COMMUNITY REMINDERS
All May 2025 Graduates – The Graduation Application is Now Open!
The Graduation Application is now open for the May 2025 graduating class.
Students who plan to graduate in May 2025 must apply to graduate through the University TUPortal/Self Service Banner system. This application must be completed by Friday, March 7, 2025 for all law May 2025 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 – Spring 2025 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
Federal Judicial Clerkship Honors Clinic: 2025-2026 Application Now Open – Deadline Wednesday, February 12th
For 2L Day, 3L Part-Time Day, and 3L Evening Students:
We are excited to announce that the application for the 2025-2026 Federal Judicial Clerkship Honors Program is now open!
The FJC Honors Program is a 6-credit year-long experiential program (3-credits each semester) in which students work with federal judges and their law clerks and participate in the practical aspects of jurisprudence. Students draft orders, research issues, prepare bench memoranda, and observe judicial proceedings. Students are expected to spend approximately ten hours per week in chambers and attend a bi-weekly classroom seminar taught by the Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg. The seminar meets Wednesday mornings at the Federal Courthouse. The Honors Program is open to rising 3L Day, 4L Part-Time Day, and 4L Evening Division Students. Students will be selected by a committee of law school faculty and administrators. Upon selection, you will be matched with a federal judge located in Philadelphia or Camden. Both Philadelphia and Camden judges are easily accessible via car or public transportation.
If you are interested in this program, please complete and submit the application (found at the link above), along with your resume and unofficial transcript, to Noeleen Urmson at nurmson@temple.edu by 12:00 pm (noon) on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Applying for Aid for the 2025-2026 School Year and Summer 2025 Work Study Grants – Deadline March 15
You must complete a new financial aid application for each year that you wish to be considered for financial aid. You can complete the required applications any time between now and the priority deadline, March 15, 2025.
The financial aid application process can be completed entirely online. Please complete the steps 1 & 2 below if you anticipate needing any of the following types of financial aid for the 2025-2026 school year. Many summer jobs, both on and off-campus, require that students have work study for the summer.
- Summer 2025 Work Study Grant
- Federal Direct Student Loans(Unsubsidized, Graduate PLUS)
- Federal Work Study for the Academic Year( for the fall and spring terms)
STEP 1: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Please provide our School Code – 003371 on the FAFSA so we will receive the record.
STEP 2: Temple Law School Financial Aid Request Form Under Application Year make sure that 2025-2026 is selected, then select, Returning J.D. Student.
Additional Summer Work Study Information: When completing Step 2, you must also complete the Summer Work-Study Request section of the Financial Aid Request Form.Please read the information posted on the Summer Work Study page of the law school website for more information on the work study application process and requirements, employer eligibility, and matching funds.
Timing of Financial Aid Offers for students who submit all required financial aid forms by March 15th: Summer Work Study eligibility notices will be emailed to students by April 10th; Federal Work Study and/or Federal Student Loans offers for the 2025-2026 fall and spring terms will be available to view on TUPortal later in the summer.
SPIN Solicitation Training – Deadline Extended to February 10
Are you doing public interest work this summer? In order to get a SPIN grant (summer scholarships for students doing public interest work!) you must watch the solicitation training and help us solicit donations for the SPIN auction. To watch the training use this link The interest form for solicitations (and SPIN grants!) closes on 2/10! Note: The QR code isn’t working so please use the link instead! In light of this, we have extended the deadline so anybody who has not had a chance to watch the training yet still has a chance to earn a SPIN grant.
Women’s Law Caucus Now Accepting Members for Outline Bank – Sign up by April 1st
The Women’s Law Caucus is once again accepting members to the outline bank for the semester. To secure your lifetime membership to the Women’s Law Caucus, please complete this form and VENMO your payment of$30.00 to @osowon with your Temple Email in the subject. The cutoff to buy into the outline bank is 12:00pm April 1st, 2025.
If you have any questions about WLC membership, how to make cash payment, or anything else related to WLC, please email LawWLC@temple.edu.
*Please note that by becoming a WLC member, you are agreeing to NOT share outlines with nonmembers*
Pennsylvania Defense Institute and Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel Law Students Observer Program
Mock Jurors Needed for Temple Trial Ad – 1L Student Invited!
Several times over the course of the year, the master’s program at Temple Law School hosts “performance weekends” where the students’ advocacy is critiqued by veteran litigators and judges. The next of these performance weekends will take place on Friday and Sunday, February 14 & 16, 2025. The master’s students will focus on trying cases before jury panels. We are now in need of jurors, and we cordially invite you to participate in this jury trial exercise. Jury focus groups will take place on Friday, February 14, and full jury trials on Sunday, February 16.
