Phase II of OCI is coming! Participating employers will include small, mid-sized and large firms who are not members of NALP, as well as government and public interest organizations. As Phase II is much longer than Phase I, it will be divided into three sessions, with each session having its own separate bidding period:

Session #1

Interviews: Monday, September 10 - Friday, September 21
Bidding: Saturday, August 18 at 9:00 a.m. - Sunday, August 26 at 11:00 p.m.

Session #2

Interviews: Monday, September 24 - Friday, October 5
Bidding: Saturday, September 1 at 9:00 a.m. - Sunday, September 9 at 11:00 p.m.

Session #3

Interviews: Monday, October 8 - Friday, October 26
Bidding: Saturday, September 15 at 9:00 a.m. - Sunday, September 23 at 11:00 p.m.

In order for you to participate, you must complete the registration and bidding process via the Simplicity system located at: http://law-miami-csm.symplicity.com/students. If you did not receive your login information, please e-mail oci@law.miami.edu with your full name Cane ID and email address (this e-mail address will be your user name for the site). You will then receive your login information via email. Please allow up to one business day for a response.

It is wise to have your resume reviewed by a Career Planning professional prior to entering it on the Symplicity system. Counselors are available by appointment, through e-mail or by dropping off your resume.

The Fall 2007 OCI Handbook (Phase II) will be available in the CPC offices and online in August 2007. If you have any questions, comments or problems, please contact Nirva Pierre-Louis at (npierrelouis@law.miami.edu).

Do A Mock Interview before your actual interview

Before attending an interview during OCI, or any formal employment interview, we recommend that you participate in a mock interview. As the name implies, a mock interview is simply a "simulated interview" with you pretending to be interviewed and another person pretending to be a potential employer. The process is designed to develop and enhance your communication and interviewing skills. You actually experience the interviewing process as if you were at the actual job interview and, afterwards, you receive invaluable feedback from your mock interviewer. If you are interested in participating in a mock interview, simply inform your advisor and she can schedule it for you.

The Florida Bar Business Law Section Lunch 'N Learns Programs

The Business Law Section of the Florida Bar offers attorneys the opportunity to participate in lunchtime telephone seminars for CLE credits without leaving their offices. You can be involved in these telephone seminars, which are held throughout the year and cover a myriad of legal issues, by attending or by preparing and actually assisting in making a presentation (under the supervision of practicing attorneys). This is a great opportunity to participate in Bar activities, to conduct research in an area of law that interests you, to gain presentation skills, and to network while showing off your legal skills. Students can participate individually or in groups. Typically these seminars are hosted by law firms in town, and provide an opportunity to meet practicing attorneys in person. To learn more about the Lunch 'N Learn Programs, please contact Alan Aronson, a shareholder in Akerman Senterfitt's corporate practice, at alan.aronson@akerman.com. Mr. Aronson also will be happy to discuss different ways in which you can become an active student member of the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar. It's never to early (or too late) to start networking and the contacts you make through the Business Law Section can be invaluable in your professional development!

Three Legal Diversity Fairs in August

The Vault and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) are hosting 3 legal diversity career fairs in August, 2007. This is a great opportunity for you to gain exposure to over 100 legal employers from across the U.S. (attending the 3 events), as well as valuable educational content through presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on interviewing, career options, associate life, women & minority law leaders and more.

The following are some helpful FAQs regarding these events:

Q. Who will be invited to attend the Legal Diversity Career Fair?
A. While all students and lateral associates are welcome to attend, the Legal Diversity Career Fair specifically targets the following underrepresented groups:

Minority, female and GLBT 1Ls who are researching future employers
Minority, female and GLBT 2Ls and 3Ls who have not yet committed to a firm or other employer
Minority, female and GLBT lateral associates who are looking for new opportunities

Q. Is there a charge to attend the Legal Diversity Career Fair?
A. There is no charge for students and lateral associates to attend the event. They simply ask that you pre-register through their website at: www.vault.com/legaldiversity.

