COMMUNITY REMINDERS
January 2024 Graduates – The Graduation Application is Now Open!
The Graduation Application is now open for the January 2024 graduating class.
Students who plan to graduate in January 2024 must apply to graduate through the University TUPortal/Self Service Banner system. This application must be completed by Wednesday, November 22, 2023 for all law January 2024 graduates. Students enrolled in dual degree programs will have to submit a separate graduation application for each degree. The graduation application is an easy and fast application to complete, but failing to complete it by the deadline can cause a delay in receiving your diploma.
Please follow the instructions below to apply for graduation.
- Sign in to TUPortal.
- Click on the Student Tools tab at the top of the page.
- Go to the Records section which is located on the right side of the page.
- Select Apply to Graduate.
- Confirm that the program listed is correct (should be: Current Program – Juris Doctor)
- Select a Graduation term – Fall 2023 should be the only option.
- Review and submit.
You should receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of submitting your application. The email will include information on how your name will appear on the diploma. If you would like to make changes to your legal name, you can follow the instructions outlined in the email or submit the Personal Information Update Form directly to the Law School Office of Academic Records.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Laura Frisby-Selby at lfrisby@temple.edu or Senior Director Walden at walden@temple.edu
Halfway There Celebration
Week 7 is almost here! You’re nearing the halfway point of the Fall 2023 Semester. Come celebrate with snacks at the Help Desk:
- Monday, October 9: 11AM – 1PM and 4PM – 6PM
- Tuesday, October 10: 11AM – 1PM and 4PM – 6PM
ReOrientation
Did you miss the Fall 2023 ReOrientation? The slides are here and you can watch the recording at this link. If you have any questions, please contact Senior Director Walden at walden@temple.edu.
No Stickers on Lockers
As a reminder, do not stick any items (like stickers) inside or outside of your locker.
Academic Core Enrichment (ACE) Counselor Interest Form
Are you a 1L student still trying to navigate how best to prepare for and participate in class? Complete the ACE Counselor Request Form to let us know how we can best help you! Once you’ve completed the form, we will pair you with an ACE Counselor to work with them one-on-one to develop the tools and skills you need to succeed. (Note: you will need to be logged into your Temple AccessNet account to complete the form linked above).
Questions? Contact Associate Director Urmson at nurmson@temple.edu.
Spring 2024 Practicum with United States Attorney’s Office: Civil Division – Deadline Friday, October 6th
We are now collecting applications for our School Designed Practicum with the United States Attorney’s Office – Civil Division for the Spring 2024 semester. A description of this practicum opportunity and application instructions can be found below. Additional practicum opportunities will be posted in later in the semester. More information on practicums can be found here.
CIVIL LITIGATION PRACTICUM (UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE – CIVIL DIVISION)
There are up to three slots available for third- and fourth-year law students in this 3-credit Practicum.
This Practicum with the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia supplements traditional classroom study by offering students the opportunity to hone their legal skills by working with Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) toward the resolution of cases in litigation or at the pre-complaint stage. Students will have the opportunity to deepen their substantive knowledge, sharpen essential lawyering skills, and appreciate professional values of the legal profession. Under the supervision of one or more AUSAs in the civil division of the United States Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia, students will engage in and observe all phases of work of the civil side of the United States Attorney’s Office—to include both affirmative and defensive litigation—in subject areas including, but not limited to: torts, employment discrimination, civil rights, disability rights, environmental law, and healthcare fraud. Students will assist civil division AUSAs with a variety of casework, the nature of which depends upon the needs of each case. Assignments may include legal research, analysis, and writing; attending meetings and court hearings; assisting with witness interviews and taking/defending depositions; drafting and responding to discovery; and participating in all aspects of arbitrations and trials (including witness examination). Externs will have regular opportunities for feedback.