Why Attend as a 1L?
If you’re interested in trial advocacy or litigation, this is an excellent opportunity to see practicing lawyers in action as they hone their advocacy skills. It’s also a great chance to network with experienced attorneys and judges.
As a 1L, you can also get a firsthand look at what advocacy education looks like at Temple Law, which is ranked #1 in the country for trial advocacy. If you’re considering registering for Temple’s Integrated Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) in your second year, this is the perfect way to learn more about it.
When and Where…
Friday, February 14, 2025, 3:00-6:00 PM
Temple Law School, 1719 N. Broad Street (directly across from the Liacouras Center)
Sunday, February 16, 2025, 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
The Stout Center for Criminal Justice, 1301 Filbert Street, Center City Philadelphia
Will there be food?
YES! Pizza will be provided on Friday. Gift cards for you to buy your own lunch will be provided on Sunday.
The Numbers…
- Friday, February 14: We need approximately 30-35 students from 3:00-6:00 PM.
- Sunday, February 16: We need up to 100 student jurors for a full-day commitment (8:30 AM-5:00 PM, though trials may finish earlier).
What do you need to do to prepare?
- Friday: Nothing!
- Sunday: You’ll receive a juror questionnaire to fill out beforehand.
Questions? Email Professor Marian Braccia at tud23980@temple.edu.
To sign up, please complete the form found here: https://forms.office.com/r/8FtLPTYztL
Attention law students interested in networking with young lawyers in Philadelphia!
Each year, the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Philadelphia Bar Association invites students from Philadelphia area law schools to join the Executive Committee as liaisons for their schools. Liaisons are asked to assist with planning YLD events, share upcoming law school events, and help expand the professional networks of their fellow classmates.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Ryan Spengler at RSpengler@duanemorris.com.
Bar Association Student Memberships – Join for Free Today!
Join the Philadelphia Bar Association Today!
The Philadelphia Bar Association makes an important investment in students’ professional development by paying for your membership. To get started, fill out this online form. You must use your temple.edu email address. Questions? Contact membership@philabar.org or (215) 238-6300.
Pennsylvania Bar Association – Free Membership for Law Students
Law students can join the Pennsylvania Bar Association for benefits such as networking, scholarships, job posting, writing competitions, and leadership opportunities. For more information: PBA 2024 Law School Membership Flyer
Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania – Free Student Membership
Law student membership to the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania is completely FREE. The HBAP has a robust Legal Education Fund organization which provides generous scholarship opportunities for Latinx law students. For more information, go to https://www.hbapa.net/.
Free ABA Law Student Membership
ABA Law Student Membership is FREE and includes many extremely valuable resources. For more information: ABA Law Student Membership Brochure
Missed ReOrientation?
Did you miss the ReOrientation Help Desks? The Ask Me Anything slides are here. If you have any questions, please reach out to Senior Director Walden at walden@temple.edu
UPCOMING EVENTS
If/When/How Bake Sale – Tuesday, February 10 from 9AM-3PM
Swing by the first-floor breezeway on Tuesday, February 11 from 9-3 and get some sweet treats from If/When/How! All proceeds will be donated to the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA.
Temple OUTLaw Know Your Rights Panel – Thursday, February 13 at 12PM
Join OUTLaw on Thursday, February 13 from 12–1pm in K2B for a Penal Discussion on the state of LGBTQ+ Rights.
AI, Antitrust, and Housing (In)Security – Thursday, February 13 at 12PM
The Artificial Intelligence Law Society (AILS) and Housing Justice Initiative (HJI) at Temple will host an event on the subject of “AI, Antitrust, and Housing (In)Security: A Panel Discussion on Algorithmic Price Fixing and its Impact on Vulnerable Communities.” On Thursday, February 13th at 12:00 PM in K2A, the panel will explore how the Justice Department recently filed an antitrust lawsuit against six landlord companies for implementing an algorithmic price fixing scheme that harmed millions of renters. We welcome you to join the discussion with Morgan Lewis partner, Brendan Fee, and Professors Salil Mehra and Nate Ela, to explore various issues at the intersection of AI and antitrust law.
Brief on Wine with Napa Wine Academy Founder – Wednesday, February 19 at 12PM
Temple Law Wine Society is having their first event of 2025 on Wednesday, February 19 from 12-1 PM in K1C. Join us for lunch and a lesson on wine with the Founder and VP of Education of the Napa Wine Academy — the most-awarded wine school in the nation!
