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Special On The Docket:
Public Interest Special Edition
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Emory University School of Law Center for Public Service
The Center for Public Service was created in January 2015 to provide comprehensive support to students seeking public interest and government careers, postgraduate judicial clerkships, postgraduate public interest fellowships, and pro bono volunteer opportunities. Assistant Dean Rita A. Sheffey, supported by Program Coordinator Blakeley James, advises students and presents programming on a variety of topics, including:
- Postgraduate judicial clerkships
- Developing a strategy for and assisting with applications
- Advice regarding judicial internships and externships, course selection, activities, and recommenders
- Programs including judges, current and former law clerks, and the nuts and bolts of the process
- Public interest and government careers and postgraduate public interest fellowships
- Advice regarding internships and externships, course selection, and activities
- Guidance regarding developing proposals for postgraduate fellowships
- Provide information regarding Emory Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) and other resources to fund public interest careers
- Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities
- Promote available opportunities
- Host non-profit training programs
- Assist in identifying opportunities of interest
Information about upcoming events and programs is included below. The Center for Public Service is located in Gambrell 101, adjacent to the Copy Center. To schedule an appointment with Dean Sheffey, please stop by and see Blakeley James or email:
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Judicial Clerkships
Researching Judges Workshop Tomorrow!
Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 12:00 p.m., Room 1D
The MacMillan Law Library and the Center for Public Service are excited to bring you the first ever Researching Judges Workshop at Emory Law!
Assistant Law Librarian for Outreach, Avery Le, will provide a tutorial of Lexis Litigation Profile Suite, Westlaw Profiler, and Bloomberg Law Litigation Analytics to research judicial statistics including motion rulings, appeal outcomes, and ruling histories. Avery will also introduce other online and print resources for researching a judge’s biography and career timeline.This is your opportunity to learn how these tools can assist you in applying and interviewing for judicial clerkships and interpreting judges’ ideologies and perspectives. It is highly recommended that you bring your laptop to the workshop. If you haven’t already, please RSVP for the workshop here». Lunch will be provided for all who register by 5pm today. If you have any questions regarding this judicial research workshop, please contact Avery Le. Come hungry and leave with valuable new legal research skills that can assist you not only in seeking judicial clerkships, but also in your future law practice!
2019 Judicial Clerkship Job Fair and Resume Drop
Tuesday, January 22, 2019, Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, GA
The Judicial Clerkship Job Fair is just around the corner. 3Ls and recent grads who have previously registered will have the opportunity to interview for post-grad judicial clerkships with Georgia State, Superior, Juvenile and Magistrate courts. If you have already registered through GLSC Symplicity, please be aware of the following deadlines:
- Jan. 11: 3L/Recent Grad invitations viewable on GLSC Symplicity
- Jan. 14: 3L/Recent Grad accept/decline deadline at 5:00 p.m. EDT
- Jan. 18: Interview schedules available on GLSC Symplicity
- Jan. 22: Judicial Clerkship Job Fair at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, GA (1197 S Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30602)
1L and 2L students interested in summer judicial internships will be invited to participate in the Resume Drop from January 22-31. Watch for an email soon with information about logging in to GLSC Symplicity.
Judicial Clerkships 101 for 1Ls
Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 12:15 p.m., 1D
Join Professor Sasha Volokh and Assistant Dean Rita Sheffey to learn how you can best prepare to seek a judicial clerkship. The session will cover the clerkship application timeline, tips that will help you be a stronger candidate, and more. Registration link coming soon!
Judicial Clerkships for 2Ls: OSCAR Access and Navigating the New Hiring Plan
Attention 2Ls: On Wednesday, February 6, 2019, you will gain access to OSCAR, the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review. At that time, you can create an account and begin researching which federal judges have openings for postgraduate clerkships. This will be particularly important for judges in those circuits complying with the new Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan. Please register HERE to join us on Thursday, January 31, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in room 1E for information about the OSCAR system and the new Hiring Plan.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerkships
Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 12:15 p.m., Room 1D
The Center for Public Service is excited to host Judge Sage Sigler 08L, Katy Furr 06L, and Nate Juster 14L, for a discussion on clerkships in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Keep an eye out for more information in future editions of On the Docket!
Judicial Clerkships: Learn How Your Clerkship Search Can Benefit from the Patent Pilot Program
The Patent Pilot Program allows judges in select districts to “opt in” to a higher load of patent cases to increase their expertise on patent cases. This makes clerkship applicants with a demonstrable interest or experience in patent law or with a background in technical fields such as electrical engineering or computer science stand out to judges within the program. A list of judges currently participating in the Patent Pilot Program is attached. For more information, see the April 2016 Pilot Program: Five Year Report here.
