Virtual Events
Informational Meetings – ABA’s Law Student Tax Challenge
Interested in this year’s ABA Law Student Tax Challenge? There will be two informational meetings – Friday, September 18th at noon and Monday, September 21st, at 6 pm. Please find the relevant information here including the meeting Zoom links.
Informational Meetings – Certificate in Trial Advocacy & Litigation
Registration for the Certificate in Trial Advocacy and Litigation program is open to any Temple Law student in their final year of study. To learn more about the Certificate, please see the website: https://www.law.temple.edu/academics/degrees/certificates/litigation/. Additionally, Professor Lippy, the new Director of Trial Advocacy, will hold two information sessions regarding this program: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 6 pm. and Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at noon. Both sessions will occur at this Zoom link https://temple.zoom.us/j/3211575777
You must register to earn the Certificate. The registration form is found at this link. Registration must be completed by October 5, 2020.
Fall Link & Learn with the Law Library
Join the Law Librarians for our Link and Learn series of workshops to improve your legal research skills.
- Thursday September 24th at 5pm – Locating Secondary Sources in Westlaw and Lexis https://temple.zoom.us/j/98244160734
- Thursday October 1st at Noon – Technology Tools to Assist with Your Legal Research and Document Creation https://temple.zoom.us/j/98244160734
- Thursday October 15th at Noon – Researching Potential Employers (a joint session with Career Services) The Zoom link can be found on the Events page in the CPM. 1Ls can email Molly.Driscoll@temple.edu for the Zoom link.
- Thursday October 29th at Noon – Study Aids: Where to Find Them and How to Use Them https://temple.zoom.us/j/98244160734
- Thursday November 12th at Noon – Researching Judicial Clerkships (a joint session with Career Services) The Zoom link can be found on the Events page in the CPM. 1Ls can email Molly.Driscoll@temple.edu for the Zoom link.
Women’s Law Caucus – Virtual Meet Up
WLC is holding its first-ever Virtual Meet-Up on Friday, September 25 at 6 pm! We know that for many of you (1Ls especially), the virtual environment of class has deprived you of opportunities to get to know your classmates. We welcome all WLC members to log in, play some games, and get to know one another! Zoom link: https://temple.zoom.us/j/2959000558
Meeting ID: 295 900 0558
Office of Career Services Office Hours & Help Desk
This Fall, OCS will have Virtual Office Hours on Monday and Friday from 12:00 to 2:00 pm by Zoom: https://temple.zoom.us/j/96119963927 and group drop-in sessions at the Virtual Help Desk on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:00 pm and 5:00 to 5:30 pm: https://temple.zoom.us/j/97836663955. You can also make an appointment with a counselor in the CPM.
Law Librarian Legal Research Help
Law librarians are available weekdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Zoom for drop-in research help. The Zoom link is here and also is available on the Temple Law Library homepage (click on “Research Help (Via Zoom)”).
You can also reach us by using the email address tulawlib@temple.edu and stop by the Law Library on the Third Floor of Klein and say hello.
Finally, you can schedule an appointment with a Law Librarian using the “Schedule a Meeting with a Librarian” button on the Law Library’s homepage. Appointments available next week include:
– Noa Kaumeheiwa
Thursday: 2pm – 4pm; Friday: Noon – 2pm
– Keena Hilliard
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8am – 10am
– Julie Randolph
Monday: 9am – 1pm; Tuesday: Noon – 2pm; Wednesday: 10am – 1pm; Thursday: 1pm – 4pm; Friday: 9am – 1pm
– Charlie Perkins
Monday – Wednesday: 2pm – 6pm; Thursday: 1pm -5pm
Financial Aid Zoom Office Hours
For the Fall 2020 semester, the Financial Aid Office will have Virtual Drop-In Office Hours Mondays – Thursdays. The schedule and Zoom links for the Drop-In Office Hours are available here. We can also be reached by email at lwfinaid@temple.edu.
Reference Meetings – Using Headnotes & Using Word More Efficiently
On Tuesdays drop into the Law Library’s Zoom reference meeting (the Zoom link is here) at 12:15 pm and 5:15 pm when the Law Librarians will demonstrate a legal research skill. This week, “Using Headnotes to Improve Your Legal Research.” Check back for new topics each week!
On Wednesdays drop into the Law Library’s Zoom reference meeting (the Zoom link is here) at 1 pm and 6 pm as we work through the Procreates Legal Technology Assessment for Word together.
Mindful Mondays
Everyone is invited to participate in a 20-minute guided mindfulness meditation practice. Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention on purpose to the present moment without judgment. No experience is necessary. Join us on Zoom, every Monday at noon.
Student Services & Academic Records Zoom Office Hours
Kathy Wilson’s virtual office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 8:00 to 9:00 am. Please use this link: https://temple.zoom.us/j/99337697656. You may also contact her at kilson@temple.edu
Laura Frisby-Selby’s virtual office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Please use this link: https://temple.zoom.us/j/99337697656. You may also contact her at lfrisby@temple.edu
Rome Summer Program Information Session
Join us for a Zoom info session to learn more about Rome Summer 2021: the courses, opportunities, and benefits of studying abroad at Temple Rome next summer! Professors Alice Abreu and Ken Jacobsen will be teaching in the program, and will be attending these sessions to describe the program and courses.
Thursday, October 8th | 5:00 to 6:00 pm | https://temple.zoom.us/j/92457654139
Tuesday, October 13th | noon to 1:00 pm | https://temple.zoom.us/j/94499554278
If you have any questions, please contact Ally Lamson at ally.lamson@temple.edu.
