Career Development Teleconference Series

1Ls….It’s that time of year!

Grades have been disseminated and On Campus Interviews and Job Hunting are quickly approaching.
Don’t walk into your interview unprepared!
Join us for the second session in a series of NBLSA National Career and Employment Teleconferences!

This Thursday, January 25th
7pm-8pm EST
6pm-7pm CST
4pm-5pm PST

"The Interviewing Process, What You Need to Know"
guest speaker, E. Jewelle Johnson, Esquire
Click here to view Ms. Johnson’s Bio:
E. Jewelle Johnson, Fisher & Phillips LLP

Students may access the teleconference by dialing the following information: Conference Dial-in Number: 319-256-0200 Access Code: 834741#

If you have a specific question you'd like our guest speaker to address, please submit your question to careerdevelopment@nblsa.org by one hour prior to the scheduled time for the call. For those who cannot make the call, the call will be recorded and made available for review immediately after the conclusion of the call until one hour prior to the next scheduled conference session.

The Conference Call Playback information is as follows: Conference Call Playback Dial-In: 641-985-5024 Access Code: 834741# Spread the word to your local BLSA chapter members, especially 1Ls. Don't miss out on this first of its kind NBLSA Career Development initiative!
For more information regarding the teleconference series and for a list of the other Spring Semester teleconference dates and topics visit the NBLSA Career Development page at www.nblsa.org/programs/careerdevelopment.

If you have questions regarding the teleconference series contact National Career Development Director, Alexandra Eikner, at careerdevelopment@nblsa.org .

A LETTER FROM OUR CHAIR...

Greetings SRBLSA!

As everyone returns to our respective campuses, I wanted to offer my sincere thanks for a successful conference. I am hopeful that you enjoyed the sunshine, the beaches, and most importantly the convention seminars and programs. SRBLSA conventions always feel like a family reunion, and this one was no exception. As I mentioned in my farewell address, we as a region have a lot to be proud of. I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to have served as your Chair for the last year and am confident that the SRBLSA Chair-Elect, Brian Baptiste will continue the tradition of purposeful leadership and excellence that the South is accustomed to.

In the midst of the festivities on Saturday, I neglected to mention an exciting opportunity for SRBLSA students. We have created a scholarship to assist students who want to participate in the Matchmakers for Justice project. If you recall, Morgan Williams from the Student Hurricaine Network, discussed this exciting project at the Damali Booker Prayer Breakfast on Friday. In an effort to continue our purposeful activities in response to Katrina, SRBLSA we will provide $200 travel costs for 5 SRBLSA students to travel to New Orleans to particpate in this exciting program. Please see the attached documents for further information about the program.

To date, the Student Hurricane Network has recieved 100 applications for the 50 available spots for the program. I am pleased to announce that through a partnership between SRBLSA and SHN, 5 of the available spots are reserved for SRBLSA members.
If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, the applications must be recieved no later then this FRIDAY, January 26, 2007 by close of business. Please indicate on your application that you are applying from SRBLSA, and cc myself ( southern@nblsa.org) on the application. Please contact me with any questions.

See you in Atlanta.

With Purpose,
Kelli Byers Hooper

Night Events

Night Events

CONVENTION SCHEDULE

SRBLSA Convention Keynote Speaker...

THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE NATIONAL BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES PROFESSOR OF LAW DONALD Q. COCHRAN AS OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE 36TH ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION AND AWARDS BANQUET

Donald Q. Cochran

Originally from Columbia, Missouri, Professor Cochran holds both an undergraduate and law degree from Vanderbilt University.
After graduating from law school, Professor Cochran headed to Atlanta where he was a law clerk to United States District Judge Julie Carnes. In 1993, he moved to Birmingham to assume a position as a deputy district attorney for Jefferson County, Alabama. As part of the special prosecutions unit, dedicated to sex crimes and homicides, he handled approximately 70 jury trials including 16 capital murder cases.

In 1998, Professor Cochran moved to a position as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. He successfully prosecuted a number of high profile criminal cases including the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bomber, Bobby Frank Cherry. For his work in the Sixteenth Street Church Bombing Case, Professor Cochran received the Directors award and was the subject of a feature story in the Vanderbilt Lawyer.