If you apply for a clerkship with a Patent Pilot Program Judge, consider highlighting relevant experience such as degrees in hard sciences or engineering, patent or IP courses in law school, work experience in patent litigation or prosecution, or work experience in science and engineering-related fields. Please consult the Assistant Dean for Public Service if you are interested in applying to judges participating in this program.
Coming Attractions: Judicial Clerkships!
This semester, we will present the following additional judicial clerkship programs. Please check future On the Docket issues and the digital screens for specific dates and times:
- U.S. District & Magistrate Court Clerkships
- Specialty Federal Clerkships
- How Big Law Partners View Judicial Clerkships
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Public Interest and Government Careers & Postgraduate Fellowships
Public Interest Town Hall
Thursday, January 17, 2019, 4 p.m., Room 575
Come get your questions answered and share your ideas about public interest at Emory Law! Join Assistant Dean of Public Service Rita Sheffey for an afternoon snack and the chance to share your thoughts about how the Center can better support students seeking public interest and government careers. You may register for the event here.
U.S. Attorney BJay Pak Visiting Emory Law
Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 12:15 p.m., Room 1D
Emory Law’s Criminal Law Practice Society, Federal Bar Association, and EPIC are excited to host Byung J. “BJay” Pak, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Lunch will be provided for all who register by February 18. You may register for the event here. BJay Pak was nominated by President Trump as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia on July 27, 2017. He is returning to the office, having served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division from 2002 to 2008. Previously, BJay was a partner at Chalmers Pak Burch & Adams, LLC, where he handled complex civil litigation and white-collar investigation and prosecutions. Prior to forming his litigation firm in 2015, he was an equity partner at an AMLAW 100 law firm. From January 2011 to January 2017, BJay served in the Georgia General Assembly as a State Representative, serving three terms before voluntarily retiring in January 2017. For his policy work, BJay has won recognition from numerous organizations and has been recognized by James Magazine in its "Most Influential Legislators" list. BJay earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was a Harno Scholar, served as the Notes Editor for the Recent Decisions Section of the Illinois Bar Journal, and as a member of the Elder Law Journal. Upon graduating from law school, he then went on to clerk for the Honorable Richard Mills, United States District Judge for the Central District of Illinois.
Student and Faculty Summer Research Assistant Mixer
Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 4 p.m., Room 575
Are you a 1L or 2L student interested in a summer research assistant position? Join us for an afternoon mixer with Emory Law faculty for a chance to explore summer RA positions. Watch for more information in future issues of On the Docket and on the digital screens!
Coming Attractions: Public Interest!
Watch for the following additional special programs:
- Postgraduate Public Interest Fellowships
- Emory Law’s LRAP and Having a Public Interest Career Despite Student Loans
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Pro Bono @ Emory Law
The deadline for Fall 2018 Pro Bono Hours is approaching! Make sure to record your pro bono hours in Symplicity by January 15. Pro bono hours acquired over Winter Break will apply to the Fall 2018 total. As a reminder, students who accumulate 25 or more pro bono hours over the course of the academic year will earn a Pro Bono Certificate. All students who spend 75 or more hours during their 3 years at Emory Law will receive a Pro Bono Medal to wear at commencement. If you have questions about pro bono opportunities or about the Pro Bono Certificate program, please contact the Center for Public Service at lawpublicservice@emory.edu.
Emory Immigrant Legal Assistance Orientation and Training
Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 12:15 p.m., Room 1D
Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunity! Jorge Gavilanes, the lead attorney for Emory Immigrant Legal Assistance, our collaboration with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, will provide an overview of volunteer opportunities and train you to assist in interviewing potential clients. The clinics are held from 7-9pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the La Mansión Events Facility, 5522 New Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341 (about a 25 minute drive from Emory Law), so there will be multiple opportunities to volunteer. RSVP here for the training. Lunch will be provided for all who register by January 14.
Foreign Language Pro Bono Opportunities
Local non-profit organizations and some law firms often contact us asking for assistance with translation and interpreter services in a variety of languages. We would love to know all languages in which our students have some fluency so we can better assist those organizations and firms and their pro bono clients. Please take our quick Student Foreign Language Survey and let us know what languages you speak and read!
