Author: Adam Messner

The Louis Stokes Scholar Internship – A Paid Summer Legal Experience

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Louis Stokes Scholars Program is an amazing opportunity for college-bound high school seniors, college students, and law students.

Students will experience the practice of law “up close and personal” through paid summer internships and mentoring by Cleveland area attorneys.  Internships provide practical, real-world experience for students while helping them explore career fields.  Additionally, students who intern will develop new skills, make great connections, and become excited about the field of law.

This opportunity is made possible by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) in conjunction with the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education (NOCHE), College Now and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation.

Successful applicants – who will be known as Stokes Scholars – will be matched for an 8 week paid summer internship with one of several Cleveland area law firms, the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas or Cuyahoga Court of Domestic Relations, or with an area legal nonprofit such as Legal Aid, the Cleveland Law Library, or the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Each Stokes Scholar will be assigned an attorney mentor – a Stokes Scholars Mentor – who will guide the Stokes Scholar through their internship and provide career counseling.

Participation is limited to students who are graduates or will be graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District or the East Cleveland City Schools (Shaw High School). Those graduating from high school in 2013 must have a 3.5 GPA to be eligible.  There is no college GPA requirement for submission of an application for those in college, though GPA may be a factor in selection.

Applications are available through Mary Groth of the CMBA (mgroth@clemetrobar.org) or Patrick Britton of NOCHE (pbritton@noche.org).  The deadline for applications is April 15, 2013.

The Stokes Scholars Program is named after Louis Stokes, a CMBA member and attorney most recently in practice with the law firm of Squire Sanders.  He is a former Congressman who represented the Cleveland area for over three decades (’68-’99), after being elected the first African-American elected to Congress from Ohio.  He and his brother Carl – the first African-American elected mayor of a major city – rose to the heights of political power from humble beginnings as residents of Cleveland’s Outhwaite public housing projects.  A graduate of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, he is the recipient of numerous awards for his public and community service as well as for the practice of law.

LEGAL CLINIC ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PAID POSITIONS

The University of Akron School of Law Legal Clinic will be hiring for paid positions open for the summer and next year, 2013.  The paid positions are as Directors of our Inmate Assistance Programs and as staff members for the Appellate Review Office.  All students are invited to apply, including first year students.  Persons chosen for these positions will be paid $7.85 per hour up to 20 hours per week during the school year and 30 hours per week during the summer.  Students must take credit courses during the summer to qualify for employment.

People interested in developing interviewing, research, and writing skills should apply.  Our Clinic graduates use their skills in civil and criminal contexts as Public Defenders,CountyProsecutors, Legal Aid lawyers, judicial law clerks, and civil practitioners.  We have a 100% employment rate within six months of graduation.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted to Maureen Davis no later than Friday, 19, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.  Please sign up for an interview time in the Legal Clinic when you submit your application.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Maureen Davis at 330-972-7751 or by e-mail, mdavis1@uakron.edu.

Need Community Service Hours?

The Dean’s Office is looking for volunteers to assist with the Law School Commencement program on Sunday, May 19th. It’s a great opportunity to observe the graduation of your colleagues and to prepare for your own Commencement program.

You will be able to claim community service hours as well.

We are looking for student ushers to serve as hosts/hostesses, greeting people at the door, assisting with handicapped guests and judicial guests, and handing out programs.

If you’re interested in assisting or would like more information, please email Aneesh at akj6@zips.uakron.edu. Thank you.

Trial Team Q & A Meeting – APRIL 10 in W-209

Attention all 1L and 2L students.  Worried you might not get a job when you graduate?  Want to come into an interview with a set of marketable skills?  Want to start building a strong legal network?  Well, now has never been a better time to tryout of Akron Law Trial Team!  This nationally acclaimed program is holding an informal Q & A meeting WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 @ 5:30 in ROOM #209.  Learn about Trial Team and network with real trial attorneys.  You DO NOT WANT TO MISS this opportunity to learn about trial team, discover what trial team has done for so many others, and what trial team can do for you.  Please don’t miss this opportunity.
If you have any questions please contact Stephanie Hand-Cannane at sah83@zips.uakron.edu  or Jon Sauline at jws50@zips.uakron.edu.

Criminal Reform for Youths Forum – April 8, noon, L-165

Akron Juvenile Judge Linda Teodosio will be speaking the topic of criminal reform for youths.  The forum will be Monday April 8 from 12-1 in room 165.  This is CLE eligible.  In the juvenile system, there are many questions that continue to be asked such as: Are children being sent to prison too young?  Does the juvenile system actually help children or is it leading them into a life of crime?  Are kids getting off too easy just because the have not yet reached 18?  These are the pressing questions facing the juvenile justice system. Judge Teodosio is an expert in this field and will be able to provide our current law students much insight.