2020-2021 Financial Aid Applications (including Summer Work Study) – 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.
Alternative Spring Break Volunteer Opportunity – Bebashi: Transition to Hope
Join us at Bebashi: Transition to Hope on March 4th from 11 am to 2 pm. We will help them bag grocery items and help organize/sort their Trans Necessities closet. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/volunteersp2020
Full-Time Summer Research Assistant
Professor Deguzman is soliciting applications for a full-time summer research assistant. Her work focuses on international and regional criminal law. If you are interested, please send a resume, transcript and one-paragraph statement of interest to Deguzman@temple.edu by March 6th. Proficiency in Spanish or French is a plus, but not required.
Crisis at DOJ: Defending the Rule of Law
Headlines blare about a crisis at the US Department of Justice. What exactly is happening? What does the “Rule of law” mean, and is it currently in jeopardy? The Watergate scandal highlighted the use of DOJ to protect a corrupt president and the country adopted measures to try to insulate DOJ from political influence. What were those protections? Did they work? Why are they at risk now? What can and should be done to protect our system of justice from abuse? Our knowledgeable speakers, Peter Schenck and Professor Lauren Ouziel, who both served as Assistant US Attorneys, will address these pressing issues, with Professor Jim Shellenberger moderating. Pizza will be served! We look forward to seeing you Monday, March 9th at noon in K1D.
In House Clinic Application & Information Session
The application process for in-house clinics starts now!
In our in-house legal clinics, students handle actual cases and/or legal advocacy projects for course credit. The application process for the fall 2020 semester is now open (application deadline is Monday, March 16th at 5 pm). An information session on the clinics and the application process will be offered on Tuesday, March 10th, at noon in K1C (lunch provided). You’ll also find information and a link to the application form here.
Conversations & Community
Conversations and Community provides a space to talk about anything that’s on your mind regarding law school, the law, and the legal profession. Bring questions, suggestions, and an open mind on March 10th at noon in K6A. We’ll have pretzels!
Litigating Against Big Pharma: A Conversation with Steve Sheller
Interested students are invited to a small group conversation, “Litigating against Big Pharma: A Conversation with Steve Sheller,” at noon on March 11th. Stephen Sheller, one of the nation’s leading plaintiff’s-side litigators and a good friend of the law school, will discuss complex civil litigation against large drug companies. Lunch will be provided. Participation is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis; if you’re interested, please RSVP by March 2nd to Ro Scipio at rscipio@temple.edu.
Dean’s Invitation Forum & Lunch
We invite you to join us in welcoming alumnus and entrepreneur Richard Oller back to Temple Law on March 11th. Over lunch, the founder of the Wentworth Group (now First Service Residential) will be interviewed by Professor Jonathan Lipson. The interview will be followed by a question and answer session. Please RSVP before Spring Break!
Temple Law Review Presents: Third Circuit Task Force on Eyewitness Identifications Report Panel
As forensic science disciplines continue to develop, cases in which innocent people have been wrongly incarcerated are coming to light at alarming rates. In fact, studies indicate that a stunning 70% of wrongful convictions stem from faulty eyewitness identifications.
The Third Circuit Task Force on Eyewitness Identifications was created, in part, in response to these scientific developments and to the recognition that courts had begun to apply these developments in criminal cases. Please join the Honorable Theodore McKee, the Honorable Mitchell Goldberg, and Professor Jules Epstein to discuss the Task Force Report on March 12th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the Duane Morris LLP Moot Court Room. You may read more about the report and panel here and RSVP here.
2020 Edward Ross Lecture in Litigation
You are cordially invited to the 2020 Edward Ross Lecture in Litigation, featuring remarks by Mike Papantonio, senior partner at Levin Papantonio. Mr. Papantonio has earned international recognition for his accomplishments in the courtroom and is a leading voice in the worlds of trial advocacy and social justice. In addition to senior partner at Levin Papantonio, Mr. Papantonio is founder of Mass Torts Made Perfect, host of the international television show, America’s Lawyer, and co-founder, along with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Sam Seder, of the Ring of Fire radio program.
Please RSVP to this event on March 18th from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Moot Court Room.
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.
