Earle Mack School of Law Weekly Newsletter, Jan. 17, 2012

In this Issue:

• Funding the Bar Exam
• Tutors/Mentors Needed
• Career Strategies Office
• Office of Student Affairs
• Academic Skills

• Student Organizations
• Events on Campus and Around Town
• LexisNexis
• Classified Ads
• Scholarships, Fellowships, and Writing Competitions

Earle Mack School of Law Headlines:
http://www.earlemacklaw.drexel.edu/news/

Legal Research Center and Law Building Hours:
http://www.earlemacklaw.drexel.edu/studentLife/studentAffairs/building_hours/

Funding the Bar Exam

A presentation for 3Ls by Mary de Rivera, law school financial aid advisor, on funding bar exam expenses will be held on Jan. 24 at 12:45 pm in Room 420. 

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Tutors/Mentors Needed

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Career Strategies Office 

Job Opportunity - MetLife

MetLife is seeking a current law student to participate in its 2012 Summer Law Clerk Program.  The law clerk will work in MetLife's Morristown, NJ office.  Practice areas in the Morristown office include securities investments, real estate investments, derivatives and investment compliance matters.  The attorneys in Morristown support MetLife's portfolio of investments by providing transactional support and advaice on a wide array of transactions, including private investment funds, lease and tax equity, project finance, private placements, hedging and derivatives, public bonds, structured financy, syndicated bank loans, mortgage loan originations and real estate equity.  See Symplicity Job Postings for details.

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

The LCLD is offering a unique professional opportunity to diverse 1L students.  They are launching a mentoring program to support students in several cities around the country.  LCLD provides training and develops curricula that allow its mentors to give concrete, consistent invormation about study habits, exam success, class participation, advocacy skills, legal analysis and other relevant topics.   You must register to participate in this program.  Registration opened Jan. 16, 2012.  See Symplicity for details. 

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Office of Student Affairs

Academic Information 

• Spring Schedules: Upper-level students may add and drop classes online through Monday, January 16, at 11:59 PM. This deadline also applies for Independent Study proposals. During the second week of classes (Jan. 17 on), you must receive Prof. Coleman’s permission to add or drop a class. During the third week, you may not add a class, and dropping a class will result in a “W” grade, with potential financial consequences. If you change the total number of credits you are registered for, you must fill out a new Institutional Financial Aid form!

• Spring Books and Reading: Be sure you have attended to the booklist and first week assignments for your classes, posted HERE.

• Fall Grades: We anticipate that Fall grades will be posted at the end of the first week of classes.

• Concentrations: If you have decided that you will be pursuing OR no longer pursuing a concentration, please complete the Change of Curriculum form when you’ve made this decision.

• May Graduation: Students who intend to graduate in May should apply for their degree through DrexelOne by Tuesday, January 31. Go to the Student Records section, click “More Bannerweb Student Records,” and then “Apply for Your Degree.”

Administrative Information

• Legislative Days: Friday, April 20 will follow a Monday class schedule. See the full academic calendar HERE.

• Name Changes: If you’ve changed your name, make sure to let us know so that we can update our files and lists. You will still need to change your name officially with the University by bringing the appropriate documentation to the Student Resource Center, on the 2nd floor of Drexel’s Main Building.

Financial Aid Information

• Spring Refunds: Financial Aid for all 1Ls disbursed on December 26th and refunds were issued by the Bursar’s Office over the following 2 days.   Disbursement of Financial Aid for the 2Ls and 3Ls occurred on January 3rd and refunds will be issued over the next two weeks as each student’s account is audited by the Bursar’s Office. If a student has not received an expected refund by the end of the second week of January, please check with Mary de Rivera in the OSA.

• Adding/Dropping a Class:  Please be aware that any registration change could result in extra charges on your Ebill.  The per credit charge this academic year is $1,245.  Make sure to check the current activity tab of your Ebill carefully during the next 2 weeks. If you add or drop a class, you may see changes on the account. 

