Career Services arranges Small Firm Week

     Statistics show that most private practitioners work in small- to mid-sized firms with 50 or fewer attorneys. According to Career Services, 57 percent of the Class of 2006 went into private practice and 58 percent of those went to work in small to mid-sized firms. This mirrors national statistics, which show 56 percent going into private practice, 48 percent of those in small- to mid-sized firms.
     Because so many students will go to work in small firms, the Career Services Office has organized a weeklong series of events to help students understand hiring, networking and how to succeed in small firms. The events will focus on relationship building, job-search strategies, hiring tips and specific practice area information.
 
     Monday, Oct. 22 - 12:15-1:15 p.m. - Room 105
     Relationship Building with Small Firms
      John McCrudden, associate director of the Working Professionals and Alumni Programs for the W.P. Carey School of Business, will speak on the importance of relationship building and how it applies to securing a job with small-to mid-sized law firms.
 
     Tuesday, Oct. 23 - 4-6 p.m. - Steptoe & Johnson Rotunda
     Speed Networking
     Law students will meet one-on-one with attorneys from across the Valley.  This event, the second annual, is open to 2Ls and 3Ls on a first-come basis.  Deadline to sign up is 5 p.m. Oct. 15, and preference will be given to those students who attend the Relationship Building with Small Firms event.
 
     Wednesday, Oct. 24 - 12:15-1:15 p.m. - Room 105
     How to Get a Job with a Small Firm
     Panelists include: Daniel Ortega, of Roush, McCracken, Guerrero, Miller, & Ortega, who will speak about hiring entry-level attorneys and application pitfalls; Helen Perry Grimwood, past-president of the State Bar and member of The Grimwood Law Firm, PLC, who will discuss the differences between working at large and small firms; and Robert Sewell and Josh Deere, of Davis Miles, PLLC, who will offer advice from their own job searches.
 
     Thursday, Oct. 25 - 4-6 p.m. - Steptoe & Johnson Rotunda
     Small Firm Practice Area Career Fair
     Attorneys from 25 to 30 practice areas will provide information.