Virtual Events
Supplemental Bar Support – Final Session
We’ve made it! Professors Murray and Lipson look forward to seeing you over Zoom on August 27th at 5:30 pm to offer support and advice on the bar: https://temple.zoom.us/j/99528522587. Questions? Contact Mai Le at mai.le@temple.edu.
Fall Semester Financial Aid Hours
The Financial Aid Office will have daily Virtual Help Desk hours during the first two weeks of school, from August 17th – August 28th. Beginning August 31st and for the remainder of the Fall 2020 semester, we will have Virtual Drop-In Office Hours Mondays – Thursdays.
The schedule and Zoom links for the Financial Aid Help Desk and Drop-In Office Hours are available here.
If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact us at lwfinaid@temple.edu, or you can complete this Financial Aid Appointment Request Form to schedule an appointment.
Virtual Office Hours with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
LCL continues to remain available for virtual student hours via Zoom or FaceTime. You are welcome to contact Ms. Laurie Besden directly at laurie@lclpa.org. Please also refer to LCL’s law student brochure, which outlines LCL’s safe, free, confidential, and supportive services.
Employment Opportunities
Law Library Research Assistant
The Research Assistant will work in the Temple Law Library’s Public Services department, providing research assistance for faculty scholarship and participating in special projects that support reference activities. Students are expected to work approximately 10-15 hours/week during the semester, but scheduling is flexible, and the work can be performed remotely. Qualified candidates will have completed a law school first-year legal research and writing class. Work study students are preferred. The Law Library may opt to renew this position for future semesters. Interested students should contact Julie Randolph at julie.randolph@temple.edu with a cover letter and resume.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association Project Board
The Pennsylvania Bar Association Project Board has been developed to help match recent law school graduates with members who are in need of limited-time legal support while the bar exam has been moved. Members can post assignments/projects and new graduates can apply for them within this platform; posting and applying is free. You may see the Project Board here.
Community Reminders
Grading Policy for Fall 2020
Please note that the grading policy for fall 2020 remains unchanged; courses will be graded as listed in the course description’s grade mode. Contact Dean Bretschneider should you have any questions at jennifer.bretschneider@temple.edu.
Qwickly Requirement
All students will need to use the attendance tracker Qwickly. This is a very easy process and can be done on Canvas. The primary reason for documentation of attendance through Qwickly is to facilitate contact tracing by the University if a student or instructor tests positive for COVID-19. Either your faculty member (or TA) will take attendance manually and enter your presence in class *OR* the faculty member will initiate a check-in session on Qwickly and you will need to mark your attendance using Canvas on your computer or the Canvas app by clicking “Check In“.
Law Library Seating – Reservation Only
Starting August 24th, you must reserve your seat in the Temple Law Library. The link to the seat reservation system will be available through the Temple Law Library website (https://www.law.temple.edu/library/find-a-resource/) and you can reserve your seat up to a day in advance. You have a choice of carrel, table, or soft seating, and all library levels are available. Find more details on the law library’s Online Learning Guide (https://guides.temple.edu/lawlibraryonline/welcomeback).
Zoom Attendance
A reminder that students need an adjustment from Student Services or an accommodation from DRS in order to attend classes this semester remotely via Zoom.
Political & Civil Rights Society – Staff Editor Application
Interested in becoming a staff editor for the Temple Law Political and Civil Rights Society? You may find the application, due September 11th, here.
Voting!
Get registered, get informed, got mobilized with Temple Votes!
Classes in Paley Hall
Students should report to Room 205 of Paley Library, now also known as “Samuel Paley Hall”, at 13th Street and Polett Walk, adjacent to the Charles Library and is #45 on this campus map.
Lockers
In order to maintain social distancing to protect the health and safety of our community, lockers may not be used during the Fall 2020 semester absent an accommodation from Disability Resources and Services.
Pennsylvania Bar Association – Free Membership
The PBA is FREE for law students. There are great benefits for law students to sign up for the PBA now while in law school. Sign up using this link: https://www.pabar.org/site/Non-member/Student-Application.
No Textbooks on Library Reserve
Textbooks will not be on reserve this semester, as all books returned to the library must be quarantined for a minimum of three days, which makes a traditional reserve collection unfeasible during this time. Textbooks will be part of the normal circulating collection during COVID for safety. We encourage for safety reasons for students to buy their own textbooks. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Help with Voter Protection
The PA Democratic Party is looking for law students to help with voter protection! The right to vote is currently under attack, and they are working to make sure that every eligible Pennsylvania voter can vote and have their vote counted. Please see here for information regarding Election Day opportunities, and then go to www.padems.com/voterpro to sign up! Students with additional questions, or who may be interested in a student leadership role with the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s Voter Protection Division should contact Brian Maguire at 570-274-5260 or by email at tuf59909@temple.edu.