Q. Will interviews be held during the Career Fairs?
A. Employers will have access to the resume database prior to the event and may choose to set up interviews with 2L, 3L and lateral candidates that have pre-registered for the event. Please note, submission of resume does not guarantee an interview.

Q. Is the Legal Diversity Career Fair open to students and lateral associates from across the U.S.?
A. Yes, we are promoting this event nationwide and encourage everyone, especially minority, female and GLBT law students and lateral associates to attend one or more of the events.

Q. What employers will be exhibiting at the Legal Diversity Career Fair?
A. Law firms, government agencies, legal recruiters and corporate counsel departments that are interested in meeting with a diverse group of students and lateral associates have been invited to exhibit at the event. To view a current listing of sponsors and exhibitors please visit the website at www.vault.com/legaldiversity .

Q. What if my resume changes after I register for the Legal Diversity Career Fair?
A. When you register for the event, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link that will allow you to update your resume prior to the event (s).

Q. Is there a deadline to register?
A. There is no deadline, however, we recommend that you register as soon as possible.

For more information on the event and to register please visit: www.vault.com/legaldiversity.

INTERNSHIP & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Attorney General's Office is Hiring Law Students and Entry-Level Attorneys

A. Honors Program-Attorneys

The highly competitive Honors Program is the only way that the Department hires entry-level attorneys. Selection for employment is based on many elements of a candidate's background including academic achievement, law review or moot court experience, legal aid and clinical experience, and summer or part-time legal employment. The Department also considers specialized academic studies (including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees), work experience and extracurricular activities that directly relate to the work of the Department. Applicants apply online between August 1 and a deadline date in mid-September each year. The 2007 deadline is midnight, Eastern Time, Monday, September 17, 2007 (midnight, Eastern time).

For more information, please visit h ttp://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/arm/hp/hp.htm.

B. The Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)-law Students

The SLIP is the Department's competitive recruitment program for compensated summer internships. Selection for employment is based on many elements of a candidate's background including academic achievement, law review or moot court experience, legal aid and clinical experience, and summer or part-time legal employment. The Department also considers specialized academic studies (including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees), work experience, and extracurricular activities that directly relate to the work of the Department. Applicants apply online between August 1 and a deadline date in mid-September each year. The 2007 deadline is Monday, September 17, 2007 (midnight, Eastern time).

For more information, please visit: http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/arm/sp/sp.htm.

SCHOLARSHIPS

LATHAM & WATKINS DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Latham & Watkins has announced the Latham Diversity Scholars Program which will award a $10,000 non-renewable scholarship to each of four second-year law students for use during their third year of law school (2008-09). Factors considered in choosing the Latham Diversity Scholars will include a candidate's:

- Ability and commitment to contribute to the diversity objectives of global law firms,

- Life experiences that have shaped values and that provide a unique perspective, including any obstacles or challenges faced in choosing or pursuing law as a profession,

- Academic and/or leadership achievements, and

- Desire to practice in a global law firm environment.

Scholars will be asked to submit an application form, personal statement, resume and official or unofficial law school transcript by September 15, 2007. This scholarship is not contingent upon receiving or accepting an offer of employment at Latham. Rather, it is open to all law students in the hope that greater diversity among the attorneys at large law firms will benefit the entire profession. Recipients will be announced in the early spring of 2008.

Application forms can also be found on at Latham & Watkins' Web site at www.lw.com/AboutLatham.aspx?page=Diversity under the Diversity Scholars Program heading.

PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION

Post Graduate Fellowships

Post graduate fellowships are incredible opportunities to work in the public sector and create the job of your dreams. There are many different fellowships available from all different types of funding sources. We are detailing some of the more popular ones here, but make sure to look at http://www.pslawnet.org./fellowship/index.php to look at others that may be specific to your interests.