The Sarita & Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship
The Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship is a competitive scholarship program that makes annual monetary awards to qualified, outstanding graduating African American female law students. The scholarship was established in 2015, and is named after Sarita Wright Lucas and her daughter, Claire, in recognition of Sarita’s integrity and passion for justice. Like Sarita, applicants must have an interest in Public Service by pursuing careers in prosecution.
Students who are interested in applying for the Sarita and Claire Wright Lucas Foundation Scholarship are strongly encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and program description before submitting an application. The deadline is February 28, 2020. Click here for more information.
The 2nd Annual Temple Law Kickball Tournament
The 2nd Annual Temple Law Kickball Tournament will be held next month! Register your teams at http://bit.ly/2020tournament (Min: 8 players Max: 11 players). Get more information at the 2nd Floor Help Desk on the following days:
- Monday, March 9: 11:30 am to 1 pm & 4:30 to 6 pm
- Thursday, March 12: 11:30 am to 1 pm
- Tuesday, March 17: 4:30 to 6 pm
Summer Research Assistant Jobs – Paid
Professor Cary Coglianese is seeking law students to work as research assistants this summer on a major project on regulation of the U.S. economy. If you want to learn more about how economic activity is regulated in the United States, are interested in public policy issues, or simply wish to prepare yourself better for a career in nearly any field of law today, we want to hear from you! 1Ls are especially encouraged to apply to be part of this engaging research team at the Penn Program on Regulation, directed by Prof. Coglianese. Full-time commitments for the summer are preferred, but interest in a part-time position may be considered. We can provide stipends of about $7,500 per position for full-time work throughout the summer due to an outside funding source. To be considered for a position, please send your resume and a cover letter explaining your background and interests to regulation@law.upenn.edu.
Spring 2020 Exam Schedule
The Spring 2020 exam schedule is posted here. Information about exam conflicts can be found here. If you have a conflict please complete this form and email it to Kathy Wilson at kilson@temple.edu. If you do not see your course on the scheduled exam list, please check the take-home list and the free-slot exam list. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact jennifer.bretschneider@temple.edu.
Spring 2020 Saturday Exam Request Form – Evening Students ONLY
The law school is offering Upper Level Evening Students the option to move exams to either Saturday, April 25 or May 2. Interested students should complete the form at this link: https://forms.gle/ngs2gD7chj3rpb2V7 Understand that though Dean Bretschneider and Associate Director Walden will be proctoring the exams, there will not be a member of the Technology Staff present and so any technology issues will be handled by members of the Student Affairs team. Please also note that, consistent with Law School rules, you will not be permitted to take an exam early. You can only move an exam that was originally scheduled for administration on a date that is prior to the selected Saturday.
Bar Exam Tips – Week 9
When selecting your bar course provider, it is important to take into account a number of factors including the learning methodology of the course, the cost, and the track record of the course (their “pass rates”). Themis is one such provider. In addition to a regular (for cost) bar course, Themis also provides (for free to any student, not just Themis enrolled students), MPRE practice questions and study guides as well as a “law school essentials” course, free tools to help you get through law school.
Keep a look out for bar tips delivered to you each week this semester in the Post!
Mindful Mondays
Mindful Mondays is back at 12:00 pm in room K1A. 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.
Important Changes to the 2020 MPRE
There are some important changes to the 2020 MPRE that all students should know about.
- August and October are the next available MPRE administrations. 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.
- 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.
- 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 seek 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.
Notre Dame Law School Smith-Doheny Legal Ethics Writing Competition
The competition is open to all law students. Entries should concern any issue within the general category of legal ethics. A prize of $2,500 will be awarded for one winning entry. All entries must be received by 5 pm, Friday, April 24, 2020.
ABA Real Property & Trust & Estate Law – Writing Contest
The goal of the Real Property and Trust and Estate Law Writing Contest is to encourage and reward law student writing on the subjects of real property or trust and estate law. Articles submitted for judging are encouraged to be of timely topics and have not been previously published. This contest is open to all law and LL.M students currently attending an ABA-accredited law school. The first-place winner will receive a number of awards including $2,500. A second and third place winner will also be selected. The contest deadline is May 31, 2020.