Student Services Fall Semester Zoom Hours
Student Services will have daily Zoom office hours during the fall semester. Times will be posted shortly. You may find the link here: https://temple.zoom.us/j/99337697656
Ordering Course Materials Ahead of Time
The Barnes and Noble Bookstore strongly encourages students to order their materials ahead of time on the web for either in store pick up or shipping to their homes. They will have all course materials available in store, but will be having textbook counter service rather than having anyone shopping the shelves to keep traffic low in the area to just store employees.
Free E-Book: Successful Lessons from Successful African American Lawyers
For a limited time, Successful Black Lawyers is providing free full-color pdf versions of the book, “Successful Lessons from Successful African American Lawyers: Practical Wisdom for Those on the Path to Lawyerhood” edited by Evangeline M. Mitchell, Esq., particularly for those unable to purchase the book. Their goal is to give away the full-color e-book for free to at least 10,000 aspiring Black lawyers. Here’s a link to an article about the book: www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4747547 and here’s the link to the website to download the free e-book: www.successfulblacklawyers.com/#get
Black Lawyers in America – Video
Recording of Session One: The Foundation.
Systemic Racism in US Law & Politics – Video
If you missed CSRR’s Teach-In Series on Systemic Racism in US Law and Politics, they are available for viewing here. Thank you to Professors Vernellia Randall, Benjamin Davis, Jeena Shah, and Anthony Farley for sharing their expertise at this monumental political moment.
Wellness Resource Center – Video
Check out this video from the Wellness Resource Center on Self-Care and New Routines. This program is designed to explore tips and strategies to take care of your mental well-being.
Stipends for Summer & Fall – Meltzer Social Justice Projects
The Sheller Center has received a generous contribution to support stipends for students interested in engaging in social justice projects this summer and/or fall. All students at the Law School (not just those connected to the Sheller Center) are eligible to apply to this fund, in accordance with these guidelines. As you’ll see, the focus is on student-led projects aimed at benefiting disadvantaged communities in Pennsylvania, conducted in partnership with a community, policy, or advocacy organization and under the guidance of any faculty member. We are looking forward to seeing your applications!
JD Spring Semester Abroad Program in Japan
For over 26 years, Temple University’s international law program in Japan has offered law students a unique opportunity to study in Tokyo for an entire spring semester. The law program in Japan is designed to educate the next generation of lawyers to practice in the global marketplace and to provide aspiring lawyers with the opportunity to become intimately familiar with the international practice of law and legal community. The program also provides participants with an invaluable chance to experience Asia and an opportunity to become distinguished in a competitive legal market. The Spring 2021 application is due October 15, 2020. You may find details here.
Scholarships
Law Student Diversity Scholarship Competition
DRI announces its 15th annual Law Student Diversity Scholarship Competition in which two $10,000 scholarships will be awarded. The program is open to students who will be in their second or third year of law school in the 2020-21 academic year. Eligible are African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, LGBT and multi-racial students. Also eligible are female law students, regardless of race or ethnicity and law students who come from backgrounds that would add to the cause of diversity, regardless of race or gender.
The goal of these scholarships is to provide financial assistance to two worthy law students from ABA-accredited law schools to promote, in a tangible way, the DRI Diversity Statement of Principle. To qualify for this scholarship, a candidate must be a full-time student. Evening students also qualify for consideration if they have completed one-third or more of the total credit hours required for a degree by the applicant’s law school.
Click here to access the scholarship application and information. Applications must be received by DRI no later than August 31, 2020.
Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Legal Education Fund Scholarship
The 2020 Scholarship of the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Legal Education Fund is now open! All applications must be received on or before 11:59 pm on September 13, 2020. Application information may be found here.
Bar Exam & MPRE Information
Bar Exam Tips
A reminder that the code TEMPLE25 is good for $25 off MBE and MEE Flashcards on the Critical Pass website, is good through August, and includes free shipping and mobile app access.
Keep a look out for bar tips delivered to you each week this semester in the Post!
The 2020 MPRE
Please visit the National Conference of Bar Examiners website for the most current information concerning the MPRE.