Community Reminder – MLK Jr. Day of Service
To allow our community to give back and serve others in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, classes are cancelled on Monday, January 20th.
2020 to 2021 Federal Judicial Clerkship Honors Program – Application Now Open!
The application for the 2020 to 2021 Federal Judicial Clerkship Honors Program is now open!
The FJC Honors Program is a 6 credit year-long experiential program in which students work for federal judges 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 a week in chambers and attend a bi-weekly classroom seminar taught by the Honorable Mitchell 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. Participating judges include those located in Philadelphia and Camden. Philadelphia and Camden judges are easily accessible via car or public transportation.
The application is due to Mai Le at mai.le@temple.edu by 12:00 pm on Friday January, 31, 2020.
All May 2020 Graduates – Apply to Graduate by 1/24
The Graduation Application is now open for the May 2020 graduating class.
Students who plan to graduate in May 2020 must apply to graduate through the University TUPortal/Self Service Banner system. This application must be completed by Friday, January 24, 2020 for all law May 2020 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 2020 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 Rukiya Harris-Maiorano at rukiya@temple.edu.
Law Library Positions Available
The Law Library Student Worker will perform a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Head of Public Services Librarian. Tasks include: information desk shifts, answering the phone, providing customer service to members of the law school, paging reserve materials, physical processing of books, editing current catalog records, shelving, and other projects as assigned. Scheduling is flexibility within these hours: Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday/Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm. Work study students preferred. The Law Library may opt to renew this position for future semesters. Interested students should contact Charlie Perkins at Charles.perkins@temple.edu with a resume and cover letter.
Return of Mindful Mondays
Mindful Mondays is back starting January 27th at 12:00 pm in room K1A (new room). Everyone can participate in a 20-minute guided mindfulness meditation practice. Mindful meditation involves paying attention on purpose to the present moment without judgement. No experience is necessary.
Sports & the Law Symposium
The Department of Legal Studies and School of Sports, Tourism and Hospitality are sponsoring a Sports and the Law Symposium on January 28th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in Alter Hall, 7th Floor. A variety of sports law topics will be discussed including concussions in sports, equal pay for male and female athletes, the salary cap in the NFL, and other law related topics. You may find more information about the event and speakers here.
Class Assistants for Spring 2020 Trial Advocacy Programs – Paid Positions
Listed below by instructor/day/time are the Spring 2020 Advanced Trial Ad (ATA), Integrated Trial Ad (ITAP II) skills, and Introduction to Trial Ad (ITA) classes that need class assistants. Positions are open to current students beyond their first year. Please note that 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 mwilson6@temple.edu ASAP with the available time(s) you would like to be assigned.
Some information about the student class assistant position:
- You are expected to attend each class and play the witness role(s) as needed;
- You will act as liaison between the Trial Ad Office, instructors, and students, i.e. contacting students with changes in assignments, dates, or other information; handouts, student feedback forms processing, etc.;
- You will make sure all forms are distributed, completed, and returned as instructed;
- Payment is $12/hour. Work Study is preferred, but not required. Let us know if you are eligible or not.
Integrated Trial Advocacy II
- Thursdays 5:30 to 8:20 pm – Roper, Mary Catherine
- Thursdays 5:30 to 8:20 pm – Sanchez, Honorable Juan
- Thursdays 1:00 to 3:50 pm – Kolb, Richard
- Thursdays 5:30 to 8:20 pm – Sherry, Daniel
- Thursdays 7:30 to 9:20 pm – Straw, Craig
Advanced Trial Advocacy (Civil)
- Tuesdays 5:30 to 8:20 pm – Goldberg, Honorable Mitchell
Introduction to Trial Advocacy
- Mondays 6:00 to 8:50 pm – McCartney, Maureen
- Tuesdays 6:00 to 8:50 pm – Schrading, Roger
- Tuesdays 7:30 to 9:30 pm – Anhalt, Honorable Diana
- Tuesdays 6:00 to 8:50 pm – Defusco, Mary
- Tuesdays 1:00 to 3:50 pm – Jacobson, Sara
Conversations & Community
We welcome you to our first Conversations and Community for the Spring semester! Come talk about whatever is on your mind. There will be cookies! See you February 4th at 12:00 pm in room K7A.
PABOLE Visit
We are delighted that the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners will visit the law school on February 11 at 12:00 pm in K2A and 5:00 pm in K1C (weather permitting). The lunchtime event will be live-streamed so that all can participate. The PABOLE will discuss the Pennsylvania Bar Exam and the admissions process. This is a helpful presentation that includes information about the character and fitness process and we hope you will attend. Questions? Please contact jennifer.bretschneider@temple.edu.
Important Upcoming Financial Aid Deadlines
Application for Financial Aid for the 2020-2021 Academic Year – DUE 3/1/2020
Now is the time to begin the financial aid application process for the 2020-2021 academic year. The financial aid application process can be completed entirely online.
- STEP 1:Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available here. Click FAFSA Renewal if you would like your 2020-2021 FAFSA information to be pre-filled with basic information from your 2019-2020 FAFSA record. School code, 003371
- STEP 2:Temple Law School Financial Aid Request Form. This online should be completed by students who are interested in borrowing student loans for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. The application can be accessed here.
