Fall 2020 – Week 7

Virtual Events

Halfway There Celebration 

Week 7 is upon us! We’re halfway through the Fall 2020 semester. There will be water bottles from Lexis, stress owls, and information from LCL at the Help Desk October 5th to 9th. If you’re on campus, make sure you stop by!

Moot Court Competition Information Sessions

Zoom Information Sessions: October 6th at 12:00 pm & October 13th at 5 pm
https://temple.zoom.us/j/9080366302

All interested students will receive a tryout packet on October 16 via email. The initial round of tryouts consists of a short, two-page writing assignment. Students who successfully complete the written portion will be invited to compete in the second round, which involves a five-minute oral argument based on their spring LRW problem. Tryouts Will Take Place the Weeks of October 19 & 26.

If you are interested in trying out, please send a short email expressing your interest to Professor Levy at marylevy@temple.edu. Type “MOOT COURT TRYOUT QUESTION” in the subject line of your email.

In-House Clinic Information Session & Application

The Law School’s five in-house clinics offer the chance to engage in real-life lawyering, under faculty supervision and for course credit. The application follows a special schedule, beginning Thursday, October 1st, when the on-line Application Form will become available. The application must be completed by October 12th at 5 pm.

For more information, come to the in-house clinic information session on Wednesday, October 7th from 12 to 1 pm virtually, and see the In-House Clinic Descriptions and the In-House Clinic Application and Registration pages. The Clinical Professors also welcome questions directly. We look forward to seeing your applications and seeing you at the informational session.

Intellectual Property Law Society Event 

IPLS is hosting a virtual panel on Vaccines, COVID-19, and how IP law helps or hinders the ongoing pandemic. The panel will be Wednesday, October 7th, from 12:00-1:00 pm: https://temple.zoom.us/j/94115553352. The panel will feature Dr. Kathryn Doyle (virologist, patent attorney, and life sciences lead at Saul Ewing https://www.saul.com/attorneys/kathryn-doyle), Prof. Denene Wambach (counsel for U. Penn on IP, research, and other transactional work https://www.upenn.edu/ogc/Wambach.html), and Prof. Kathryn Harr (senior medical device/pharmaceutical attorney at Spark Therapeutics).

Please feel free to email Brandon Newton (tuh38473@temple.edu) with any questions you have ahead of time for these 3 brilliant attorneys (who all happen to be Temple Alum!) on this interesting topic. We hope to see many of you there!

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.

Wellness Week Programming

Wellness is important for all of our students and encompasses many aspects of our lives. To commemorate Law Student Mental Health Day we will be offering the below events during the surrounding days. Additional wellness resources can be found here.

• October 8 – 4:30 pm: Exploring the Intersection Between Racial Justice, Social Activism and Mental Health from American Bar Association. Register here
• October 9 – 1 pm: National Workshop from the American Bar Association. Register here
• October 10: National Law Student Mental Health Day – A day of well-being. Make a commitment today (and everyday) to make the time to keep yourself well. We’d love to see the different ways our community takes care of itself. Take a photo of you engaging in self-care and tag it with #TLawWellness
• October 12 – 12 pm: Mindful Mondays https://temple.zoom.us/j/472765393
• October 13: LCL Confidential Hours. Email Laurie Besden (laurie@lclpa.org) in advance for the Zoom link.
• October 14 – 5 pm: White, green, oolong, or black: Understanding Tea and How it can De-Stress you. https://temple.zoom.us/j/98195984277
• October 15 – 12 pm: PABOLE Presentation https://temple.zoom.us/j/92524920512

Law Library Zoom Reference Meetings 

On Tuesdays drop into the Law Library’s Zoom reference meeting at 12:15 pm and 5:15 pm when the Law Librarians will demonstrate a legal research skill. This week, making the most of Lexis’ visualization tools. Check back for new topics each week. https://temple.zoom.us/j/921213209

Law School 2.0 Panels

Your Academic Success Counselors are looking forward to discussing outlining with you. Questions? Contact Mai Le at mai.le@temple.edu.

• Section 1 – October 13th, 12 to 12:50 pm https://temple.zoom.us/j/92638191994

• Section 2 – October 14th, 12 to 12:50 pm https://temple.zoom.us/j/92638191994

• Section 51 – October 14th, 5:00 to 5:50 pm https://temple.zoom.us/j/97170999932

• Section 3 – October 15th, 12 to 12:50 pm https://temple.zoom.us/j/92638191994

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.

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.

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. Watch this great video from Professor Meg deGuzman as she gives a brief presentation about mindfulness and engages in a short meditation practice. This is a great primer for Mindful Mondays.  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

PA Bar Association – How to Become a Neutral

Please join the Pennsylvania Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for a free lunchtime program on Tuesday, Oct. 13th from noon until 1:00 pm on How to Become a Neutral. The discussion is part of the celebration of Conflict Resolution Day, held each October as a way to promote and celebrate peaceful conflict resolution practices worldwide, by the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). No cost required. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqd-GpqDwsGNwKn1b9XOt2tl6ff6qo88td

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 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.

Pursuing a Career in International Law

October 22, 2020 at noon: https://temple.zoom.us/j/98921299560

The market for legal jobs is difficult right now and specializing in a particular issue, like international law, can make your job search even more frustrating. Ben Juvelier, Program Officer at the American Society of International Law will discuss the steps that students can take while still in law school to help themselves stand out in the search for an international law position. Topics covered will include targeted job searching, resume drafting, managing one’s professional contacts, identifying appropriate international experiences, pursuing valuable volunteer and professional membership opportunities, and other practical issues that students can pursue. Q&A session at the conclusion of the presentation will focus on students’ questions related to the pandemic and how that impacts their search for an international law position.

PA Bar Association Intellectual Property Law Section Monthly Meetings

Every third Tuesday each month at noon! An industry guest speaker will open the meeting and a council business meeting will follow. Law students are encouraged to attend.
Meeting ID: 995 3767 0321
Password: 917912

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

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/.

You must register to earn the Certificate. The registration form is found at this link. Registration must be completed by October 5, 2020.

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.

Wipe Stations

There will be wipes available at the security desk and library circulation desk.

WordRake

WordRake is an add-in that can help you edit documents for brevity and clarity in Microsoft Word by suggesting edits and revisions to your work. Just like using track changes, you go through each suggested edit and accept or reject it. If you would like to download a copy of this tool, please email tulawlib@temple.edu to request a license key.

Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Please see here for the opportunity to serve pro bono answering voting questions on phone hotlines: https://lawyerscommittee.org/project/election-protection/

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.

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

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

As we move closer to the bar exam, it becomes ever more important to think positively and keep things in perspective. While you cannot control how challenging the exam will be, you can control how prepared you are. Shifting from “I hope I pass” to “I have put in the work to pass” can make a difference in your mindset!

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.