming cutbacks in state and federal funding, an organization that helps poor people with legal services says it will lay off eight workers and close its office in Mountain View.  Lee Richardson, the director of Legal Aid of Arkansas, tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the group won’t be able to take on as many clients as a result. The organization serves 31 counties in northern Arkansas. It’s among the groups nationwide losing money because of a $56 million cut in federal funding to Legal Services Corp.  Legal Aid of Arkansas says it will lose about $345,000 in federal funding this year. The group says it’s also lost state funding because of a shortfall in the Arkansas’ Administration of Justice Fund, which receives money from filing fees and court costs.”

• 1.24.12 – bad funding news flows down the Mississippi River.  From New Orleans news site Gambit: “The Orleans Parish Public Defender’s office was down to $36,000 in the bank and may be unable to make its payroll this month, according to chief parish public defender Derwyn Bunton and Louisiana Public Defender Board Chairman Frank Neuner, who reported the budget problems at a Jan. 18 meeting of City Council’s Criminal Justice Committee. According to Bunton, the immediate financial problem results from an alleged failure by the New Orleans Traffic Court to hand over monthly indigent defendant fees, which were due Jan. 10.  Even if that’s resolved, the office still faces a $1 million shortfall for the year and may have to lay off as many as 14 staff members, Bunton said. The office already has instituted a hiring freeze and suspended payments to contractors in an attempt to save money.”

• 1.23.12 – I was honored as the Latin Scholar of the Cardinal Dougherty High School Class of 1994.  And I ain’t rusty.  Here is a press release wherein I have identified at least four and perhaps more Latin words: “The Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation and LexisNexis are pleased to announce a joint collaboration to strengthen the rule of law throughout the world. Working together, these two organizations are combining their skills and resources to support and empower social entrepreneurs who are working around the world to improve the lives and communities of the poor and disenfranchised and to mobilize leaders of the global legal profession.”

• 1.23.12 – keeping with a trend, a new pro bono program serving vets (from a press release): “The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) is proud to announce the new HNBA Veterans Legal Initiative Program (“Veterans Initiative”), a new effort to provide free legal services to the men and women of the American armed services and their families.”

• 1.13.12 – in Virginia, Capital One, a handful of prominent law firms, and other pro bono stakeholders are unveiling JusticeServer, online pro bono software that is intended to increase efficiencies in pro bono delivery.  Here are the details.

More bad news than good news in this week’s bulletin.  I started producing the bulletin several months ago as a way to help public interest stakeholders, law school career professionals, and law students track developments related to funding, economic health, and the job market in the public interest arena.  I believe that it’s always better to have information, even if the information conveys bad news.  But I’m mindful that law students reading the bulletin may feel exasperated by so much bad news, particularly regarding the employment market.

It’s simply a tough time to be looking for public interest work.  But it’s important to remember two things:

• Accept what you cannot control.  Control what you can control.  Life happens and we have to react accordingly.  We are much more subject to the course of events around us than we are masters of it.  This is certainly true of the job market.  Job seekers are stuck, at present, with poor economic conditions.  You cannot control those.  What you can control is the strength of your candidacy for public interest jobs.  Because the market is so tight, now more than ever it’s necessary to makes yourselves the best job applicants possible.  Work with career services staff.  Use PSLawNet and other resources to polish your cover letters and resumes.  Do mock interviews.  Network, network, network.  I know, it may seem to some of you like trite advice.  But the strength of your candidacy for jobs is one variable you can control.  It’s a hugely important variable.  Control it.
• There Are Jobs Out There.  “If it bleeds, it leads” is the saying used to convey the fact that bad news is what makes news.  Media will cover the laying off of 15 public defenders much faster than they will cover the hiring of 15 public defenders.  Just because most of the news you read focuses on the tightness of the job market, that doesn’t mean there aren’t jobs.  In the last week we posted 120 jobs on PSLawNet.  There are over 1100 job listings on the site right now.  Layoff news notwithstanding, there are jobs.  Again, the key is to make yourself the best job candidate possible.       

by Kristen Pavón

Part one of NALP & EJW’s Public Interest Summer Job Search Webinar Series went great yesterday. Part one focused on resumes and cover letters.

The whole enchilada will be available on NALP’s website soon, but I wanted to share some of the wealth right away!

1. Don’t leave out information on your resume that shows a mastery of complex tasks, even if it’s from undergrad. Mastering complex tasks is a critical competency for attorneys!
2. One option for resume formatting is to divide your experience into legal and non-legal experience.
3. Don’t leave out study abroad. It shows that you are willing to go outside of your comfort zone.
4. Be careful about adding interests to your resume. Most employers like them. It gives them a conversation starter for interviews.
5. You education section should come right after your contact information on your resume, unless you’ve been out of law school for a while.
6. Public interest resumes can be two pages long. Think about quality before thinking about quantity. Put everything on your resume at first, then omit from there.
7. Don’t include an objective portion on your resume. It’s a waste of space and unnecessary.
8. Don’t get artsy with your resume… Even if you were a graphic designer in a past life.
9. Unless an employer asks for Word documents, convert your resume and cover letter to PDF before sending them off.
10. Make sure you have a headline with your name and contact information at the top of your cover letter!
11. Don’t get cutesy in your cover letter. This means, don’t start with a quote or with something like, “I’ve waited all my life to work at so and so.”
12. In the first paragraph of your cover letter, include any connection you may have to the employer. For example, if you’ve worked there before or if an attorney who currently works there referred you to apply — put it in there.

