MWBLSA Regional Blast

T S A L B l a n o i g e R A S L B W

M

October 2011

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Inside this issue:

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR ACADEMIC RETREAT WRAP-UP CONVENTION COMPETITIONS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

REGIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

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MWBLSA REGIONAL BLAST

L E T T E R F RO M T H E C H A I R Greetings MWBLSA! This year has been off to an exciting start! The 2011 Academic Retreat in Minneapolis, Minnesota was a huge success and we are looking forward to the Regional Convention in Columbus, Ohio. It is now time to show why we are the Mighty, Mighty Midwest! In order to do so, I need your assistance. 

Make sure that you are a registered member of NBLSA. This is the only way that you can take advantage of the programming and opportunities that MWBLSA and NBLSA have to offer.

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Register for the Regional Convention and book your room at the Marriott Renaissance.

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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to make sure you know what is going on in our region!

The Regional Convention gives opportunities for members to participate in community service, workshops, competitions, and networking receptions. These programs will focus on giving you the skills vital to success in law school and equip you with the tools you need to succeed in the ever-changing legal environment. These skills are crucial given the current state of our economy.

Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions at midwest@nblsa.org . Once again, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you and I hope to see you at the Regional Convention this year!

Very truly yours, Rodney D. Robbins, Jr. Indiana University, Maurer School of Law Midwest Regional Chair, 2011-2012 National Black Law Students Association midwest@nblsa.org

SEPTEMBER 2011

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20 11 A C A D E M I C R E T R E AT W R A P - U P The 2011 MWBLSA Academic Retreat was held on October 7-9 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event kicked off on Friday with an Alumni Networking Reception at the "WXYZ Bar" of the Aloft Minneapolis. On Saturday, students from various schools throughout the region gathered at the University of Minnesota Law School to learn new ways to improve their academic development and meet fellow BLSA members.

First-year law students participated in the "Academic Boot Camp", hosted by Professor Peter T. Wendel of Pepperdine University School of Law, author of Deconstructing Legal Analysis: A 1L Primer. Moji Olaniyan, Assistant Dean and Director of the Academic Enhancement Program at the University of Wisconsin Law School, also hosted a work-shop on exam writing and preparation for first-year law students titled "Showing What You Know".

Second and third-year law students participated in intimate panel discussions with attorneys from the Minneapolis area, including "From Call Backs to Job Offers," a panel designed to help students prepare for successful second interviews with potential em-ployers. Students also learned about which skills might be most useful to develop for specific areas of practice during the panel titled, "So How Does This Apply in the Real World?"

All students gathered with Darryl Thomas of Larson King, LLP for a discussion on stress management. Participants shared tips on dealing with law school, as well as personal and work related stress. Last, but certainly not least, Hennepin County District Court Judge, Pamela Alexander, shared her experiences and wisdom during her keynote address on the necessity of using a law degree to help the community.

The MWBLSA Executive Board would like to thank Judge Alexander (Pictured Right), the panelists and the presenters who contributed to the success of this year's Academic Retreat. We would also like to thank the University of Minnesota and all of the MWBLSA members in attendance. We truly enjoyed the opportunity to serve our constituents and look forward to the 2012 Regional Convention in Columbus, Ohio, February 15-19.

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MWBLSA REGIONAL BLAST

REGIONAL CONVENTION COMPETITIONS The Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition (FDMCC), Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition (TMMTC), and International Negotiations Competition (INC) competitions will take place during the Regional Convention in Columbus, Ohio. This year, our regional goal is to have at least one competing team for each of the NBLSA competitions from each of our local chapters.

As the semester moves forward, we want to ensure that you do not miss any important deadlines for NBLSA competitions registration.

Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition: The Midwest Region has schools that consistently rank at the top in the nation in advocacy! Competition is currently open until Sunday, October 30, 2011. View the moot court problem and register your team today! Registration is $355 and the deadline to register is October 30, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact Lon’Cherie’ Billingsley, Regional Director of FDMCC, at midwest.mootcourt@gmail.com.

Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition: Each year, hundreds of competitors compete on the regional level in the hopes of ultimately becoming one of the top three teams in the Nation. To date, the competition is one of the largest, most respected law school mock trial competitions in the country.

Regular Registration is $350 per team and the registration period ends on November 13, 2011. Let’s make sure the top three teams come from MWBLSA this year!

If you have any questions, please contact Dominique Taylor, Regional Director of TMMTC, at midwest.mocktrial@gmail.com.

International Negotiations Competition: The International Negotiations Competition is the only non-litigation based competition offered by our organization, providing students with a unique opportunity to develop useful negotiation skills, while creating awareness of important global issues. Early Bird Team Registration is $100 and the registration deadline is October 28, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact Etienne Toussant, National Director of International Negotiations Competition, at internationalcompetition@nblsa.org.

SEPTEMBER 2011

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: WOLVERINE BAR ASSOCIATION SUMMER CLERKSHIP PROGRAM & COZEN O’CONNOR 2012 SUMMER ASSOCIATE PROGRAM Wolverine Bar Association 2011 Summer Clerkship Program The Wolverine Bar Association Summer Clerkship Program strives to increase the number of minority attorneys employed as partners, associates, in-house counsel, and in other well-respected positions within the legal community. To achieve this goal, the Program places first-year minority law students in clerkship positions that will provide opportunities to establish a network of contacts, develop practice skills, and acquire other intangible benefits gained from the experience of working in a challenging professional environment, all of which are critical to the launch of a successful legal career. The Program also provides participating employers an additional mechanism to accomplish their individual diversity goals and express their commitment to and underscore the importance of diversity in the legal community.

