National and specialized job fairs are great sources of career information, networking events, interviews, and jobs. Here is information on several job fairs which take place each year, and mark your calendar with the dates of those you find interesting. Although it is by no means an exhaustive list, it will give you some ideas. Come see PDO if you have questions. Please note that for several of these fairs, all application materials are due on the same date that your general student registration ends—read the fine print carefully! We have noted some of those deadlines, but you will want to double check.
Loyola Patent Interview Program (IP) – Chicago, IL
http://www.luc.edu/law/career/patent.html
Eligibility: Open to rising 2L’s and 3L’s
Takes place in late July each year.
Registration: Closed for 2011. Plan for next year!
Minnesota Minority Recruitment Conference – Twin Cities, MN
http://www.diversityinpractice.org/index.asp?pageID=25
Eligibility: Open to rising 2L’s and 3L’s
August 5, 2011
Registration: Open now, and closes on June 17, 2011
IMPACT Career Fair for Law Students and Graduates with Disabilities – Washington, DC
http://www.law.arizona.edu/Career/IMPACT/welcome.cfm
Eligibility: Open to rising 2L’s and 3L’s and graduates
August 5, 2011
Registration: Open, but closes on July 10, 2011. On that date, you must also have all application materials complete and uploaded.
Bay Area Diversity Career Fair (diversity) – San Francisco, CA
http://www.sfbar.org/diversity/career_fair.aspx
Eligibility: Open to “highly qualified diverse second year law students.”
August 6, 2011
Registration: Closes soon–June 17, 2011!
Northwest Minority Job Fair (diversity) – Seattle, WA
Eligibility: Open to all law students
August 27, 2011
Registration: Opens June 24, 2011 and ends July 22, 2011
HISPANIC NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION JOB FAIR – Dallas, TX
http://www.hnba.com/career-fair/
Eligibility: Law students and professionals
September 2, 2011 (convention runs August 31-September 2)
Registration: Appears to be open. Deadline is unclear.
Lavender Law (conference and career fair for LGBT) – Hollywood, CA (rotating location)
http://www.lgbtbar.org/annual/
Eligibility: Law students and professionals
September 8-10, 2011
Registration: Open. Early registration deadline is August 1. Online registration deadline is August 15.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVERSITY CAREER FAIR – Denver, CO
http://www.rmdlcf.com
Eligibility: Rising 2L’s and 3L’s and recent graduates
September 9, 2011
Registration: Is open, and ends July 25, 2011 (note—all applications must also be completed by then!)
NATIONAL LATINO/A LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE – New Orleans, LA (rotating location)
http://www.nllsa.org/2011conference
September 29 – October 1, 2011
Registration: Not on website yet.
Equal Justice Works Annual Career Fair and Conference (public interest) – Washington, DC
http://www.equaljusticeworks.org/law-school/conference-and-careerfair
Eligibility: 2Ls and 3Ls
October 21-22, 2011
Registration: Opens August 16 and ends September 12, 2011
S.J. Quinney College of Law Career Fair (informational, with firms, government, public interest)
January 12, 2012
Eligibility: 1L, 2L, 3L’s
Informational/networking career fair—although each year, students land interviews later as a result of making contact with employers at this fair.
Northwest Public Interest/Government Fair (public interest) – Seattle, WA and Portland, OR
http://www.nwpifair.org/
Eligibility:
February 3, 2012– Seattle, WA and February 4, 2012– Portland, OR
Registration: More information and list of participating employers will be available in Fall 2011
J. Reuben Clark Law Society Conference (not a career fair) – Stanford, CA (rotating location)
http://www.jrclsconference.com/
Eligibility: This conference is open to attorneys, non-attorneys, law students, and spouses
February 16-18, 2012
Registration: Opens November 1, 2011 and ends January 26, 2012. Law students can register for a discounted rate of $40.