If you thought Part One was good, wait until Part Two. Part two focuses on best practices in interviewing and in-person networking.

• Part Two: Wed., 2/1/12 at 12pm (Noon) Eastern  Reserve your Webinar seat now!

Presenters:

• Nita Mazumder, Program Manager for Law School Relations, Equal Justice Works
• Nicole Simmons, Career Counselor, The University of Texas School of Law
• David Zisser, Associate Counsel, The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

by Kristen Pavón

Introversion has been on my mind lately. A student, whose grad school personal statement I’m helping with, recently told me that she is an introvert and that as an introvert, she had a tough time adjusting to college life. It took her a while to find her niche and ways to cope with her introversion.

I haven’t taken the Myers-Briggs test in years and I can’t remember if I’m an EFNP, INFP or what, but in any case, I can understand how networking can pose a challenge to introverts.

Well, today, I came across a blog post on Harvard Business Review by Lisa Petrilli titled An Introvert’s Guide to Networking. Could there have been better timing? I think not.

You can read her entire blog here or you can purchase her book, An Introvert’s Guide here.

Here are my takeaways about turning your introversion into a career advantage from Lisa’s post and another post from Forbes.

1. Use social media to reach out.

This pre-introduction leads to a more relaxed and productive in-person connection. By reaching out, you open the door to potentially rewarding business collaborations, and you do so on your own terms.

2. Prepare before attending networking events.

Check guest lists if you can, think about what you want to learn from the attendees, come up with some things about yourself that you want to share, and have a mental list of general questions to start conversations rolling.

3. Set goals, or use Melinda Emerson’s Rule of Five

When you have set goals, it can be easier to forget how uncomfortable you are. As my husband says, Focus on the mission at hand! A good plan for networking events is using the Rule of Five:

Your target should be to secure five quality contacts at any networking event. Aiming for any more and you’ll struggle to make a real connection. Don’t be the chicken with their head cut off doing drive-by networking. Spend the time to have a real conversation, even if the person really isn’t a good contact.

4. Focus on one-on-one conversations.

Generally speaking, business events — and particularly networking events that require engaging with groups — are demanding for introverts. An antidote to this, I learned, is to seek out conversations with one individual at a time. When I approach events this way I have more productive conversations and form better business relationships — and I’m less drained by the experience.

5. Allow for re-energizing.

As I’ve learned, having to engage with groups or even a few people can leave introverts quite drained. Lisa Petrilli suggests allowing yourself 30 minutes in between commitments to recharge.

Any other tips  you’d add?

by Kristen Pavón

I read an article last week that suggested 3 iPhone/iPad apps to help with the job search, with the interview process, and then succeeding in your job. I was a bit disappointed with the options. So, I did my own research and found a few other useful apps to help out — any edge you can get, right?

1. JobMo (Android version here)

This app is similar to Indeed’s Job Search app that aggregates job listings. However, this app allows you to mark jobs as favorites, note which jobs you’ve already applied for and find and see jobs nearest to you on an interactive map. It’s free, but for 99 cents, you can get the ad-free version.

2. Interview Buzz Lite (Android version here)

This is one of the apps featured in the article I read last week. There are tons of tips for interviewing, but it’s main function is interview practice. You can choose to practice interview questions within a specific category (for example, communication skills or job performance). The app also provides answers for you! It’s free, but for 99 cents you can upgrade to the pro version.

3. Monster.com Interviews (No Android version yet)

Like Interview Buzz, Monster.com Interviews has a bank of commonly asked interview questions. However, this app gives the user tips on how to prepare for interviews, warm-ups for interview day, last-minute tips, and allows users to set reminders for following up after interviews. Also, the app includes stress relievers and a map to route your trip (a total necessity in my opinion!). The app is super user-friendly and FREE. Go ahead, download it now. I’ll wait.

4. Law Guide (Android Version here)

This app, by thelaw.com, has a pretty comprehensive law dictionary and practice area guide. You can bookmark important sections for later or find other resources through the app. The best part? It’s free!

5. LunchMeet (No Android version but there are a couple other suggestions below)

Based on the book, Never Eat Alone, this app matches you with other professionals in your area who are available to meet for lunch. It’s a great networking tool. I haven’t meet anyone for lunch yet, but I’m signed up! It uses your LinkedIn information, so signing up is simple. It’s free. Start networking!

While LunchMeet has not come out with an Android version (it’s high on their to-do list, apparently), you can try Unsocial or Meetup on Android.

Any other apps that you’d add to my list?

Next week is EJW’s last webinar in their educational debt relief series. Check it out!

Get Your Educational Loans Forgiven: Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1-2 p.m. EST

For recent graduates with jobs in government or at a nonprofit, this webinar explains how to make sure you immediately begin fulfilling requirements to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness so that your educational debt will be forgiven as soon as possible.