Both the Career Planning Center and the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center are here to help you with identifying possible fellowships and working with you on your application. We have a lot of experience working on fellowship applications and are happy to assist you in preparing your application for submission. Please see Randee Breiter in the Career Planning Center or Dean Marni Lennon in the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center for individual assistance. Additionally there will be a fellowship meeting the first week of school on Thursday, August 23 at 12:30 in room 216B to talk about the process in general.

Equal Justice Works Fellowships for 2008 Now Available Online

The 2008 Equal Justice Works Fellowships application is available now online. All applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. EDT on September 18. Students and alumni interested in applying for a 2008 Fellowship are encouraged to visit www.equaljusticeworks.org/fellows/2008fellow.php for further information.

Important reminders:

Review the application ASAP. Review the online application form as soon as possible to familiarize yourself with how it works and to consider the necessary items required to apply -- the online application, the Certification Form (signed by both candidate and host organization) and up to two letters of recommendation.

Begin working on the application early. The online application does not have spell check capability, so candidates are advised to draft their application text in a word processing program. There are character limits noted for each text box, and character counts may differ between a word processing program and the application. It is therefore important for candidates to paste the text into the application well in advance of the deadline to ensure that the text fits in the allotted space.

Hard copy documents must be received by September 18^th. The deadline for submission of the application, which is done online, is 5pm EDT on September 18^th. A signed Certification Form and up to 2 recommendation letters) must be received by Equal Justice Works no later than September 18^th. These items must be mailed or hand delivered. Faxes and emails will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, please email fellowships@equaljusticeworks.org, or call (202)466-3686, extension 202.

Skadden Arps Fellowships Available

One of the most popular post-graduate public interest fellowships available to students graduating from law school is the Skadden Arps Fellowship Program. The program creates partnerships among public interest lawyers, nonprofit organizations, law firm/corporate sponsors and other donors in order to afford underrepresented populations effective access to the justice system. Third year (3L) law students who are interested in working in public interest should put thought into applying for a fellowship. Applications are currently available online for Skadden Arps and can be accessed at: http://www.skaddenfellowships.org/sitecontent.cfm?page=application and are due on October 1.

Any student who would like to talk about the possibility of applying for post-graduate fellowships should call or visit with Randee Breiter in the CPC to discuss the application process.

the 2007 EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS PUBLIC INTEREST CONFERENCE AND CAREER FAIR

The Equal Justice Works Career Fair is a national public interest law career fair that attracts over 1000 students and 150 employers. Employers attend the Career Fair to fill hundreds of internship and staff positions. Sectors represented include: national nonprofit organizations, public defenders, legal aid offices and federal government positions. The 2007 Equal Justice Works Career Fair will take place on Saturday, October 6, and Sunday, October 7 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel located in Washington, D.C. The 2007 Career Fair features both pre-scheduled interviews and informational interviews. Pre-scheduled interviews will take place on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day.

New events this year for the Conference and Career Fair include:

1. Law School Awards Luncheon -- Students, law school professionals and employers will gather on Saturday, October 6, to honor those in the law school community who serve as role models of public service. (Please note: the Dean John R. Kramer, Outstanding Law School Faculty/Staff and LexisNexis(R) Martindale-Hubbell(R) Student Awards will be presented during the luncheon instead of the Annual Dinner.)

2. Student leaders from around the country share what is happening on their campuses.

3. Student discussion groups supplement workshops, giving students the opportunity to get to know one another better.

Information about registered employers is available on the Equal Justice Works website and the database will be updated as new employers register for the Career Fair. Please note that employers have until the end of August to sign up, so continue to look at the opportunities throughout the summer! Students are responsible for submitting resumes directly to the employer. Employers will contact applicants directly and arrange their own interview schedules. Equal Justice Works strongly encourages students to submit applications by August 31. To see who has already signed up go to: http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/employers/browse.aspx. Plan ahead to attend this conference - you can often find cheap airfare ---- keep your eyes open.

