More than 500 law students from across the country attended the 2008 ABA Annual Meeting in New York City in August. Leaders and other members of the Law Student Division took part in educational seminars, career enhancement sessions, and leadership training sessions while networking with other students and lawyers.

The Division’s Annual Meeting began with a Résumé Review held the day before and during the second annual Career Fair. Students had the opportunity to meet with one of the résumé reviewers (professional career counselors and legal recruiters) who advised on style, format, and content.

The complimentary Résumé Review sessions were available before the Career Fair so that students could apply changes before meeting with potential employers. This year’s Career Fair featured 32 employers representing private firms, branches of the military, and state and federal government agencies.

During the four-day Annual Meeting, student leaders attended various training sessions. Student Bar Association presidents, ABA representatives, and circuit lieutenant governors learned from successful past leaders, circuit governors, and ABA staff. Circuit roundtables and networking sessions provided forums for student leaders to learn from one another on how to improve their schools.

Division Chair Chris Sprowls presented his plan for implementing a National Veterans’ Advocacy Initiative. Current law students and former members of the military outlined a national network that partners law students with veterans service groups to provide veterans with pro bono legal services.

Five ABA sections offered sessions where students could learn more about specific areas of the law or keys to succeeding in practice. The Section of Law Practice Management sponsored two career forums, one on excelling in a firm and another on starting your own firm. The General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division hosted three sessions on judicial clerkships, getting a job in a small firm, and working as corporate counsel. The Section of State and Local Government Law hosted a networking event for law students and new practicing lawyers. Finally, the Section of International Law and the Section of Intellectual Property Law held forums discussing nuances within their specialties.

One of the annual highlights, the “Coffee with Experience” session sponsored by the Senior Lawyers Division, featured established lawyers with distinguished careers from across the country, including past ABA presidents. The participants shared their experiences and offered advice one on one to students preparing to enter the profession. Practitioners discussed current trends in the practice of law as well as tips for becoming a better advocate.

At the awards reception, the Division honored schools, individuals, and publications for excellence in service to their schools and communities. Awards included a diversity award, public interest award, SBA of the year, SBA president of the year, liaisons of the year, best magazine or newspaper award, and best feature article award. For a complete list of award winners, see page 43.

Those attending also elected four new national officers, debated and voted on seven proposed resolutions, and enjoyed the networking with fellow students and practicing lawyers in the Big Apple.

The 2009 ABA Annual Meeting will be held in Chicago July 30–August 4.

Chuck Gates, a third-year student at Washington and Lee University School of Law, is the Student editor of Student Lawyer

The Law Student Division has elected three new delegates to represent them in the ABA House of Delegates for the 2008–09 term.

At the Annual Meeting, Student Bar Association presidents and ABA representatives elected Yasmin J. Gabriel , Caitlin E. Groh , and Raju Vyas to one-year terms as Division advocates in the House of Delegates, the ABA’s main policy-making body. The three delegates also serve as voting members of the Division’s Board of Governors.

Division delegates participate in each meeting of the ABA House of Delegates, keep his or her constituency fully apprised of actions taken by the house, and serve as the voice of law students on issues of concern to law students across the country. Delegates also advocate to the house on behalf of the Division and to members of Congress on Capitol Hill during the annual ABA Day in Washington, D.C. Recent delegates were successful in advocating for legislation on federal Loan Repayment Assistance Programs, including the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

Gabriel is a third-year student at Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of Spelman College and received her master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University . As a New Orleans native, Gabriel’s experiences after Hurricane Katrina spurred her to become a vocal advocate for hurricane victims.

Gabriel hopes to focus on reducing interest rates on federal loans and improving quality of life for law students. “My goal is to allow the Law Student Division to become the torch bearers for improving loan interest rates for all students,” she says.

Groh, a third-year student at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, has served in many leadership positions, including ABA representative and on the Student Bar Association’s Executive Board at her law school. She believes that through organization and better communications the Division can strengthen its impact on the issues facing law students.

“Through local grassroots efforts I believe that we can build a stronger agenda on a national scale,” says Groh. Additionally, she proposes enhanced coordination with the Young Lawyers Division.

Vyas is a third-year student at The Florida State University College of Law, where he is a member of the United States Air Force ROTC, JAG Corps. As a legislative fellow in the Florida House of Representatives, Vyas witnesses the legislative process firsthand.

Listening to the needs and concerns of the law students will be Vyas’s first priority as delegate. Vyas’s goals include promoting public service, improving loan repayment options, and providing service to veterans of the military. Chuck Gates, a third-year student at Washington and Lee University School of Law, is the Student editor of Student Lawyer

Marisa Franchini, a second-year student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, is the liaison to the Criminal Justice Defense Function Committee

Wells Griffith is the newly elected Law Student Division Vice Chair for Student Bar Associations. At the ABA Annual Meeting, SBA presidents elected Griffith, a third-year student at Mississippi College School of Law , to serve as the liaison between them and the ABA. In his position, Griffith will serve on the Board of Governors of the Division, oversee the relationship between SBAs and the ABA, and promote SBA participation and membership in the Division.