Events

• 1Ls: We will be holding a Town Hall event on March 22 at 12:15 PM to introduce first-year students to course planning and their concentration options. We will send a reminder when the date approaches, and include the locations.

• 3Ls: Mary de Rivera will be holding a presentation on Funding the Bar Exam. It will take place on January 24 at 12:45 PM in Room 420.   

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Academic Skills

Dean’s Scholar Sessions for Constitutional Law and Criminal Law 

The Dean’s Scholar Sessions for Constitutional Law and Criminal Law begin this week.  Here is the schedule for the semester. 

Criminal Law (Professor Kalhan): 

Dean's Scholars Nicole Allen and Tanishka Cruz  

Monday, Wednesday: 4 to 5 pm in Room 240

Criminal Law (Professor Tibbs): 

Dean's Scholars Ted Kopec and JJ Luff

Monday: 12:15 to 1:15 pm in Room 240

Tuesday: 12 to 1 pm in Room 112 ISB

Constitutional Law (Professor Cohen): 

Dean's Scholars Krysten Connon and Jim Wise

Tuesday: 1 to 2 pm in Room 112 ISB

Thursday: 12 to 1 pm in Room 112 ISB

Constitutional Law (Professor Abu El-Haj):

Dean's Scholars Nate Howard and Peter McCall

Tuesday: 3:50 to 4:50 pm in Room 140

Thursday: 12:45 to 1:45 pm in Room 250

Spring Academic Skills Workshop Schedule

(all from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in Room 240)

Jan. 25 - Improving Exam Performance by Reviewing Fall Exams

Feb. 1 - Mining Exam Fact Patterns for Legal Issues

Feb. 8 - Building a Strong Exam Answer

Feb. 15 - Developing Arguments and Counterarguments on Exams

Feb. 29 - Writing the Rule and Rule Explanation for the 1L Brief

March 7 - Answering Statute-Based Exam Questions, Part 1

March 21 - Answering Statute-Based Exam Questions, Part 2

March 28 - Revising and Editing the 1L Brief

April 11 - Mock Exam

If you have questions about the Academic Skills Workshops or Dean's Scholar Program, please contact Professor Kraybill at nck26@drexel.edu

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American Constitution Society 
The Diseased Branch: Attorney Jan Schlichtmann Discusses the Judicial Branch - Jan. 25 - Noon - Room 140

"A Civil Action" attorney Jan Schlichtmann will lead a discussion about why he believes the judicial branch of government is autocratic and abuses its power, using examples including high-profile cases such as "Citizens United" to his own experiences litigating the Woburn case.  Co-sponsored by Drexel Health Law Society and Drexel Environmental Law Society. Non-Pizza lunch will be provided!

Black Law Students Association 
Talent Show Acts Needed

BLSA will be holding a talent show in mid February.  We are currently looking for acts and hope you will come out to share your talents with us.  Please contact Jazamine Stallings or Dorcas Adekunle if interested in participating.  We look forward to a great time of sharing.

Health Law Society

General Body Meeting - Jan. 19 - 12 pm - Room 340

The Health Law Society will hold a general body meeting that will cover events planned for the upcoming semester.  Food will be provided.   

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Events on Campus and Around Town  

YLD Annual Meeting and Welcome Reception for New Members | Jan. 18 |  

All law firm associates are invited to the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia on Wed. Jan. 18 at 5:30 pm to participate in the YLD Annual Meeting.  Meet the 2012 leaders of the Philadelphia Bar Association and welcome new Bar members.  This event will include the presentation of the F. Sean Peretta and Craig M. Perry Service Awards, as well as the YLD Vision Award.

Bar Association section chairs and YLD Division leaders will be in attendance to provide information on the many areas of Bar involvement.  Network while enjoying complimentary refreshments, a great venue and good company!

Being an active member of the Bar Association provides you with opportunities to professionally connect with practicing lawyers and judges in a supportive environment, allowing for one-on-one interactions and leadership opportunities that are invaluable in building your career and obtaining contacts for potential job opportunities. 

Registration is required.  The event is free for all YLD members, and only $15 for non-member attorneys. Click to register.

