THE COLUMBUS SCHOOL OF LAW’S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
November 7, 2014
Volume X1X, Issue 13
Inside this Issue:
Calendar of Events
Academic Affairs
Student Services
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
L AW S C H O O L C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S :
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7through FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Friday, November 7
First Year Friday Reception: First Year Students and Alumni Mentor Reception with keynote speaker, Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky ’75, Senior International Partner, WilmerHale, 5:30—7:30 pm, Atrium.
Monday, November 10
Faith in Action Program: The Law of the Holy Places in the Holy Land with Professor Breger @ 12:30 pm,
Room 213. R.s.v.p. [email protected]
Tuesday, November 11 – Veterans Day. School in Session.
Discussion on Internships in Criminal Prosecution @ 12:30 pm, Room 208
Thursday, November 13
Saint John Paul II Guild of Catholic Lawyers hosts the Mirror of Justice Lecture – Children are Different: A
Constitutional and Moral Call to Action given by Professor Cara Drinan @ 4 pm, Slowinski Courtroom. Reception to follow.
Friday, November 14
First Year Friday: Exam-Taking Strategies and Techniques @ 6 pm, Auditorium. Pizza and salad available
beginning at 5:30 pm.
Coming Soon…
Monday, November 17
Interfaith Prayer Gathering: A Season for Giving Thanks @ 5:15 pm, Room 312C. R.s.v.p. [email protected]
Tuesday, November 18
Office of Student Support presents Dog Therapy Day @ 12:30 pm, Student Lounge
Thursday, November 20
Faculty Luncheon Speaker Series @ 12:10 pm, Room 220
Faculty Meeting @ 3:15 pm, Room 220
Brendan Brown Lecture - Unconventional Responses to the Unique Catastrophes: Tailoring the Law to Meet
the Challenges with Kenneth M. Feinberg, Esq., Feinberg Rozen, LLP @ 5 pm, Slowinski Courtroom.
Reception to follow.
Friday, November 21
3rd Annual Toast Our Troops, 6—10 pm, Union Pub
Monday, November 24
SCOTUS Moot @ 9:30 am , Slowinski Courtroom
Law School Christmas Tree Lighting @ 1 pm, Atrium
Wednesday, November 26 – Sunday, November 30 – Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 1 – Tuesday, December 2 – Reading Days
Tuesday, December 2
21st Annual Pancake Supper @ 7:30 pm, Law School Café.
Wednesday, December 3 - Wednesday, December 17 – Final Exams
Monday, December 22 – Friday, January 2 – Christmas Break
Thursday, January 8 – Classes Resume
Class of 2017
The Office of Career and
Professional Development (OCPD)
began individual meetings with
each first year CUA Law student on
October 20th.
Please check your hanging file (by
the student lockers) for a
memorandum from our office with
an assigned date and time to meet
with a career advisor. This
meeting will provide you with
important information and access
to our online jobs database
Symplicity.
Thank you, OCPD
Evening Student?
Can’t get the help you need during the 9 to 5?
The Office of Financial Aid has new late hours:
Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Outside Scholarship Opportunity
Richard Linn American Inn of Court Mark T. Banner Scholarship (Applications due 11/12/2014)
Awards $5,000 payable for the Fall semester of second or third year of law school. The scholarship is open
to all students currently enrolled in a ABA accredited law school who are interested in pursuing a career in
intellectual property law, and are a member of a historically underrepresented group in IP law (including
race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability).
Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLC Diversity Scholars Awards (Applications due 12/12/2014) Awards a
scholarship of up to $2,500 to a deserving second year law student in each region where the Firm has offices.
These awards recognize the achievements of students who have demonstrated an interest in diversity. The
awards are made to students based upon academic achievement, commitment to diversity in the student’s
community, school or work environment; and personal achievement in overcoming challenges to reach his
or her goals.
Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship (Applications due 1/5/2015) Beginning September 15, 2014,
Banner & Witcoff will begin accepting applications for the Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship. The
scholarship is part of the firm’s commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers
from diverse backgrounds. Applicants must be a member of an historically under represented group, and
must have exemplary writing and oral communication skills.
* Check future editions of HeadNotes for more scholarship opportunities.
We are in room 340 of the Law School, from 9-5 daily, but until 7:00 pm on Tuesdays.. You are always welcome to email us at [email protected]. We look forward to working with you.
Bart Himel, Financial Aid Coordinator
David Schrock, Director
Visit the
Law and Social Justice Initiatives
Web page:
http://law.cua.edu/lawandsocialjusticeinitiatives/
See our full calendar of Public Interest Events on the L&SJI Website
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia is accepting applications for judicial internship positions for spring 2015. Interns will research substantive and procedural legal issues
and draft written recommendations for resolving those issues. They will also be responsible for detailed editing and
citation checking. Additionally, interns will have regular opportunities to observe court proceedings.
This unpaid internship is open to all law students. Interns during the semester are expected to work a minimum of
15 hours per week, preferably over two full days a week.
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, transcript (unofficial is accepted), a short (15 pages or less) writing
sample that reflects the applicant’s research and analytical skills, and a list of three references.
