Originally published in Student Lawyer magazine, March 2004 (Vol. 32, No. 7). All rights reserved.

LIAISON NOTEBOOK

Government Lawyers Section Offers Career Panels for Students

by Kristi Polling

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. Student liaisons promote student membership in their entities and convey the views of law students throughout the ABA. For further information on how you can become a student liaison, visit www.abanet.org/lsd/elections and scroll down to "Liaisons."

In October, the ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division (GPSLD) sponsored a Public Lawyer Career Panel at Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, N.J. This was one in a series of such panels the GPSLD has coordinated at law schools across the country. Other recent venues included Seattle University School of Law and Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, N.H.

As student liaison to the GPSLD, I was happy to serve as coordinator of the Rutgers program. I enjoyed meeting the panelists and providing my classmates with information about public service and the GPSLD.

Rutgers students heard from representatives of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Community Legal Services, the Philadelphia Public Defenders Office and City Law Department, and the executive deputy general counsel for Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell. This diverse group shared practical advice and real-world stories. Students found the comparisons to other career paths helpful, as several of the speakers previously worked in private firms or corporate offices.

Beyond their interest in working in the public sector to pursue goals they believe in, panelists explained how their current positions provided litigation experience not often available to young lawyers in private firms. Many government lawyers take on full responsibility for cases soon after their employment begins and participate in all steps of representation. However, with no billable hour requirement, public lawyers have more flexibility in scheduling when not litigating, which often is not possible in the private sector.

The speakers emphasized that students need to explore opportunities while in school to learn about the fields that interest them. They emphasized that a career is a commitment and that students must "find their passion." In addition to working or participating in a clinic, they suggested calling those you know or admire and asking to meet with them.

If you're interested in a career in the public sector, the GPSLD can help you make connections with its practicing members. Student members have access to the Public Lawyer Career Center. The online center includes a section on mentoring, which provides contact information for lawyers serving in state, county, federal, military, legal aid, and court positions. These members can provide advice on how to pursue various career paths, describe what their jobs are like, and answer general questions. Also on the site are listings for internships and a directory of public law offices to help in conducting a job search.

GPSLD members receive The Public Lawyer magazine and the newsletter, Pass It On. These publications carry articles of interest to both practicing lawyers and students. For $10 a year, it's an economical way for students to become better acquainted with the public sector before graduation.

If you'd like to coordinate a careers program at your school, or if you simply want information about the GPSLD, contact Katherine Mikkelson at 800-238-2667 x5809 or kmikkelson@staff.abanet.org.

Kristi Poling, a law student at Rutgers University, Camden, is student liaison to the ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division.