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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 BrookeE@hba.org.
HBA Programs for Law Students/Law Schools
Law & the Media Program - Jan. 28 at STCL, FREE for Law Students
The 2012 Law & the Media Program will explore the legal, ethical and practical implications of WikiLeaks for journalists, lawyers and the people and institutions affected by "antisecrecy vigilantes" (New York Times). The program will feature Geoffrey Robertson, the London-based lawyer for WikiLeaks found Julian Assange (via Skype) and New York Times reporter Eric Schmitt, who interviewed Mr. Assange and assessed the first trove of diplomatic cables leaked by WikiLeaks. The program also will include a panel discussion featuring Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press, Washington, D.C.; Don DeGabrielle of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas; David Adler, federal criminal defense attorney; and Tom Forestier, media attorney and managing shareholder, Winstead PC. Law & the Media is co-sponsored by the HBA, the Society of Professional Journalists and The Press Club of Houston. The program is set for Saturday, January 28, 2012, at South Texas College of Law. It has been approved for 3 hours of MCLE credit, including 1 hour of ethics credit. Click here to register.
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 paid 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.
A Day of Family Service – April 21
Participate in one of 10 volunteer projects that will be conducted at 10 different locations on one Saturday in the spring. Projects will include cleaning a park through the Lawyers Against Waste Trash Bash, building a home through Habitat for Humanity, sorting children's clothing and diapers for agencies that serve the homeless, participating in a project at the HBA's adopted middle school and other programs that serve the community. Check back later for an updated list of projects.
Habitat for Humanity – Late Spring
The HBA will be building its 15th Habitat for Humanity home in late spring, 2012. We always have a need for individuals or groups to help with the construction of the home on a Saturday, typically in April and May. Check back for build dates as they come available.
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
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.
Check back for updates on upcoming 2011-2012 Scholarships!
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 updated date, time, 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.
Attorney Ad Litem Appointment Opportunities:
Attorney Ad Litem Appointment Opportunities Download the form.
Mentor-Protégé Application.
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.
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