Attorney Panel Take Away: Be Relevant

by Marcie Areias & Eric Gelwicks

Getting in the minds of potential employers is invaluable and doesn't happen very often. GGU hosted a panel of successful real estate and land use attorneys last week and they shared exactly what they look for in candidates, including the following tips:

1. Impress with your resume by demonstrating a real interest in the law we practice. As land use attorneys, we are always impressed with candidates that watch board of supervisor and/or planning commission meetings to learn about relevant and current topics. When we see this on a resume, we're excited to discuss these issues with the candidate and get their opinion.
2. Why are you here? Why are you in law school? Be able to answer this question and tie it into why you are applying for a job with our firm. Being thoughtful shows commitment.
3. Market what you have. Take your skills and what makes you unique and really market it toward a particular job.

So how can you meet these expectations? Thoroughly review each job description and then prioritize experience, credentials, and educational highlights that best match a position's requirements. This is not to say that you would intentionally omit experience that is not specifically on point with a particular position. Instead, customize each resume to address which elements of your background you would like a particular employer to focus on given their practice area and needs.

Q&A: Anne Epperly of Luce Forward

by Marcie Areias
Career Advisor

In anticipation of the Careers in Real Estate and Land Use Panel on Tuesday, September 21, I caught up with panel member Anne Epperly of Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP. Here is what she has to say about law students and young lawyers looking to practice real estate law.

How did you decide to pursue a legal career in real estate law?
I really enjoyed first year property while in law school but I was more interested in litigation than transactional work. My law firm, Luce Forward, has a specialized Real Estate and Environmental Litigation (REEL) practice group and while I was a summer associate I really clicked with the lawyers in the REEL group. So, during my first year as an associate, I found myself naturally working with the REEL practice group more than other practice group at the firm.

Did you take any classes in law school that you prepared you for the real estate practice, or are there any you wish you took?
Real Estate Transactions and Advanced Real Estate Transactions

Is practicing real estate law different from what you expected?
Of course practicing any type of law is different than the law school experience, but I can't say I had any preconceptions about how my day-to-day practice would look.

What is one piece of advice you wish an attorney would have told you while you were in law school?
Take clinics if they are available; try to participate in externships; keep in touch with professors (particularly adjunct) as they can serve as mentors in the future. Strong mentors are invaluable in a legal career.

Come hear more from Anne and four other impressive real estate and land use attorneys at Golden Gate University School of Law on Tuesday, September 21 from 5:15 to 6:15 pm in room 4208.