Students will need to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week to this Practicum. To participate in this Practicum, students must also be eligible for court certification. A security clearance must be obtained prior to the start of the semester’s work. If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your resume, a copy of your transcript, a writing sample, and a letter of interest addressed to the “United States Attorney’s Office – Civil Division Practicum Selection Committee” to lawpract@temple.edu by 12:00 pm on Friday, October 6, 2023.
Spring 2023 In-House Clinics – Information Session Monday, October 9th; Applications Due Monday, October 16th
Don’t miss the application process for in-house clinics! In Temple’s in-house clinics, students in their second year or beyond can get hands-on legal experience under the supervision of our clinical professors — while also earning course credit. Clinics offered in the spring include the Family Law Litigation Clinic, the Community Lawyering Clinic, the Social Justice Lawyering Clinic, the Systemic Justice Clinic, the Access to Justice Clinic, and the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (more information on the Law School web site under “in house clinics”). To find out more, come to the information session on Monday, October 9, from 12-1 in K1E. The application process opens on Oct. 9 and runs through October 16.
PA Voter Registration Deadline for November 7th Election – October 23rd
Do you need to register to vote in PA? October 23rd is the last day to register before the November 7th election. Complete your Voter Registration Application online today!
Volunteer Judges Needed for Haverford College Mock Trial Tournament – November 11th & 12th
Haverford Mock Trial is hosting their annual undergraduate mock trial tournament, the Black Squirrel Invitational, on the weekend of November 11-12, 2023 at the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and are seeking judges for the tournament. For more information, or to sign up to volunteer as a judge, see this link: https://forms.gle/2v129QkmtonkQtWT6
The Temple 10-Q – Random Advice for First-Year Law Students (2023-2024) – We Encourage You to Read!
The Temple 10-Q’s annual Random Advice for First-Year Law Students is now available! You can check it out here: https://www2.law.temple.edu/10q/10-q-random-advice-for-first-year-law-students-2023-2024/
Sign up for your FREE PA Bar Association membership today!
Chester County Bar Association: Join for free today!
Free Federal Bar Association Law Student Membership
The Federal Bar Association (FBA) is now offering its Law Student Membership to new applicants for free. This membership includes up to three years of associate membership while the student is enrolled in law school (up to four if in a part-time program) and the first year of their professional membership after graduation. Students may apply for their free membership at http://www.fedbar.org/join.
The FBA is the premier professional association for judges and lawyers involved in federal practice. It is a nonpartisan national voluntary bar association with more than 15,000 members, including more than 2,000 members of the Judiciary. The FBA also has nearly 100 professional chapters across the United States tasked with building partnerships with their local law schools and developing affiliated law school student chapters that cater specifically to students considering federal practice.
Temple Law Alumni in the News
We’re excited to introduce our new feature page of the Student Post, Temple Law Alumni in the News. Here, you’ll find news features and announcements on some of Temple Law’s alumni.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Esquire Bound Series: Admission by Bar Exam Part 2 – Sunday, October 1st at 7PM via Zoom
Join us for our next “Esquire Bound” event on Sunday, October 1st from 7 – 7:45 pm via Zoom. You can access the Zoom link for every session here: https://temple.zoom.us/j/6398848836. This session will be recorded.
For more information on the Esquire Bound series, including dates for upcoming events and a copy of the recordings for the vents, see the BAR EXAM & MPRE section of the Student Post below.
Lunch with Litigators Series – next event Monday, October 2nd at 12PM
The Temple Law Trial Advocacy Program will host five events in their “Lunch with Litigators” series during the Fall 2023 semester. Each event will have extraordinary litigators, people who will discuss their careers, offer advocacy lessons, and give you a chance to ask your questions and network.
Below are remaining events for the semester. Some will be bring-your-own lunch, while pizza will be provided for others. No sign-up required! Just show up!