Benjamin Franklin American Inn of Court January Meeting | Jan. 18 | 6 p.m.

If you are interested in intellectual property law and have a desire to network with local practitioners in the IP field, then you should become involved with the Benjamin Franklin Inn of Court! This particular Inn of Court is an intellectual property focused Inn. Meetings last an hour during which students and local IP practitioners are involved in an educational segment about a current hot topic in IP law. After the meeting there is a dinner/social hour during which students have the opportunity to network with the IP attorneys.

The next meeting will be held at the Federal Court House located right here in Philly on January 18th.

If it is the first time you are attending a Benjamin Franklin Inn of Court meeting, its free! Please RSVP to BenFranklinInn@gmail.com.  Please include your name, school and year in school. If you like the experience and want to become a member of the Inn, contact Amber Stiles (VP of the IP Society) at ars44@drexel.edu.

This is a wonderful networking opportunity for anyone interested in practicing IP law in the Philadelphia area.

The details are as follows:
Benjamin Franklin American Inn of Court
Annual Judges' Meeting
January 18, 2012 6:00PM

This meeting will be at the Ceremonial Courtroom of the U.S. Courthouse, located at 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Please use the 6th Street entrance to the building.

Our distinguished panel will include Judge Richard Linn of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and Judge Berle Schiller of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA. The program will explore notable recent developments in patent law from the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court, with a tip of the hat to William Shakespeare.

For meetings at the U.S. Courthouse, proper business attire is requested.

The Scottsboro Boys Performance and CLE Program

Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 1 pm

Suzanne Roberts Theatre

480 Broad Street

Philadelphia Theater Company

Click for ticket and CLE information and map.

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LexisAdvance is here! Register your LexisAdvance ID to access the new, innovative research platform that will make your legal research easier, more effective & better organized!  Check out this YouTube video for more info. 

Bring proof that you have registered your LexisAdvance ID to the LexisNexis table on Jan. 18 in the law school lobby from 9 am to 1:30 pm and receive a $5 Starbucks gift card on the spot!  While supplies last, so get there early!

Stay tuned for additional training and points opportunities throughout the semester!  Email Erica Cohen or Jordan Fischer with any questions or comments. 

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Classified Ads

Apartment for Rent

Large one-bedroom, newly remodeled apartment in Swarthmore.  Eat-in-kitchen with over-the-range microwave and dishwasher; large LR/DR, washer/dryer in unit; separate entrance; off-street parking.  Train to/from University City. $1100 plus utilities.  610-742-9080.

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Scholarships, Fellowships and Writing Competitions

Writing Competitions

American Indian Law Writing Competition - Deadline: Jan. 31, 2012

For details.

Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition on Regulatory and Administrative Law - Deadline: Feb. 10, 2012

For details.

New! Constance Baker Motley National Student Writing Competition - Deadline: Feb. 17, 2012

For details.

Scholarships

Hazing Awareness Scholarship - Deadline: Several. Check website for details.
Please visit http://www.collegegreekbooks.com/cashaward.html.

Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP Diversity Scholarship and Summer Associate Position-Deadline: January 20, 2012
Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP (www.hselaw.com) will award one 1L law student with a $7500 scholarship to be applied to the student’s second year tuition and a paid 10-week summer associate position between the student’s first and second year of law school.  To be eligible for the Diversity Scholarship, the applicant must be a full-time currently enrolled 1L law student who is in good standing at an accredited law school. First year students who are members of populations historically underrepresented in the legal profession are encouraged to apply. Winners will be selected by Feb. 12, 2012. For details on selection criteria and how to apply, please see Symplicity Job Postings. 

New! Mike Eidson Scholarship - Deadline May 31, 2012

For details, please visit.  The application has been posted on Symplicity.

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Submissions for the Weekly Newsletter
Submissions for the "EMSoL Weekly Newsletter" are approved by Kevin Oates, Senior Associate Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Law. Please forward all material for the newsletter to Alanna Bridgett (abridgett at drexel.edu) by Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. for the following Monday issue.