The dreaded loans and ways to not pay them - something for grads, something for students

Tomorrow, July 1 marks the first day that law school grads will be able to select Income-Based Repayment which limits federal loan repayments to 15% of discretionary income. Combine this with Public Service Forgiveness to get rid of your loans in 10 years, afford to work for the government or a non-profit, and save the world.

Can't wait to graduate to not pay your loans? How about a scholarship. There are many scholarships out there ranging from need based to merit based to contest based (think Miss America). In the third bin (it is not Miss America) is the Access Group's "My Inspiration" contest. All you have to do is submit a video explaining your reasons for coming to law school. The prize, $10,000 and 15 minutes of fame on the YouTubes of the interwebs.

Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan

Students preparing for their final year - now is the time to think about federal judicial clerkships; applications are due next fall for work starting the fall after you graduate.

Most federal judges follow the Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan. The Plan sets the timing of hiring. In the past, many judges rushed to hire students as early in their law school careers as possible. In fact, judges used to hire students as early as the fall of their second year for positions that would not begin until the Fall after the student’s graduation.

The Hiring Plan does not allow judges to hire before the fall of the third year of law school. Although some federal judges do not follow this plan, most do. Students interested in applying for a federal clerkship starting after graduation should submit applications at the beginning of fall semester of their final year of law school.

Important Federal Hiring Plan Dates

• Tuesday, September 8, 2009: The day after Labor Day - The first day that application materials may be RECEIVED by judges, also the day the online application system OSCAR releases applications to judges.
• Friday, September 11, 2009: The first day judges may contact applicants to schedule interviews.
• Thursday, September 17, 2009: The first day judges may hold interviews and the first day judges may make job offers.

Timing Issues to Consider

• Do not submit your materials too late. Because of the tight time-lines, it is important that you submit your materials as soon as possible without arriving before the deadline. If your materials arrive late in the reading period, the judge may have already received many good applications and may not even review your materials.
• Do not submit your materials too early. Judges who are strictly following the Plan will not review materials if they arrive early.
• Prepare your application early. Most judges require you to submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, writing sample and 2-3 letters of recommendation. You will need to prepare your materials over the summer, so that you can have them ready to submit immediately after Labor Day. Think about who you will ask to write your letters of recommendation. Advise them of your plans. Ask them no later than mid-summer, so they will have plenty of time to prepare a good letter for you to submit on time.
• Keep in mind that the Plan only applies to federal judicial clerkships. Some state courts follow these timing guidelines, many do not (including the Oregon appellate courts).
• Remember, when you apply through OSCAR, your completed applications will be automatically released to the judges according to the hiring plan.

What to Do NOW

• Review The Hiring Plan
• Pick up a copy of the Career Services “Judicial Clerkship Handbook” - pick one up from the Career Services front desk anytime or read online (login required).
• Register for OSCAR, the online judicial hiring system. It is never too early to start entering your information to OSCAR!
• Ask faculty and other recommenders about writing letters of recommendation for you.
• Research judges and determining where you plan to apply. A list judges and openings is available from OSCAR.
• Schedule an appointment to talk with Libby Davis, Ellen Jones, or Bill Penn in Career Services about your clerkship plans.

What do Montana, Iowa, Maine, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Minnesota have in common?

Right now on the Career Services online job postings, there are listings for judicial clerks for Montana, Maine, Iowa, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Minnesota. The Montana and Iowa positions starts in this September, 2009, all others are for terms starting in fall of 2010 (these are positions for students entering their final year of law school). Some are Trial Court, some Court of Appeals, and some state Supreme Court. Log into the job postings site to view the full details.

• Montana - Apply by 7/10/09, start 9/1/09
• Iowa - Apply by 7/1/2009, Start 8/3/09
• Maine - Apply by (multiple positions) 8/28/09 & 9/8/09, Start fall 2010
• Hawaii - Apply by10/1/09 Start 9/3/10
• New Jersey - 480 positions, Apply by multiple dates from 5/8/2009 through 12/24/2009, Start fall 2010
• Minnesota - Apply by (multiple positions) 8/14/09 & 8/21/09, Start August 2010

Interested in another state, check the Guide to State Judicial Clerkship Procedures (login information available in Career Services). Check now, as there is no consistent date for state clerkships.

Lead Today, Succeed Tomorrow

Taking Leadership roles can be a great way to help the community, connect with other dedicated people, and shape the legal profession. Leadership opportunities include helping bar sections (many sections have newsletters, and there are few better ways to get your name in front of attorneys than writing for or editing a section newsletter); taking a role in politics as a volunteer or Precinct Committee Person whether your leanings be left, right , or of another tone; and serving on committee and boards. Below is an announcement for an opportunity of this third kind.

Equal Justice Works, an organization that advances public interest law is looking for students (2L, 3L, 4L) to serve on its Advisory Committee for a two year term with about a five hour per month work amount. This is a great opportunity to show your commitment to public interest work, to connect with public interest players outside Oregon, or to guide the advancement of public interest issues.

The Overview

Equal Justice Works is now accepting applications for the National Advisory Committee. Committee members guide and advance the organization's goal of having students develop a lifelong commitment to working on behalf of underrepresented individuals, communities and cause.

As part of the Committee, members serve for a two-year term, beginning in July 2009 and ending in June 2011. Applications are now being accepted to fill ten positions: five law school professionals and five students. Applicants may be any of the following:

1. Law School Professionals:
2. deans
3. faculty
4. clinical professors
5. professors (full-time, adjunct or part-time)
6. career services staff
7. public interest staff
8. Students:

• rising 2L students
• rising 3L/4L students
• Part-time / evening students
• LLM students

Applicants should complete the application cover sheet and answer the accompanying questions. References are optional but suggested. All application materials should be sent together to awards@equaljusticeworks.org no later July 9, 2009 at 5 p.m. EDT.

Full details, Application