TELS & CLS Utility Clinic – Thursday, February 20
Philly Voice for Change Conference and Reception – Friday, February 21 – RSVP today!
On Friday February 21st, one of the Family law clinic’s community partners, Philly Voice for Change is holding a conference and reception at the law school, as the official launch of their organization. Philly Voice for Change is a newly established non-profit founded by and for individuals affected by systemic issues like lack of access to treatment and high rates of family separation in Philadelphia. Their mission is to empower their community by fostering knowledge, and personal and professional development for all members.
The conference is titled, It’s Time for Change in Philly, and will offer CLE credit. The conference will feature a keynote by Professor Dorothy Roberts, the George A. Weiss University Professor of Law and Sociology and the Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights at the University of Pennsylvania. The conference will also include the following panels:
- Centering the Humanity of Families — Change from Within (Speakers: Honorable Karen Braxton of the Michigan 3rd Circuit Court; Demetrius Starling, Senior Deputy Director of Children’s Services Administration, Michigan DHHS)
- Cross-System Collaborations — Recognizing the Nuances of Family (Speakers: Rev. Michelle Simmons, Why Not Prosper; Zoe Soslow, Vital Strategies; Sydney Groll, Esq., Support Center for Child Advocates)
- Paving the Way Toward Change (Speakers: Corey Best, Mining for Gold LLC; Sarah Katz, Temple Law; Joyce McMillan, JMacforFamilies; Shrounda Selivanoff, Washington State Office of Public Defender)
The afternoon will conclude with a reception with food, a silent auction, and live music at 5pm. Register here today!
Temple 10-Q Information Session – Monday, February 24 at 12PM and 7:30 PM
Interested in business law, writing and editing articles, and/or creating podcasts? The Temple 10-Q, the law school’s business law magazine, is hosting info sessions for students interested in applying for Student Editor positions for AY 2025-26!
There will be two sessions on Monday, February 24: at 12:00 PM (K6A – pizza will be served!) & at 7:30 PM (via Zoom). Please reach out to tithipatel@temple.edu or douglas.sasso@temple.edu with any questions.
SPIN Blood Drive: Volunteers Needed! – Tuesday, February 25 from 9am – 2pm
SPIN is recruiting volunteer blood donors for the Red Cross blood drive, which will be held on February 25th, from 9:00 to 2:00 in the 3rd floor lounge of Barrack Hall. Please use this link to sign up for an appointment slot. All donations can be used to gain points for SPIN public interest grants!
The 2025 Fogel Lecture Featuring the Hon. Tamara Ashford, United States Tax Court – Wednesday, February 26 at 12PM
Join us for the 2025 Fogel lecture on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 12:00-1:00PM in Klein Hall, Room 2B .
The 2025 Fogel Lecture will be delivered by the Hon. Tamara Ashford of the US Tax Court. Judge Ashford will discuss her career path and her experiences as both a federal tax prosecutor and member of the Court.
Dean’s Cup – April 18th – Sign Up To Play!
This year’s Dean’s Cup will be Friday, April 18th at Penn’s Palestra stadium. We are so excited for this year’s Dean’s cup where students from all the local law schools compete in a basketball tournament for funding for public interest summer grants. If you are interested in playing in the tournament fill out this form!
WRITING COMPETITIONS, CONTESTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND TOURNAMENTS
Scholarship Opportunities: next deadline February 28th
Information on available scholarships, writing competitions, contests, and tournaments is posted here: Student Post Scholarship Page. The scholarship opportunities currently available include:
- Camden County Bar Foundation 2025 Scholarships – Deadline February 28th
- NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Law School Writing Contest – Deadline March 1st
- Ambro Fellowship for Summer Internship in Delaware Bankruptcy Court – Deadline March 1st
- 2025 Sovereignty Symposium Law Student Writing Competition – Deadline March 24th
- Public Investors Advocate Bar Association James E. Beckley Writing Competition – Deadline March 28th
- Pennsylvania for Modern Courts 2025 Law Student Writing Competition – Deadline March 31st
- Meltzer Fellowships through the Sheller Center for Social Justice
AccessLex Scholarship Databank
Students seeking additional financial support during law school can also access the AccessLex Scholarship Databank.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND TA/RA POSITIONS
Summer Research Assistant Positions with Professor deGuzman – Applications due March 1st
Professor deGuzman is hiring summer research assistants to work on issues related to criminal law, international criminal law, and transitional justice, including restorative and transitional justice. If you are interested, please send a brief (one paragraph) statement of interest, along with your resume and transcript to deguzman@temple.edu by March 1st.
