When it comes to finding a legal job, the Internet provides a wealth of information.  The links we have provided you lead to web sites that will help you in your job hunt.  You can use the Internet to find detailed employer information, summer and permanent jobs, legal career information, and general information about the legal profession and finding a job.  Many employers have home pages that list job openings along with descriptive information; almost all state employment offices post their current listings on-line; and most federal agencies have home pages, many with currently available employment opportunities.  

The Internet provides answers to many questions through electronic discussion groups and legal employment Web sites.   One obvious benefit of conducting a job search on the Internet is speedy access to information 24 hours a day at virtually any location you choose.  Most job banks offer free access, and searching their listings does not require a great deal of technical knowledge since instructions are presented on the screen.

Keep in mind that while the computer is a powerful and useful tool, its use as a means of communication is impersonal. Most companies and firms still require the in-person interview before making final hiring decisions. There is also a possible loss of privacy for persons who choose to post their resumes on-line. And finally, the reach of Internet job banks does not extend to the "hidden job market" (those attractive job openings that are not advertised in newspapers, jobs newsletters, etc.).

Because of the changing nature of the Internet, it is impossible to predict whether a certain site may have the job-hunting resources that you need or want.  To use the Internet effectively in your job search, you need to get on-line and search.  Some sites may have nothing of interest to you; others may be invaluable.  The only way to discover which sites are most helpful requires experimentation and exploration.  We are simply providing the basis for this exploration.    

We will be updating this list regularly as we hear of and discover new sites. If you know of a good site, please let us know and we will add it to the list.

• Law Firms
• Public Interest
• Federal Government/Public Policy
• Federal/State Judicial Internships
• International
   

• On-line resources:
  • http://www.directory.findlaw.com - This directory offers a generous array of law-related resources, including links to the web sites of the National Law Journal's top 250 law firms nationwide.
  • http://www.lexis-nexis.com/lawschool - The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) publishes an annual First Year Hiring Index, of employers interested in recruiting 1Ls for summer employment. Use the NALP Directory of Legal Employers on lexis-nexis.com to create your own first year hiring index, targeting offices in particular cities and adding your practice area interests to the search.
  • http://www.abanet.org/careercounsel/students.html - ABA Career Counsel offers tips and guides for a law student's career search.
  • West's Legal Directory (WLD) - WLD is a national directory of law firms available on-line thru WESTLAW. It is possible to do customized searches of firms organized by location, firm size, SHU alums, practice areas, etc.
  • See the OCS website for links to many more on-line resources.
     
• Print resources:
  • The American Lawyer Midlevel and Summer Associates Surveys - In October, The American Lawyer prints a double supplement that includes both midlevel and summer associates' experiences. Although large national firms in major metropolitan areas receive most attention, there is an "Other Cities" section that expands the geographical reach of this resource.
  • The First Year Hiring Index - This is the essential companion piece to the Directory of Legal Employers described above. This index tells you which of the 1200 organizations described in the Directory is considering hiring first-years. Unfortunately, only a small number of firms on this list actually hire first-years each year. (The NALP standards state that students should not send resumes to firms before December 1st.) A copy of that list is included at the end of this Chapter.
  • The Insider's Guide to Law Firms - Summer associates evaluate experiences in major law firms nationwide. A good source for anecdotal information on character and culture of national firms.
  • Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory - A multi-volume directory that includes information on U.S., Canadian, and international law firms. Look for brief firm practice profiles and individual attorneys' biographies also available on-line.
  • NALP National Directory of Legal Employers - NALP compiles information on the recruitment needs and anticipated hiring plans of over 1200 legal employers--law firms and a limited number of government agencies and public interest groups nationwide. Available on-line: www.lexis-nexis.com includes new listings received after the print directory's press deadline.

Public Interest

• On-line resources:
  • http://www.pslawnet.org - The PS LawNet on-line resource, will soon be available through the OCS website. It offers a comprehensive database of public interest opportunities and institutional profiles nationwide.
  • http://www.essential.org - The web site for Essential Information, a Ralph Nader project, offers links to more than 50 public interest advocacy groups and to the on-line edition of Good Works, a directory of more than 1000 social change groups and organizations nationwide.
  • http://www.napil.org - Equal Justice Works (formerly the National Association for Public Interest Law) was created to organize and assist law students interested in public service careers. This site offers information on NAPIL program activities and publications and provides links to public interest organizations' sites and job listings.
     
