Career Development Policies

LMU Loyola Law School is a member of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in the hiring, compensation, work assignment or promotion of any person on the basis of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, race, color, religious creed, national origin, disability, marital, parental or veteran status or the prejudice of clients.

If, as a result of a job listing or on-campus recruitment, you believe you have been denied employment on the basis of discrimination, notify our office immediately. 

Full-time Day Division JD students are strongly encouraged not to work more than twenty (20) hours per week during any semester.

In addition to the policies outlined below, review our resources on application material preparation (for students, for graduating students/recent graduates).

Students must present all information on their resumes, cover letters, and other application materials truthfully and without misrepresentation. Any error or misrepresentation, no matter how small or unintentional, will result in a cost to students (e.g., of redoing resumes). It may also result in a professional cost (e.g., inquiries by employers, loss of employment opportunities, damage to professional reputation). Career Development encourages students to consult their career counselors and submit their resume and cover letter for review. 

ALL VIOLATIONS OF POLICY CONCERNING MISREPRESENTATION OF INFORMATION WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE DEAN'S OFFICE FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

General

• Students may list expected or anticipated work experience only after they have accepted a formal offer of employment from the employer.
• Students who add grades, grade point average(s) (G.P.A.s), and/or percentile/numeric ranks to their resumes, cover letters, and other materials must list the information exactly as issued by the Office of the Registrar (even those ending in .00). "Issued" means the student has received the Registrar's official notice permitting students to use the information on PROWL for resume purposes.
• Any grades, G.P.A.s, percentile/numeric ranks, honors, awards, and memberships students add to resumes must be verifiable through the Registrar.
• Students may list the First Honors Award on a resume only after they receive the Registrar's formal notification.
• All student resumes must conform to the Career Development policies regardless of how or to whom students submit the resume (e.g., via 12twenty, through VIP, directly to employers) and regardless of the job source (i.e., Career Development or outside source).

Class Rank

• At the end of the Spring semester, the Registrar determines G.P.A. cutoffs for the top 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, and 50% of each class, by division. Students in the top 5% receive a numerical rank (e.g. #7 of 262).
• Students can only list the Registrar-issued cumulative and/or annual rankings. Students may not alter rankings based on subsequent Summer or Fall semester grades.
• Students may list a prior year's rank so long as students identify the date (e.g., "Top 50% Annual Rank as of Spring 2020").
• Students may list their class rank without listing the corresponding G.P.A. provided they (1) indicate whether it is their cumulative or annual rank and (2) identify the corresponding term (e.g. "Top 50% Cumulative as of Spring 2020").

G.P.A.

• The Registrar provides G.P.A.s as follows:
  • Term: A calculation for each separate term (Fall, Spring or Summer).
  • Annual: A calculation for an academic year which combines Summer, Fall and Spring (the Summer that precedes the Fall and Spring semesters).
  • Cumulative: A calculation of all grades to date.
• Students may list any term, annual, or cumulative G.P.A. so long students identify the term and year (for term and cumulative G.P.A.s) or by the academic year (for annual G.P.A.s).

G.P.A. With Rank

If students choose to list their class rank, they may choose to list the corresponding Spring cumulative G.P.A., including the proximity of their G.P.A. to a particular rank cutoff. Students must ascertain their correct percentile ranking based on G.P.A. cutoffs from the Registrar. Students may indicate rank in one of four ways:

Assuming a cumulative G.P.A. as of Spring 2020 for a student is 3.50 and the top 25% G.P.A. cutoff is 3.51*, the student may:

1. Indicate rank and corresponding Spring term without the corresponding Spring cumulative G.P.A.

Class Rank: Top 30% (Cumulative as of Spring 2020)

2. Indicate G.P.A. and the specific percentile in which it falls:

G.P.A./Rank: 3.50/Top 30% (Cumulative as of Spring 2020)

3. Indicate G.P.A. and the percentile cutoff closest to it regardless of whether the G.P.A. is within or below the percentile:

G.P.A./Rank: 3.50 (Cumulative as of Spring 2020; Top 25% = 3.51)

4. Indicate G.P.A and the number of points it falls away from a percentile cutoff:

G.P.A./Rank: 3.50 (Cumulative as of Spring 2020 within .01 of Top 25%)

* The Top 25% G.P.A. cutoff used here is for example purposes only. It is not to be used as a guide in determining a student's percentile rank.

1L (1D/2E) Mid-Year G.P.A./Grades

• The Registrar provides a G.P.A. for all courses at the end of the Fall term. The Registrar will identify this on the transcript as the "term" G.P.A.
• If a "G.P.A." consists of only one final grade, Career Development recommends that students list it as a final course grade rather than as a G.P.A.
• If students list a term G.P.A., students must (1) identify the semester and year and (2) label it as "Term G.P.A."

G.P.A.: 3.15 (Cumulative as of Spring 2020); 3.24 (Spring 2020 Term G.P.A.)