One of Professor Cochran’s great strengths as a practicing lawyer was his ability to integrate technology into the presentation of a case. He has developed and teaches an Advanced Trial Advocacy course which stresses the use of technology. He also teaches Basic Trial Advocacy and Criminal law.


Mail:
Cumberland School of Law
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35229

FROM FSU LAW

Hurricane Network

JOBS JOBS JOBS

Mock Trial Winners

The 2006 Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition sponsored by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers was held on November 10-12, 2006 at the Palm Beach County Courthouse. Congratulations to the final round participants, Stetson School of Law and Florida State University Law School.

Ultimately, FSU was victorious!

We look forward to seeing all of you during the Mock Trial competitions in Janurary in Miami.

Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association, Inc.
presents

BEAT THE BAR
a FREE Bar Preparation Seminar to help law students prepare for the Florida Bar Exam

Saturday, November 18, 2006
Florida A & M University College of Law
201 Beggs Avenue, Room 253
Orlando, Florida 32801

8:30 am - 12:30 pm

featuring:
Bar Exam Preparation Skills and Strategies
Information on Tackling the Bar Application
Advice from Recent Bar Examinees
Sample Exam Question and Answer Review

BRING A PEN & PAD or YOUR LAPTOP

~ Lunch will be Provided ~

***The Florida Bar Foundation provides support to this program***

For questions or to RSVP, please email: studentliaison@vhfcnba.org

Jacksonville Bar Association presents...

Tuesday, November 21th, 2006

The Jacksonville Bar Association invites you to attend its Membership Luncheon!

Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Time: 12:15 p.m.

Location: Omni Hotel

245 Water St

Jacksonville, FL 32202

(904) 355-6664

Must RSVP by November 16. Sign up online at

JaxBarLunch or Contact The Jacksonville Bar Association at (904)-399-4486 for additional information.

FAMU College of Law - ATLA Chapter Golf Tournament

November 17th, 2006
The Florida A&M University College of Law's Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) Chapter invites you to attend its Inaugural Golf Tournament Scramble!

Date: Friday, November 17, 2006

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: Dubsdread Golf Course

Cost: Free Green fees and cart fees

Click here for sign-up form, or contact event leader K.J. Myllynen at 321-331-6505 or kjmyllynen@yahoo.com for additional information.

The ABA in Orlando presents...

Orange County Bar Association and YLS monthly luncheons are open to members and guests. To ensure proper luncheon count, RSVPs are requested no later than 48 hours in advance. Those reserving less than 24 hours in advance will not be guaranteed a name badge. If you have RSVPed and find that you are unable to attend, please notify us as soon as possible via e-mail. We appreciate your effort to keep us up-to-date on your reservation status.

November 16th, 2006

YLS November Luncheon
Location: Citrus Club
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fee Members: $18.00 ($20.00 late registration)
Fee Non-Members: $18.00 ($20.00late registration)
Fee Affiliates: $
Fee Guests: $18.00

Notes: Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave., 18th Floor. The cost is $18.00 for those who RSVP in advance ($10.00 for solo practitioners and government attorneys) and $20.00 for walk-ups. Please RSVP to OCBAYLS@gmail.com no later than 24 hours in advance.


November 30th, 2006

OCBA November Luncheon
Location: Downtown Orlando Marriott
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fee Members: $0 ($0 late registration)
Fee Non-Members: $20 (late registration)
Fee Affiliates: $15
Fee Guests: $20

Notes:
Sponsored by Westlaw
U.S. Senator Mel Martinez
A Washington Update
Please RSVP by November 28, 2006, to reservations@ocbanet.org.

International Negotiation Competition

ELECTION PROTECTION

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Legal, Community and Business Activities

This year, Florida attorneys and other volunteers will be doing the work protecting our elections. This is a nonpartisan effort. Attorneys may volunteer to answer calls that come in on the EP hotline from voters and volunteers in the field or they may work at precinct(s) to make sure that the polls open on time and that voters are allowed to vote with the proper identification, and to help resolve voting issues and report any irregularities that the volunteer witnesses.

All volunteers will receive training before Election Day. The Election Protection Trainings will be Sunday, November 5th @ 6 – 9 p.m and Monday, November 6th @ 6 – 9 p.m. at the People for the American Way Foundation, 2915 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 210, Miami, Florida Volunteers may work for any period of time on Election Day between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., or all day.

