The second annual ABA Law Student Division Career Fair will kick-off the Division’s portion of the ABA Annual Meeting.  This one-day Career Fair provides a unique opportunity for law students to meet with representatives from law firms of all sizes, state and federal government agencies, public interest, and non-profit groups for summer and new associate positions, as well as internships and volunteer opportunities.

The Career Fair is structured as a table-talk and resume submission event to provide law students an opportunity to learn more about the firm or agency, while actively gaining valuable career advice. 

The resume review portion of the Career Fair will feature a panel of career professionals and legal recruiters to critique resumes and offer suggestions to maximize impact and effectiveness to ensure a great first impression.

Below is a preview of Career-related programming taking place over the course of the Annual Meeting. Your registration fee to attend the ABA Annual Meeting includes admittance to the Career Fair, all Law Student Division events, and most CLE programming sponsored by ABA entities.

Thursday, August 7

12:00 Noon to 1:15 pm
Joining and Excelling in a Firm (Luncheon)
Sponsored by the Section of Law Practice Management
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
Gain insights into the practical aspects of law firm practice.  Panelists will not only explain to students the finer points of practice in the core areas of marketing, management, technology, and finance, but will also arm students with knowledge of how to excel in their first positions as law firm associates.

12:00 Noon to 1:15 pm
Careers in Labor and Employment Law (Luncheon)
Sponsored by the Section of Labor and Employment Law
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
If you are considering a career in Labor and Employment Law, meet with leading labor and employment lawyers who will share their diverse perspectives on labor and employment law and their real-life experiences practicing on behalf of management, unions, and plaintiffs or serving as government attorneys and neutrals.  Not only will you learn about the extremely varied career options open to labor and employment lawyers, you will receive concrete practical advice on how to get into the area that interests you, whether it is a big firm practice, a union legal staff, a boutique management or plaintiff’s firm, or a federal regulatory agency.

Friday, August 8

12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Nonlegal Careers for Lawyers (Luncheon)
Sponsored by the Law Student Division
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
Learn what you can do with your law degree, besides practice law. In this session, the authors of the book by the same name lead you step by step through the process of assessing the special skills that legal training provides, choosing a nonlegal career, and conducting a nonlegal job search. In addition, they provide you with essential information about a variety of careers in business.

Saturday, August 9

8:30 am to 10:00 am
Judicial Clerkships:  Navigating the Federal Clerkship Hiring Guidelines and Developing Skills to Succeed on the Job
Sponsored by the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division
Westin Times Square Hotel
A clerkship is the most prestigious job available after graduation and is considered to be the capstone of a legal education.  It is the method by which many notable legal professionals and scholars have embarked on their careers.  Very few other achievements or accomplishments are as noteworthy as a judicial clerkship.  In recent years, the federal judiciary has implemented a revised hiring process to assess judicial clerkship candidates.  What do law students need to know about application timing, the use of OSCAR, and how to enhance their application?  Additionally, for those students who have obtained clerkships, what skills should they continue to develop or acquire prior to commencing their service at the court?

9:00 am to 10:30 am
Pathways to Employment in International Law
Sponsored by the Section of International Law
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
Lively and informative discussion where practitioners in all stages of their legal careers, from various backgrounds and in a wide range of practice areas recount their job search struggles and strategies and give law students and young lawyers insider advice on how to market themselves for the international legal market today and avoid common pitfalls. Not a panel you should miss if you are planning to move into or around in any part of the field of international law and transactions!

10:15 am to 11:45 am
How to Get a Job in a Small Firm
Sponsored by the General Practice, Solo and Small Firms Division
Westin Times Square Hotel
Gain insights into the practical aspects of law firm practice. Panelists will not only explain to students the finer points of practice in the core areas of marketing, management, and finance, but will also arm students with knowledge of how to excel in their first positions as law firm associates. Talking points will include the market for legal services, mentoring, billing and fees, bringing in clients, leadership development, developing your practice, and the path to partner.

10:45 am to 12:15 pm
Going Solo—Starting Your Own Firm
Sponsored by the Section of Law Practice Management
New York Marriott Marquis Hotel
Starting your own solo practice or small firm may seem daunting.  But, it is feasible and rewarding.  Panelists will describe their experiences in starting and managing their own small firms and will discuss with students what it takes to start a firm and make it succeed.

Tell me more about Career-Related Programming during the Annual Meeting

ABA Annual Meeting
August 7-12, 2008
New York, NY

• Law Student Division Annual Meeting Information
• Career Fair and Annual Meeting Registration and Housing Information

Law students who wish to participate in the Career Fair must register for the ABA Annual Meeting. There is no need to register separately for the Career Fair. However, only law students wearing official ABA Annual Meeting badges will be admitted to the Career Fair.

The Annual Meeting registration fee is $75. If you did not pre-register for the meeting by July 9, 2008, you will be required to register onsite at the meeting. The onsite registration fee for law students remains at $75. The ABA Annual Meeting Registration Desk will open in New York at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 7 at the Hilton New York Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the Americas.

For hotel accommodations, if you miss the July 9 deadline for submitting your request, you must then wait until July 25 to make your hotel reservations directly with the ABA hotel of your choice; however, published rates and availability cannot be guaranteed.

Your $75 registration fee to attend the ABA Annual Meeting includes admittance to the Career Fair, all Law Student Division events, and most CLE programming sponsored by ABA entities.

Career Fair and Annual Meeting Registration and Housing Information