• Final course grades as issued by the Registrar for individual courses may be listed on the resume. Students may select the courses for which they wish to display final grades. Course grades may not be displayed on the resume until students have received official notification that the information on PROWL may be used for resume purposes. There is one exception to this rule: first-year students may list Fall grades on their resume as soon as they are available (and before they are officially released by the Registrar's Office).
• Students may list midterm grades so long as they also list the final grade soon as it becomes available. Until the Registrar posts the final grade, students may list midterm grades alone. Students may select the course(s) for which they wish to display such grades. If such grades have been normalized, students may only list the normalized grade. If grades have not been normalized, students must identify them as non-normalized grades on the resume.

Partial Loads and Internal Transfers

• The Registrar does not rank students who carry a partial load during the first year. If these students list their cumulative G.P.A., they must note that they are not currently ranked.

G.P.A.: 3.50 (Cumulative G.P.A. as of Spring 2020, not currently ranked due to partial load)

• The Registrar permits first-year students who carry a partial load as a result of a disability accommodation granted by the Committee on Disability Issues to be ranked along with their first-year class. These students do not need to note "partial load" on their resume.
• Students who transfer between divisions effective with the Fall semester may not associate their most recent Spring cumulative G.P.A. with the corresponding rank of the division (i.e., students who were in the Evening program as of Spring 2020, but then transferred to the Day division as of Fall 2020, cannot associate their Spring cumulative G.P.A. with the Day division).

Eligibility

• JD 2L (2D/3E) and JD 3L (3D/4E) students are eligible for Summer/Fall OCI. Career Development classifies JD students, joint degree students (JD/MBA, JD/LLM), students returning from a leave of absence, and internal transfer students who transfer from Day to Evening or vice versa according to the anticipated graduation date they report to the Registrar.
• Graduate students in the Master of Laws Tax LL.M., Master of Laws LL.M. (for Foreign Trained Attorneys), Master of Tax Law, Master of Science in Legal Studies, and Doctor of Juridical Science programs are also eligible for OCI, but should note that the vast majority of employers who utilize OCI for recruitment target JD students.
• JD and graduate students must be attending LMU Loyola Law School during the Fall semester if participating in Summer/Fall OCI. They must intend to remain enrolled throughout the semester.
• Outgoing transfer students are not eligible to participate in Loyola's OCI. Students who decide to transfer should contact their new school for details about its summer or fall interviewing program.
• Incoming transfer students may participate once the Registrar confirms enrollment; applications deadlines still apply to incoming transfer students regardless of when they transfer into Loyola.
• Visiting students must maintain the same status (full-time or part-time) as they do at their home law school to be eligible. Visiting students must carry the minimum unit load required by Loyola in order to participate: 12 for full-time and 8 for part-time.

Application Materials

• All JD students must submit their resume for review by a career counselor. Review the "Information on Application Materials" section above and consult our resources. Review the OCI announcements for deadlines and instructions.
• The Loyola Legal Writing Teaching Assistants are typically available to review writing samples in connection with OCI. Review the OCI announcements for deadlines and instructions.

Interview Sign-Ups & Cancellations

• There is no limit to the number of employers to which students may apply. However, no student may have more than twenty (20) on-campus interviews during a single OCI program. This does not include any interviews held off campus or any interviews obtained via a resume collect or resume send. Exceptions to the 20-interview cap will be made only when an employer's alternate list has been exhausted.
• All interviews must be confirmed or declined by the specified end date of the respective sign-up period. If you must cancel your interview after you have confirmed, you must notify Career Development at least 48 business hours before the time of your interview. If you cancel with less than 48 business hours notice, you are required to provide a written explanation to Career Development. If Career Development is unable to replace you, you must provide an apology to the interviewer. Failure to give such notice may impact future participation in OCI.

Accepting Offers

Please see our policy on accepting offers in the 'Recruitment Policies' tab below

As of April 21, 2022 *

As a member of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), LMU Loyola Law School abides by the Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process.  We expect students and strongly encourage employers to abide by the principles in addition to the Career Development Office policies outlined below.

These policies are designed to promote a fair recruiting process.  Students should consult their career counselor if they have any questions.

Non-Discrimination Policy

LMU Loyola Law School is a member of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in the hiring, compensation, work assignment or promotion of any person on the basis of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, race, color, religious creed, national origin, disability, marital, parental or veteran status or the prejudice of clients.

NOTE: An exception to the LMU Loyola Law School Career Development Office non-discrimination policy and AALS bylaws is granted to representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense who discriminate on a basis not permitted by Loyola’s non-discrimination policy or AALS bylaws. The exception is currently made in order to avoid the loss of funds that would otherwise be imposed under the Solomon Amendment (enacted by Congress in 1996).

Offer Timing

Employers extending job offers for 2L summer employment should keep offers open for at least 14 days.  If a Pre-OCI offer is made (i.e. before the week of Phase I), the employer should leave that offer open for at least 14 days after the first day of Phase I interviews.

Employers extending job offers for full-time, post-graduate positions to students who were not previously employed by that employer should keep offers open for at least 14 days.

Employers extending job offers for full-time, post-graduate positions to students who were previously employed by the employer should keep offers open for at least 14 days.

Reaffirmation

Students must reaffirm offers if an employer requests reaffirmation in the offer letter/email.  Employers may retract the offer if the student fails to reaffirm the offer within the time requested.