- STEP 3: Student Loans
o Unsubsidized Loan: If this is your first time borrowing student loans as a Temple Law Student you will need to complete an electronic Master Promissory Note or complete a new online entrance interview. Returning Temple Law borrowers are not required to complete these applications again.
o Graduate PLUS: A credit application is required regardless if you borrowed in previous semesters. The credit check application can be completed here. The 2020-2021 credit check application will not be available until May 1st, 2020. We will send an email reminder in early May letting you know when it is time to complete the application process. If you will be a new Direct Graduate PLUS loan borrower for 2020-2021, you should refer to the application instructions on the Federal & Private Loans page of the law school website for details on applying for this loan.
Summer 2020 Class Session – DUE 3/1/2020
Please review the Summer Financial Aid Options on the Law School website for detailed information about summer financial aid process and requirements. The Law School Financial Aid Office will contact you to schedule an appointment once you have completed all of the required forms. Summer financial aid appointments will start on March 6th and continue throughout the spring semester.
Summer Work-Study Grants – DUE 3/1/2020
If you plan to apply for summer work-study you need to complete the Summer Work-Study Request section of the 2020-2021 Temple Law School Financial Aid Application. All students who anticipate they will need summer work-study should be sure to read the information posted on the law school website here.
2020-2021 Temple Law School Financial Aid Request Form and Summer Work-Study Request which is available here. Please select the application for Returning Students, even if this is your first time applying for financial aid.
The Law School Financial Aid Office will have Help Desk hours in February and March where our staff will be available to assist you with questions regarding the financial aid application process and summer work study. The dates and times will be announced in an upcoming newsletter. Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or if you need any additional information. Also, please remember that the Law School has its own Financial Aid Office which handles all financial aid and billing questions for law students. Many university communications will direct students to contact the University Student Financial Services (SFS) with questions, but as a law student, you should always contact the Law School Financial Aid Office with your questions. We are located in Barrack Hall, Suite 101. The phone number is 215-204-8943 and the email address is lwfinaid@temple.edu.
Peggy Browning Fellowship Applications
The Peggy Browning Fund is accepting applications for their 2020 fellowship program. This is a great opportunity for 1Ls & 2Ls (including Peggy Browning Alumni) to work for economic and social justice in labor-related organizations throughout the United States. Please apply online via their website by Friday, January 17, 2020. The Peggy Browning Fund will continue to add fellowships during the month of December, so please keep watching their site!
Louis Jackson Memorial National Student Writing Competition
This writing competition is co-sponsored by Jackson Lewis LLP and the Institute for Law and the Worrkplace at IIT College of Law. Judges will consider papers on any topic relating to the law governing the workplace, such as employment law, labor law, employee benefits, or employment discrimination. One top honors award of $3,000 and two $1,000 awards will be presented. The submission deadline is January 22, 2020. You may find more information here.
Bar Exam Tips – Week 3 – Discount on MBE Flashcards
Use the code TEMPLEBAR25 for $25 off MBE Flashcards on the Critical Pass Website here. The code includes free access to the Critical Pass digital app platform and free shipping, and is valid through January 24th.
Keep a look out for bar tips delivered to you each week this semester in the Post!
1L Diverse Law Student Summer Internships
Just a reminder that the deadline for the eight week 1L Diverse Law Student Summer Internship is February 1, 2020. Click here for more information.
Important Changes to the 2020 MPRE
There are some important changes to the 2020 MPRE that all students should know about.
- The test will be administered on Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13, 2020. The MPRE is no longer administered during a single two-hour period on Saturday. Instead, students will select one of several two-hour appointment times on one of the two weekday test dates. There will also be weekday administrations for the August and October MPRE administrations.
- The test will be administered on a computer at a Pearson VUE testing center. This is a new location compared to past administrations. Students will select a testing center when they schedule their test appointment.
- The registration deadline is February 12, 2020. There is no late registration deadline. The earlier students register with NCBE and schedule their appointment with Pearson VUE, the more likely they will be to get an appointment with their desired location, date, and test time.
- If students plan to test in March and will be seeking accommodations under the ADA, they should apply for accommodations as soon as possible to allow NCBE time to review their application. Those applying for accommodations should check their NCBE File Cabinets frequently for updates on their accommodations applications.
Any questions should be directed to NCBE at 608.280.8550 or by email to mpreregistration@ncbex.org (for questions about registration) or mpre.ada@ncbex.org (for questions about accommodations). You may visit their website here.
Exam Lost & Found
We found several items including computer chargers, an iron, a textbook and noise cancelling headphones. Please stop by Student Affairs at your convenience to pick up your items.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts Writing Competition
Interested in winning $5,000? Enter PMC’s writing competition for 2L and 3L students. This year’s question is: “Should judges be permitted to speak out on their decisions?” The submission deadline is February 7, 2020 to writingcontest@pmconline.org. The winning student will receive a $5,000 prize and be honored at a reception in the spring.
Camden County Bar Foundation – Scholarships
The Camden County Bar Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to help students achieve their educational dreams. Applications are now being accepted through February 28th for law student scholarships to be awarded in May 2020. You may find the application and awards criteria here.