Monday, October 2nd: Kristen Gibbons-Feden https://www.smbb.com/attorney/kristen-m-gibbons-feden/ and Marni Berger – https://www.smbb.com/attorney/marni-s-berger/ , two leading lawyers in litigating on behalf of victims of abuse (and Ms. Gibbons-Feden previously prosecuted on behalf of sexual assault victims, including in the prosecution of Bill Cosby)
Monday, October 30th: Zoe Littlepage – https://www.littlepagebooth.com/meet-the-team/attorneys/zoe-littlepage and https://www.athealaw.com/attorneys/zoe-littlepage/ , one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs’ lawyers and a founding member of Athea Law, a group of collaborating women lawyers
Monday, November 13th: Members of the firm MGM https://www.mgmlaw.com/The-Firm a national litigation firm, including managing partner Amaryah Bocchino https://www.mgmlaw.com/amaryah-bocchino and at least one member of the litigation team
Monday, November 27th: Exoneree Steven Lazar and his civil rights counsel (Temple alum, Grace Harris)
Questions? Please contact Professor Epstein at jules.epstein@temple.edu
PA Superior Court at Temple Law – October 3rd and 4th in the Moot Court Room
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania will be sitting in session at Temple Law on October 3rd and 4th. Oral Arguments will be held in the Moot Court Room.
- Court will be held from 9:30AM – 3PM on both days.
- You must enter and exit the Moot Court Room through the entrance near K2A/K2B
- Backpacks are not permitted. You may not leave them in the hallway near the courtroom.
- Cell phones must be turned off.
- All attendees will be “wanded” upon entering the Moot Court Room
The PA Superior Court’s 2023 Session Calendar can be found here.
ACE #2: Outlining – Wednesday, October 4th at 12 pm and Thursday, October 5th at 5 pm
Join us for our second ACE session for the Fall, “Outlines – When and How to Begin”, on Wednesday, October 4th at 12 pm in K2B and Thursday, October 5th at 5 pm in K1D. Pizza will be served at both sessions.
In this session, we’ll discuss what outlining is and how to organize, synthesize, and create your own study materials. Students will also have the opportunity to work with ACE Counselors to explore ways to create your outlines.
Can’t make it in person? You can attend by Zoom using this link: https://temple.zoom.us/j/6398848836. These sessions will also be recorded and posted on the ACE Canvas Page.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Philadelphia Happy Hour – Thursday, October 5th
Where: Independence Beer Garden
Time: AILA meet at 5:30pm (Happy Hour at IBG runs until 7)
What: This is an excellent opportunity to mingle with Philadelphia-area immigration attorneys and meet new AILA Philadelphia chapter members. Law student membership in AILA is free. (aila.org)
Questions?: Contact Temple alumnus, Andrew Fuller, at afuller@lhscimmigration.com.
Dissent in America Teach-in Series: Oppenheimer and the Early Scientist Movement for the International Control of Nuclear Weapons – Friday, October 6th
To attend via Zoom, register here: https://temple.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrcOiprj8uHNWlwA_RJ6Y1q-dgYbgc3KDs#/registration
1L Exam Information Session – Monday, October 9 at 3:30PM
To prepare you for upcoming midterms as well as final exams, we will be hosting an exam information session. This session is designed to walk you through the in person exam process at Temple Law, download and register Examplify, and ask any questions you may have. Please bring with you the computer you will use for exams. We’ll see you on Monday, October 9 at 3:30PM in K2B and on Zoom (https://temple.zoom.us/j/96948713418). We’ll have some cookies!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Senior Director Walden at walden@temple.edu.
Reed Smith Law Student Mental Health Summit – Save the Date – October 12th
Reed Smith is pleased to announce our virtual Law Student Mental Health Summit, an event designed to proactively address the mental health of aspiring lawyers.
The summit will offer an opportunity for law school students, faculty and administrators to hear from leading mental health experts, legal industry professionals and peers about the unique stressors that can endanger law students’ mental health – and protective steps we can take individually and collectively.
Law students are at increased risk of depression, alcohol abuse and thoughts of suicide. But prioritizing mental health and self-care at law school is doable, and it has a direct correlation to long-term success (not to mention contributing to a happy life outside of work).
