Two Free Networking Opportunities for Attorneys and Students in Northern and Southern California—RSVP Today

By Frank Zeccola 
LCD Graduate Fellow 

Two huge free networking opportunities are occurring in the next few weeks in San Francisco and Los Angeles—including free breakfast, lunch, and MCLE credits in addition to the chance to meet scores of attorneys in your area.

First up is an event for anyone based near LA: The Fifth Annual Diversity Leadership Summit takes place Wednesday, May 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Loyola Law School, 919 Albany Street, Los Angeles. This event is co-sponsored by 12 Bar Associations and 6 law schools (including Golden Gate!) and features 11 attorney speakers. The California Employment Lawyer’s Association (CELA) presents the Summit, which includes keynote lunch speaker Genie Harrison, attorney at Genie Harrison Law Firm, APC. Additional panel topics include “Finding Your Professional Style in the Face of Stereotypes” and “Increasing Your Leadership and Visibility Throughout Your Career.” This free Summit includes breakfast, a networking lunch, and 1.25 MCLE credits. To RSVP (as soon as possible) and for more info, email info@cela.org.

Next up, in Northern California—right here in San Francisco, in fact—is the CELA Diversity Leadership Summit 2016, which takes place Wednesday, June 15, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at UC Hastings College of the Law, 200 McAllister Street, San Francisco. CELA also presents this event, which is open to and includes both plaintiff and defense bar attorneys, government and public interest attorneys, other legal professionals, and law students. This year’s keynote speaker is the Honorable Judge Angela Bradstreet of the San Francisco Superior Court. The Summit will also feature distinguished panelists and a workshop, and is free of charge—including breakfast refreshments, a networking lunch, MCLE credit, and written materials. For more info and to RSVP, click here.

These events offer the opportunity to get in front of dozens of local attorneys, in addition to a wealth of information provided by the panelists and featured speakers. RSVP now to ensure your spot.

Reflections on Labor Day

by Cynthia Chandler
Interim Associate Dean of Law Career Development and Alumni Relations and Adjunct Professor

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, was established in 1894 as a national day of tribute and rest to celebrate the contribution of workers to all of our communities.

As you enjoy your long weekend, I encourage you to reflect on the broader significance of the day and to consider ways in which law and society is evolving to impact working people.

Check out this useful wrap up of labor law cases from the 2014-15 U. S. Supreme Court term.

Also, Labor Day does not speak to the existence of slavery, or stolen labor, and its continued impact on our economy and society. Consider this blog post on the historic legacy of slavery on the generation of wealth in our country and globally. Moreover, the use of slave labor continues legally in the United States, albeit limitedly, as slave labor was legalized with adoption of the 13th Amendment “as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted…” Consider this recent blog post identifying seven top US companies that continue to make significant profit through the use of free or radically underpaid, imprisoned labor.

Finally, all of us at LCD want to acknowledge how hard our students and graduates work every day, balancing work, school, family and community demands. We thank you for your contributions to our community, culture, politic and society.

Employment Law Bridge Fellowships, Externships, and Summer Positions!

by Cynthia Chandler

Public Interest Career Counselor

Amazing opportunities can come from unexpected places.  Interested in employment law?  Have you considered working for the United States Post Office?

Kathryn E. Carroll, a GGU Law's alumna, found a post graduate Bridge Fellowship working for the USPS, which led to a permanent position practicing employment and labor law at their Pacific Area Law Office.  She describes the work as gratifying, challenging, and offering a rewarding work-family balance.

The USPS is looking for Bridge Fellows, externs, and summer interns.  They offer a unique level of substantive experience early on.  Check them out at LCS online.

And read what Kathryn Carroll has to say about her work and opportunities at the USPS. "Working as an attorney for the Postal Service is a rich, rewarding experience because it offers the opportunity to fully litigate cases in several administrative forums (as well as federal District Court) while simultaneously filling the role of, essentially, in-house counsel to our operations clients in the field. So, while handling a full caseload of employment law cases, U.S. Postal Service field attorneys are also called upon to offer advice on human resources, labor relations, safety, health, and injury compensation issues. The opportunity to practice litigation avoidance and to spend a portion of my time solving clients’ (and therefore employees’) problems nicely balances out the rigors of litigation."

"Externs in the Law Department get to experience the full range of tasks that our attorneys are called upon to accomplish. At first, the extern will work closely with the attorneys in the Law Department to get a better understanding of the various facets of federal employment law. Because our office is located in the same building as a mail processing plant, the extern will also be given a tour of the plant and the carrier annex in order to get a better understanding of how the Postal Service accomplishes its mission. Then, the extern will begin reviewing case files and drafting simple pleadings such as a motion to compel. All externs will perform substantive work, such as drafting discovery requests, summary judgment motions, and motions to dismiss. They will also have the opportunity to communicate with Postal Service management and clients; respond to advice matters that involve interpretation of Postal Service regulations and policies; participate in settlement conferences and deposition; and assist in administrative hearings."