Searching for Out-of-State Jobs
If you are interested in relocating after law school you should start laying the groundwork now! Take a look at the following strategies that may help you get a foot hold in a new community:
Be prepared to travel. The best way to search for a job in a new community is to go there. If you can tell an employer when you will be in the area on a specific date the employer is more likely to set up an interview with you. Remember that success rates go up if you have a connection to the area or a good reason for relocating to that area that you can share when asked.
Judicial Clerkships – Consider trying to get a clerkship in the state or city you wish to practice in following graduation. This will allow you a year or two to get familiar with the area, make connections with local lawyers and familiarize yourself with state laws.
Register and Take the bar in the state to which you are relocating. You are more marketable if you are licensed and ready to start and even the act of registering can be seen as a sign of your commitment to the area.
Reciprocity - We can arrange this for you. We will write a letter requesting reciprocity for you with another law school in the area. If granted, you may have access to that school’s job postings and information for a certain period of time, typically 3-6 months (so plan accordingly). Be aware that some schools do not grant reciprocity during fall recruiting, typically September – December (and in any event schools will not allow you to participate in that process). Often, reciprocity may not be worthwhile if a law school already participates in the BYU Intercollegiate Job Bank.
Regional Fairs and Interview Programs – participate in regional fairs even if you don’t get an interview scheduled, the fairs often have lottery spots to fill and receptions and table talk opportunities. You can’t be shy to make these types of events work for you.
CLEs – Most states require Continuing Legal Education credits and this is a great way to meet attorneys in the area and those who practice the type of law you are interested in pursuing. Mingle, mingle, mingle!
Alumni networking – I have performed countless alumni searches for students over the last calendar year. From the reports I have received, students have usually found alumni to be of assistance. The CSO is happy to check and see if we have graduates in the city you want to target. You should do the same with your undergraduate institution. Remember that networking doesn’t have to only be with lawyers. If one of your classmates from undergrad is an accountant in the city you want to move to that person could be a great resource and may work with or know attorneys. Personal referrals go a long way. Remember that you are not to ask the alumni for jobs, only information, advice or referrals. For advice on how to approach alumni please see the CSO.
Externships (summer 3 credit hours). Try to set up an externship in your city of choice and in an area of law you want to practice after graduation. This is a great way to meet attorneys working in your chosen area. Remember to take advantage of any local bar activities while you are there.
Pro Bono – Spend a few weeks in your city of choice or an entire summer doing pro-bono work with a non-profit organization. If you do not get the summer clerkship of your dreams, don’t take a McJob in Lincoln, instead pack it up and get a job in the city you want to live in after law school. Perform pro-bono work during the day and work at night to pay the bills. You’ll be making connections and getting that all important legal experience you need to be marketable in any legal community.
NALP Directory -For large firms, look through the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) directory in our office or at www.nalpdirectory.com. Contact these employers to see if you can arrange an informational interview over a break, or if they might have any employment opportunities available for the following summer, or following graduation. It might be worthwhile to see if these firms would be willing to have you work on discrete assignments for them via e-mail while you are still at the University of Nebraska College of Law.