Offer Limit

Students should decline offers as quickly as possible.  Students should not retain more than 3 open offers at a time. 

Extensions

If necessary, students may request up to 7 days beyond the offer deadline with private employers.  Students may request more than 7 days if pursuing jobs with public interest or government employers.  While we encourage employers to grant reasonable requests, employers are not obligated to do so. 

Accepting Offers

If you receive an offer, acknowledge the receipt as soon as possible. You do not need to accept an offer on the spot, but you should thank the employer and express your enthusiasm. Confirm the date by which the employer requires a decision. If you opt to decline an offer, do so as soon as possible, preferably by phone call. Should you accept an offer, follow any written instructions you receive from the employer; otherwise, call the employer to verbally accept. NEVER rescind an accepted offer (paid or unpaid). Doing so may tarnish your professional reputation as well as the law school’s reputation.

If you accept an offer, please let your career counselor know and congratulations! As a reminder, your acceptance is a commitment, and you may NOT rescind it.  Also, DO NOT apply or interview for any other position that conflicts with the position you have accepted. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your career counselor.

* Recruiting policies are subject to change.

The Law School Faculty Career Development Committee periodically reviews the complaint policy and procedures for filing such complaints. The policies and procedures are subject to the Dean's discretion when under review.

Policy Regarding Conduct of Employers Utilizing Placement Facilities

• Remarks by an employer or employer's representative that are inconsistent with Loyola's non-discrimination policy shall constitute a violation of the policy if the remarks are made in the course of the hiring process whether expressed as personal views or as the views of the employer.
• Use of LMU Loyola Law School's employment facilities is a privilege. Employers must adhere to the following minimum standards regarding the revocation of offers of employment or rescission of employment contracts, except (1) when such revocation or rescission is for cause (e.g., when a student misrepresents his/her qualifications, or (2) when the employer is ceasing operations:
  • The employer will notify the Career Development Office and all affected students of the revocation or rescission;
  • The employer will provide a written explanation for the revocation or rescission;
  • The employer will extend reasonable job search assistance to all affected students, including but not limited to, letters of reference, personal referrals, and secretarial support.
  • The employer will honor pre-employment monetary commitments, such as payment of bar examination fees, bar review fees, and stipends. If the student accepts another offer from a second employer that will provide substantially the same preemployment benefits, the revoking or rescinding employer may regard the commitment as discharged.
  • The Career Development Office shall also keep records of verified revocations or rescissions in the employer's file, which is accessible to all students using the facilities. 

Complaints and Resolution

1. Any student who believes that an employer has violated the Law School's policy may file a written complaint with the Director of Career Development (the Director). The complaint should provide as detailed an account as possible of the incident and should be identified as an informal complaint.
2. Investigation of complaints is the responsibility of the Director.
3. If the Director determines that the complaint is not insubstantial, the Director shall inform the employer of the complaint and seek an explanation of the conduct in question. If the Director concludes that the conduct was improper, the Director shall attempt to remedy the problem, for example, by encouraging the employer to take appropriate steps, including an apology to the affected student or students, reaffirming adherence to the School's policy, or modifying the employer's practices. If the Director believes that conciliation is possible and would be useful, the Director may attempt to resolve the matter in a way that is agreeable to both parties.

Location of School

• Reciprocity is offered to law schools located outside of the Los Angeles metropolitan area in selected geographic areas (please contact our office for areas).
• Reciprocity is not offered to students or alumni of Los Angeles County or Orange County law schools.

Requests

• A letter requesting reciprocity must be received at least one week in advance from a representative of the career services office at the requesting individual’s law school.
• Reciprocity is granted on a "one for one" basis.
• If utilizing any in-office resources, students/graduates should call Career Development prior to their visit to ensure that reciprocity has been granted. Students/graduates should bring some form of photo identification.
• Reciprocity will be denied if the requesting school has made multiple requests without providing reciprocal services to a LMU Loyola Law School graduate or student in the interim.

Eligibility

• 1L, 2L, 3L students and graduates.

Services

• LMU Loyola Law School will offer the same services, within the same parameters of the requesting law school provided that they do not conflict with the restrictions outlined below.

Restrictions

• Counseling and on-campus interviews are not available.
• Continuous reciprocity is not available. Only one request per student/graduate per academic year will be granted. If an imbalance with the requesting school occurs, reciprocity will be denied until there is balance.
• Reciprocity is suspended during the On-Campus Interview (OCI) programs (June through mid October, February through March).
• Reciprocity is granted for only one ABA-accredited school per visit in the Los Angeles area.

Open Reciprocity

• LMU Loyola Law School maintains open reciprocity with the University of San Francisco, University of San Diego and Santa Clara University. Students and graduates of these schools do not require a letter from their career services office, but should call our office in advance. Blackout periods during the OCI programs will still apply

LMU Loyola Law School reserves the right to refuse or rescind privileges/services at any time.

Once you've scheduled a career advising appointment, please ensure you attend your meeting. If you need to cancel your appointment, you must email careerdevelopment@lls.edu or call 213-736-1150. Not showing up for a scheduled appointment without communication is a policy violation and may restrict your ability to access our services.