Individuals interested in volunteering may register as an Election Protection volunteer at www.866ourvote.com. The strength and breadth of the Florida Election Protection program is limited only by the number of people who volunteer.

For more information, contact Muslima Lewis, Senior Attorney and Racial Justice Project Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, 4500 Biscayne Boulevard, Su. 340, Miami, FL 33137-3227, (786) 363-2700.

Regional Chair Message

Greetings SRBLSA!

This has been an extremely busy semester! I'd like to congratulate those individuals who have accepted job offers for next year, offer good luck to those who are still searching and well wishes to the 1L's who are preparing for first semester exams.

Additionally, I was extremely pleased with the turnout on the first ever Presidents Conference Call that was held on October 19th. As a reminder, there are several NBLSA/SRBLSA deadlines approaching

1. Deadline to lock in Miami Convention Early Bird Registration Rates Nov 1, 2006. If your school has requested funding, and are awaiting a check, please forward a copy of the check request to Jarrett Tyus at jtyus3@gmail.com, to ensure that your chapter can take advantage of the early bird rate.
REMEMBER, You can lock in the early bird rate, by making a $50 deposit. Registration can be accessed online at http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=118760.

Additionally, all persons who are registered early, are entered in a raffle to win a prize valued at $200. We will announce the winner and prize shortly.


2. NBLSA Scholarship Applications: Due Nov 1, 2006. For details about the three available scholarships, go to: http://www.nblsa.org/resources/scholarships/

3. SRBLSA P.U.R.P.O.S.E Scholarship Applications Due: November 15, 2006.
Please see our page on Facebook for the forms, or contact our Regional Secretary Brandi Stewart at brandimstewart@hotmail.com.

Good luck to everyone on the upcoming MPRE and finals.

With purpose,
kbh

NBLSA SCHOLARSHIPS (1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, Undergrads)

Rodney Pulliam Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: November 1, 2006

PURPOSE
The Executive Board is proud to announce the Rodney Pulliam Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is in honor of, Rodney Pulliam, who served as our National Chair as for the 1998-1999 academic year. Mr. Pulliam was an inspiration to all who knew him in service as a minister, husband, father, community activist, community servant and attorney. The scholarship shall be awarded in the amount of $500.00 to be used exclusively towards a Bar/Bri Bar preparation course. Thirty (30) scholarships in total with a break down of five (5) scholarships per region, representative of the Western, Rocky Mountain, Southern, Midwest, Mid Atlantic and Northeast Regions.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
This scholarship will be awarded in the form of a $500.00 BARBRI certificate to thirty (30) recipients (five (5) from each of the six (6) NBLSA regions). Each recipient must be a second (2L) or third (3L) year law student. Applicants must write an essay addressing the issue posed by the essay question.

ESSAY QUESTION:
Do you feel that Affirmative Action has outlived its usefulness with regard to the African American community? If so, is there any need for the legal community to act in order to change it? If not, what else should the legal community focus on outside of the current scope of Affirmative Action in order to increase the higher educational opportunities for African American students?
The winning essay will be chosen on purpose, practicality, content, grammar and style. The essay must not exceed 1000 words, be typed, and be double-spaced on 8 ½" x 11" paper.

CRITERIA

In order to be considered for the scholarship, please submit the following:

• Four (4) copies of your essay. Do NOT put your name or any identifying information on any page of the essay.
• A letter from your chapter President or Treasurer certifying that you are a dues paying member for the 2006-2007 school year.
• Letter from your law school certifying that you are an eligible J.D. candidate for the 2006-2007 school year; or will become and eligible candidate before December 2007.

SELECTION PROCESS
Members of the NBLSA Board shall select the scholarship recipients. All proposals must be postmarked on or before Wednesday, November 1, 2006. All recipients will be notified by December 1, 2006 of their award and will be invited to attend the National Convention in Atlanta, GA at the recipient’s expense. Attendance at the convention is not a requirement to enter the contest. Please duplicate the application as necessary.

