Originally published in Student Lawyer magazine, February 2006 (Vol. 34, No. 6). All rights reserved.

LIAISON NOTEBOOK

Liaison Notebook includes reports of Law Student Division members who represent the Division in the ABA's practice-related sections, divisions, forums, and other entities. For information on how to become a student liaison, visit www.abanet.org/lsd/elections and scroll down to "Liaisons."

Lead and Earn Writing Prizes With Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section

by Parrish Lentz

The ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) is the only national professional group to bring together plaintiffs’ lawyers, defense lawyers, and insurance and corporate counsel for the exchange of information and ideas. The section has more than 27,000 members and 36 general committees that focus on substantive and procedural matters.

A fantastic way for law students to become involved in a substantive practice area is through the TIPS Law Student Vice Chair Program. Almost every one of the committees has a law student vice chair who is selected to serve a one-year term.

TIPS does not provide funding for these positions, but vice chairs are welcome to attend all TIPS meetings. You may be able to encourage your law school dean or SBA to fund your travel to a TIPS meeting, and limited scholarship funds are available from TIPS as well.
The ABA Law Student Division also appoints four law students to funded liaison positions to the TIPS standing committees of Law in Public Service, Long-Range Planning, Diversity in the Profession, and Council.

These opportunities give students practical experience in working with a committee, where they can also develop and foster relationships with lawyers who practice in a particular area of law. Applications for these positions are due March 15. For more information, please visit www.abanet.org/tips/lawstudent.

Also of interest to law students is the TIPS annual Law Student Writing Competition, which encourages and rewards law students who write on legal subjects of general and current interest. Law students should submit papers that address a current topic in a legal area covered by one of the section’s substantive law committees.

The first-place winner receives $1,500 cash, plus paid air and hotel accommodations to the ABA Annual Meeting, which will be held this year in Honolulu. The second-place prize is $500 cash. Entries must be submitted on or before March 6. For more information, please visit www.abanet.org/tips/lawstudent.

Even if one of these opportunities is not for you, you can join TIPS and receive wonderful benefits, including subscriptions to publications. Law student membership is free, so what are you waiting for?

Parrish Lentz, a student at Stetson University College of Law, is the ABA Law Student Division’s liaison to TIPS Council.

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