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
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
Chester County Bar Association 2021 1L/2L Diverse Law Student Summer Program
The Chester County Bar Association’s 2021 1L / 2L Diverse Law Student (DLS) Summer Program offers first and second-year students a unique opportunity for summer employment in outstanding law firms and/or corporate law departments following their first year of law school. This program is designed to afford first-year law students who self-identify with those groups historically discriminated against on the basis of disability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression or who otherwise come from a disadvantaged background the opportunity for summer employment. The goal of the 1L/2L DLS Summer Program is to achieve greater diversity in the Chester County legal community. Application and details can be found here: https://www.chescobar.org/index.cfm?pg=1LDiversity
Be a Poll Worker
The American Bar Association’s Poll Worker, Esq., initiative is sponsored with the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors. Poll workers help ensure free and fair elections, and law students as well as lawyers are especially suited to serve. With the added obstacle of a pandemic this year, finding people who are at lower risk to assist as poll workers is even more important. This is an opportunity for young lawyers and soon-to-be lawyers to step up and serve their communities.
Law students, lawyers, and others can visit www.canivote.org and click on the “Become a Poll Worker” tab to find out how to serve in their jurisdictions. Depending on the state, tasks may range from staffing polling places to processing returned ballot envelopes and more. More information is available at ambar.org/vote, a website of the ABA Standing Committee on Election Law.
Voter Hotline Opportunities
This voter hotline is run by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, and can be flexibly scheduled and done on the phone: Electionprotection.wethevote.org.
Zoom Zones
Zoom Rooms or Zoom Zones are designated spaces for students to use when they need to log on to an online class between in-person classes or when they need an on-campus place to study. These rooms can be found across campus and no reservations are needed to use a seat/desk. Each Zoom Room/Zone has a designated occupancy and fixed seating. Please do not add or remove seats and do not exceed the capacity of the room.
Main Campus Zoom Rooms (this list may be updated so please check back!)
- 1810 Liacouras Walk 110, 310
- Alter Hall 232, 746
- Anderson Hall 21,212
- Gladfelter Hall 107
- Mitten Hall 250
- Pearson 10-B
- Ritter Hall 108, 111, 200
- Ritter Annex 309, 320
- Speakman 26, 115,212
- Wachman Hall 11, 109, 206, 207
- TUCC 413
Zoom Room Guidelines:
1. Please observe the four pillars of public health. Wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing. Wash or sanitize your hands before entering and please do not come to campus if you are not feeling well.
2. Wear headphones so that your Zoom session does not disturb others using the space.
3. Use CHAT or other features to participate in your online class while in a Zoom Room. If other students are in the Zoom Room, consider telling your professor that you are in a Zoom Room and that speaking may not be possible if other students are in the Zoom Room.
4. Power outlets are limited. Please respect others’ needs to charge devices and physical distancing when charging electronics.
Students can also find open seating and study spaces in other campus buildings including the Howard Gittis Student Center and Charles Library.
Ballard Spahr’s Academy for Student Entrepreneurs
Ballard Spahr’s Academy for Student Entrepreneurs (BASE) is a unique legal accelerator that arms entrepreneurs at the most nascent stages of starting a venture with resources, social capital, advisors, and an educational platform to scale businesses in any industry. The best part for young companies is that the program offers $10,000 of pro bono legal services for each company as well as educational services to help the company navigate their growth and development. You may find more information, including the application and BASE agenda, here.
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“.
Reservation Only Law Library Seating
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).
Voting!
Get registered, get informed, got mobilized with Temple Votes!
Here are the relevant official dates and USPS recommended dates for PA:
- Voter registration: By Oct. 19 (online, and if by mail, registration must be postmarked by this date).
- Ballot-by-mail request: Students can submit their mail-in ballot request now. USPS recommends ballots be requested no later than Oct. 19; PA requires ballots be requested no later than Oct. 27.
- Return ballot-by-mail: USPS recommends ballots be mailed in no later than Oct. 27 in order to be received by Nov. 3, the required deadline currently under PA law. Ballots can also be dropped off at the voter’s county board of elections through November 3. Addresses for each county can be found here: https://www.votespa.com/Resources/Pages/Contact-Your-Election-Officials.aspx.
- Election day: Nov. 3, polls open from 7am to 8pm (voters voting for the first time at a given polling location will need an approved form of identification.)
Pennsylvania Bar Association 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/Law-Student-Signup/Law-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.
Scholarships & Writing Competitions
2020 ABA Public Contract Law Journal Annual Writing Competition
Through the 2020 ABA Public Contract Law Journal Annual Writing Competition, our section introduces itself to the next generation of public contract lawyers. In addition to cash awards, quality papers are considered for publication in the Public Contract Law Journal. Papers should address a topical issue of interest to the public contract and grant law community. Open to law students, young lawyers, and LL.M graduates, the competition will be conducted in two divisions. Each division will be judged separately, and separate prizes will be awarded to the winners of each division. The deadline for receipt of articles is 11:59 pm CT on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. For more information, entry sheets, and the complete rules visit our website here.
The Albert S. Pergam International Law Writing Competition
The International Section of the New York State Bar Association is pleased to announce the annual Albert S. Pergam International Law Writing Competition! The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, November 6, 2020. Law Students (including J.D., LL.M., Ph.D. and S.J.D. candidates) are cordially invited to submit to the International Section an article concerning any area of public or private international law or practice. The winner will receive: (1) $2,000 USD; and (2) Publication of the article (subject to editorial approval) in the New York International Law Review. The rules are set forth in our website: https://nysba.org/awards-competitions/international-section-albert-s-pergam-international-law-writing-competition-award/
Bar Exam & MPRE Information
Bar Exam Tips
A reminder that Kaplan provides a FREE electronic MPRE course! You may enroll here.
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.