Join us to gain valuable insights and practical tools, and engage with a supportive network. Now’s the time to be proactive about your wellbeing.
Register for full summit or individual sessions and view the agenda online at this link.
Temple Law Innovation Forum: Friday, October 13th
Click the flyer above to RSVP!
Law & Public Interest Technology Career Exploration Fair: Saturday October 14th
Click the flyer above to RSVP!
Webinar: Legal and Compliance Career Opportunities in the Asset Management Industry – October 18th
Life After Life: A Conversation with Former Juvenile Lifers: Monday, October 16th at 6PM
TLR Symposium: Competition/Regulation: Controlling Corporate Power in the Digital Economy – Thursday, October 19th
Dissent in America Teach-in Series: Trump’s Indictments: The Collision of Law and Politics – Friday, October 20th
To attend via Zoom, register here: https://temple.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJclcOitrDojGtXOGjxZwQg7rfg5ypog2Adc#/registration
Philadelphia Bar Association Law Student Outreach Series – Save the Date October 26, 2023
WRITING COMPETITIONS, CONTESTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND TOURNAMENTS
Looking for more information on available scholarships, writing competitions, contests, and tournaments? Check out our Student Post Scholarship Page! If you’d like to explore opportunities that are currently accepting applications or submissions, you can find them sorted by submission deadline here: https://www2.law.temple.edu/studentpost/scholarships/.
Available Scholarship Opportunities and Upcoming Deadlines (New opportunity!)
Below is a list of the scholarships, writing competitions, contests, and tournaments that are currently accepting applications or submissions:
- Mercer County Bar Foundation Samantha Josephson Scholarship – Deadline October 13th – NEW OPPORTUNITY!
- American Bar Association Law Student Writing Contest on the Standing Committee on Armed Forces – Deadline November 10th
- Allen Tittle Medical Malpractice Scholarship – Deadline November 30th
- Wells Call Injury Lawyers Scholarship – Deadline December 2nd
- Alpha Accident Lawyers Spring 2023 Scholarship – Deadline December 31st
- Fourth Annual Judge Samuel G. DeSimone Memorial Legal Writing Competition – Deadline December 31st
- Meltzer Fellowships through the Sheller Center for Social Justice
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND TA POSITIONS
Community Legal Services Summer 2024 Law Student Internship
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia offers a summer internship program for approximately 15-20 students that have completed their first or second year of law school.
CLS offers a rich and exciting summer internship experience. Our law students receive exceptional training and the opportunity to work with some of the most talented legal minds in civil legal services.
The application for the CLS Summer 2024 Law Student Internship is now open. For more information, or to apply for this internship, see more here: CLS Summer 2024 Law Student Internship.
Chester County Bar Association Summer 2024 Diverse Law Student Internship Program
HEALTH AND WELLNESS REMINDERS AND EVENTS
Knit and Crochet Club – Every Other Wednesday at 12PM in K6A
In the spirit of wellness and mindfulness, 2L Students Blayne Cekine & Jessica Novey, along with Professor Mandelbaum, will be coming together to teach (and learn with) students the art of knitting and crocheting. This is an opportunity to relax, learn a new skills, and more importantly, connect with one another. Yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks will be provided. If you would like to explore this skill, join us every other Wednesday at 12PM in K6A (the specific meeting dates can be found in the Temple Law Calendar). Questions? Please email Jessica Novey at jessica.novey@temple.edu.
Temple University Flu Shots Now Available!
Seasonal flu vaccinations are now available for all University students, faculty and staff for the 2023-2024 flu season. All Temple University students, faculty and staff may receive a free seasonal flu shot. You must schedule an appointment on the Patient Health Portal in order to receive your free flu shot. No Walk-ins will be accepted! Flu shots are administer on Main Campus at Morgan Hall North, Room D301 (Entrance from the courtyard in the middle of Morgan North and South).
