College of Law

Cutting Sign to the Legal Profession features two days of programming to help you launch your career in the legal profession. You’ll meet and work with leading members of the bench and bar—many of whom are Native themselves, practice in the area of Indian law, or work with Native communities—who are here to welcome you to the community of attorneys and judges with this shared interest and to champion your success through advice and mentorship.

Sessions will include:

  • Resume/cover letter workshops
  • Networking skills workshops
  • Elevator pitch development
  • Mock interviews
  • Formal and informal networking with peers and employers
  • Specific advice on applying for in-house, firm, governmental and JD-advantage jobs, as well as for judicial clerkships.
  • Interviews with employers (including private practice, government, and public interest employers)

Cost of attendance

We fully fund all student attendees, including their travel, meals, registration, housing and transfers. To cover these costs, we raise funds from our incredible donors who understand the critical value of supporting law students with this shared interest. Because of limits on funding and space, we have limited seats available for attendees. As a student, this means that you need to register NOW to hold your place in line as we work to finalize details about next fall’s program. Once we know our final funding class size, we will let you know you are accepted to attend and send you a detailed registration form that with lock in your place. So do not delay and complete the preliminary registration today to hold your place!

Complete the preliminary registration today HERE to reserve your place in line and receive more information about the program in the coming weeks!

 

Program schedule

The program will take place on October 4 and 5, but because the program runs the full day, students are required to arrive on October 3 and depart on October 6. Students will stay at the University of Utah Guest House or other conveniently located housing we have arranged, with easy access to the Salt Lake City light rail, and just minutes from the law school. The program will begin 8:30 am each day, and will feature interactive sessions, workshops, panels and more, as well as include breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Those completing the Preliminary Registration we will receive a detailed registration form along with update on the program schedule in the coming weeks.

Faculty at Cutting Sign

Current Faculty
The 2024-2025 Cutting Sign to the Legal Profession is expected to include:

  • Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Dean of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
  • Arturo Thompson, Associate Dean for Career Development at Utah law
  • Amanda Barr, Career Counselor at Utah Law
  • Jennifer Mencarini, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Fox Rothchild
  • Nikia Gray, Executive Director at the Natiuonal Association for Legal Placement
  • Rodina Cave Parnall, Director at the Pre-Law Summer Institute at The American Indian Law Center, Inc.
  • Eric Stern,Assistant Dean for Career Development at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
  • Dylan Hedden-Nicely, Professor of Law, Director, Native American Law Program at the University of Idaho College of Law

Previous Faculty
Many faculty members have participated in past Cutting Sign events, including:

  • Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Dean of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
  • Arturo Thompson, Associate Dean for Career Development at Utah law
  • Jaclyn Howell, Director of Career Development at Utah Law
  • Amanda Barr, Career Counselor at Utah Law
  • Jennifer Mencarini, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Fox Rothchild
  • Anthony Waller, Assistant Dean of Career Development at the University of Georgia
  • Nikia Gray, Executive Director at the Natiuonal Association for Legal Placement
  • Rodina Cave Parnall, Director at the Pre-Law Summer Institute at The American Indian Law Center, Inc.
  • Anne Marie Fulfer, Director, Pro Bono Program and Senior Counselor at the University of Idaho College of Law
  • Dylan Hedden-Nicely, Professor of Law, Director, Native American Law Program at the University of Idaho College of Law