Showing humility and a strong work ethic, Griffith is passionate about his new position. When asked why he chose to run for the vice chair-SBA position, Griffith states, “I looked at it as an opportunity to positively impact all law schools and, more importantly, law students.”

Griffith seeks to accomplish numerous goals during his term, in particular, promoting diversity in law schools; enhancing the development of Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAP) to aid law graduates entering the public service sector in the repayment of their student loans; strengthening the communication between national, regional, and state divisions of the ABA; and establishing an online book exchange that would allow students to sell their used books without having to pay a high-dollar transaction fee.

“I want to help SBA presidents implement various programs at their schools that will help law students,” says Griffith. “I want to provide more programs and support for nontraditional students. The end result is that we as law students will have more opportunities, a more meaningful law school experience, and better networking opportunities.”

Griffith, the president of his school’s SBA, is exceptionally qualified to serve as the vice chair-SBA. Apart from serving as a senator for his school’s SBA during his first and second law school years, Griffith has also implemented various programs that benefit both his school and its students.

Receiving his undergraduate degree from the Virginia Military Institute , Griffith excelled early in leadership by holding various military positions, which gave him oversight of more than 100 cadets. Griffith established an LRAP at his school designed to benefit graduates who practice public interest law. In addition, Griffith founded his school’s Public Interest Law Group as well as cofounded his school’s Advocacy Group, which allows students to strengthen their advocacy skills through practical application.

“We have the power to place our seal on all of our law schools, the legal profession, the ABA, and our futures,” says Griffith. Given Griffith’s experience and vision for the vice chair-SBA position, students and schools should immediately see positive results.

Tyler Pitrate, a second-year student at Texas Tech University School of Law, is a It. governor for communication for the 13th Circuit.

Members of the Law Student Division and the Senior Lawyers Division gathered at the ABA Annual Meeting in New York to take part in “Coffee with Experience,” where law students mingled with some of the finest minds in the profession.

During this all-too-short session, the senior participants enthusiastically shared their vast array of knowledge, experience, and advice on various topics. The program was an exceptional opportunity for students to gain a rare look at the legal profession through an established professional’s eyes.

Senior lawyers such as past ABA president and former mayor of Detroit, Dennis Archer, took time out of their busy schedules to share their ever-evolving words of wisdom with some of the future lawyers of America.

Joseph L. Stone, the Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin Clinical Professor of Business Law and director of the Business Law Center at Loyola University Chicago School of Law , told students that “keeping your client advised” and regular communication are the keys to success.

“Failure to communicate with a client is the most current problem [facing the profession],” says Stone. Professor Stone also advised students to, if available, join a school clinic as a way to gain firsthand exposure to the law and test the waters in an area of law you are interested in.

Benjamin H. Hill III of Hill Ward Henderson recommended students look into local “Inns of Court” programs to prepare them for life after graduation. Hill told students these programs “give you a leg up” on the competition when seeking employment and exposes a law student to the “right way to do things.”

Lynne Z. Gold-Bikin of WolfBlock offered advice on getting a position within a desired firm. “Don’t be afraid to beg, borrow, and plead to get yourself into the law firm you desire,” says Gold-Bikin.

Moises De Jesus , a second-year student at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, found the experience to be unique. “‘Coffee with Experience’ allowed me to ask many career questions that one would probably not be able to ask in an interview,” says De Jesus. “The wealth of knowledge that I took out will definitely help me as I move forward in my legal career.”

Caitlin Fitzgerald, a second-year student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, is the Division's representative to the ABA Board of Governors.

The Law Student Division held its second annual Career Fair during the 2008 ABA Annual Meeting in New York City. Law students were treated to an improved opportunity to meet and interact with employers from government, military, nonprofit organizations, and law firms, as the number of participating employers doubled this year.

Similar to the inaugural Career Fair, a panel of legal recruiters and career counselors provided students with the opportunity to have their résumés reviewed. The sessions consisted of one-on-one meetings with the consultants who commented on résumé appearance and content and offered suggestions to maximize impact or improve effectiveness. Many consultants also offered information regarding alternative methods of job searching.

Based on responses from last year’s Career Fair, the Division scheduled the Résumé Review sessions for the day before and the day of the Career Fair so that students could have their résumés reviewed before the fair if they desired. This allowed many students to make changes to their résumés prior to submitting them to potential employers.

This year’s fair consisted of 34 employers. The employers included private firms, state and federal government agencies, and branches of the military. Employers spoke with students about their organizations, areas of practice, employment opportunities, and application and interview procedures.

Next year’s Career Fair is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2009, in Chicago.

Tanisha L. Robertson, a third-year student at North Carolina Central University School of Law, is the Division's secretary-treasurer.