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Welcome to the HBA Law Student Center! This page is a guide for students at Houston’s three law schools on getting involved with the HBA. It includes information on continuing education programs open to law students, scholarships available through HBA sections, volunteer opportunities, career development opportunities and helpful links to additional resources. Involvement with your local bar association is a foundation for building a successful career after law school. And as professionals, many HBA members enjoy networking with law students to keep up-to-date on legal education and the talent pool coming out of local law schools.
The HBA does not have a formal law student section, and you do not have to pay dues to the HBA to take advantage of the opportunities described on this page. If you have ideas or information for the HBA Law Student Center, email Brooke Benefield at BrookeE@hba.org.
HBA Programs for Law Students/Law Schools
MOILP 1L Summer Clerkship Program:
The HBA’s Minority Opportunities in the Legal Profession Committee sponsors the area’s only summer clerkship program for 1L law students. The positions provide mentoring and real work experiences for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity for a clerkship at a law firm, corporate legal department or legal nonprofit. Participating students also have the opportunity to attend seminars on professional writing, getting the most out of internships, and making the best impression on your employer.
Watch for informational seminars at your law school and contact your career services office for more information.
Juvenile Justice Mock Trial Program – An Employment Opportunity:
The HBA hires law students from all three Houston schools to assist with its Juvenile Justice Mock Trial Program, conducted in four sessions in eighth grade classrooms throughout Harris County. Law students work with HBA staff to help students develop a case story, prepare witnesses, write attorney questions, and educate those chosen as court personnel about their roles. Law students work during two five-week classroom units each fall and each spring. At the conclusion of the classroom unit, law students help the eighth graders enact their mock trial in real Harris County courtrooms. For more information, contact HBA Education Director Lucy Fisher at
lucyf@hba.org.
Law Student Volunteer/Participation Opportunities at the HBA
Network with HBA members through these events
and programs. Watch this page for information and specific dates.
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING LAW SCHOOL CONTEST:
The HBA invites you to participate in a contest between the three Houston-area law schools to raise the most food and/or funds for the Souper Bowl of Caring.
The winning law school will be determined by amounts
collected per capita, based on student enrollment.
Rules:
• Collect canned or non-perishable food items; and/or
• Collect money to buy meals for hungry children and adults ($1 donated = 3 meals)
• Turn in money and food collected by January 16, 2012
• Food will be collected from schools at a later date by the HBA
Join the Souper Bowl of Caring and Fight Hunger
The HBA will partner with the Souper Bowl of Caring this year by sponsoring a donation drive from November through January 16, 2013, and hosting a day of service event at the Houston Food Bank on January 19. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement to fight hunger and poverty in local communities centered around the time leading up to the NFL's Super Bowl Sunday. 100% of donations from HBA's drive will go to the Houston Food Bank, where just $1 buys three meals. Click here to make a donation to the drive or volunteer for the January 19 event.
Law
Students Can Attend HBA/CLE Programs FREE
Students from Houston’s three law schools are invited to attend any HBA seminar or institute at no charge. (If you want written materials from any of the programs, there is a nominal charge.)
•
Upcoming HBA Institutes
•
Upcoming HBA Seminars
• HBA/CLE Calendar
The Houston Lawyer Magazine - Available for Students
Law students are welcome to stop by the HBA office, located at 1001 Fannin, Suite 1300, Houston, Texas 77002, anytime from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, and pick up a copy of the latest issue of The Houston Lawyer, the HBA's bi-monthly substantive legal publication.
Law
Student Scholarships Available Through the HBA
Find out which HBA sections offer scholarships and how to
apply for them. Also, find out how to apply for theHouston Bar
Association Auxiliary Scholarships. 
•
HBA Sections
($500 - $1,000 to a student at each Houston Law School)
• HBA
Auxiliary ($5,000 to a student at each Houston Law School - Application deadline in mid-March of each year) Download Scholarship Application
Pictured to the left are past HBAA scholarship winners Brent Shultz - UH; Summer Norwood - TSU and Lindsey Moorhead - STCL, along with Phyllis Dent, HBAA and Barrett Reasoner, past President, HBA.
HBA
Section Luncheons Available to Law Students
A number of HBA Sections invite law students to attend their monthly CLE luncheons and activities, and some offer discounted prices for law students. The sections listed below regularly allow law students to attend their luncheons.
Check the Section Calendar link for the most updated date, time, cost, location
and RSVP information:
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.......... Free
• Animal Law Section .................................... Free ($8 for a box lunch)
• Appellate Law Section .................................$30 (with RSVP)
• International Law Section .............................$25
• Labor and Employment Law Section .............$30
• International Law Section..............................$25
• Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section ....................$10
• Securities Litigation and Arbitration Section...$14.50 (with RSVP)
• Taxation Section .........................................$14.50 (with RSVP)
Resources for Newly-Licensed Attorneys
Out of law school and entering practice? The resources below will help you as you transition from legal education to legal career.
Mentor-Protégé Program:
The HBA Mentor Protégé Program, sponsored by the HBA Professionalism Committee, pairs attorneys licensed three years or less with more experienced attorneys who will provide advice on career development. This program is open to all attorneys in Houston, not just HBA members.
Mentor-Protégé Application.
The form can be emailed to
clairen@hba.org.
Guidelines for Women Attorneys
Juggling Work/Life Balance:
The HBA Gender Fairness Committee has developed a list of things to consider when interviewing with law firms or legal departments.
Guidelines.
TYLA Presents "Office In a Flash"
A guide provided by TYLA for aspiring solo attorneys who are newly licensed or ready to be their own boss. This site is full of useful information on each aspect to help get your new business started.
Click here for Office in a Flash.
After the
Bar Exam:
A free resource for persons who have taken the Texas bar exam and are awaiting the results.
Visit
www.afterthebarexam.com
Articles:
Mary Crane's
NewsBox
Events/Links
for Law Students
Special
upcoming events at Houston law schools and helpful links for law
students.
• Houston Young Lawyers Association
• HYLA Law Student Outreach Committee
• State Bar of Texas Law Student Division
• Texas Young Lawyers Association Ten Minute Mentor for Law Students
•
South Texas College of Law
• Thurgood Marshall School of Law
• University of Houston Law Center