Sunday, September 25, 2011

BLSA News for the week of 9/26

BLSA invites all of you to commit to becoming National BLSA members. Membership is $40, and allows access to National and Regional BLSA events like job fairs and conventions. SCU BLSA also offers local memberships for $10, offering access to our mentoring program, networking events, and job opportunities (some below!). You can buy one or both memberships Monday in Bannan Hall outside 127 from 12-1 and 5-6. If you can't do it then, e-mail us and we'll try to meet your needs.

Upcoming Events

Professional

Judges’ Fireside Chat is upcoming for paid members, who should make certain to check their e-mails for information regarding the event.

CELA, the California Employment Lawyers’ Association, has sent us an application for scholarship money applicable to its upcoming conference on October 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey. Depending on financial need, the scholarship will pay for part or all of the attendance fee for the conference. (Note that it does not specify lodging.) Paid members may see Sherrett for details.

2011 Santa Clara Law and Law Career Services Diversity Gala

Santa Clara Law is a leader in law school diversity: it is among the top ten most diverse law schools in the U.S. Our students and alumni founded the Diversity Gala in order to foster an atmosphere of inclusion for these young lawyers. The Diversity Gala is an opportunity to form relationships that develop into mentorships, to be assured by representatives from participating organizations that diversity is highly valued and to recognize the contributions that prominent members of the legal profession have made to further the interest of minority groups.

http://law.scu.edu/careers/diversity-gala.cfm

It’s not too early to start thinking about the Western Region BLSA Convention held January 11-15, 2012 in Seattle. Details at http://www.nblsa.org/index.php?pID=438. Attendance requires an NBLSA membership, which much be purchased through the SCU chapter, not individually. The price of an NBLSA membership goes up to $50 on 11/1.

Jobs

Paid members, if you are interested in a state judicial clerkship in New Jersey, please respond as we have received a packet outlining the application process along with a guide to minority judges. Neither NJ residency nor NJ Bar is required for these one-year jobs aimed at recent graduates.

On 9/21, Sherrett attended a dinner hosted by Trucker Huss, where they talked about opportunities for minorities. If you are interested in working in ERISA (look it up!), working for a small firm, or would like to get a networking conversation going with Trucker, e-mail us. Note that Trucker employs SCU BLSA’s own Jahiz Agard JD ’11.

Social

On October 8, USF is having a Bay Area BLSA mixer at a club in San Francisco from 6:30-8:30. After that, you can find us in da club. Paid members, e-mail us and let us know if you’re interested in going so we can see if ride sharing is available and convenient.

Save the date for our annual Thanksgiving Potluck, held this year on 11/19 at Professor Armstrong’s house.

Academic

The AFL-CIO is offering its Law Student Union Summer for candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to the practice of Labor Law. They are looking for 1L’s and 2L’s who have taken one or more labor law courses and who have experience in organizing or community activism. The Deadline is October 24, 2011 for 2L’s and January 23, 2012 for 1L’s. They offer a stipend of $600 a week, plus local transportation and housing. Paid members feel free to e-mail for more details.

Financial

From the Admissions and Financial Aid office: This year we are proud to offer again the annual Thurgood Marshall Alumni Scholarship for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year law students. The Thurgood Marshall Alumni Scholarship was established as a means of enabling future alumni of Santa Clara Law to continue the efforts of Justice Marshall in expanding equality and seeking social justice for the disadvantaged in our society. Completed applications are due in the Law Admissions Office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2011. The Law Admissions Office is located in Heafey, Room 148. For more information and selection criteria, please download the scholarship application.

Fundraising

We made about $30 bake sale-ing on 9/19. Sherrett has made mention of trying to do this a few more times during the semester. E-mail to let us know if you can lend a hand by baking or selling goodies.

Do we want to do Hallowe’en Candy-Grams? E-mail us if you’ve got the scary spirit.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Upcoming Events for September 2011

Exam Prep Workshop 9/17 at 1PM in B135

Professor Peter Wendel from Pepperdine, who has taught at SCU and facilitated this workshop before, will be here to help us improve exam skills. Professor Wendel travels from LA to the Bay Area and beyond to give this presentation. His workshop has been recommended by Upper Division students and this may be an excellent opportunity to preview him for next semester, when he will be teaching Wills & Trusts and Community Property at SCU.
Food will be served.