Pro Bono Opportunities with Emory Law’s Volunteer & Academic Credit Clinics
Emory Law currently has three volunteer clinics which offer students pro bono opportunities:
- Volunteer Clinic for Veterans (VCV)– The VCV provides pro bono legal services for veterans, assisting them and their families with legal issues including the legal issues that they face, including claims for service-connected disability. If you would like to serve veterans in your community, contact Keely Youngblood at keely.youngblood@emory.edu
- Emory LGBTQ Legal Services (ELLS)- ELLS provides much-needed legal assistance to LGBTQ individuals in the Atlanta area. ELLS connects pro bono attorneys and volunteer law students with low-income LGBTQ clients who have legal needs that are not currently being addressed in our community. Interested in volunteering with ELLS? Email ells@emory.edu.
- Emory Immigrant Legal Assistance (EILA) - EILA works to provide pro bono legal assistance to underserved immigrant populations in Metro-Atlanta. If you would like volunteer with EILA, email lawcommunityclinic@emory.edu.
Also, remember that students in one of Emory’s academic credit clinics (Barton Appeal for Youth, Barton Juvenile Public Defender, Barton Legislative and Policy Clinic, International Humanitarian Law Clinic, and Turner Environmental Clinic) may receive pro bono recognition credit for all hours above the hours required for academic credit.
Coming Attractions: Pro Bono!
We anticipate presenting additional training opportunities for pro bono, so watch your email and the digital screens for more information.
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Public Service & Community Service Activities & Events
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Thursday, January 24, 2019, 6:00 p.m.
Please join us for our annual celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Robert Franklin, the James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership, will speak about “Revisiting Dr. King’s Theory of Love, Power and Justice.”
Dr. King wrote a dissertation at Boston University focused, in part, on the thought of theologian Paul Tillich. He often carried a copy of Tillich’s “Love, Power and Justice” in his briefcase, and drew upon it in his own, “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” Just as King continually refined these concepts during times of crisis, we should revisit King’s life and thought as we face a milieu of polarization and social crisis.
EPIC Inspiration Awards
Tuesday, February 5, 2019, 7:00 p.m.
The 23rdAnnual EPIC Inspiration Awards are right around the corner! One of the law school’s premier events, the EPIC Inspiration Awards celebrate the members of our community who do extraordinary work in the public interest and provide funding for public interest summer grants. The event traditionally attracts over 300 people and raises enough funds to provide stipends for students who worked in otherwise unfunded public-sector summer jobs.
This year’s honorees are:
· Lifetime Commitment to Public Service Award
Frank S. Alexander, Sam Nunn Professor of Law and Founding Director, Center for the Study of Law & Religion, Emory Law (retired)
· Outstanding Leadership in the Public Interest Award
Azadeh Shahshahani, Legal & Policy Director, Project South
· Unsung Devotion to Those Most in Need Award
Jason Costa 06L, DeKalb County Public Defender's Office
Students are encouraged to attend. Student tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from Eliza Taylor via Venmo (@eliza-taylor-1). Please put “Inspiration Awards” in the transaction description. All others can register to sponsor or purchase individual tickets here.
Georgia Legal Food Frenzy
February 18 – March 1, 2019
The Georgia Legal Food Frenzy is a two-week food and fund drive competition done in partnership with the Georgia Attorney General, the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, and the Georgia Food Bank Association. Every year, the five law schools in Georgia compete to see who will donate the most food for food-insecure children during the summer months when schools are out of session. Watch for more information (coming soon) about how you can get involved. Every donation given stays local and benefits the regional food bank serving our community.
Coming Attractions: Bar Associations!
We hope to present our second Bar Association Networking Fair this Spring. Watch your email and the digital screens for more information, coming soon.
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Part-Time Employment Opportunity
Center for Public Service Part-Time Student Worker Needed
The Center for Public Service is hiring a part-time student to assist with judicial clerkship and public interest programming and activities. The student will work approximately 8-12 hours per week, depending on the schedule.
Duties include:
- Research judicial clerkship vacancies and post positions as needed
- Contact judges’ chambers, as requested, to obtain information about open positions and application process
- Update clerkship materials
- Update various charts of current and former clerks, faculty and alumni connections with judges
- Assist with clerkship and public interest programming
- Update Public Service Bulletin Board
- Assist in marketing activities and programs and tracking attendance
- Other duties as assigned
The student will act as a representative of the Center for Public Service. The position will begin as soon as hired and continue until May 10, 2019, with an option to continue working part-time throughout the summer and the next academic year, based on performance and work flow. The pay is $9.50/hour. Applicants interested in pursuing a judicial clerkship and/or with some public interest experience are preferred. To apply, please email your resume, statement of interest, and a brief description of your relevant experience to lawpublicservice@emory.edu, with “CPS Student Applicant: [your name]” on the subject line. The deadline to apply is January 11, 2019.
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