If you have any questions or want to know more about the fair, please call or see Randee Breiter in the CPC. Suggestions for workshops? Need more information? Contact Ericka Hines at conference@equaljusticeworks.org

CAREER FAIRS

The University of Miami School of Law participates in several job fairs throughout the summer and school year. Job fairs provide great opportunities to get exposure to employers outside of Florida and we encourage you to take advantage of them. The registration and bidding process for the job fairs, as well as the registration deadlines, vary. Registration for most of these job fairs takes place in the spring semester and early summer. Please note that job fairs designated as minority job fairs are open to all students.

If you have any questions regarding a particular job fair, please contact the advisor listed under such job fair.

Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair, Kansas City, MO

Held in September, this job fair is designed to expose law students of diverse backgrounds to both the traditional and non-traditional legal employer. For more information, visit www.heartlanddiversity.org or contact Tere Rodriguez (trodriguez@law.miami.edu).

Hispanic National Bar Association Career Fair

The Hispanic National Bar Association Job Fair will take place on Friday, October 5, 2007, at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Job Fair is part of the 2007 HNBA Annual Convention (October 3-7, 2007). Students can register to attend the Convention generally or only the Job Fair.

Space is limited for the Job Fair and the priority registration deadline is Saturday, September 15, 2007. The job fair is open to 2L and 3L Hispanic law students.

Please visit www.hnba.com/2007AnnualConvention.asp for more information and to register for the Convention and/or Job Fair. Specific information regarding the Job Fair (i.e., application requirements and deadlines) is not available yet. If you are planning to attend, please contact Cristina Ortega at cortega@law.miami.edu and ask to be added to the HNBA Job Fair mailing list. You will then receive pertinent Job Fair information once it is available.

International Student Interview Program, New York, NY

Held in January, this consortium program brings together over 125 international employers to interview foreign-trained lawyers who are doing their graduate studies toward an LL.M. degree in the United States. For more information, contact Tere Rodriguez (trodriguez@law.miami.edu).

Lavender Law Career Fair, Washington, D.C.

Held in September, this career fair for 2L and 3L lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students features private firms and public organizations from all over the country. Visit www.lavenderlaw.org/career.fair.html or contact Marcy Cox (mcox@law.miami.edu) for additional information.

Midwest Minority Recruitment Conference, Dearborn, MI

Held in late August, this program is open to ALL minority students across the country wishing to work in the Midwest. For more information, visit www.nblsa.org or contact Tamesha Keel (tkeel@law.miamu.edu).

National Black Law Students Association Job Fairs

Held throughout August and September in Cleveland, OH; Seattle, WA; New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; Birmingham, AL; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and Houston, TX. For more information, visit www.nblsajobfair.org or contact Tamesha Keel (tkeel@law.miami.edu).

Northwest Minority Job Fair, Seattle, WA

Held in early October, the mission of the job fair is to foster access to employment opportunities for historically underrepresented persons in the practice of law and to provide a networking forum for legal employers and minority law students.

For more information, e-mail jobfair@perkinscoie.com or contact Karen Warren (kwarren@law.miami.edu).

Rocky Mountain Diversity Legal Career Fair, Denver, CO

The Rocky Mountain Diversity Legal Career Fair, which will be held on Friday, September 21, 2007, in Denver, Colorado, provides an excellent forum for legal employers, law students and 2007 law school graduates to meet and discuss employment options. Legal employers attending the RMDLCF seek to hire law students and

2007 graduates from culturally diverse backgrounds who have been traditionally under-represented in the legal profession in the Rocky Mountain region. These include law students and 2007 graduates who are ethnic or racial minorities and/or GLBT. Online registration is available now on the RMDLCF's website(www.rmdlcf.com). The

registration deadline is July 27, 2007.

West Coast Interview Program (WCIP), Los Angeles, CA

Held in September and sponsored by University of Miami School of Law, American University Washington College of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and Tulane University Law School. For more information, contact Diane Quick (dquick@law.miami.edu).