Please send all applications via email to [email protected] by November 25, 2014.
Please do not mail applications. Also, please title the subject line as follows:
Spring 2015 Intern Application: [applicant’s name]
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Questions may be directed to chambers via phone at 202-354-3460
or to the above email address.
The Center for Children’s Law and Policy (CCLP) seeks first- and second-year law student applicants for its 2015
spring and summer internship programs. CCLP is a public interest law and policy organization focused on reform of
juvenile justice and other systems that affect troubled and at-risk children, and protection of the rights of children
in those systems. The Center’s work covers a range of activities including research, writing, public education, media
advocacy, training, technical assistance, administrative and legislative advocacy, and litigation. Based in Washington, DC, the Center’s staff work with federal, state, and local officials throughout the country on a range of issues
that include reducing the unnecessary incarceration of youth, promoting racial and ethnic justice, and eliminating
dangerous and inhumane conditions in facilities that house children.
The Center’s summer internship program provides law students with valuable work experience in the areas of juvenile justice, reform of public agencies and systems, and racial justice, as well as an opportunity to make substantive
contributions to the Center’s projects. Interns will have the opportunity to attend legislative hearings, research substantive law and policy issues, and learn about the work of other organizations in Washington, DC that are working
to improve the lives of at-risk youth. CCLP generally hires two interns for its summer program.
Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in legal and policy advocacy for youth in the juvenile justice system. Strong consideration will be given to applicants with relevant work experience and course work. Applicants
should have excellent research and communication skills and be able to demonstrate enthusiasm and a commitment improving the lives of troubled and at-risk youth. Internships are unpaid, and applicants must be willing to
commit to a minimum of ten weeks of full-time employment.
Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Staff Attorney Jason Szanyi at [email protected] with the subject line “2014 Summer Internship Application.” For more information on the Center, visit
www.cclp.org. The Center for Children’s Law and Policy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate
on the basis of race, religion, age, ethnic background, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
D.C. BAR PRO BONO PROGRAM -- VOLUNTEER LEGAL INTERN
A volunteer legal internship is available beginning January 2015 at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program for a law student, focusing primarily on client intake and supporting the management of our various pro bono programs. The
Pro Bono Program recruits, trains, and mobilizes volunteer attorneys to take pro bono cases serving individuals
living in poverty who are at risk of losing their homes, their livelihoods, and their families. The program also helps
small businesses and community-based nonprofits needing legal help. Last year, the Pro Bono Program touched
the lives of 20,000 D.C. residents.
This is a part-time, unpaid internship during the spring semester with the possibility of a continued internship
during the summer break. Strong preference will be given to candidates who can commit to working a minimum
of fourteen hours as two full days per week. There is no compensation for this position, however the D.C. Bar Pro
Bono Program will consider a law student who has fellowship or grant money for public interest employment.
Additionally, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program will provide support to students seeking academic credit for their
work. The law student reports to a Managing Attorney.
The volunteer legal intern may provide support to various pro bono projects, including the Advocacy and Justice
Clinic, Health Care Access Project, Probate Resource Center, Landlord Tenant Resource Center, Consumer Law
Resource Center, and the Immigration Legal Advice and Referral Clinic. Specific pro bono opportunities may include:
1. Interviewing prospective clients and assisting in the screening of cases before the
case is placed with a pro bono attorney.
2. Helping coordinate arrangements and logistics for clinics.
3. Maintaining contact with clients and prepares client case files.
4. Helping maintain the Pro Bono Program database of clients and volunteers.
5. Providing legal research as needed.
6. Assisting with updating online pro bono and pro se materials in various substantive
law areas, including but not limited to public benefits and family law.
7. Drafting forms, materials, reports, correspondence, notices and other documents.
8. Interviewing customers at court-based resource centers and assisting in screening the
customers before they meet with an attorney.
APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS
1. A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and completion of at least one year of law school.
3. Demonstrated commitment to public interest law.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skill with an ability to write clearly and effectively for a variety of audiences.
5. Excellent organizational abilities, attention to detail, and ability to manage several priorities in a day.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop good working relationships with staff, clients, and attorney,
paralegal, and law student volunteers.
7. Spanish-speaking capabilities a plus.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and resume no later than November 18th to:
Vanessa Batters-Thompson, Managing Attorney
vbatters-thompson@dcbar.<orgmailto:[email protected]>
JOBS
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has just launched an app for searching for jobs and externships within
DOJ. Currently only the iOS version is available, but an Android version is coming.
Here is the information on the iTunes page: “DOJ Law Jobs is a quick and easy way to find an attorney job or law student internship with the nation’s largest legal employer, the U.S. Department of Justice. Searches are simple, fastloading, and allow users to find jobs in desired locations. DOJ Law Jobs is a must have app for lawyers and law students
who want to find attorney jobs and legal internships at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Features of DOJ Law Jobs:
•Creates personalized searches based on practice area, geographic preference, and hiring organization.
•Provides instructions on how to apply to attorney jobs and legal internships.
•Saves search criteria for quick access to future opportunities.
•Save, share, and email your favorite jobs.