You will learn about:

•     The importance of having the right kind of Federal Loans

•     What you need to do to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

•     How long it will take to have your educational debt forgiven

Register here!

Also, find out more about PSLawNet & EJW’s webinar series on the summer public interest job search here.

by Kristen Pavón

So, we’ve all heard about mentorship and the benefits of having someone to talk to about your career path and help guide you about professional decisions. Well, it’s time to either a) get a sponsor or b) become a sponsor. Sponsorship kicks mentorship up about 10 notches. I had never heard of sponsorship before, but it seems like a necessary relationship to have in this job market.

My colleague, Millie Bond, wrote an article on this very topic after we attended a sponsorship session at NALP’s Professional Development Institute last month.

Here’s a teaser…

Having someone in your corner, whom you can count on to listen to your concerns and provide useful feedback, is valuable and necessary.  Most of us refer to these corner men and women as mentors.  They’re great but when searching for career advancement a corner person isn’t enough.  What you need is a promoter.  This person is able to talk about you and your work to leaders and decision makers within your organization.  These professional promoters are sponsors.

Stellings and Warren describe sponsors as people who “have power and clout, are key decision makers, provide visibility and expand networks, and are active advocates who fight for opportunities.”  In other words, your sponsor is willing and able to sing your praises and has ability to influence other decision makers and leaders within your organization.

Find out how to find or become a sponsor at NALPcomments!

The free webinars I’m sharing with you today (after all, sharing is caring) are sponsored by NELP — the National Employment Law Project and are geared for attorneys working in employment law or are interested in employment law. However, law students may also find them interesting.

Here are the deets from NELP:

Please join NELP for its upcoming January webinars. We are kicking off the new year with a two-part webinar series on targeted hiring policies, and a session on recent changes to Trade Adjustment Assistance.  See below for further details and registration information.
Legal Issues and Challenges in Crafting Targeted Hiring Policies
Co-hosted by the Partnership for Working Families
Tuesday, January 24, 2-3 PM EST  |  Click here to register!
 
The Great Recession has left deep cuts in the economies of states and cities across the country, with unemployment remaining high and jobs slow to recover.  In response, many localities are searching for ways to make smart economic development choices that will create jobs and set communities on surer economic footing. Targeted hiring policies are one way to ensure that such jobs result in career-ladder, family-supporting work for local workers.

In this webinar, you will learn about the legal issues that are important to consider when designing targeted hiring policies and agreements. You’ll also hear about issues related to different funding streams, types of projects, and  legal vehicles for advancing targeted hiring objectives.  Common myths and challenges that often present roadblocks to crafting local hiring policies will also be discussed.

Presenters:  Ben Beach, Legal Director, PWF; Julian Gross, Project Attorney, PWF. Moderated by Anastasia Christman, Senior Policy Analyst, NELP.
The Implementation and Impact of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011
Co-hosted by the AFL-CIO’s Working for America Institute
Friday, January 27, 1-2 PM EST  |  Click here to register!
 
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is a critical source of income support and retraining for workers who have lost their jobs because of globalization, and the program recently underwent a number of changes under the TAA Extension Act of 2011.  In this webinar, you’ll gain a macro-view of TAA, its impact on workers affected by trade, and an overview of changes under the Act.  You’ll also learn about state implementation issues and amendments to the IRS’s Health Coverage Tax Credit Program.

Presenters: Mike Goldman, DWP Labor Liason, MN DEED; Ragini Kapadia, Senior Economic Analyst, Working for America Institute; Laren Neatherlin, Outreach Coordinator, Stakeholder Support IRS HCTC; Debra Schlekewy, TAA Coordinator, MN DEED; Lindsay Webb, TAA Coordinator, NELP.  Moderated by Lynn Minick, Workforce Development Specialist, NELP.

Best Practices in Developing and Implementing Targeted Hiring Policies
Co-hosted by the Partnership for Working Families
Tuesday, January 31, 2-3 PM EST  |  Click here to register!
In this second session of our targeted hiring webinar series, you will hear about programmatic issues in creating and implementing targeted hiring policies on the ground.  You’ll learn about effective approaches and lessons learned in implementing targeted hiring policies for both construction and non-construction projects, as well as best practices, such as recruitment and training programs, that ensure targeted hiring policies reach local residents and result in meaningful opportunities.

Presenters: Kathleen Mulligan-Hansel, Deputy Director, PWF; Marie McKenzie, Redevelopment Project Manager, City of East Palo Alto. Moderated by Paul Sonn, Staff Attorney, NELP.

Enjoy!

Still in nascent stages, but it’s worth noting this blurb from the ABA Journal (unfortunately the link they reference is password-protected):

The State Bar of California has formed a task force that will consider requiring law grads to get practical experience with clients before obtaining a law license.

California Bar President Jon Streeter tells the Daily Journal (sub. req.) the proposal is “still a concept in its infancy.” Among the ideas that will be considered: Mandating legal residencies, similar to those required for doctors, or allowing law school clinical courses to satisfy all or part of the requirement.