Law School Mental Health Day – “Inspiration: We all have a CARFAX” – Tuesday, October 10th at 12PM
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania have teamed together once again to bring students and the legal community a program titled “INSPIRATION: We all have a ‘CARFAX’”. This program will be a FREE virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, from 12-1 PM. The esteemed panel will share their own life experiences and stories, from all different backgrounds, communities, and cultures. In addition to discussing the alarming prevalence rates of mental health and substance use challenges in the legal profession. This riveting program will address those challenges and the importance of mental health through a robust, vulnerable, and candid panel discussion with some of the finest legal professionals in the United States. You may view the panelists’ biographies and register at: http://duq.edu/CLEinspiration.
LCL Virtual Student Hours – Thursday, October 12th
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers will hold Virtual Hours on October 12th. We encourage you to seek assistance if needed. By clicking the link below, students can schedule a confidential 30 minute session with Laurie Besden, LCL’s Executive Director. Every appointment booked as an online meeting automatically creates a unique Microsoft Secure Teams Meeting link for the confidential meeting with Laurie. The Teams Secure Platform is one of the most secure business communication and collaboration apps as it offers advanced security and compliance capabilities by default. Please note that, in addition to scheduled hours, LCL is here for you 24/7. Students do not need to wait to contact LCL’s Executive Director, Laurie Besden, for a confidential 30-minute session. All students need to do is email Laurie at laurie@lclpa.org requesting a meeting, and Laurie will send the student a unique link for their session only. LINK: Book time with LCL’s Laurie Besden, Esq.: Temple Confidential Student Hours
TU Wellness Resource Center Events
October is Dating and Domestic Violence Awareness Month – a month dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives to domestic violence and planting seeds of hope and social change to cultivate a society where violence in relationships is no longer acceptable. The WRC and Temple Libraries will be co-hosting a panel discussion with Philadelphia-area survivor services and the Temple University community to share how to support survivors of all backgrounds. *Please take care; mention of interpersonal violence*
Stress isn’t all bad! Some stress provides opportunities for growth and learning. This program empowers students to reframe how they think about stress by learning about how stress affects the mind and body.
Heart Space is a place for those who have experienced harm and allies/advocates to come together to create and find connection, education, and expression. Heart Space will run every other Thursday at the WRC and each gathering will focus on a different topic related to survivorship and healing.
Please note that Heart Space is not clinical in nature – additional resources are available if needed
New TUSafe App – download today!
Temple University’s Department of Public Safety has launched the TUSafe app, a one-stop personal safety app that will be available via mobile device. The new TUSafe app includes enhanced features such as the ability to link to new key resources within the app. It also retains all of the features that were available in RAVE Temple Guardian, including the ability to chat with Temple Police, call Temple Police, call 911 or start a virtual safe walk. Users are also able to report crimes; provide emergency contacts; access real-time tracking for Flight, Temple’s fixed-route shuttle loop service that transports students around the Main Campus patrol zone; and access the university’s walking escort service.
For more information on TUSafe, please visit the university’s Public Safety website for the new application. If you have any questions regarding the use of the app, contact Information Technology Services. Additional details on how to use the app are also available here.
Bike Temple: Register your Bicycle; Free U-locks
Students, staff and faculty can register their bicycles online using Campus Safety’s Bike Registration Form. Just complete and submit the online form, and then visit one of the following Campus Safety locations:
- Main Headquarters: 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue
- Center Station: Beasely and Pollett Walks
- Morgan Hall Mini-Station: 1600 N. Park Avenue
At one of these locations, an officer will inspect your bike and place a sticker to the frame that corresponds to your file in the police database. This way, if your bicycle ever turns up without you on it, the police will be able to get in contact with you to return it. The information is also shared with the Philadelphia Police Department, in case your bike is found outside of the campus area.
Every semester, Campus Safety provides a free U-lock to the first 500 students to register their bicycles with the Temple Police. The U-Lock will be given when you bring your bike to a Campus Safety location for inspection by an officer.