Please send your completed application package to:

Conway Ekpo & Nicole Alexander

NBLSA Education Co-Chairs

24 Johnson Avenue

Newark, NJ 07108

Attn: Rodney Pulliam Memorial Scholarship

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Nelson Mandela Scholarship
Application Deadline: November 1, 2006

PURPOSE
The Executive Board of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is pleased to announce the annual Nelson Mandela Scholarship. The scholarship’s namesake is the famed South African civil rights activities and political leader. Mr. Mandela has dedicated his life to liberating the people of South Africa from the oppressive hands of apartheid and segregation. The liberation efforts of Mr. Mandela are an inspiration to the members of NBLSA, which is why we choose to award this scholarship in his name. NBLSA takes great pride in the spirit of Mr. Mandela’s efforts to improve the state of affairs of Black people in South Africa.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to six (6) African-American college students/graduates (one students from each NBLSA region) who plan to enter law school in the United States in the Spring of 2007 or Fall of 2007 and who will be first year law students, and to first year (1L) law students who entered law school during the Fall of 2006, and are currently first year law students. A $1000 monetary award and a certificate will be given to each student. The scholarship will provide financial support for award and a certificate will be given to each student. The scholarship will provide financial support for those whose financial condition is minimal. The scholarship can be used by the student in whatever capacity need be. Applicants must write a proposal addressing the issue raised by the essay question:

ESSAY QUESTION
The United States government has recognized the violence, slaughter, rape, starvation and displacement of the Sudanese people in Darfur as "genocide". What role, if any, should the United States government play in eliminating this situation and why?
The winning essay will be chosen on content, grammar and style. The essay must be the completed product of the entrant. The proposal must be between 500 and 1000 words, typed, and double-spaced on 8 ½” x 11” paper.

CRITERIA

• Four (4) copy of your essay (between 500 and 1000 words). Put your name and address information on the cover sheet of the essay. (Do NOT put your name or any identifying information on any page of the essay)
• A resume and two (2) letters of recommendation
• An official transcript from all undergraduate institutions and law schools.
• Must submit verification of acceptance to law school for the Spring or Fall 2006 or letter from your law school that you are a current first year student who entered law school in the Fall of 2006.
• Must include community service, future career plans, and extracurricular activities.
  

SELECTION PROCESS
Members of the NBLSA National Board shall select the scholarship recipients. All proposals must be postmarked on or before Wednesday, November 1, 2006. All recipients will be notified by December 1, 2006 if their award and will be invited to attend the National Convention in Atlanta, GA at the recipient’s expense. Attendance at the convention is not a requirement to enter the contest. Please duplicate the application as necessary.

Please send your completed application package to:
Conway Ekpo & Nicole Alexander

NBLSA Education Co-Chairs

24 Johnson Avenue

Newark, NJ 07108

Attn: Sandy Brown Memorial Scholarship

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Sandy Brown Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: November 1, 2006

PURPOSE
The Executive Board of the National Black Law Students Association is pleased to announce the annual Sandy Brown Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is named after the late Sandy Brown, a past NBLSA western regional director. Two (2) monetary awards (not less than $500) will be given commemorative of Ms. Brown. To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, you must be a rising second (1L) or third (2L) year law student. Applicants must write an essay on the issue posed by the essay question.

ESSAY QUESTION:
Should the recent changes to the bench of the United States Supreme Court give rise for concern in the African American community with respect to the erosion of our civil rights and liberties? If so, how so? If not, why not?

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The winning essays will be chosen based on content, grammar, and style. The essay must be completed product of the entrant. The essay must be between 250 and 500 words, typed, and double-spaced on 8 ½” x 11” paper.

CRITERIA
In order to be considered for the scholarship, please submit the following:

• Four (4) copies of your essay. Do NOT put your name or any identifying information on any page of the essay.
• A letter from your chapter President and Treasurer certifying that you are a dues paying member for the 2006-2007 school year.
• Letters from your law school certifying that you are a rising second or third year law student for the 2006-2007 school year.
  

SELECTION PROCESS
Members of the NBLSA National Board shall select the scholarship recipients. All proposals must be postmarked on or before the Wednesday, November 1, 2006. All recipients will be notified by December 1, 2006, of their award and will be invited to attend the National Convention in Atlanta, GA at the recipient’s expense. Attendance at the convention is not a requirement to enter the contest.

Please send your completed application package to:
Conway Ekpo & Nicole Alexander

NBLSA Education Co-Chairs

24 Johnson Avenue

Newark, NJ 07108

Attn: Sandy Brown Memorial Scholarship

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