• Print resources:
  • Directory of Legal Aid & Defender Offices in the U.S. - A good resource for civil legal services, public defender offices, and statewide associations for criminal defense lawyers. A special needs@ section lists organizations -- including legal aid and defender offices--that offer services in specialized areas of law including AIDS, arts, disability protection, elder law, women's issues, and family law.
  • Directory of Prosecuting Attorneys - Nationwide listing of prosecuting attorneys' offices and offices of state attorneys general.
  • Harvard Public Interest Job Search Guide - Includes a directory of 1700+ public interest organizations with information on areas of specialization, advocacy activities, hiring needs, and application deadlines.
  • The Public Service Employer Directory - An introduction to the public interest job search process as well as a valuable resource for identifying potential employers. Participating public interest organizations provide brief practice resumes, as well as information on current staffing and anticipated hires. Useful indexes list organizations by practice area and geographical location.

Federal Government/Public Policy

• On-line resources:
  • Westlaw Career and Professional Life - The National and Federal Legal Employment Report's annual Summer Legal Employment Guide to job opportunities in the federal government, international organizations, and some public interest organizations is available only on-line. Seton Hall has access to this valuable resource for all its students through its Westlaw subscription.
  • http://www.usdoj.gov - The Department of Justice makes extensive use of its web site and will post information here, at the end of the fall semester, about program opportunities for 1Ls. The department's annual Legal Activities Book (LAB), also available here, describes the functions and current activities of DOJ divisions and offices.
  • http://www.usajobs.opm.gov - Although every federal department and agency has its own web site, and many post employment announcements there, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) maintains an excellent resource for a quick, efficient survey of job opportunities--including summer employment--in the federal government nationwide.
     
• Print resources:
  • Congressional Internship Book/105th Congress - The Career Education Institutes' survey of every member of the U.S. House and Senate produced less than 100% response, but that information is worth gold. Responses are organized state-by-state, include information on the member's committee assignments, and identify a contact in each office. If you don't see the senator or representative for whom you want to work, contact that office directly--but read the introductory section here first.
  • Federal Yellow Book - This telephone directory provides easy access to contact information for staff in executive branch departments and independent agencies: direct-dial telephone numbers, office fax number, and department or agency Internet homepages.
  • Federal Staff Directory - Staff lists and senior staff biographies for executive departments, independent agencies, and some international organizations, including the Asian Development Bank, IMF/World Bank, Organization of American States and United Nations. Available on-line: www.lexis.com.
  • Washington Internships in Law and Policy - Profiles of over 240 public policy organizations, offering summer and term-time internships in the Washington metropolitan area, include a brief description of each organization, along with contact and deadline information.

Federal/State Judicial Internships

• Print resources:
  • Almanac of the Federal Judiciary - Professional biographies for district court judges (vol. 1) and circuit court judges (vol. 2) include descriptions of noteworthy rulings and evaluations by lawyers who have appeared before these judges--a judicial insider's guide. Available on-line via Westlaw.
  • The American Bench - Organized into separate sections for the federal bench and for court systems state by state, this is a good biographical resource for federal judges and a rare resource for state courts judges' biographies.
  • State Judicial Clerkship Directory - NALP surveys all state judges and publishes their responses regarding available clerkships and judicial internships, application requirements, selection criteria, and schools from which recent clerks have been hired. Print edition available in OCS. Available on-line via Lexis (2002-2003 update scheduled for December 2001).

International

• On-line resources:
  • http://www.asil.org - The American Society of International Law web site offers excellent links to professional resources in international law, as well as links to web sites for the United Nations, the European Union (with its own links to government information pages for EU member states), the World Trade Organization, and others.
  • http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM - Contact information for the United Nations Headquarters Internship Program is provided along with descriptions of career opportunities and recruitment procedures for employment at the U.N.
  • http://www.oneworld.net - An Internet community@ of over 250 organizations committed to global justice, human rights, and sustainable development. Both volunteer opportunities and job listings for permanent employment are posted here.
     
• Print resources:
  • Careers in International Affairs - Comprehensive resource for U.S. governments and international organizations, but contact information does not always include Internet address. Profiles of banking, business, consulting, nonprofit, education, and research career opportunities are selective, and representative of those fields.
  • International Information Directory - The Congressional Quarterly's new compendium of international resources, including the international public policy offices of the U.S. government and the U.S.-based headquarters of global and regional organizations--the United Nations, World Bank, Organization of American States, and others along with contact information for their agencies and affiliates worldwide. Private sector resources include foundations, trade and professional associations, advocacy groups, and academic study centers.