Temple Campus Walking Escort Program
To request an escort,
Call: 8-WALK (8-9255) from a campus phone, or call: 215-777-9255 from a cell phone.Escort service is available daily from 4 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. Security Bike Officers provide escort services and maintain communication with Temple Police. Patrol boundaries are Susquehanna Avenue on the north to Jefferson Street on the south, with the exception of 13th to Broad Street, where the southern boundary is Girard Avenue. The western border is 18th Street and the patrol area extends east to 9th Street
Temple Flight Program
Flight is Temple University’s nighttime fixed-route shuttle loop service. Flight-branded shuttles circulate throughout the areas within and surrounding the main campus patrol zone, and pick up and drop off students at each of its over 40 stops. The shuttles arrive approximately every 15 minutes at each stop, and you can track the locations of each shuttle in real time using the TransLoc app.
- Any student, faculty, or staff member with a valid TUid can use Flight. A valid TUid can be your physical or mobile OWLcard.
- Flight operates 7 days per week from 6 PM to 2 AM, and the shuttles arrive at each drop-off and pick-up location every 15 minutes during this service time. The service continues to operate in a modified form during university breaks.
- Flight serves the Main Campus patrol zone. It operates in two loops – the north loop, which covers the northern parts of the patrol zone, and the south loop, which covers the southern and eastern parts of the patrol zone. Shuttles on each loop follow a fixed route around that loop.
Flight shuttles can be tracked in real time using the TransLoc App during hours of operation. Use the website or app to plan your arrival at the shuttle stop most convenient for you – the shuttle driver will stop for you if they see you at the stop, but the shuttle will continue on its way if no one is waiting. Display your Temple ID when boarding the shuttle, and when you’re a block or so from your destination, let the driver know so they can stop the shuttle and let you off.
BAR EXAM & MPRE
Introducing “Esquire Bound”: Your Checklist for Admission to Practice and Bar Exam Success
Join us for “Esquire Bound” – our new series of virtual information sessions on admission to practice and how to pass the bar exam. These sessions will be held on Sunday evenings from 7 – 7:45 pm via Zoom. You can access the Zoom link for every session here: https://temple.zoom.us/j/6398848836. These sessions will be recorded.
The Esquire Bound events for the fall semester are as follows:
- September 17th: Admission by Bar Exam Part 1 – Recording – PowerPoint Slides
- October 1st: Admission by Bar Exam Part 2
- October 15th: Tools to Tackle the Bar Exam
- October 29th: Course Planning for the Bar Exam
- November 12th: Winter Break Review and To-Do
- November 26th: Bar Exam & Application Help Desk
2024 MPRE Dates and Registration Deadlines
The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) is a two-hour, 60-question multiple-choice examination administered three times per year. It is required for admission to the bars in almost every jurisdiction in the United States. The 2024 test dates for the MPRE have been released, and can be found below:
|
TEST ADMINISTRATION |
RECOMMENDED SUBMISSION DATE TO APPLY FOR ACCOMMODATIONS |
REGISTRATION DEADLINE |
| March 26 or 27, 2024 |
December 5, 2023 |
January 25, 2024 |
| August 13 or 14, 2024 |
April 24, 2024 |
June 12, 2024 (registration not yet open) |
| November 7 or 8, 2024 | July 24, 2024 |
September 18, 2024 (registration not yet open) |
For more information, or to register, please go to the MPRE Registration Information page of the NCBE website here: https://www.ncbex.org/exams/mpre/registration/
Information on Free MPRE Review Courses
Did you know that most commercial bar prep companies offer free MPRE review courses? If you are preparing for the MPRE and still deciding on a commercial bar prep course, MPRE review courses are a great opportunity to get a sense of which commercial bar prep course might be best for you. Information on the MPRE prep courses for some of the most popular bar prep companies are linked below:
Critical Pass Flashcards – 15% Discount
West Academic is offering Temple Law students and recent graduates a 15% discount off Critical Pass flashcards and most other West Academic print and digital publications. To make a purchase, go to www.westacademic.com and enter the discount code WATEMPLE when you check out.