LLS community comes together to celebrate Loyola’s diverse and varied opportunities for practical training
“Do we need to take Evidence first semester if we haven’t already taken it?” “Do I need to be fluent in another language besides English?” “Do you take Evening students?” “How is a clinic experience difference than externing at a non-profit?”
Most of the questions asked and answered during LMU Loyola Law School’s spring semester Experiential Learning Fair (ELF) have been what one might expect law students exploring options for fall 2020 to ask the law school’s clinical professors and attorneys. But this semester’s forum has been very different: In concert with all courses going online to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the event originally scheduled for March 25 is being held online for the first time over a two-week span.
Loyola Law School’s first virtual ELF kicked off on Monday, March 23 with a Law Review Info Session hosted by Associate Dean for Research Justin Levitt. It has been followed by two weeks’ worth of sessions on such experiential offerings as:
- Artificial Intelligence & Access to Justice Practicum
- Byrne Trial Advocacy Team
- Collaborative Family Law Clinic
- Collateral Consequences of Conviction Justice Project
- District Attorney Practicum
- Federal Public Defender Death Penalty Appeals Clinic
- Landlord Tenant Clinic
- Law Reviews
- Loyola Genocide Justice Clinic
- Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic
- Loyola Project for the Innocent
- Moot Court Programs
- Sales & Use Tax Clinic
- Transactional Negotiation Team
- Youth Justice Education Clinic
“The Spring Experiential Learning Fair is an annual event where the community comes together to celebrate one of Loyola’s many strengths: its diverse and varied opportunities for practical training,” said Cindy Thomas Archer, Associate Dean of Clinical Programs and Experiential Learning. “It is a one-stop opportunity to learn about our nationally ranked competition teams, extensive field placement programs, clinical opportunities and more.”
LLS offers unparalleled opportunities for students to practice a lawyering skills through programs such as three law reviews, more than 20 live-client clinics, specialized legal practica and other field placements, and trial advocacy, moot court, negotiation and arbitration competition teams. Many of the programs participating in the fair also fulfill students’ with experiential learning or upper-division writing requirements while also providing calling cards for future employers.
During his Law Review info session, Dean Levitt highlighted Loyola’s three student-edited law reviews, and the opportunities they provide for explaining – and sometimes prodding change in – the law. “They are one part student organization but they are also a way for Loyola to put its face out into the world. Contributing to one of the Law Reviews means you’re a part of that visibility too.” He added that, “You will find many employers look to law review participation as a signal of writing and analytical ability.”
Likewise, Professor Shannon Treviño described for students the long-term benefits of her program. “The whole idea of the Transactional Negotiation Team is to offer a moot court-like experience for students who are envisioning a career in transactional practice,” said the Director of Transactional Lawyering Institute. “This is an excellent opportunity not only to hone your deal negotiation skills but to also gain feedback from experienced attorneys live in person.”
Live ELF sessions are scheduled through Monday, April 6, with recordings available here.