•Access to hundreds of attorney jobs and legal internships at the U.S. Department of Justice.”
AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) seeks a paralegal to work 20 hours per week during tax season
2015 and a few weeks beyond, to assist with LCE's Schedule H Tax Project. The salary is $22/hour. The position will
begin on January 5 and continue to May 22, 2015. LCE champions the rights of seniors by providing free legal services
to low-income DC residents age 60 and older.
Schedule H is a DC tax credit for low-income individuals with high housing costs, providing a benefit of up to $1,000
per year. LCE's Schedule H Tax Project assists low-income seniors who do not need to file a full tax return. LCE staff
and volunteers meet with clients, assist them with filling out the Schedule H forms, advise them regarding supporting
documentation, and follow up with the Office of Tax Revenue regarding disposition.
The paralegal will be responsible for overseeing scheduling of appointments, maintaining a data base of clients, ensuring proper case file handling, and assisting with pro bono clinics. In addition, the paralegal will have the opportunity to
work directly with clients, assisting them with their Schedule H applications.
To apply, submit a resume and two references to Rochelle Bobroff, Senior Attorney for Systemic Reform, Legal
Counsel for the Elderly, rbobroff@aarp.<orgmailto:[email protected]>.
PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES
Short-term and longer-term pro bono projects are listed on the CUA Law Pro Bono TWEN page. You also may create
your own pro bono project. We encourage you to take the Pro Bono Challenge. Through the Pro Bono Challenge,
CUA students pledge to complete varying levels of pro bono service during their three or four years of law school. Students can pledge at any of the following levels and will be recognized accordingly:
One pro bono project of any duration


25 hours of pro bono (Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; notation in graduation bulletin)
50 hours of pro bono (Outstanding Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; graduation bulletin)
75+ hours of pro bono (Exceptional Pro Bono Service Honors Certificate; graduation bulletin)
Here are typical projects:
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Clinic with CASA de MD on 11/15 in Hyattsville: http://tinyurl.com/odjrmnq
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at CUA Law: http://tinyurl.com/nyq4k88
2014 VITA Program
Are you interested in helping low-income taxpayers prepare their returns at
CUA Law this spring?
If so, you may become trained to serve as a Tax Preparer as part of the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program!
Tax Preparers interview customers and prepare their federal and state income
tax returns. While helpful, Preparers do not need to have significant individual
income tax preparation experience - all Preparers will be trained and subsequently certified by the IRS.
More info is available here:
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers
Paul Kurth with the Consumer Protection Project at CCLS plans to coordinate
the third annual VITA project at CUA Law next semester. He would like to get
a sense as to potential interest among students.
Volunteers must be willing to:
1. Participate in a training program to take place in January to become certified; and
2. Commit to at least one shift (generally 3-4 hours) per week during tax season (February - April) at CUA Law. Best efforts will be made to accommodate
students' schedules.
If you can reasonably predict that you’ll be willing and able to make the
above commitment, sign up on the Pro Bono at CUA Law TWEN page to
receive updates.
PAID FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY!
For Second Year (day and evening) and Third
Year Evening Students
BECOME A DEAN’S ACADEMIC FELLOW
Continuing the Columbus School of Law’s commitment to
first-rate legal education and service to others, we are recruiting
new academic fellows to provide first-year students critical studyskills support, while developing your leadership, professional and
problem-solving skills.
The Position Description and Application are available on the
Academic Excellence Program’s TWEN site under Dean’s Academic
Fellow Position Description and Application Spring 2015. You may
also stop by the Office of Academic Affairs, Room 343 to pick up an
application.
You may return your application any time between now and Friday,
November 07 at 5:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact Maura DeMouy, Assistant Dean for Student
Support at [email protected]
DON’T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!
WRITING COMPETITIONS
Description and details on all of the writing competitions, fellowships and scholarships mentioned can be viewed in Suite 341
(Ask for the Writing Competition Folders.)
TITLE
DEADLINE
AWARD
ASECA Securities Writing Competition
November 15, 2014
$5000, $3000, $2000
Victoria Fisher Memorial Prize 2014
November 30, 2014
£ 250
American College of Consumer Financial
Services Lawyers 2015 Writing Competition
December 1, 2014
$2,500, $2,000, $1,000
Mollie and Paul Hill Student Writing
Competition
January 2, 2015
$250
17th Annual Entertainment Law Initiative
Writing Competition
January 6, 2015
$5,000, $1,500
First Annual Jameson Crane III Disability
And the Law Writing Competition
January 15, 2015
$1,500, $1,000, $1,000
Pacific Legal Foundation
Law Student Writing Competition
January 16, 2015
$2,000 $1,000
Louis Jackon National Student
Writing Competition
January 20, 2015
$3,000, $1,000, $1,000
Animal Law Writing Contest
February 15, 2015
$2,500
Louis Tertocha Fashion Law Writing Competition March 23, 2015
Beveridge & Diamon Constitutional
Environmental Law Writing Competition
April 6, 2015
$2,000
ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law
Annual Law Student Writing Competition
May 15, 2015
$1,500, $1,000, $500