J.D. Alumni Resources
Advising Services
We invite JD alumni who are seeking positions or are planning a career change to make an appointment with one of our alumni advisors. Advisors will work with you to define your goals, develop your job search strategy, research potential employers, review your application materials, and hone your networking and interview skills.
Appointments are available during most times of the year to discuss a variety of job and career transition issues. During certain times of the year, the availability of one-on-one counseling may be limited due to major OCS, Law School, or University events, as well as professional staff schedules.
All J.D. Alumni appointments and services are offered virtually by Zoom or phone.
Resources
Which question below best matches what brought you here? Start exploring resources by clicking through to the page that relates to your inquiry.
What Do I Want to Do?
Start here if you . . .
. . . are uncertain about what kind of career might be best for you.
. . . think it might be time to explore other types of work.
. . . want to explore “alternative” careers.
. . . have a curiosity about what else might be out there.
. . . want guidance on networking.
How Do I Get the Job?
Start here if you . . .
. . . have some direction around the type of job you want, and you’re looking for information on how to get it.
. . . want advice on application materials – including resumes and cover letters.
. . . need a starter list of job search sites.
. . . are seeking guidance on interviewing for roles.
. . . find yourself curious about working with external recruiters (“headhunters”) and/or career coaches.
. . . are curious about salary-related resources.
How Can I Continue to Develop in My Role?
Start here if you . . .
. . . are looking for tips and resources for improving your workplace experience and impact.
. . . wish to review diversity, equity, and inclusion resources.
What About Clerkships?
Start here if you . . .
. . . are interested in working alongside a judge.
. . . are a litigator in search of a transition or looking to gain more research and writing experience.
. . . think a pivot to legal academia might be of interest.
Judicial clerkships are typically one- or two-year salaried, post-J.D. positions with federal, state, local, or administrative law judges. Clerkships can provide valuable experiences even for alumni who have already spent time practicing law -- and an increasing number of judges now prefer candidates who have some practice experience. Moreover, a judicial clerkship provides high-quality research and writing experience, an opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge of court or administrative agency procedures, and a chance to develop a lifelong mentoring relationship with a judge.
For additional information on clerkships, interested alumni should review our clerkships website and resources.
For advising appointments, alumni should book an appointment with Michele Hoff, Director for Judicial Clerkships.
Additional Resources
Career & Self
- 5 Things You Must Sacrifice to Have a Better Future
- 5 Values that Lead to a Happy Life
- 6 Perspective Shifts that Will Make You Happier at Work
- 7 Steps to Personal Brand Building for Women
- 8 Phrases that Make You Sound Weak at Work
- Find Success in Your Career by Matching Passion and Purpose
- Getting in The Habit: Baby Steps Toward Change
- Practice Area: Inventory
- Practice Area: Ten Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Practice Area
- You’ll Only Truly be a Leader When You Master These 16 Skills
Your Legal Career and Impact of Covid-19
- The No. 1 Mistake Job Seekers are Making during COVID-19, according to Recruiters
- Four Legal Soft Skills to Improve during Quarantine
- 5 Ways to Find Work in the Pandemic
- Effective Networking and Increased Connection in a Remote and Hybrid Workplace (Debbie Epstein Henry, Chapter 6, Business Development for a New Legal Ecosystem, Published by ARK Conferences Ltd, a division of Wilmington plc, July 2020)
- Game Saving Tips for Job Hunters During COVID-19
- How to Keep an Eye to the Future When There's a Crisis in the Present
- How to Network Remotely
- Legal Hiring - Lessons from the Last Downturn
- Networking Skills that Work Wonders Virtually
- Preparing for a Future Beyond the Crisis
- Reinventing Your Career in the Time of Coronavirus
- Sharing Resilience
- Side Hustles to Consider when Working from Home
- Teleworking Will Likely Continue After the Pandemic
- Working From Home is the Easy Part if Big Law Goes Virtual
Job Search Toolbox
Resources for job seekers
Job Search Sites
- 30 Public Service Career Sites You Should Be Following
- Daily Information Subscription (free for alumni)
- Guide to Organizations Without/Beyond Borders in Social Change
- Online Job Search Sites for Attorneys
- PCDN Careers
- Resource Guides to Careers in Social Change, Conflict Resolution and more
- Traverse Jobs
- World’s Top List of Job Sites in Social Change & Social Impact
- Legal Search Firms and Temporary Agencies
Career Challenges and Pivots
- The Best Way to Ask for a Raise or a Promotion
- Digital Interviews: Questions, Answers and Tips to Prepare
- How to Bounce Back from a Bad Performance Review
- How to Get on a Board of Directors
- How to Go In House and Excel Once There
- How Not to Let a Bad Review and Absent Mentor Stop Your Progress
- How Managers Become Leaders
- Overcoming the ‘You’re Overqualified’ Challenge
- Reinventing Yourself After a Job Loss
- What to Know if You Need to Change the Direction of Your Practice
Changes to the Legal Career Landscape
Alternative Careers Resources
Resources for those who want to consider alternative careers
Certificate Programs
- List of Certificate Programs
- American University: Short Courses & Certification Prep
- Catholic University of America: Graduate Certificate Programs
- George Washington University School of Business: Graduate and Professional Certificate Programs
- Howard University: Certificate Programs
- University of the District of Columbia: Certificate/Non-Degree Programs