Time Management Workshop Tentatively Saturday, 9/10/11 (cool date!) in Bannan

Please come to Professor Hammond’s annual presentation about how to manage your course load, personal life, and exams. A don’t-miss event – ask Upper Division students about their experiences with this event.


Constitution Day Event Friday 9/16/2011

Share your law knowledge with students from area high schools. Lunch is from 11:45-12:30, and classroom sessions are from 12:30-1:15, and 1:20-2:00. Come to all or pick one. Tell us if you can help!

Dinner with the Dean Friday, 9/16/2011 at 6:00. Please let us know if you're interested in joining us at a welcome dinner hosted by Dean Polden.


Charles Houston Bar Association Family Law Clinic

September 17, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd, Oakland, 94621.
Respond to this e-mail and let us know if you’re coming!

The Charles Houston Bar Association (CHBA) seeks attorney, legal support and law student volunteers for its Family Law Clinic on September 17, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd, Oakland, 94621.
Please note that volunteer meeting time is earlier than the clinic start time which begins at 10:30 a.m.
Experience in family law is highly desirable, but administrative assistance is also needed. The purpose of CHBA legal clinics is to provide pro bono legal assistance to local communities. All assistance is appreciated.
Please contact Cathy Ongiri at (510) 459-8806 or email legalservices@charleshoustonbar.org Coffee & refreshments will be provided. CHBA appreciates your participation.


Congressional Black Caucus Weekend and Charles Hamilton Houston Leadership Retreat September 21-25 in Washington, DC. Details can be found at http://www.nblsa.org/cbc2011/ . If you are interested, SCU BLSA may have some funds available to help you attend. As always, let us know if you are interested.


Black Couture Ball Saturday, September 24th, 2011 - 7pm till 1:30am in San Francisco
A few of us are planning to go and think it would be a good idea to meet before we get knee deep in the fun. Let us know if you're interested.
http://blackcoutureball.com/
Swing, Jazz and Blues in the Fillmore District, San Francisco
Celebrating 100 Years of Fashion and Nightlife in San Francisco
Held within the three blocks of the historic Fillmore Entertainment Corridor on Fillmore between Eddy and Geary Streets at eight locations, including the classic outdoor Fillmore Center Plaza stage. Featuring live music, Burlesque, Swing/Lindy dancing, and Chicago “Steppin” lessons. Plus classic cars, dining, cocktails and more! Sway to the jazzy rhythms from venue to venue and be part of this cool, classy scene. We encourage you to wear your finest “Black” vintage attire of the past ten decades. If you don’t have vintage clothing, then current style is just fine. Pick out your classiest, sexiest black outfit and take this hip trip back in time.

Bay Area Academic Retreat
http://www.law.stanford.edu/calendar/details/5746/Bay%20Area%20Academic%20Retreat/


Black Couture Ball Saturday, September 24th, 2011 - 7pm till 1:30am in San Francisco
A few of us are planning to go and think it would be a good idea to meet before we get knee deep in the fun. Let us know if you're interested.

http://blackcoutureball.com/
Swing, Jazz and Blues in the Fillmore District, San Francisco
Celebrating 100 Years of Fashion and Nightlife in San Francisco
Held within the three blocks of the historic Fillmore Entertainment Corridor on Fillmore between Eddy and Geary Streets at eight locations, including the classic outdoor Fillmore Center Plaza stage. Featuring live music, Burlesque, Swing/Lindy dancing, and Chicago “Steppin” lessons. Plus classic cars, dining, cocktails and more! Sway to the jazzy rhythms from venue to venue and be part of this cool, classy scene. We encourage you to wear your finest “Black” vintage attire of the past ten decades. If you don’t have vintage clothing, then current style is just fine. Pick out your classiest, sexiest black outfit and take this hip trip back in time.


APALSA Exam Prep Workshop

Thursday, 9/15 at noon in 127