Class Assistants needed for Trial Advocacy Courses
The Trial Advocacy Office is still in need of class assistants! See schedule below of available sections.
Listed below by instructor/day/time are the Spring 2025 Advanced Trial Ad (ATA), Integrated Trial Ad (ITAP II) skills, and Introduction to Trial Ad (ITA) classes that are still in need of class assistants. Positions are open to current students beyond their first year.
NOTE: This appointment fulfills one of the requirements for the ‘Trial Advocacy Certificate’ program.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please reply to Mary Beth Wilson at mary.beth.wilson@temple.edu ASAP with the available time(s) you would like to be assigned.
Some information about student class assistant’s position:
- You are expected to attend each class and play the witness role(s) as needed.
- Assist instructor with class recordings, student feedback forms processing, final trial scheduling, etc.
- Act as liason between the Trial Ad Office, instructors, and students, i.e. contacting students with changes in assignments, dates, or other information.
- Payment is $15/hour. Work Study is preferred but not required. Let us know if you are eligible or not.
| SCHEDULES – SPRING 2025 | ||||
| TITLE | CRS | SEC | DAY / TIME | INSTRUCTOR |
| Advanced Trial Advocacy – Civil | 569 | 021 | T 6:00-8:50 pm | BENDESKY, Larry |
| Trial Ad II | 461 | 023 | TH 5:30-8:20 pm | KATZ, Eileen |
| Trial Ad II | 461 | 025 | TH 4:30-7:20 pm | NORFLEET, Andrew |
| Trial Ad II | 461 | 027 | TH 4:30-7:20 pm | URBANO, Janesa |
| Trial Ad II | 461 | 030 | TH 7:30-9:20 pm | STRAW, Hon. Craig |
| Introduction to Trial Advocacy | 558 | 27 | T 6:00-8:50 pm | ANHALT, Hon. Diana |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS REMINDERS AND EVENTS
TUSafe App – download today!
Temple University’s Department of Public Safety has a one-stop personal safety app that is available on your mobile device. Please visit the university’s Public Safety website for the new application.
Bike Temple: Register your Bicycle; Free U-locks
Students can register bicycles online using Campus Safety’s Bike Registration Form. Just complete and submit the online form, and then visit one of the Campus Safety locations.
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.
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. Flight shuttles can be tracked in real time.
BAR EXAM & MPRE
July 2025 Pennsylvania Bar Application Now Open!
The application period for the July 2025 Pennsylvania Bar Exam is now open. If you plan on sitting for the July 2025 bar exam in Pennsylvania, you can begin your online application today.
If you plan on sitting for the bar exam in another jurisdiction, you should refer to that jurisdiction’s website for more information on the application process, timeline, and fees. Not sure where to start? Check out the NCBE’s Directory of Jurisdiction Bar Admission Agencies.
“Esquire Bound”: Virtual Information Series on Admission to Practice and Bar Exam Success
Join us for “Esquire Bound” – our 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 6 – 6:45 pm via Zoom. You can access the Zoom link for every session here: https://temple.zoom.us/j/96046427589. These sessions will be recorded.
Information on Spring semester dates will be released soon. Slides from the Esquire Bound events for the fall semester are below:
- September 15th: Admission to Practice: Overview of the Bar Exam – Recording – Slides
- September 29th: Admission to Practice: Other Requirements – Recording – Slides
- November 10th: Planning for the Bar Exam: Courses, Schedules, and More – Recording – Slides
2025 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 2025 test dates for the MPRE have been released, and can be found below:
| Test Administration | Recommended Submission Date to Apply for Accommodations | Registration Deadline Fee: $160 |
|---|---|---|
| March 26 or 27, 2025 | December 4, 2024 | January 23, 2025 |
| August 20 or 21, 2025 | April 30, 2025 | June 18, 2025 |
| November 13 or 14, 2025 | July 30, 2025 | September 25, 2025 |
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
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: BARBRI, Helix, Kaplan, Quimbee, Themis.
Bar Exam – Information on UBE Passing Scores by Jurisdiction
NextGen Bar Exam – Coming to a Jurisdiction Near You Beginning July 2026!
Are you planning on taking the bar exam on or after July 2026? If so, you might be taking the NextGen Bar Exam! Beginning in July 2026, UBE jurisdictions will begin to adopt the NextGen bar exam. For more information on this new generation of the exam, scan the QR code above.