Inquiries about the application process for the 2011 Summer Clerkship Program may be directed to Andrea J. Bradley-Lipsey at (313) 465-7652 or ALipsey@honigman.com or Carrie S. Bryant at (313) 225-9233 or cbryant@bcbsm.com.

Cozen O’Connor 2012 Summer Associate Program (Chicago Office) The Chicago office of Cozen O'Connor is seeking a 2L summer associate for the 2012 Summer Associate Program. Ideal candidates would be in the top 1/3 of their class and would have some form of journal participation. Candidates must have excellent legal research and writing skills and a commitment to quality and excellence in the practice of law. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and transcript to Hillary Gruner, Manager of Recruiting, at hgruner@cozen.com.

Established in 1970, Cozen O'Connor delivers legal services on an integrated and global basis, with more than 575 attorneys in 22 cities on two continents. Our lawyers counsel clients on sophisticated legal matters in all areas of litigation, as well corporate and regulatory law, and provide government relations support at the state and federal levels. A first-generation law firm, we have not forgotten our entrepreneurial roots, and continue to provide top-notch client service at unparalleled value as we have grown to an AmLaw 100 firm counseling clients worldwide.

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MWBLSA REGIONAL BLAST

MWBL SA C A L L T O A C T I O N MWBLSA is still looking for regional members who are willing to serve on the Regional Executive Board. The practical skills, leadership and networking opportunities that come with being on the board are invaluable.

Available Positions: 

Sub-Regional Director 4 (Kentucky, Iowa, Kansas, & Missouri)

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Regional Recruitment Fair Coordinator

To be eligible for an Executive Board Position Candidates must: 

Be a financial member of NBLSA

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Be in Good Academic Standing at your school.

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Be able to serve for the remainder of the term ending March 31, 2012

If you are interested in applying for a position on the Midwest Executive Board, please send a resume, cover letter and the contact information of two references (one reference must be your current chapter president) to Caryn Ragin at midwest.vicechair@gmail.com by Sunday, October 30, 2011, which is the deadline for submissions.

COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Greetings MWBLSA, We need your assistance! We are continuing to collect donations for the Joplin Missouri School District (JMSD), which suffered damage throughout the entire district in the tornado that hit earlier this year. Please collect donations from your local chapter and have them shipped to me in an effort to prevent the school from receiving numerous small donations. If you have any questions, I can be contacted at midwest.communityservice@gmail.com. Let’s come together as a Region and show our support!

Respectfully submitted, Brandy A. Jones Regional Director of Community Service, 2011-2012

SEPTEMBER 2011

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REGIONAL CONVENTION INTRODUCTION The Midwest Region of the National Black Law Students Association (MWBLSA) invites you to join us at our annual Regional Convention. The Regional Convention will be held February 15-19, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio at the Marriott Renaissance and will be hosted by the Ohio State University and Capitol University Law School BLSA chapters.

This year’s regional theme is “Getting to Esquire and Beyond: Overcoming Obstacles, Opening Doors, and Securing Opportunities.” Your regional executive board has been working extensively to provide you with creative educational and career focused workshops. In all, our goal is to culminate this year with a convention that produces en-during memories!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Carmen Smith at midwest.regionalconvention@gmail.com. We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us at the Regional Convention!

Register for the Regional Convention and Book Your Hotel NOW!!!!!

REGIONAL CONVENTION CHALLENGE TEAM What is the Regional Convention Challenge Team?

The Regional Convention Challenge is a grassroots marketing effort aimed at encouraging members and nonmembers to attend the 2012 Regional Convention. This year, MWBLSA’s goal is to have 300 people join us in Columbus, Ohio from February 15-19, 2011.

What Can You Do to Help?

Join the Regional Convention Challenge Team! Regional Convention Challenge Team participants encourage convention attendance through email correspondence and personal phone calls to chapter presidents. Additionally, challenge teamers use social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter to promote the Regional Convention.

Why Join?

Regional Convention Challenge Team members get the following benefits: 

Reduced Regional Convention registration rate

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Receive special recognition at the MWBLSA Awards Gala, and

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Receive special rewards from our corporate sponsors.

For more information, contact Carmen Smith, Regional Convention Coordinator, at midwest.regionalconvention@gmail.com.

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MWBLSA REGIONAL BLAST

N AT I O N A L M E M B E R S H I P R E G I S T R AT I O N Please follow these steps to become NBLSA members: 

Step 1: Visit www.nblsa.org and click on the Membership link in the top right corner of the page.

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Step 2: Once on the Membership page click the link “Join NBLSA”

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Step 3: Click on the link to access our membership system

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Step 4: Click the link to “Become a Member”

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Step 5: Complete all fields below the portion of the site with the heading entitled “New to this site?” Provide all required information and click continue.

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Step 6: Select the appropriate membership type and click continue.

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Step 7: Complete all information requested and click “Place Order” (you will not be charged)

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Step 8: Confirm information by clicking “Place Order” (You will not be charged).

You are done! At this point, your chapter president is responsible for confirming payment of dues (if you paid directly to your chapter). Click “go home” to go to NBLSA Membersuite home page and register for your regional and national conventions. If you have any questions about this process, please contact your chapter president first. If your chapter president cannot answer your question, contact our Regional Director of Membership at midwest.membership@gmail.com.

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