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LeaNora Ruffin, Assistant Dean of Career Development, Widener Law By Teresa Cajot As the Assistant Dean of Career Development at Widener Law, LeaNora Ruffin has the unique responsibility of serving the needs of students and alumni on two campuses. That translates to providing career building skills and job placement services to about 1,600 currently enrolled students as well as all of the school’s alumni who seek assistance from the office.
However, Ruffin has the experience and skills to meet and exceed the hefty demands of the job. She initially joined the Career Development Office in 1998 and within two years she was moved up into the position of Assistant Dean for Career Development. In her current position, Ruffin engages in outreach work to produce and maintain recruitment opportunities for Widener Law students and alumni. Through her involvement in a number of legal organizations and associations, Ruffin has established connections that have opened doors for both her and the students she serves. Ruffin has held various positions within the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) since joining the organization in 1998. She served as a member of the Part V Task Force, Mid-Atlantic Board Director, Nominating Committee Member, and Vice-Chair and Board Liaison to a number of sections and committees. In 2009 and 2010 Ruffin served as the President of the NALP. Under Ruffin’s guidance, the Career Development Office grants students access to resources such as workshops, on-campus recruiting opportunities, counseling services, and interview preparation opportunities. The most recent resource to be added to the program is the Career Development blog, which offers job search tips, networking information, and advice on professionalism and leadership skills. According to Ruffin, the
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blog’s main function is to optimize the level of communication between her staff members and the law school community as a whole. In addition to the aforementioned services, Ruffin also provides solid career development advice. She encourages students to consider the current economy and job market when developing a career and job search plan. In an effort to assist the latest graduating class in the present job market, the Career Development Office provides a three-session workshop. Ongoing assistance is available for those who continue to experience difficulty in obtaining a position. Ruffin also advises students to contemplate fields that are likely to thrive in times of economic uncertainty. A sampling of such areas might include: bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosures, federal government regulations, environmental regulations, criminal defense, and general practitioner fields. Prior to joining Widener Law, Ruffin was an associate at Black & Adams for almost two-and-a-half years and a litigation associate at Lavin, Coleman. During her time with these firms, she specialized in handling matters concerning medical malpractice and products liability. She earned her JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1993. She currently works from Widener Law’s Delaware Campus.
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