Office of Career Development for Students

The Office of Career Development uses Symplicity, a web-based recruiting system, for all job postings and recruitment programs. Each student and alum has a profile in the system where they can view and apply for available posted positions.

In addition, students and alumni can utilize Symplicity to learn about upcoming Career Development events, access the online resource library, and obtain username and passwords for useful websites.

Access Symplicity here.

The Office of Career Development firmly believes that all law students should be on a level playing field when it comes to learning about and understanding their internship and career opportunities. To that end, we have developed the Fundamental Series, a year-long program aimed at providing a solid foundation for our students. This programming does change year-to-year as we adapt to the needs of our students. 

For the 2023-24 academic year the Fundamental Series consists of:

  • Individual Career Counseling Appointments
  • Introduction to Public Interest 
  • Cover Letters 101
  • Crash Course in Interviewing
  • Transactional vs. Litigation
  • A Guide to JD Advantage Careers
  • Introduction to Judicial Clerkships
  • Exploring Your Options: Public Sector
  • Exploring Your Options: Private Sector

Employer Interviews

Employers from law firms, corporations, public interest, and government agencies are invited to interview either on-campus or virtually at any time during the year. Students are notified of employers who will be interviewing by the Office of Career Development.

Resume Collections

Employers also contact the Office of Career Development to collect application materials from students for specific opportunities throughout the year. Students are notified of employers who are conducting resume collections by the Office of Career Development.

Career Fairs

Each year, we participate in several regional and national career fairs, affording students the opportunity to interview across the country. Some examples include:

  • New York University Public Interest Legal Career Fair (virtual)
  • Equal Justice Works Career Fair (virtual)
  • Loyola Patent Law Interview Program (in-person)
  • Boston Lawyer's Group Job Fair (in-person)
  • Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair (in-person)

Career Development Programming

Each semester the Office of Career Development provides various opportunities to interact with members of the legal community, both locally and nationally. This programming adapts to student interests every year and we encourage students to be on the look out for upcoming events in their emails and on Symplicity.

RWU Law graduates have a strong history of obtaining judicial clerkships at the state and federal level. The Office of Career Development works alongside the Judicial Clerkship Committee to aid students in identifying opportunities, refining their application materials, and preparing for interviews. Through one-on-one counseling and a bevy of programming beginning in the first year, we walk students through the process of applying to judicial clerkships.

Social Justice is at the core of RWU Law's mission. Public interest summer internships are invaluable opportunities to gain experience, make connections, and build upon your commitment to public interest. Because many public interest opportunities are unpaid, the Office of Career Development administers a competitive Public Interest Summer Stipend Program, which can help defray some costs for the summer. 

Application deadlines:

  • Early Decision - January
  • Regular Decision - April

For more information on the application and guidelines, please contact Christopher Gerlica at cgerlica@rwu.edu.  

The Office of Career Development hosts weekly walk-in hours for students every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. No appointment necessary. 

We encourage you to make an individual appointment with any of our career development counselors to help you determine your career interests and review materials. Please use the links below to make an appointment:

Jodi Haley

Christopher Gerlica

Nina Abbenante

For general assistance, you may contact Debbie Brown at dbrown@rwu.edu. 

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.